SURPRISE PARTY

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 84, 9 April 1938, Page 20

SURPRISE PARTY

Have you ever been able to decide whether its nicer to have a surprise or give one? I think I'd have to say to give one. And when it's multiplied by half a dozen friends, and added to a trayful of gifts, with a second lot of gifts to divide among the guests, why, it's a sum in "compound happiness," surely!

That's how it seemed last week, when we took a surprise party to farewell "Swastika." It's a great adventure for our "Swastika," isn't it, to go to England for six months. It gave us a lovely chance to surprise her with, our "cabin" gifts. And how she enjoyed them! ,

When we'd laughed and played "New Year Resolutions," and admired Whiskers, her cat, there was another surprise! Everyone had been asked to bring something for which they had no further use. It was to be wrapped tidily and kept secret. I brought them all in on a tray, let everyone choose one, and "Swastika" then sat back to enjoy seeing thislot opened. It was fun to discover one's gift to be a tired tennis ball or an empty writing-pad, or old gloves! No one minded a bit. Supper time, and then going-home time came all too soon. We showered good wishes on "Swastika" and her mother as we left them. And already we're eagerly planning for their return. What lots they'll have to tell us!

"Pollyanna" and I have been adventuring, too. We went visiting Very Special Friends in Hawke's Bay during the weekend. We dressed up to amuse them and had no end of fun. We picked ripe peaches from the trees and tomatoes and beans as well, and walked in long, wet grass, barefooted, in the orchard. It was lovely altogether. We explored a beautiful little church and listened to the organist practising. We were taken through to Hastings for more visiting; we had Easter eggs and chocolate tikis; we found bread-boards in our bed—in short, there wasn't a dull moment, and we had a jolly sendoff, too. "LASSIE." Kelburn.