Ida 's New Year Cake Mary Craig and Sara Reid and Josie Pye had all flocked into Ida Mitchell 's room at their boarding-house to condole with each other because none of them was able to go home for New Year 's . Mary and Josie had been home for Christmas , so they did n't really feel so badly off . But Ida and Sara had n't even that consolation . Ida was a third-year student at the Clifton Academy ; she had holidays , and nowhere , so she mournfully affirmed , to spend them . At home three brothers and a sister were down with the measles , and , as Ida had never had them , she could not go there ; and the news had come too late for her to make any other arrangements . Mary and Josie were clerks in a Clifton bookstore , and Sara was stenographer in a Clifton lawyer 's office . And they were all jolly and thoughtless and very fond of one another . `` This will be the first New Year 's I have ever spent away from home , '' sighed Sara , nibbling chocolate fudge . `` It does make me so blue to think of it . And not even a holiday -- I 'll have to go to work just the same . Now Ida here , she does n't really need sympathy . She has holidays -- a whole fortnight -- and nothing to do but enjoy them . '' `` Holidays are dismal things when you 've nowhere to holiday , '' said Ida mournfully . `` The time drags horribly . But never mind , girls , I 've a plummy bit of news for you . I 'd a letter from Mother today and , bless the dear woman , she is sending me a cake -- a New Year 's cake -- a great big , spicy , mellow , delicious fruit cake . It will be along tomorrow and , girls , we 'll celebrate when it comes . I 've asked everybody in the house up to my room for New Year 's Eve , and we 'll have a royal good time . '' `` How splendid ! '' said Mary .
`` There 's nothing I like more than a slice XXXXX real countrified home-made fruit cake , where they do n't scrimp on eggs or butter or raisins .
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