RAYMOND’S BLUE SHIRT

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 33, 2 November 1929, Page 28

RAYMOND’S BLUE SHIRT

Raymond had gone to school for the first time this term, and he was very .proud of his school cap and. his new satchel. \ . - At first he felt, rather new- and shy, and rather afraid of the strange children, especially of Jim Hudson, the biggest boy, who. wiis always teasing: and playing pranks and talking about his elder brother. But Raymond soon settled down, and now he felt quite old and important. Then one day his mother came home with a blue shirt she had bought for him. Poor Raymond’s heart sank into his boots. “Mummy, I can’t wear that,” he cried. “Why not, Raymond?.” >. 1 “Because it’s blue and all the other fellows wear white shirts. Please let me go on wearing my. old ones.” “That’s absurd, darling,” said his mother. “It’s a very nice shirt indeed, and it’s a lovely blue.” “But couldn’t I change it for a white one?” Raymond begged. V “No, darling. I specially bought blue because it will look so nice with your blazer.” • ' ■ So Raymond had to wear it. 0 He really hardly dared to go to school next morning! He buttoned his blazer as tightly as he could, and tried to keep out of the way of that teasing Jim. . , • It was very warm in the class-room, and all the. other boys sat in their shirts.

“Whatever are you wearing your blazer for, young Raymond?” shouted Jim, shying a dart at him. . “Why not?” said Raymond stoutly. “Why not! Ho, look at his new shirt!” Jim came up for closer inspection and grabbed at the offending shirt “1 say, it is a topping one,” he added in a lower voice, “where did you get it from Raymond?” Raymond could hardly believe his ears. “My mother got it for me,” he said.

“Why, it’s just like one my brother wears, just the same colour,” declared Jim. “You are a lucky chap! I must ask my mater to get me one like it.” You may be sure that Raymond’s blazer didn’t stay on another minute/