Between Ourselves

Southland Times, Issue 21997, 22 April 1933, Page 18

Between Ourselves

Cousin Annie: Welcome to our page, my dear. I am glad you are watching for drawing competitions to enter for. I hope you will always be glad you are a member of the page you admire so much. f

Cousin Lesley: It is good to know you are better again, and able to write for the page. I felt, somehow, that it was going to be successful this time. No, your friend did not come in to see me —I hope it was not shyness that kept her away! Cousin Bubbles: Yes, keeping your shoes clean is a very lowly and unsatisfying occupation. I do agree. I don’t mind dirty shoes in the least! And how did you get on with the six cows? Do ask your “fattened” sister to write to me—even a wee note. I still miss her.

Cousin Kevin: And so you haven’t red hair? To tell you the truth, I am quite disappointed! I must tell Ngaire that the rest of her description was correct. I wondered why you hadn’t written lately, so I was glad to know the reason. You must try and write regularly. Cousin Joyce: I am very glad to have you for a Little Southlander, dear. I have a feeling that some day you will be writing some of the stories in the page you like so much. Please write to me often. I hope you have received your badge safely. Cousin Betty: You must choose a nom de plume for yourself, or I will feel that I am writing to myself! What a clever canary he must be—can he recognize the various tunes? What a busy week you must have had. Cousin Tweedledee: You certainly have been spending your holidays profitably—l will look forward to hearing of very satisfactory results. Yes, I read a number of Zane Grey’s books many years ago—l think I quite enjoyed them at the time. I know I used to enjoy Owen Wisters’ and B. M. Bower’s outdoor stories better. If the cat’s a Persian, what could be better than Omar?

Cousin Honey Bee: It was good to hear from you again. I am hoping for more verse from you, please. I do hope your sister is better. What was the result of the Anzac story competition? Cousin Fairy Dell: Please write often —it never can be too much for me! Do tell me more about the Correspondence Course you are taking. Are you finding it difficult? Always put your real name and age on all the work you send

Cousin Diana: No, I did not go away at Easter. How disappointing the weather must have been for the campers. I am still looking forward to that visit. Does Tuesday after school not suit you? I suppose that brother of yours is a MAN now! Cousin Smiles: I hope it was a lovely holiday, dear. From what I have heard, the weather was much better than ours. I missed you. The polo sweater sounds fine, and the illustration was positively magnificent! Don’t you think the plain part would look best in stocking stitch. I hope you will be able to go to next week’s concert. Cousin Anzora Viola: I have heard a lot about that basketball team —I hope you’re both “strong” additions to it! I hope the events of May 4 are wonderfully successful. Cousin Mistletoe: Now I don’t know if I’m a “doggy” person or not; yet—no, I’m not. But I like dogs, especially big ones. I also know a cat with a nasty nature, and we’re enemies. Can you never persuade your sister to write again? Cousin Laurel: My dear, that is one of the nicest things I have had said to me for a long time. I hope it will always be so. What a marvellous vocabulary little Peggy seems to have. I have heard such a lot about her now that J feel almost as if I knew her. She is surrounded by love and care, and must be very happy. Cousin Narcissus; I did enjoy your letter, dear, and its news of the rest of my family of cousins. I know just how time slips by when one is busy. I am glad you fin dtime to see that the sun still shines! I hope you will never miss that. Cousin' Kathleen: Welcome to our page, my dear. I hope you will manage to come up and see me one Tuesday after school. Do you know many other Little Southlanders?

Cousin Sunset: I hope your badges reached you safely for Easter. I think you must have had a very busy time, there is so little from you this week. I hope you made lots of friends.

Cousin Giggles: Now don’t you think the hen was entitled to do a little crowing—sorry, I mean cackling—after having laid its first egg! Goodness, you did escape what might easily have been a very nasty accident. Some more work from you please! Cousin Tweekie: I am glad you liked the surprise, dear. I did like your contribution—very much. Yes, I quite agree with what you say about flowers

—they are all beautiful, all perfect things. Cousin Ernest: I was very glad to receive a composition from you, young cousin, and I hope it will be the first of many. No, I don’t think I would like to play football, either. Cousin White Rose: My dear, you must find a great deal to do with your time now. But that is good. Work eases suffering—it is good to know there is so much you are still needed for. It’s fine to be wanted, eh! Do come up and see me some time.

Cousin Mayflower: I do like the sound of your basketball uniforms. They certainly sound the . smartest I have heard of. See that they are all of the same material and shade, and that they are all the same length. That is important.

Cousin Nancy: Yes, I can imagine that horse-back riding would be fas-cinating-after a great deal of . experience! My own acquaintance with this means of locomotion doesn’t bear repeating! Don’t you find the management of two farms very exacting? Cousin Winnie-The-Pooh: I hope you will speak to that Little Southlander. She would be very pleased. Please send that book back soon. I hope the cough has vanished. Cousin Tiger Tim: I am sure you are looking forward to that swimming carnival. Yes, it would be nice if you could obtain some address from your pen-friend in Canada. Cousin Iona: I hope your Easter weather was much better than ours, or the camping would not be pleasant. No, that play is really not particularly interesting from any angle. The players would have interested you most.

Cousin Ngaire: Yes, the “Anne” series is delightful; but “Kilmerry of the Orchard” was my favourite. Haven’t I a good memory to go as far back as that! Yes, my dear, it would be wise for you to take your writing in hand. Good hand-writing is an asset. Write more slowly, and use larger letters.