“Ethel,” she said, “did you notice those poor children back there?”
“No,” said Ethel indifferently.
“Well,” said her mother, “I wish you’d go and tell the mother that the baby is sleeping comfortably, and I’ll look after her.”
Ethel was accustomed to mind, and though she looked as if she didn’t fancy the errand, she rose and slowly walked through the car to the back seats where the strangers were seated, delivered her message, and returned.
“They don’t look very comfortable, do they?” said Mrs. Jervis.
“No, indeed!” said Ethel with some interest; “that girl had a little, old shawl pinned on, and looked half frozen at that.”
“I don’t suppose they have ever been really comfortable,” went on Mrs. Jervis. “I should like to fix them all up warm and nice for once in their lives.”
Ethel did not reply, but she was thinking.
“I wonder if they were going anywhere for Christmas,” she said slowly.
“They look as if they did not know what Christmas is,” answered her mother. “I don’t believe they ever had one.”