CYNTHIA ANN.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 248, 18 October 1924, Page 22

CYNTHIA ANN.

Cynthia Ann is my oldest child. She's not the least blf pretry. She's made of rag and her clothes arc worn, But she's sweet and good and witty. My other children—five in nil— Are made of bisque or China. Clare Louise end Michael John And Prue and May and Dinah. But Cynthia Ann is really best, She's so serene and steady: When unexpected things occur. Its Cynthia Ann that's ready. Just listen to this! One summer night, ■< The moon was full and round and bright, % Into the nursery suftly gliding, She twinkled with lichV : 'her'fo'l'ded wings Were the loveliest, softest, gossamer things! She look about, and she said: "Dear mc! What a enrious household this must be : Dolls all rumpled, the doll-house bare. With upset furniliire here and there! A tea-set broken and blocks about. And a calico cat with its eye put out '. This isn't the place for fay or elf— I'll fly away from it fast, myself 1" Hut just as she turned to ride away. The midnight chimes began to play. And ere they'd gut to the stroke of five, The dolls and animals came alive. (They always do in the dead of night Whenever the moon is round ami bright.) Now Clara Louise and Dinah stood As stiff ns it they'd been mart" of wood; Ami Michael John and Prue and May Just stared and hadn't a word to say. (You'd think they'd never been brought up right. And I've taught them manners with all my might:) But Cynthia Ann, she saw at a -lance The awkward side of each circtnmstnnce She said to the fairy: "How do you do? You've come to call? That is n dear of you. "Excuse disorder—one moment, please. Come, children, clear away nil of those!" And in just a minute the room began lo look as iieut as a nursery ran— The blocks in order, the chairs set right, The children's dresses nil pressed and white. Before the fnlry could say "Denr mc I" Cynthia Ann was pouring ma While the calico kitten sat close by With a neat white bandage over its eye! When the fairy rose at the end to go. She said: "My dears, I've enjim-d it sol tmeh a lovely house ! Such a rmv call! Drop In at Fairyland one an.l ill— I I'm always at home by tive each day." i luen she summoned her muonlieaui and rode away. Perhaps you wonder how I know Wnnt happened there that nlehtV Next morning In the nursery all Was orderly and bright;" fc.aen toy was in its proper place The children trim ami neat— I loved'them all, but I'ynthin Ann Was twice as good and sweet. 1 K'-V-T \ hp * c th i»ss h.-irt come tn pass While 1 was tucked in bed For tynthia Ann, she told mc all i.T thia is wnnt She sai.l . _ I did my very best for you. Iwas juat becuuee I loved "you »o."