“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 some children who didn’t get even a candy cane from Santa Claus.”

Sunny Boy glanced across the hall.  From where he sat at the table he could see his Christmas tree.

“I’ll take them my candy canes,” he said.  “Mother is going to take the tree down tomorrow.  I ate only two canes, Daddy, so there are enough left.”

“All right,” answered his daddy.  “You may take the children anything you wish.  That family can use anything, and we won’t let them refuse our help.  They’ll be on their feet again the faster if they accept aid before they are all discouraged.”

The next morning Sunny Boy and his grandpa had to go alone to see the poor family.  From Daddy Horton’s office came a telephone message that he must come and see a man on very important business before nine o’clock, and he had only time to eat his breakfast and run for a car.  But Grandpa Horton promised him that he would see to the Parkneys.  That was their name—­Mr. and Mrs. Parkney and Bob, Joe, Elsie, Alice, Kitty, Ned, and Charlie Parkney.  Grandpa Horton had the names written down on a slip of paper.

“Are you sure the sick boy hasn’t anything he can pass on to Sunny Boy?” asked Mrs. Horton, a little bit worried as she tied up a bundle for them to carry.  “You are sure it is only a cold?”

“Sure,” said Grandpa Horton.  “Positive.  The poor lad is as hoarse as a crow.  Got the New Year cakes and the candy canes, Sunny Boy?  Then I think we are ready to start.”

Sunny Boy had found seven candy canes on his Christmas tree and he had wrapped each one separately.  There would be a cane for each Parkney child.  Harriet had helped him make seven little packages of cakes.  And, with Daddy’s help, the night before he had picked out a toy for each child.  He could not go to sleep until he had chosen the toys.  Though, of course, he did not have anything especially for girls, he thought they would like the games and the jack-in-the box, and Mother Horton said she knew they would.

It was lucky that Sunny Boy and Grandpa Horton liked to walk, for the Parkneys did not live near a car line.  There was only one trolley line that went through the River Section, anyway, and they lived many blocks from that.  Grandpa Horton carried a large bundle in one hand and a basket Harriet had packed in the other.  Sunny Boy had his toys and candy and cakes.