Between Ourselves

Southland Times, Issue 19966, 4 September 1926, Page 22 (Supplement)

Between Ourselves

Cousin Elinor: You certainly do not write very regularly, my dear, but when you do you write such nice letters that I have to forgive you. lam so sorry you could not stay in for the bazaar. lam sure you would have enjoyed it, and enjoyed meeting some of the other Cousins whom you are growing to know so well through the page. Next year, however, let’s hope you’re more fortunate—l haven’t seen you yet either! You will be sorry to lose your visitors—what lovely weather they are having for their stay. Do you ever go out rabbiting with your brother?

Cousin Poinsettia: My only regret about the bazaar, my dear, is that it was absolutely impossible for me to speak as much as I wanted to to any of my Cousins—l’ll have to arrange something by which I will be given an opportunity of speaking to every one of you, next time. lam so glad both you and your sister are trying your hand at story-telling; and reme.mber, “if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try again!” The triers always win in the end. Stamp collecting is a very interesting hobby, I believe—what a lot you have already! How long have you been collecting them? Cousin Isabel: Why not call yourself “Cousin Robin Goodfellow,” which is another name for Puck, you know, and a great favourite of mine. Don’t you just love hearing about him! Thank you very much for posting the parcel for me—l was very grateful for your assistance. You must be very interested in the hockey, to be attending all the matches so faithfully. But you, yourself play basket ball, do you not? I think it was very good indeed of your clan to send Zoe the book.

Cousin Ariel: Well do my dear, I can tell you honestly, now .-,t there is improvement,- and you make me hopeful for Big Things. Cousin Daisy: Thank you for the jokes and riddles, dear. It is nice to have something from you after so long an absence. Do tell me all about your friend’s party. I wonder if you are at it even as lam writing this. What a beautiful spring day she has chosen for it! I hope it is as nice up where you are. Do you like your new home?

Cousin Golden Maize: I am wondering if I am going to receive one of the photos your

1 cousin takes, my dear, if they turn out ; satisfactory ? Ido hope so —remember I I will look forward to receiving one. What I beautiful weather you are having for your holiday by the seaside. You should come ’ back refreshed and ever so ready for lessons again, eh! Cousin Moonlight Fairy: Welcome to our page, my dear, I was delighted to enrol you, and to know you are keen to be a Little Southlander. I suppose you know lots of the other Cousins in your district, do you? I like your nom-de-plume very much indeed, I will send your badge at once, and your enrolment card in a few days. I wonder if you are going to enter for the competitions? Cousin James: Well, my dear, that is what I call a nice long letter! I wish you would send me such every week. I suppose it was the spring which prompted it, and the flowers —and the holidays. I wish I was with you to assist with the gardening. There is nothing I like better than the feel of the soft, brown earth in my hands. Your violets are over early, are they not? I can quite understand the mutual feeling of your mother and you in appreciating poetry. I hope the love of poetry and of music will never leave you, my dear. No matter how old you are, that will always form a deep, unbreakable bond between you. Cousin Merrymind: You certainly did come a long way to see the bazaar, my dear —I am glad you thought it was worth the journey. Why do I never hear from Minnehaha now? I think the blue paper matches very well, and certainly it is better than white. What a lot of eggs—l suppose you put them in a preserve as you get them, do you? Cousin Meadowsweet: I hope you are having a very happy holiday, my dear. lam so glad the weather is keeping so fine for you. Perhaps summer is really deciding to come for good, after all!