EMMELINE'S POST BAG.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 60

EMMELINE'S POST BAG.

Country Mouse. — Yes, the intensely serious tone of our discussions has often struck me, my friend — a touch of humour would be just the right "pinch of salt " sometimes. Some-

times I think it must be my fault, again I conclude it is because women are rarely humorous on paper, and thus men (who are notj after all* verj fibfietvHntl have made

the assertion that "women have no sense of humour"! How otherwise do they lighten routine and conquer drudgery? lam so sorry about the book; it was disappointing! Another time let me order any book for you if I have mentioned it. Eve. — Thank you for your little note. I conclude that you expect to see the "Travellers* meeting " before you start. Like the Windsor Magazine, it may claim to be " bigger, brighter, better! " In case yon were leaving at once, though, I sent you "bon voyage " last week, and will only add the words of the little

"Maid of the Mill's" song — "Do not forget; me; think sometimes of me still.'" Gabeielle. — Two months' holiday sounds unusually charming to me just now, Gabrielle. "We have had some exquisite spring weather, lost by mistake among "travellers' samples" of wind, rain, and sleet. There is always a restless stirring of the blcod, an impulse to change, movement; the nomadic instinct 01 the wanderer in these days when tho thrushes first sing and the first violets bloom. Do 5011 not feel it, Gabrieile? Cathryn — whose long absence occasioned an expression of regret from several members—

thus explains why she can so seldom join us: "Oi"£omsel t always take a great interest m your page, and can always find a few moments to spend in reading it, but a spare hour or two is almost an unknown quantity to me, and so I cannot write connectedly — i had almost said rationally — on any subject, nor have I time to devote to searching in books for r.nything I wish io verify." Thank you for your kindly letter and courteous explanation. You must not .mind my confessing that I smiled at your apologising for "'the personal and private effusion." Dear Cathryn, all my correspondents are "personal and private" with me, because, you see, I am impersonal myself, only Emmeline. But I thank you just the same, because I have so often wondered at your silence. Lex. — I am very glad to have heard from you again, and have, as you see, adopted your change of name, your last year's name being somewhat cumbrous. However, I will take this opportunity of saying that I was glad to find all old members keeping to- the same n?.rces, as it is essential they should do so, m view of a certain "important meeting " which will close our 1903 session. If you write again, then, Lex, you'll keep to the ssme name, won't you? Nob that I could mistake your handwriting. Swestbhias.— To tell you the tiuth, I wa3 rather disappointed too, Sweetbriar. Thcra was a good deal of unnecessary confusion, which might have been saved* if a direct choice had been made. Do you know, I think we Ehould be rather surprised to find how many numbers of the Otago Witness find their way to whatever part oi Britain means "Home" to us. My Boy Fbiend— l saw the announcement, and wondered if it was a mere coincidence, or my Boy Friend in very truth. Kindest and be3t wishes, even though Emmeline and all such mundano matters sink like the

setting am in thab great ocean. Goldilocks. — Here is a word of cheer for you in the form of an extract from Boy Friend's last letter. "I liked C-rolciilock's paper, and wish her success. Apart from that, I like the name, ps being connected in my mind with a poem of that name from the pen of Miss Jessie Mackay." "What a happy person I am. Goldilocks, to be the medium of so much kindly appreciation and pleasant sympathy— always passing on pleasant messages from o-ie to another. Boy Fhibnd and Hochelasa. — Grab (whose pleasant letters have lo.ig ago installed her as one of my close friends) s?ys "Boy Friend seems a universal favomite — we always enjoy reading his opinions. Eochelaga is another of my favourites, but, aftar all, we enjoy each in turn; don't we, Emmeline?" Tsd writes: "How the club is increasing! I was very much interested in the last meeting, and thought there were some paiticularly clever essays. It was nice to see that L'lrlandais considered Dobbin and Newcome (G nib's and my heroes) as types of English soldiers." Eegika.— You will see that I assumed silence to give consent, Regina, and have duly installed you as one of us. Ted.— "Well, dear, to tell you the truth, I aid not answer your kindly queries because I couldn't do so satisfactorily, and I do hate to be a grumbler, and I don't want to frighten your pleasant letters away— there is such a deep charm in the feeling that we understand one another thoroughly and loyally. How busy you have been with, your writing lately, Ted!