COUSIN BETTY’S LETTER

Southland Times, Issue 20526, 30 June 1928, Page 22 (Supplement)

COUSIN BETTY’S LETTER

MY DEAREST COUSINS, I wonder if any of you can tell me whether the weeks are actually shrinking or not? I should be really interested to have your individual opinions because I’m practically convinced in my own mind that they are, and the only doubt I have is that perhaps I may be suffering merely one of the penalties of old age. Do tell me, are the weeks shorter now than they used to be? I know there are just as many days in a week, but then, again, mightn’t the days be closing up, like a telescope, for | instance? Why is it that there is always so much to be done, and so little time to do it in ? I wonder—and wonder—and wonder—and still I do not know. Do write and tell me that jou are wondering about that very thing, too. It seems to me that the only thing we can do is to do as much as we can and not bother about the rest. If we don’t perhaps the telescone will be completely closed before we have accomplished anything. Before I say any more, I want to introduce to you a new Cousin whom I think you will find a delightful and helpful companion. Cousin Phil asked me some time ago if he could become a Little Southlander despite the fact that he is over sixteen, and I really didn't have the heart to refuse him when I saw how much he wanted me to say “yes.” Anyway, that’s what I did say—on one condition only, and that was that he must find some way of being useful to you. And do you know, Cousins, he didn’t even have to scratch his head nor do any of the other exercises one connects with people in doubt. He just gave a great leap into the air so that I held my breath in case harm would come to his head or the ceiling, and said, “I can! I can!” ever so many times, until I begged him to stop before all the people on our floor should come running in to ask what the matter was. “Stamps,” he said, standing like a triumphant Peter Pan in the door-way, “Stamps’. What I don’t know about stamps—” “My Cousins will teach you,” I broke in, because I do like modesty in people, even in people who know as much as I know he knows! “Nun-no-o-o,” he lil teach them.” “Philip.” I said firmly, ‘ you’ll help each other.” And that is that. It's a rather peculiar introduction, I know; but just imagine if he had to shake hands all round —SOO odd hand-shakes’.—he wouldn’t have any strength left to write anything at all! I just want you to accept him, Cousins, as I did, and help him to help you. I know lots of you collect stamps, and lots more of you would like to do so if you once knew how to go about it. Here’s your opportunity then—l’ll whisper to you what I simply wouldn’t breathe to Cousin Phil —he knows an awful lot about stamps; and if he carries out some of his perfectly wonderful plans in connection with the new Stamp Clan, even I won’t be able to hide my enthusiasm. I’m letting him have his column under my letter this week, just to give him a good start. After this he’ll probably have to go over on to the other page. So I’d better leave him some room like a good sportsman—no, sportswoman —and Little Southlander. I will have to wait till next week to tell you my exciting news with regard to what our Otatara Cousins are doing. It’s simply splendid—and so are they! Ten thousand kisses, Cousins mine, which are to reach you as you snuggle in your beds to-night—warm enough to make you forget the cold sheets and the hot-water bottle that forge's its message so soon. You make me very happy, my dears, and happiness is the surest charm against the cold—at least that is the opinion of your devoted Ha Will all those Cousins taking part in “Goblin Gold” look in the local columns on Page 6 of this morning’s paper to discover where their rehearsal will take place to-day.—Cousin Betty.