THE QUADRUPLETS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 245, 30 July 1935, Page 8

THE QUADRUPLETS

FOUR CHARMING 9ISTERS. What happens to those biological miracles, quintuplets and quadruplets, when they grow up? Tho famous Dionne babies need never worry about money, for a wondering world has subscribed to a fund that by 1955 will amount to £250,000. The course of their lives, however, is just as uncertain as that of anybody else. Here is the story of the. grown-up lives of another biological phenomenon —the Keys quadruplets. They are four beautiful sisters of the same age, the same cheery natures . and the same taste in clothes, who all play' saxophones. Their names are Mona, Leota, Mary and Roberta Keys, daughters of Mr and Mrs Flake Keys, of old Scot-tish-Irish stock.

On June 7 - they were 20 years of age, though Roberta is actually the eldest, having been born first. Except for two weeks their lives have been spent together, each as an individual, but all trying to behave as one person. “One for four, four for one,” they say. They feel the world expects it of them. They dress alike, study the same subjects, think, play and do the same things. They live now in the little township of Hollis, in the United States of America. Like the Dionne quintuplets, the Keys girls were a sensation from birth.

Dr. W. C. Pendergast, the general pracitioner who brought them into the world, was a simple country doctor, like the now famous Canadian, Dr. Dafoe. Though his name is forgotten, his task was almost as difficult.

For 15 years Dr. Pendergast nursed them through mumps and the usual childhood illnesses though only Leota, in her earlier years, was delicate.

Now they are grown up 1 , but although they are four of a kind, they do not all look alike. Roberta and Mona are almost identical with Ma-'donna-like faces, rich brown hair, and lustrous dark eyes. Mary is a sturdilybuilt brunette. Leota is a striking, classical-featured blonde. .

When they were tots, it was “Children!- Come round to the garden!” and four tiny quadruplets would march round to face a motor-car- full of waiting, wondering trippers. They would be measured, murmured over, and admired. Before they were four years old 3000 people had come to have a look at them.

Mr Flake Keys decided to put them on exhibition. Every September they were taken to a fair. They played about their pen, sang a nursery quartette and sold postcarts of themselves. On good days their father took •as much as £2OO.

When they began going to school the Keys girls ran into a strange difficulty. The other schoolgirls were afraid that, four children who had had so much fame would he unbearably conceited. There was nothing to fear, however. Being one of four keeps a girl in her place! Roberta and Mona have always been closer to each other than the other two. They still share their secrets, but the others, Mary and Leota, prefer to confide outside the “quartette.” They did not study much at school, but when they were given psychological tests at their university, Roberta was awarded 202 marks, while the others were average at 171, 145 arid 144. They are athletic; tennis, swimming, netball' and aiding are their sports. Roberta is the most studious. Mary prefers cooking and sewing. She makes the clothes of the others. Leota, the practical, would l like to be an actress. Mona excels at sports. Leota is spokesman and leader. It is usually she who decides what will be worn in the morning—what will be done during the day—though occasionally the other three combine to thwart her. Their dream of the moment is to be variety entertainers and make enough money during the next few years to become independent. But what they -really want—and all admit i‘t cheerfully—is a home and family of thenown.