Aunt Emmy was sixty , and spent the hours she did n't spend in a bed , on a sofa or in a wheel chair ; but Aunt Emmy was never heard to sigh . `` I suppose it is worse then than at any other time , '' she admitted . That was one of the nice things about Aunt Emmy . She always sympathized and understood . `` I 'm worse than poor this Christmas ... I 'm stony broke , '' said Clorinda dolefully . `` My spell of fever in the summer and the consequent doctor 's bills have cleaned out my coffers completely . Not a single Christmas present can I give . And I did so want to give some little thing to each of my dearest people . But I simply ca n't afford it ... that 's the hateful , ugly truth . '' Clorinda sighed again . `` The gifts which money can purchase are not the only ones we can give , '' said Aunt Emmy gently , `` nor the best , either . '' `` Oh , I know it 's nicer to give something of your own work , '' agreed Clorinda , `` but materials for fancy work cost too . That kind of gift is just as much out of the question for me as any other . '' `` That was not what I meant , '' said Aunt Emmy . `` What did you mean , then ? '' asked Clorinda , looking puzzled . Aunt Emmy smiled . `` Suppose you think out my meaning for yourself , '' she said . `` That would be better than if I explained it . Besides , I do n't think I could explain it .
Take the beautiful line of a beautiful poem to help you XXXXX your thinking out : ` The gift without the giver is bare . ' ''
Besides Clorinda about for hours in of on than to