`` I 'll take Ned away and unharness him . '' `` It 's a bitterly cold night , '' said Mrs. Martin wearily . There was a note of discouragement in her voice that struck dismay to Theodora 's heart . `` I 'm afraid it means no Christmas for the children tomorrow , '' she thought sadly , as she led Ned away to the stable . When she returned to the kitchen Mrs. Martin was sitting by the fire , her face in her chilled hand , sobbing convulsively . `` Auntie -- oh , Auntie , do n't ! '' 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 XXXXX a narrow blue ribbon .
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