Between Ourselves

Southland Times, Issue 22293, 7 April 1934, Page 18

Between Ourselves

Cousin Laughing Lass: Of course your words aren’t silly my dear. If you continue to take the pattern of your verse from well-known poets you will improve very quickly and I enjoyed your Bellbird’s song. A “syllable” is really the same thing as a “beat” but sometimes you can have an extra unaccented syllable at the end of a line if the accent falls on the first syllable of the word—e.g., world-ly. I am sure you must be very busy at school, but do write again soon. Cousin Mermaid: It must be most interesting looking for a pen-name and I like the French one you thought of. Do tell me which you decide on. I do hope your sister’s cold is better. What a late bed-goer you are! Do you find it difficult to get up in the morning? What colour is your new coat and hat? Cousin Scotch Lassie: I am so glad you like your badge, my dear. What a thrill to think it is made of your favourite colour! I do hope your arm is quite better now and that you will be full of health when the term examinations are held—good luck to them! Cousin Sprinting Pixie: There is no need to apologize for printing your letters —I think they look so neat and a change from writing. I’m thrilled to think you like coming to see me—it is such fun seeing you all. What a lovely day you had at school that Friday. I was so interested in your description of it and only wish I’d been there. Yes, I went to the seaside for Easter and had a lovely time, thank you. _ When you reach 50 marks in the entries you get a prize of 2/-. Cousin Silver Bells: Welcome to our Page, my dear! I am so pleased you have joined us and like your penname very much. I hope you will have a lot of fun belonging to the Clan. Cousin Smiles: It seems such a long time since you have paid me a visit. I was delighted to get your newsy letter and will remember your remarks about Dips or a Christmas Tree. What a lovely time you must have had in Dunedin. I believe the Chaslands-Owaka road is particularly pretty. I was thrilled to hear of your successes at the school sports. Well done! The Autumn Page was fun, wasn’t it?

Cousin Joan of Arc I.: I am sorry that I forgot to tell the new Cousin who chose your nom de plume that we already had a Joan of Arc. If you would like to work for the sweet stall, I think you could get in touch with the Wistaria Clan who are keen on that, too. You have not been contributing very much lately. Do write again soon. Cousin Red Kowhai: I hope you will continue to write poetry. I enjoyed “The Rain.” What fun you will have at your Clan meetings! How nice having a bicycle to ride. I should love to hear you playing the violin. Do you love music? I’m sure you must have had fun eating your Easter Eggs. I'm sorry the badge was so long in coming. You’ve been very patient about it. Cousin Brownie: Welcome to our Page, my dear. I am so glad you have joined us. I do not think we have another Cousin Brownie amongst us so you may certainly have it for your nom de plume. Cousin Lesley: It was delightful to hear from you at last to learn that you have done things about the Winton Clan. Of course I understand about your not writing sooner. You must have been busy settling down in your new life. Ido hope you are happy, my dear, and as for your “Plan,” it sounds most exciting.

Cousin Uptothears: The weather was simply glorious down here for Easter and we had a lively time. I hope the little ones are better from their attack of influenza. The Autumn Page seems to have been enjoyed by everyone. I certainly was very pleased with it. I do sincerely hope your little brother is absolutely all right now. I am looking forward immensely to seeing “Little Women” and will tell you what I think of it.

Cousin Honeybunch: I am thrilled to think you are joining the Otautau Clan and want you to write to the Jellymans about it, if you have not already done so. I do hope you will have lots of fun working for the bazaar.

Cousin Fairy Prince: What bad luck falling off your bicycle. Ido hope your nose is getting better. Poor old nose! What a way to treat it. Fancy being school librarian! Well done—it must be most interesting and particularly so for you who are so fond of books. Yes, I had several Easter Eggs. Aren’t they fascinating?

Cousin Hinemoa: It was nice to hear from you, my dear. I am so glad you are thrilled about the bazaar and know you will work hard for it. Do write again soon.

Cousin Violet: Yes, I was thrilled with our Autumn Page, too. The drawings were excellent, weren’t they? I am pleased you are back at school and do hope you are quite better now. Sickness certainly is a terrible nuisance, isn’t it? Do write again soon. Cousin Patrick: Fancy hearing from you again, my dear! I was so thrilled to get your letter. Do join the Winton Clan. I am sure you would enjoy the meeting. I hope you will write to me very often and tell me more about yourself, my “sinning” Cousin. Cousin Curly: How exciting, my dear! I am simply thrilled at the thought of your Clan and will send you a notebook to keep Clan records in. Perhaps I will come to one of your meetings when you are more definite in your arrangements. Cousin Tulip: I do hope you will some day learn to play the piano. The weather was lovely at Easter time wasn’t it? I hope you enjoyed yourself. It is nice to know your little sister is better. I was also very pleased to learn that you will work hard for the bazaar.

Cousin Lorraine: I do hope you will be able to get up soon. The flowers in the garden must be lovely and I am so glad you can see them through the window. I expect you have lots of visitors. I know the Mataura Island Clan is going to be a marvellous one and I will visit you very shortly. Cousin Silver Wings: I like your idea for binding your enrolment card. What a lot of gardening you must have done on Friday! It will look so lovely in the Spring, won’t it? Cousin Amber: Yes, my dear, I will meet you at a quarter to two at the Post Office this afternoon. I am so thrilled about seeing you all and hope we will have a happy meeting. Poor little baby! I suppose she felt shy when the strange man spoke to her. I am so glad your mother is getting better. It will be lovely when she goes home to you, won’t it? Cousin Sporting Maid: You must be fond of animals, my dear. I am so sorry the opossum got drowned. You must have felt very sad about it. The kittens and Herby must be most amusing together. I should love to watch them. Fancy having Easter Eggs! You lucky girl. If you keep a record of your marks and what competitions you gained them for you receive a prize of 2/- when you reach 50 marks.

Cousin Golden Kowhai: I am thrilled to hear you want to join a clan and hope you will write to the Jellymans and join the Otautau one as soon as possible. It is most exciting to learn that Doris is going to join and I hope she will write to me a great deal. Cousin Snowgirl: “Killarney” is a very pretty air, isn’t it? I do hope you are going to enjoy your music lessons. What fun you must have at the dances in your barn! You did well to come third in your class at the Test. How nice of your mother to help you with bazaar work. I do hope you will be able to come into town on Bazaar Day, don’t you? Cousin Autumn Tints: The baby must be growing fast. I expect she will be walking quite soon. I was sorry not to see you at Rimu. However, perhaps you’ll be there next time. I hope your friend who reads Our Page enjoys it. The Autumn Page was good, wasn’t it?

Cousin Lillipop: I was most interested in your letter, my dear and delighted to read about your clan. Could you not meet in the school-room? Perhaps your teacher would not mind. Why not be Clan Captain? I’m sure you would make an excellent one. I could not quite understand what you said Cousin Lesley was going to write for you. Perhaps you will write and tell me. What excitement getting the photographs of your nephews and neices! Have you ever had yours taken? Cousin Poppy Girl: Welcome, my dear! I am so pleased you have joined us. I expect you have great fun at school. Will you come top of your class, do you think? Cousin Sparkling Dewdrop: Welcome, my dear. I am so pleased you have joined us. Yes, I often hear from your little cousin at Dipton. I hope you will join the Otautau Clan. Cousin Lily of the Valley: Welcome, my dear! I am so pleased you have joined us and I love your pen-name. I suppose you are working hard for proficiency this year. Good luck!