Here's a short story:

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.  (End of story)

Provide your best guess for the following question. Give ONLY the guess, no other words or explanation.

For example:

Guess: <most likely guess, as short as possible; not a complete sentence, just the guess!>

Here are a few examples of questions and answers:

Question: What sick person are they talking about?
Guess: Nick Pell

Question: Where had he been taken?
Guess: to his home

Question: According to whom?
Guess: George Granbury

Question: What had happened to him?
Guess: A snake bit him.

Question: Has he fully recovered?
Guess: no

Question: What part of him was messed up?
Guess: his mind

Question: Does he ever have good times?
Guess: yes

Question: Does he live in an urban or rural environment?
Guess: urban

Question: What time of the year is it?
Guess: mid-winter

Question: Are the people who are talking businessmen?
Guess: no

Question: What then?
Guess: students

Question: Who was going home for the holiday?
Guess: the Rover boys

Question: Where did they stop?
Guess: in Ithaca

Question: To do what?
Guess: to purchase a number of Christmas presents.

Question: Were they the only ones there?
Guess: no

Question: Did they buy anyone apparel as a present?
Guess: yes

Question: What was it?
Guess: a necktie

Question: For who?
Guess: Mr. Laning

Now answer the following question in the same format.

Question: How many people were getting reading material as presents?

Three