The HO train

(1969 Christmas)
Here I am going to tell about my last present to Lorin, the HO train, or postage stamp train.  From a crack or two he let out the last couple of years, I got the idea he might like a minature train; so to Krouskop's I went and bought the last one they had, about $25, that is very high for me to go on a present.  That night two boys knocked at the door wondering if I were going to keep the train as they had their eyes on it.  If I were not, I should return it to Krouskop's and they would buy it.  One was young Jim Clausius.  Lorin kept at me - "Who was at the door, Polly?" - until I finally told him.  He decided Christmas was for kids and the train better go back.  But he unwrapped it and looked at it longingly and lovingly.  He said that was the nicest thing anyone had thought of for him in years, and under other other circumstances he would have loved it.  All right.  So I brought it back.