MRS. BUTLER'S XMAS DAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17348, 20 December 1919, Page 5 (Supplement)

MRS. BUTLER'S XMAS DAY.

BIT. QUIRK.

, "We ate going to -have no Christmas fuss this year," said Mrs. Butler, grimly, to her family. "No messing round with holly and mistletoe, supposing you can get them. No giving of silly presents! Keep your coppers in your money boxes and use them when there's need. Where's the, sense in giving to .each other things you mightn't want? It's the surprise! The surprise [ We can't afford surprises.

"As for a turkey, ask me the name of the most extravagant, wasteful ■ meat in the world and I'll say 'turkey.' Wishbone? What's the good of wishing? You can wish apd wish and. nothing ever happens. 'Oh, no! We're having a ' really sensible Christmas Day this year. It makes you almost thankful there's a war on if it's only to remind you of all you've wasted in the past. When I think of the money I've thrown away on Christmas rubbish! No! You needn't start persuading me. You needn'.tr—l know its the knock. I can hear quite as well as you. It's the post. There won't be anything from Danny, of course. I don't expect it. He's a prisoner of war, I'm certain, and you don't hear from them for months, let alone six weeks. "Mrs. Lyons came in this morning to say how sorry she was to hear about Danny. Sorry! The idea ! It isn't every bojr that's comfortable in a camp, away from the fighting. Very likely he's under a German who has an English mother, and he'll have taken a fancy to him. Sorry, indeed ! What for? Because he's a prisoner. Ififit anything else I'd have dreamt of him. I know I would. "A letter from Danny? Let me see. Oh, yes. Goodness me, child, take it and open it. . You can do that much, surely, my fingers get shaky when it's cold. Read it out " ' Dear Mother, you haven't been anxious not hearing from me, but we've been up the line longer than usual. Never mind, I'm safe and sound. What "Give it to me, Ellie; I can redd my own letters, surely. I asked you to open it. "' What do you say to Christmas leave ? Well, I've got it! All news when I see you. Cheerio for Blighty Love to all, " Danny."

"He'll be home for Christmas," said Mrs. Butler, with shining eyes and indifferent voice, after the curious fashion of mothers. "Now we mustn't forget anything. We'll have holly and mistletoe and a, good, big turkey, .and an apple each if they cost sixpence apiece. No use <)urselves at Christmas tifme. We have some crackers, too. They make such fun. Get me a blacklead, too, love, and I'll write it all down for fear< I forget anything. You'd better open your money-boxes, children,, and look out for each other s presents." She wrote for a , few minutes and paused, her pencil pressed against her mouth. Now, is there anything eke besides what Ive got down ? A Christmas tree. Of courseT And some ornaments for it. * v . "1 knew Danny wag all right." Never doubted it for a moment! Now, don't follow me, children. Stay where you are. I want to go and fix up Danny's room." bne went upstairs, without hurry opened the bedroom door, and closed it carefully. But she didn't make any attempt at fixing up the room. She never gave it a glance. ■ She just went over to Danny's bed and knelt beside it. DREAMS ON CHRISTMAS EVE. ♦ Some people who have vivid dreams and are always anxious to know what they mean. A quaint old book about dreamlore gives all sorts of out-of-the-way information on this fascinating subject. One chapter was all about dreams and dream customs- oh Christmas Eve. It seems that anything you dream of on that magic night has rather a different meaning from the same dream on any other nignt of the year. Christmas Eve dreams, are often more in the nature of "visions" or "prophecies" than of ordinary dreams the eerie reason suggested for this is the old idea that the spirits of the dead are allowed to revisit their earthly homes, and their presence influences the dreams of mortals. It is said, in connection with this old superstition, that if you long to dream of beloved dead friends, you must take some moss, grass, or leaves from their grave and place them under your pillow. If you should dream then "that you see the friends as they were in life, it means that they are watching over you in spirit form; if they appear cold and lifeless, they are only able to communicate with you through the medium of other peopleBut, however, this may be, Christmas Eve dreams are often very vivid indeed, and concerned with strange, uncanny subjects. Here are some of the dreams that you may possibly have while Santa Claus is coming down the chimney and the meanings attached to them by the book of dream-lore — Battle.Excitement in store for you in the coming year. Blindness.—Your name has been put' down in a lost will, which can only be recovered by vour own efforts. Church Bells.— death of an intimate friend. Colours : Blue. —A desire to lead a nobler life. Green. —Be on your guard against a thief. Grey.—Tears due to your own act of folly. Bed.—Coming danger in the form of a hostile womanViolet.—A birth. White.—A funeral. Yellow.—A warning against fii«. Crying.—The birth of some one who •will bring joy into your"life. Laughter.The coming into your life of an important influence in the'shape of a child.' Leg, Loss of.The death of a tiresome enemy, who has been "a thorn in your side." Moaning.—News of the breaking up of a friend's home. Music—Danger from a sudden subtle temptation. Picture, Fall of.— great change is coming. Sowing.For others, a lucky year in affairs of the heart; for yourself, a coming illness. I Shooting.—A gift from some one you ! have not seen for many years.