On Christmas Eve, Edla convinces her father to let the peddler stay and enjoy the holiday meal with them despite his past actions. She urges her father to show compassion, arguing that it is the season of goodwill and that the peddler deserves a chance to experience kindness and dignity. Edla’s appeal to her father’s sense of generosity underscores her belief in the transformative power of empathy, adding a layer of warmth and forgiveness to the story. Her compassion becomes a pivotal influence in the peddler’s journey toward redemption, emphasizing the theme of unconditional kindness.