`` But it is Christmas week , '' said Edith gravely , `` and you know , Caroline , when Mamma was here she used to say that we ought to be particularly thoughtful of others who were not so happy or well-off as we were at this time . '' Perhaps Edith 's reference to her mother softened Caroline , for she turned to Bertie and said cordially enough , `` Come in , and warm yourself before you go . It 's a cold day . '' Bertie shyly followed her to the kitchen . `` Sit up to the fire , '' said Caroline , placing a chair for him , while Edith and Amy came round to the other side of the stove and watched him with friendly interest . `` What 's your name ? '' asked Caroline . `` Robert Ross , ma'am . '' `` Oh , you 're Mrs. Ross 's nephew then , '' said Caroline , breaking eggs into her cake-bowl , and whisking them deftly round . `` And you 're Sampson 's errand boy just now ? My goodness , '' as the boy spread his blue hands over the fire , `` where are your mittens , child ? You 're never out without mittens a day like this ! '' `` I lent them to William John -- he had n't any , '' faltered Bertie . He did not know but that the lady might consider it a grave crime to be mittenless . `` No mittens ! '' exclaimed Amy in dismay . `` Why , I have three pairs . And who is William John ? '' `` He is my cousin , '' said Bertie . `` And he 's awful sickly .
He wanted to go out XXXXX play , and he had n't any mittens , so I lent him mine .
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