Just then, the Christmas bells began to ring. Vivian Yates exclaimed, "Oh no, the Christmas party is about to start! I have to go now. Annabelle, what about you? Your clothes..."
Annabelle Linton glanced down at her clothes, which were filthy. Her foot hurt too much to walk. Biting her lip, she said, "You guys go on without me. Don't worry about me. I probably can't make it tonight. Just let everyone know."
'Looks like I'll have to give him the gift some other day.' Sadness flickered in Annabelle Linton's eyes.
'Watching her, Leona Grant's heart suddenly ached. She was only sixteen, and she was already facing this all day long. And then she'd have to go home and put up with my bullying. Sigh.'
"So you're just not going tonight, Annabelle? On such a special occasion? And what about your gift? Weren't you going to give it to Mr. Grant? If you don't give it to him today, when will you?"
