A Christmas Accident

Book excerpt: A Christmas Accident is one of seven short stories in this charming book. All of them appear to be set in New England, and are based on families, romance, and small-town life. In A Christmas Accident, two families live next door in the same house. The Giltons have lots of kids, and simply strive to make ends meet. The Biltons are well to do. Mr. Bilton is a grumpy old man, who gets irritated by children. When his dog is poisoned, he wrongly accuses the Giltons. On Christmas Eve, however, in the midst of a snowstorm, Mr. Gilton gets turned around, and stumbles into the Bilton home rather than his own. He is overwhelmed by the warmth of the welcome he receives from the whole family, and the simple joy in the Gilton household. A heart-warming story with a happy ending.