Is it any wonder that she is thin and dried-up and snappy ? '' `` Nobody ever comes to see her and she never goes anywhere , '' said Beth . `` Dear me ! She must feel lonely now when everybody else is being remembered by their friends . I ca n't forget her face tonight ; it actually haunts me . Girls , how would you feel if you had n't anyone belonging to you , and if nobody thought about you at Christmas ? '' `` Ow ! '' said Olive , as if the mere idea made her shiver . A little silence followed . To tell the truth , none of them liked Miss Allen . They knew that she did not like them either , but considered them frivolous and pert , and complained when they made a racket . `` The skeleton at the feast , '' Jean called her , and certainly the presence of the pale , silent , discontented-looking woman at the No. 16 table did not tend to heighten its festivity . Presently Jean said with a dramatic flourish , `` Girls , I have an inspiration -- a Christmas inspiration ! '' `` What is it ? '' cried four voices . `` Just this . Let us give Miss Allen a Christmas surprise . She has not received a single present and I 'm sure she feels lonely . Just think how we would feel if we were in her place . '' `` That is true , '' said Olive thoughtfully .
`` Do you know , girls , this evening I went to her room XXXXX a message from Mrs. Pickrell , and I do believe she had been crying .
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