But just at the moment of his coming I did n't care how he had come or who had brought him . I just realized that he was there and that was enough . Sara came in behind him . Walter 's wet arms were about me and I was standing there with my thin-slippered feet in a little pool of water that dripped from his umbrella . But Sara never said a word about colds and dampness . She just smiled , went on into the sitting-room , and shut the door . Sara understood . The Unforgotten One It was Christmas Eve , but there was no frost , or snow , or sparkle . It was a green Christmas , and the night was mild and dim , with hazy starlight . A little wind was laughing freakishly among the firs around Ingleside and rustling among the sere grasses along the garden walks . It was more like a night in early spring or late fall than in December ; but it was Christmas Eve , and there was a light in every window of Ingleside , the glow breaking out through the whispering darkness like a flame-red blossom swung against the background of the evergreens ; for the children were coming home for the Christmas reunion , as they always came -- Fritz and Margaret and Laddie and Nora , and Robert 's two boys in the place of Robert , who had died fourteen years ago -- and the old house must put forth its best of light and good cheer to welcome them . Doctor Fritz and his brood were the last to arrive , driving up to the hall door amid a chorus of welcoming barks from the old dogs and a hail of merry calls from the group in the open doorway . `` We 're all here now , '' said the little mother , as she put her arms about the neck of her stalwart firstborn and kissed his bearded face . There were handshakings and greetings and laughter . Only Nanny , far back in the shadows of the firelit hall , swallowed a resentful sob , and wiped two bitter tears from her eyes with her little red hand . `` We 're not all here , '' she murmured under her breath . `` Miss Avis is n't here . Oh , how can they be so glad ? How can they have forgotten ? '' But nobody heard or heeded Nanny -- she was only the little orphan `` help '' girl at Ingleside .
They were all very good to her , and they were all very fond of her , but XXXXX the times of family reunion Nanny was unconsciously counted out .
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