FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 20 April 1935, Page 10

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

COUSIN GERTRUDE’S PRESENTS

Mother’s birthday, and «ueh lots of presents! Joyce did not think much of many of the presents. For instance, who could gift Up much enthusiasm for the new suction carpet sweeper? Or the fat Danish grammar that Daddy gave, because Mother was so keen oh studying that language and worked at it for a quarter of an hour at least every evening? Or the white linen handkerchiefs that Aunt Kitty had sent? No, the presents were all right in their way, and Mummy was delighted with them, but in her little daughter’s eyes they were terribly dull.

Then came the carrier’s footstep in the lane and a knock at the front door, and Jessie the housemaid came in to say that a wooden box had arrived and there was a shilling to pay. There was a note, too, explaining that it was a present from Cousin Gertrude. Presently in came the box, which was rather big, and Hubert came, to open it with his carpentering tools; and Christine, Joyce’s small sister, rushed in from the garden; and Miss Smithers, Mother’s old school friend, left off painting the terrier’s portrait in the garden room, and the box was slowly opened. Out came a dainty teaset! Not the ordinary sort'of teaset. you aTe thinking of, but a very different one. . A teaset of six different coloured cups and saucers. There was a heavenly sky blue. Joyce loved colour, and her heart beat fast as this was held up admiringly by brother Hubert. Then followed a soft pure rose, a glowing crimson, the prettiest mauve, and a sun yellow. The last was a pale brown. Joyce thought it very dull. But Mother didn’t. “I think that the very nicest of all,” she said. “Such a charming shade! I shall always hope to be lucky enough to drink out of it.” Funny Mummy! thought Joyce. But she loved soft, gentle colours. How lucky! Then she would choose that, one always, and so nobody vtould be disappointed.