Between Ourselves

Southland Times, Issue 22487, 24 November 1934, Page 18

Between Ourselves

Cousin Lilac: My dear, the cousins have bought all my badges, but another supply should arrive soon, and I will post you one then. Yes, I am going to hang up my stocking, although Santa Claus is always kinder to little people, isn’t he? Cousin Cherry-blossom: Welcome, my dear. I hope you will enjoy being a Little Southlander. Your verse was very good for a first attempt. Supposing you call the kittens “Simon” and “Peter.” Mondays and Tuesdays are visiting days for the girls, but if you let me know what day you are coming into town, I will be in. Mark your letter urgent, in this case. Cousin Morning Dew: I have missed you, my dear. Thank you very much for the book-mark. It is very pretty. Yes, I think the children would like them. I do hope you will be better soon. That will be all right about the ’Sharpeners. Cousin Morning Glory: I think your ’Sharpeners must have been too late, my dear, but you may take 37 marks, providing you promise never, never to be late any more! Yes, Saturday afternoon brought good weather. Cousin Princess Rose: You are very observant, my dear, and I am glad that you are fond of birds and animals. Have you many pets? Cousin Blue Poppy: Welcome, dear. I am glad you are interested in the page, and I hope you will enter for many competitions. Write again soon. Cousin Peter Pirate: I have enrolled you as a Little Southlander, my dear, and I hope you will write often. I do hope you have recovered by the time you read this. Cousin Henwife: It was good to hear from you again, my dear. I hope you manage to avoid ’flu—it is not a pleasant visitor, is it? Cousin Cream Rose: Yes, tell your small friend to write in pencil. My birthday is in the nicest time of the year—in Summer. Thank you for the kisses. Cousin Silvery Moon: I was pleased to hear from you again, dear. Are you going to sit music exams.? Cousin Floris: Did you look after the house while your mother was ill? I do hope she is better now. It is good to feel that examinations are over at last, isn’t it? The bed-jacket sounds attractive.

Cousin Black Eyed Sue: Certainly you may have this pen name, my dear. Your verse was very good, and I hope to receive much more from you. Cousin Birthday Roses: My dear, I can imagine how disappointed you would be when you saw no mention of your work in the paper, but unfortunately your envelope arrived too late. You see, all entries should be in some time on Tuesday of each week, and after the entries are judged it is impossible to bring them back and rejudge them if late entries arrive. Your letter this week did not arrive until Wednesday afternoon, but your verse I kept last week and have added it to the Original Verse Column. This time you may take the marks you gained for Mind Sharpeners, and tell your brother to do the same, but please let me have your entries earlier, because you can imagine that I dislike not being able to judge entries—sometimes very good ones—because they are too late. I notice your last letter is dated November 17, and it was left here, not posted. Your story is too late to be judged, but you may take 2 marks for it. I do hope you have recovered from the ’flu. It makes one feel wretched, doesn’t it? Cousin Peach Blossom: What other books have you read, my dear? I, too, think the Mind Sharpeners are interesting, and most of them are not very difficult, are they? Cousin Snow Queen: Bed-jackets are useful, and they are not difficult to make, are they? I suppose you would like to keep pet goats, too. Do they get into mischief? Cousin Yellow Crocus: So many people have asked for badges that my supply is now finished, but the new ones should arrive any day now, and I will post you one as soon as they come. Do you enjoy doing the Mind Sharpeners ? Cousin Mischief Maker: Did you find it difficult to write in the dark, my dear? You must be quite a good cricket player. Write me a longer letter soon, won’t you? Cousin Mist o’ Morning: Riding a bicycle seems so difficult at first, doesn t it? You are lucky to have so many pets and I needn’t ask if you are attached to them. Cousin Graeme: I think your mother is very wise not to allow ink in bed. It has such a nasty habit of spilling, hasn’t it? You must get better soon. We missed you at the clan meeting on Wednesday. Cousin Daisy Bell: I am sorry you could not come to the party, but it is not always easy to come into town, is it? I wonder if you will be able to come to the Hospital celebrations? Cousin Brown-eyes: Certainly you may change your pen-name, my dear. Are you sitting any music exams? I hope your mother recovers quickly. Cousin Cushla: The weather is very unsettled, isn’t it? Yes, the party was very successful, and there were about 140 children present. Thank Heather for the kisses, won’t you? Cousin Lorraine: Let me know if you have not received the prize by the time you read this, my dear. No, I do not know the song you mention. Cousin Country Footballer: Do you like football better than cricket? Mind, sharpeners are interesting, I think, and they are certainly popular. ' Cousin Golden Gorse: I am glad the prize arrived safely, my dear. No, you can write about any show, or what you imagine a show would be like. I am glad you enjoyed the party. Cousin George: Welcome, new cousin. Write a longer letter next time, and tell me about yourself, and your hobbies.

Cousin Golden Kowhai: I am glad you are entering for the Royal Show Page, my dear. Yes, the party was very successful.

Cousin Winter Rose: The drawings look better if they are done on drawing paper, my dear. Don’t try to write a long poem if you are short of time. It is better to write a short one and write it welL Yes, medicine for ’flu always

seems nasty. I am looking forward to seeing the pig—l should think it would be difficult to draw. Cousin Magpie: Did you find the Mind Sharpeners easy? I am glad you have joined the clan. Yes, thank you, I have recovered from ’flu. Cousin Tweedledum: You have been busy, my dear. It was good to receive such a fat envelope. I am looking forward to seeing the play. Cousin Kai Kohe: I am glad the prize arrived safely, dear. The wedding will be exciting. What are you going to wear?