Between Ourselves

Southland Times, Issue 20633, 3 November 1928, Page 22 (Supplement)

Between Ourselves

Cousin Moss Rose: What a lot of my Cousins would envy you your pacer, dear. Do you go out on him very much? Goodness! Fancy having twenty-eight goslings and fifty chickens to feed twice a day! Is that one of your jobs? Cousin Moonbeam: I know you will do your best to pass, dear, and that is the main thing, isn’t it. What will you do next year? Do you ever help with the milking? I suppose some of your cows will be coming in again soon. Cousin Randolph: You have certainly ordered your magazine in plenty of time, my dear. Why do I not receive more work from you now? Cousin Rose-Marie: You have done very well indeed with your first attempt at story writing, dear. Practice a lot, and never miss an opportunity to enter a competition. That’s the way to succeed. What busy fingers you have. Cousin Meadowsweet: I did not forget what day it was when I arranged for you to come and see me, dear, but unfortunately it did not dawn on me that the door downstairs would be shut. Indeed, lam very sorry. I wonder when I am going to see you? I hope you have been able to get rid of that tooth-ache. Cousin Thistledown: It was ever so nicte hearing from you again, dear, even if you have been a very neglectful Cousin of late. I hope you will be able to carry out your good resolution of MTiting to me more regularly in future. No, I’m afraid I won’t be present at your show. I hope the weather is fine for it. Cousin Dancing Sunbeam: After this week’s newsy letters, dear, I really must excuse you for your previous spell of neglect. It is nice to hear what you are doing, and all those interesting animals of yours have Keen doing. I venture to prophecy that the kitten will not stay with you long if her mother continues to spoil her in that way! Watch your spelling and vour writing in your competition work. Cousin Wide Awake: Now I wonder why you always achieve a second and not a first in that particular examination? Is it the same competitor who invariably beats you ? Your suggestion is quite a good one, and one which I shall certainly consider. Cousin Primrose: You must send in the Sharpeners, dear, after you have taken the trouble to work them out. It will be a nice experience for you to meet some of your former friends on Friday night, and something to look forward to. It is a good thing the floods are going down again, isn’t Cousin Rose-bud: Are you taking part in the schol concert, little Cousin? I shall expect to hear all about it, and about your part in it, too. Have you a pet lamb yet? Cousin Lunch Basket: Indeed, and don’t I wish it was possible for me to be present at the concert, dear! Why do you live so far away? Were the eggs all fresh that your mother found under the house?

Cousin Cherryblossom: What a busy life you lead, to be sure, young Cousin. It is a pleasant thought that you find time to write me such long letters, and full of interest. When does the bazaar take place? I shall be anxious to hear the result —and of the fancy dress dance, too. You will tell me all about it, won’t you, please? Your competition work is improving very much, and I am really very pleased with your progress.

Cousin Moonshine: You must congratulate your mother for me, dear. I think their achievement was splendid, and surely one of which to be proud. I hope she is coining down before Christmas. Otherwise I will not be here, I think.

Cousin Charlotte: Never mind, the holidays will soon be here now, dear! And, goodness! It won’t be long then before you’ll be wanting to go back to school again! Just you wait and see! Cousin Glowworm: What a successful guide you are, dear. Have you belonged long? I am hearing such a lot about that thunder-storm; but I was out of town and missed it. I saw the results of it, though.

Cousin Emily: What a great deal of satisfaction your father must feel when he saves a lamb that has little chance of living. I’m sure he must feel it is worth all the trouble and worry.

Cousin Mons: I am glad you had such nice weather for your weekend in the country, dear. Yes, Bruce and Gladys did very good drawings indeed. Do you think we could persuade the Stewart Island authorities to adopt them? Cousin Sylvia: No, dear, I am not generally in on Saturdays unless I have made an appointment to be in, a I received your 1/6 for a magazine, dear. Cousin Persephone: What a lovely time we’re going to have with the sunny November you promise us! ,Well done, dear— I was very pleased with, though not surprised at, your examination result. Cousin Busy Bee: I am glad to hear from you at all times, dear. You say you and your mother tested the eggs with a needle and thread to see if they contained roosters or pullets. Do explain to me what you did. Cousin Humoreske: You say “Don’t ask me to write poetry, please. It would be too harrowing.” And yet the very first thing you ever sent me was a poem—or are you much to old and harrowed now to remember ?

Cousin Golden Leaf: I do hope you are better again, dear, though you were very wise to choose the hateful weather we have been having to stay in bed in! Yes I like radishes very much, though unfortunately they don’t like me. Cousin Sunflower: I did enjoy your letter, dear; reading it was just like old times, only very much nicer thought. Cousin Brownie: Your drawing was very well done, dear, but does not apply to any thing that has appeared in the page. And you must try to draw your own designs now that you have progressed so much. It doesn’t help you when you’ve reached your stage, to copy, you know. Cousin Heather Bells: What a busy time you are having at school just now, my dear. I am glad that you are able to find time to write to me at all. What a lot of changes there have been in your teachers for this time of the year.

■} Cousin Miriana: Yes, I could see you meant the rhymes to be like that, my dear, and I disapproved of the arrangement nevertheless. Yes, I know the effect when the “Joy Bug” bites you—bites me, I mean; but I always find its visits are far too infrequent, and are too often the forerunners of particularly “non-Joy Bugs.” I envy your being able to sing very much.

Cousin Moonlight Reverie: I was so glad to hear that you haven’t to suffer through being ill when your exam was on. lam very proud of you, dear. I received the other work safely, and am at present considering it.

Cousin Lady Nan: I like making excuses for my cousins, dear; but don’t ask me too often, will you, because that would spoil it rather. I am looking forward to hearing from your young sister.

Cousin Minnehaha: Of course we’re going to have lots of sunny days now, little Cousin. I feel them in my bones, and of course my bones would not lie to me. Why don’t you try your hand at drawing, too? Cousin Elsa: What a temptation it must have been to you to take one of the lambs home with you for a pet! It was a lovely week-end to spend in the country. Cousin Rex: You are certainly a very busy boy, Rex, with all the activities you are in besides school, which these days is most exacting. And you know I am always here and always glad to hear from you.