"I broke his leg. I just know it, mom! He's prob'ly crawled off somewhere and died." With that he sobbed even harder. Between sobs he muttered, "I . . I didn't want to hurt him . . . I was just mad at Gerry."

He was startled by the loud tolling of the church bell. His father stuck his head through the kitchen door, "Something's wrong," he said, "I'm going down to the church and see.

"Shall we come, Tom?" his wife inquired.

"Come on then, but hurry!"

The church members arrived in small clusters of family groups. The pastor stood in front of the church waiting for everyone to arrive. Nobody sat down. Standing next to him was Gerry Stevens and his little sister, Julie. As soon as everyone was quiet, the pastor announced, "I'm afraid I have some bad news. Robert Stevens passed away just a few moments ago. We all mourn his passing on this Christmas Eve." He paused for a moment for the people to absorb the news. "Someone must care for his children until proper arrangements can be made. Are there any volunteers?"

Standing in a darkened corner unnoticed by anyone but young Tommie Johnson was the tall man in burlap. Tommie couldn't take his eyes off him. When the tall man looked at Tommie, something he couldn't describe filled his heart. Turning to his parents he whispered, "Mom, Dad, who is that man?"

"Don't stare Tommie," his mother repied. "He must be some poor man the pastor is helping."

Tommie couldn't stop staring. In a daze, he heard himself ask his parents if they could take Gerry and his sister into their home.

"Why Tommie, I thought you were very angry with Gerry?" Tommie saw the despair welling up in Gerry's eyes as he held tightly to his sister.

"Mom, please . . ., I don't know why, but please . . ." Before he realized what was happening Tommie heard his father say, "Pastor, we will be happy to take them." Gerry looked at Tommie and then followed Tommie's gaze until he just glimpsed the figure of the man slip out into the darkness.