Fairiel's Responsibility

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 47, 25 February 1933, Page 19

Fairiel's Responsibility

(What We Might Have Done Today, by "Saucy Sally.")

*"Ip E-E-EING TE-EE-E-EING! 1 Jj_ I jumped out of bed like a shot out of a gun—the telephone at that time of night! Who could it be? I wondered. "Are you there?" "Yes," came a laughing voice. "Sorry to got you up so early, but " "Look here, Pollyanna/' I broke in, "Do you know it's 2 o'clock? What's the idea?" "Please don't bo angry with me," she pleaded. "I simply had to tell you the latest news." "Go ahead," I replied Tather crossly, "Well," she began, "Peter Pan has been trying her flying stunts again, aud flow straight through my bedroom window half an hour a°-o, and what do you think she did?" "I don't know." "Well, she tickled my foot. It was sticking out of the bea clothes " ".Really,'' I replied, trying to keep stern, "you surely didn't S6t mO OUt of bed at this hour to tell me that." s "Of course not," she replied airily, "givo me a chance! Listen, Fairiel's going to take the Bine for a picnic tomorrow, Potor Pan told me We're going to Day's Bay in the Cobar." "How ripping! Where do we meet?" "By the Government Buildings, at .10 o'clock—Good-bye." The nest morniug found all the Fairy Eing collected at tho meetin" place, a gay and laughing crowd. From its midst I espied Pollyanua, and instantly seized her. What a happy crowd they looked as thoy walked in twos and threes to tho Ferry Wharf—Lydia and Miss Billy leading the way, while Water Baby and Ocean Spray escorted Fairiel at the rear. Fairiel, I must say, wore a very worried and responsible look on hor face, while I'm almost sure I saw two gray hairs sprouting down from under the large red sun hat she was wearing. After a lot of bustle and bother we were all safely on board, and the journey proved to be a very enjoyable one. On arriving, lunch was greeted with loud applause. After lunch Fairiel announced a walk through the bush, and, of course, we -were very hot when we returned; so swimming proved to be the next item. After a very enjoyable afternoon, a very tired Fairy King boarded the boat, and the majority were somewhat thankful to sit down and rest, especially Pollyanna, Lydia, Miss Billy, and myself. In fact, Pollyanna was so tired that sho flopped down between Miss Billy and Lydia, throwing her arms out and slapping them both in the face, which, of course, «.aused a bit of commotion. Just as we had settled down ngain Storygirl came along and started off on one- of her famous stories about the prince who wouldn't marry, when Scarlet Pimpernel passed and pulled her hair (a favourite Lobby of his) } .but' btorygirl was up in arms and started chasing him round the boat. Then "Help! Help!" rang from the other side of the boat. We all rushed jn that direction, to behold Tumble-Toes splashing about in the water with a lifebelt over her head. B . Peter Pan w.as so anxious to fly to her assistance that in her attempt she lost her hat, much to Wendy's grief. At last poor Tumble-Toes was pulled up on board, teelmg rather damp and salty, but none the worse for her dip. Storygirl was so thrilled with it all that she told everyone she had a new story to tell, but no one-seemed to care about hearing it, except the very sympathetic "Wuzzie. v Oa*?"£^? s *\ "f ellington we were all very glad to seek our homes among the hills, and fit our silver keys into -the pink mushroom doors. But Im. sure there wasn't a more thankful person than Fairiel herself 1

AND A PAINTING FOR SMALL ONES .. .