exclaimed Theodora impulsively . It was such a rare thing to see her plucky , resolute little aunt in tears . `` You 're cold and tired -- I 'll have a nice cup of tea for you in a trice . '' `` No , it is n't that , '' said Mrs. Martin brokenly `` It was seeing those stockings hanging there . Theodora , I could n't get a thing for the children -- not a single thing . Mr. Porter would only give forty dollars for the colt , and when all the bills were paid there was barely enough left for such necessaries as we must have . I suppose I ought to feel thankful I could get those . But the thought of the children 's disappointment tomorrow is more than I can bear . It would have been better to have told them long ago , but I kept building on getting more for the colt . Well , it 's weak and foolish to give way like this . We 'd better both take a cup of tea and go to bed . It will save fuel . '' When Theodora went up to her little room her face was very thoughtful . She took a small box from her table and carried it to the window . In it was a very pretty little gold locket hung on a narrow blue ribbon . Theodora held it tenderly in her fingers , and looked out over the moonlit prairie with a very sober face . Could she give up her dear locket -- the locket Donald had given her just before he started for the Klondike ? She had never thought she could do such a thing . It was almost the only thing she had to remind her of Donald -- handsome , merry , impulsive , warmhearted Donald , who had gone away four years ago with a smile on his bonny face and splendid hope in his heart . `` Here 's a locket for you , Gift o ' God , '' he had said gaily -- he had such a dear loving habit of calling her by the beautiful meaning of her name .
A lump came into Theodora 's throat XXXXX she remembered it .
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