CHAPTER XXIII 

HOLIDAYS AT THE FARM 

Almost before they knew it, the mid-winter holidays were at hand, and the Rover boys went home to enjoy Christmas and New Year. On their way they stopped at several stores in Ithaca, where they purchased a number of Christmas presents. Some of these they mailed at the post-office. Dick sent a nice book to Dora, and Tom and Sam sent books to Grace and Nellie. The boys also united in the gift of a stick pin to Mrs. Stanhope and another to Mrs. Laning, and sent Mr. Laning a necktie. Captain Putnam was not forgotten, and they likewise remembered George Strong. The rest of their purchases they took home, for distribution there. 

A number of the other students had come as far as Ithaca with them, and here the crowd had dinner at one of the hotels,--the same place where Tom had once played his great joke on Josiah Crabtree. 

"By the way, who knows anything about Nick Pell?" asked one of the students, while dining. 

"He has been removed to his home in the city," answered George Granbury. 

"Is he better?" questioned Dick. 

"They say he is better some days, but at other times he is worse. The poison somehow affected his mind." 

"What a terrible thing to happen," murmured the eldest Rover, and then shuddered to think what might have ensued had the snake bitten him. 

"Any news of Tad Sobber?" asked another cadet. He looked at each of the others, but all shook their heads. 
What sick person are they talking about?
Where had he been taken?
According to whom?
What had happened to him?
Has he fully recovered?
What part of him was messed up?
Does he ever have good times?
Does he live in an urban or rural environment?
What time of the year is it?
Are the people who are talking businessmen?
What then?
Who was going home for the holiday?
Where did they stop?
To do what?
Were they the only ones there?
Did they buy anyone apparel as a present?
What was it?
For who?
How many people were getting reading material as presents?
Did they mail every single thing they bought?
Nick Pell
who knows anything about Nick Pell
to his home
removed to his home
George Granbury
 answered George Granbury
A snake bit him.
the snake bitten him
no
he is better some days, but at other times he is worse
his mind
The poison somehow affected his mind
yes
he is better some days
urban
his home in the city
mid-winter
the mid-winter holidays were at hand
no
A number of the other students
students
A number of the other students
the Rover boys
the Rover boys went home
in Ithaca
they stopped at several stores in Ithaca
to purchase a number of Christmas presents.
they purchased a number of Christmas presents.
no
A number of the other students had come as far as Ithaca
yes
sent Mr. Laning a necktie
a necktie
sent Mr. Laning a necktie
Mr. Laning
 sent Mr. Laning a necktie
Three
sent a nice book to Dora, and Tom and Sam sent books to Grace and Nellie
no
The rest of their purchases they took home