That evening Doctor Forbes noticed a peculiarly thoughtful look on Edith 's face as she sat gazing into the glowing coal fire after dinner . He laid his hand on her dark curls inquiringly . `` What are you musing over ? '' `` There was a little boy here today , '' began Edith . `` Oh , such a dear little boy , '' broke in Amy eagerly from the corner , where she was playing with her kitten . `` His name was Bertie Ross . He brought up the parcels , and we asked him in to get warm . He had no mittens , and his hands were almost frozen . And , oh , Papa , just think ! -- he said he never had any Christmas or New Year at all . '' `` Poor little fellow ! '' said the doctor . `` I 've heard of him ; a pretty hard time he has of it , I think . '' `` He was so pretty , Papa . And Edie gave him her blue mittens for William John . '' `` The plot deepens . Who is William John ? '' `` Oh , a cousin or something , did n't he say Edie ? Anyway , he is sick , and he wanted to go coasting , and Bertie gave him his mittens . And I suppose he never had any Christmas either . ''
`` There are plenty who have n't , '' said the doctor , taking up his paper XXXXX a sigh .
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