A VISIT TO THE DENTIST'S.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 28

A VISIT TO THE DENTIST'S.

(By Frances Mullin, 36, Sackvllle Street, Grey Lynn; age 13.) "I stood in the bar of justice, a creatture wan and wild"—no, that's wrong! I mean I stood in the dentist's waitingroom. Gloomy place! reminiscent of a tomb! Ugh! The carpet was a dingy red and the chairs and table upon which reposed a few old magazines, were ugly and substantial. Gloomily I gazed at a picture, entitled "Mary, Queen of Scots, being led to her execution." I shuddered. Suddenly I was aroused from my reflections by a voice. "Next, please," it said in a fiendish tone. Looking up I saw a nurse smiling malevolently at me. Dismally I rose. Slowly and reluctantly I walked to the door and was ushered into the dragon's presence. "Sit down!". ' ' I sat. After a while, "Which one?" "Er —what's that?" I'd been eyeing the various instruments of torture instead of listening. "Which tooth?" Trembling, I pointed it out. "Gas or painless?" "P —painless, please." ■"V "Eight." He picked up a long, thin instrument. This he inserted in my tooth. "Ouch, oh! —oh! ohl" I screamed. "Did it hurt?" Insane question. "Oh, no!" I said sarcastically. Then he brought out a fearsome pair of pincers. "Open your mouth, please." I did so. "Wider." I opened it so wide that I was afraid I might smallow the pincers, i "Wider." What did the man think I was?

At last he was satisfied. Then to work, he inserted the pincers. Then began a tug-of-war. He pulled and pulled. A short scuffle ensued, from which he emerged triumphant. Awestruck I opened my eyes. Where was the long-pronged monster of a tooth I was expecting? All I could see was a very small one.

Feverishly I snatched up the glass of water beside me and rinsed my mouth. Then I turned to the dragon, but no, he was merely a kind gentleman, who looked much amused when he handed me my tooth.

heeling better?" he inquired genially. "Yes, thank you." . I walked out and paid my half-crown, and at peace with all the world I strolled out into the sunshine with the cause of all my previous misery reposing in my purse. Only a tooth! It's funny how much unhappiness a little thing may cause. . '