Mob's Dream

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22006, 12 January 1935, Page 4 (Supplement)

Mob's Dream

The little girl fishing in the pretty stream sighed and shook her curly head. " I do wish I was Babs Norton," she said to a gaping little fi£L_ that lay on the bank. "My! Fancy presenting the Duke with the school's gift! Just my luck; outvoted by two votes; but, then, I never was lucky." Now you know why Mabs Lawson sighed. The hot sun and the murmuring of the stream made little Mabs feel quite drowsy. " 1 think," she murmured, " I will have a little nap and then may be there will bo another fish on my hook." Then curling herself up in the cool grasses, daisies and dandelions she was soon fast asleep, and she had a dream that she was in a crowded hall and the Duke sat on a crowded stage and she and her form mates sat jn the front row. The Duke rose and gave his address, and when finished, added: "I believo there is a little girl in the audience who would like to speak to me!" With one accord all the little girls in the room rushed towards the stage, Mabs in the lead. Up the steps she ran and across the stage, tripping over thq mat. With a loud chuckle the Duke caught her and stood her 011 her feet. Mabs awoke with a start to find herself imprisoned in strong arms. _ She gazed up wonderingly into a pair of humorous eyes. She gasped like the little fish on' the bank as she recognised the Duke's smiling face. The Duke put the little girl back gently on the grass, but she sprang to her feet with a rosy blush. " Sir ..." she began.

By "CLOVER "

The Duke cut her short with a smile. " I was passing by, little maid, and saw you lying asleep so near the edge of the bank that I thought I would move you back from the bank's edge, but I'woke you. Do you know what you said in your sleep just as I bent ; to pick you up? You said ' Thank you. | Your Highness.' Were you dreaming?'' I " Yes, I did dream a bit. Your Highness," and Mabs told him her dream. As she finished he gave a deep chuckle, just like the dream chuckle. " And thank you, sir—l mean Your Highness—for moving me away from the edge "; and bringing her hand up she saluted as she had been taught at school. The Duke gravely returned the salute and turned towards his waiting men. Had Mabs seen his face as he strode towards his men she would have blushed with pleasure. A tender smile hovered about the Duke's lips. " Oh, my," she whispered as the Duko rode away, " aren't I luckv?" And hastily gathering her fishing tackle she ran quickly home to tell tho news. The next day at school the Duke addressed the * school children and teachers, and after the oration was over and he turned to go, he looked straight at Mabs sitting in the front row and gave the school salute, which Mabs returned, aware that all the class was watching her. The Duke smiled, and as he passed behind the curtain Mabs gasped and flopped down in her seat. Her schoolmates heard her say over and over again "I am lucky!" After a while she told them of her adventure, which left them all full of envious admiration of little Mabs Lawson.