THE MIDNIGHT FEAST

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 164, 13 July 1935, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE MIDNIGHT FEAST

The end of the Christmas term was drawing near, and the younger boarders at tlie Green School decided that in some way or other they must celebrate the event. "What can we do?" said Priscilla, aged 12, to a group of pig-tailed lassies of about her own size. "Let's keep it secret from the big girls, anyway," suggested Marion, and all agreed that if the affair, whatever it was to be, .were to prove a success the older girls must 011 no account hear of it. "They might want to join," explained Marion, "and that would quite spoil it." "They might stop us," suggested one of her friends. "Or laugh at us," said another. With such a number of good reasons it was not to be wondered at that the younger ones definitely decided to keep their secret to themselves. "Well—next —what shall we do?" asked Priscilla, who had been the first to suggest the idea to the others. "If I'm gfing to join, it mustn't cost much money," sighed Edith. "What with Christmas presents —" "We're all just as poor as you," decided the others in chorus, and then they began to consider what kind of entertainment could be carried through and enjoyed by almost penniless little girls. "A midnight feast would be nicest," said Priscilla, after a long pause. "O-o-o-o-o-h!" came from all her friends in different tones, but all expressive of agreement. "But how much would it cost?" at last demurred one canny little creature. "Oh, it can be done awfully cheaply," said Priscilla, "my brother savs—"

Here followed a discourse on ways and means to which the audience listened in respectful silence. When the gathering dispersed, it had ! been arranged, to the satisfaction of everybody, that a contribution of sixpence from each of th.; six little girls ; in the dormitory would be sufficient to j produce, under Priscilla's thrifty management, a feast fit for kings. j "You know, we may always do just (what we like on the day before we break up," said she; "and I will get all the things, and won't we have a feast!" "Will it begin as soon as we are in bed ?" asked some one who was, I fear, rather greedy. "Of course not," breathed everyone else in scorn. "Where would be the fun? There would be nothing to do afterwards but go to sleep." "Don't you see," explained Priscilla, | "there are no rules that night, and wo .can really do as we like; only," she added, "it might be best to keep it 'secret from Miss Saunders all the same i just in case —" j The others nodded . understandingly. | "Well, what T thought was," she continued, "that we might arrange to stay j awake all night. It can be done," she j went on reassuringly; "my brothers did it, they said. at. their school, and when the clock struck two, then tile feast ; began." "T don't believe any boys conM wait so long.'' said Edith unbelievingly. "Well, you don't know iny brothers, | Edith Jackson," said Priscilia angrily > I "they're the most —" | "Oh. do stop!" cried the others; "it's la most lovely idea, Priscilla; go on, j when the clock struck two —"

"Yes, I thought it wasn't had, my. self." said Priscilla, feeling rather better; "the feast would go on till about three o'clock." Arrangements were concluded and sulvscriptions collected that very afternoon, for there were very few days before the end of the term, and excitement smouldered in every breast. The shopping was satisfactorily carried out by Priscilla on the day appointed. The size and number of the parcels which she procured was so or ea j. that she forced all her friends to = help her carry them, so that nothing unusual should be noticed and commented on bv tlie mistvess in charge. At nine o'clock the real excitement began. ' Priscilla produced the many paper bags from under Iter bed and the feast was spread tastefully upon a row of bedroom chairs; It would be impossible to enumerate the delicious things that were there, but each of the children found her eyes glistening and her mouth watering as she looked upon Pmcilla's purchases. "It's a good long time before two o'clock," remarked one of the number, rather ruefully, as the clock outside struck ten. and conversation, which had started very gaily indeed, was growing a little less animated. "Ob, it will soon pass," said Priscilla composedly. "I'll tell you all a tale." This proposal was heralded with pleasure, and the story began. It was quite exciting at first, but by degrees the interest failed a little, and when, during one of the pauses for inspiration the listeners omitted to urge her to <*o on Priscilla thought that she might perhaps have a moment for consideration as to how the tale might best continue.

C-l-I-l-l-a-a-a-n-g! It was the seven o'clock bell! Six horrified children were sitting up in their beds, and twelve eyes' were studying the array of unappetising]}stale goodies spread out on the row of chairs. What did it all meant Then ?ome one burst forth. "Oh, Priscilla, we've been and slept right through it! How could you let us!" "It wasn't my fault," said poor Priscilla defiantly, hardly believing the evidence of her senses. "I didn't send you to sleep!" "Here, all of you!" she continued, springing out of bed. "Quick, you'll just have to eat them now." Eat those sorrv-looking objects at seven in the morning with breakfast in half an hour! Even twelve-year-olds will rebel sometimes, and this was too much! "Xo, Priscilla Howard," said Editli defiantly, "we won't and I don't believe your brothers " . "They did!" stamped Priscilla "very well, then, if you are all so unsporting, there is only one thing to be done!" Slic sprang across the room and seized the dainties, thrust them into the bags that had done duty as plates, and flung the entire assortment out of the dormitory window into the back garden below. "There, they're gone!" she announced, her eyes flashing as she surveyed the relieved faces of her companions; "no one will find them until after we've gone home."

She stopped for a moment and then added, "But I tell yoii, if it hadn't been the last day of term, I would have made you eat tliem everv one."