while they ate.

"I'd like to have that family up at Brookside just a month," declared
Grandpa Horton, stirring his tea. "I tell you, Olive, we don't have
such cases in the country. There's a man and wife and seven children,
living in two rooms."

"Did they have any Christmas?" asked Grandma Horton.

"Not a sign," said Grandpa Horton. "The man has been out of work for
two months and he won't go near the charity bureau. He has an injured
arm and he ought to be under a doctor's treatment. There's a boy sick
in bed, too, with a heavy cold, and the mother is about ready to give
up. But they won't take charity--say they'll starve first."

"We built them a fire," Mr. Horton explained. "And I went out and
bought them food for a good supper--told the man he could pay me when
he got work. I think I can make him see a doctor to-morrow. And I
must find a job for him."

"I have some clothes in the Square Box," said Mrs. Horton. "I can get
more, if you will persuade them to accept such things. I don't think
they ought to refuse because of the children. If Sunny Boy had no warm
coat to wear I think I'd take one from any one who would give it to me."

"I could take the sick boy a New Year cake," declared Sunny Boy, who
had been listening. "Is he as big as I am, Daddy?"

"I should say he was about fourteen years old," replied Mr. Horton. "I
don't know but I will take you to-morrow morning, Sunny. You'll see