COUSIN BETTY'S LETTER.

Southland Times, Issue 20002, 16 October 1926, Page 22 (Supplement)

COUSIN BETTY'S LETTER.

MY OWNEST OWN COUSINS, Isn't it a horrid thing about the world that just when you want to do a thing very much, you cannot, and have all sorts of reasons thrust at you why it is impossible for you to do so! That is just the way with me at present—here I am, with the desire to write simply screeds to you Cousins, after a lovely day on the sands, dabbling in the sea and basking in the warm, new sun. And here is the printer-man at my elbow, impressing on me that I cannot possibly hope to have all the stories printed that I gave him earlier in the week, and that there isn’t any room for a letter at all, despite the fact that I have cut down my replies to your letters so very strictly. I call it grossly unfortunate; —but it would be more unfortunate if those stories were left out. I’m determined to make room for as many as I possibly can, because I am sure you will agree with me that they are extra specially good thus week. I’ve never been prouder of anything that has appeared in the page. I’ve even left out “This Week’s Puzzle,’’ which, owing to a delay in the mails, has not yet reached me. But I am hoping to receive a new supply any day. The trouble is, that if they have missed one mail, it takes such a long time for them to reach here from England on another boat. I have just discovered that I omittted Cousin Elsie Buckingham’s marks in this week's Mind Sharpeners, which were 35. Her work reached me a little late; but she had done so well, and had missed through no fault of hers, that I will add her marks to the list. There are many Cousins busy writing their plays at the present, and I am becoming quite excited already at the prospect of receiving them. Magazine contributions, too, are reaching me fast, and I want to remind Cousins that the time is slipping by quickly, so that there is not very much time left for them to contribute. This is going to be our very, very best magazine, is it not ? Oh well, if I’ve really got to stop, to make room for you people (your work, I mean ), I'd better do so now before I become really loquacious. A great big hug, and many thoughts to each of you, my dears— Your very own devoted