CHRISTMAS IN TWO HOMES When Ida Starr was dismissed from school it wanted but a few days to the vacations.

The day which followed her mother's removal to the hospital was Christmas Eve.

For two hours on the afternoon of Christmas Day, Ida sat in silence by the bedside in the ward, holding her mother's hand.

The patient was not allowed to speak, seemed indeed unable to do so.

The child might not even kiss her.