Between Ourselves

Southland Times, Issue 22508, 16 February 1935, Page 18

Between Ourselves

Cousin Starshine: Yes, indeed, it does seem strange to be writing 1935, instead of 1934. Puppies are full of mischief, but they are so lovable that one easily forgives their pranks. How splendid that you have learned to swim. Cousin Flowergirl: I vzas pleased to hear from you again, my dear. Your school will have to be enlarged soon! Yes, please, write your age beside your name. Neatness is taken into consideration, and so is age. I suppose you were excited when you found your brother could come with you for holidayi. Cousin Jack-in-a-box: I like your pretty writing paper, my dear. Several boy stamp collectors were very pleased to have your stamps. I will try to find a girl who collects stamps and ask her to write to you. I hope your school friend’s arm is getting better. Cousin Sparkling Dewdrop: Thank you, my dear, for the good wishes. You seem to have had a lovely time—holidays spent at home can be most enjoyable, can’t they? Yes, all marks start afresh this year. Cousin Norman: lam glad the enrolment card arrived safely. Ido hope you will soon recover form mumps—is that a very painful complaint? Yes, Cousin Desmond’s serial is most interesting. You will enjoy your holiday all the more through having to wait for it. Where would you like to go? Cousin Rose Marie: All marks start afresh this year, my dear. I expect you had a very good time at home during the holidays. I wish all my Little Southlanders could see the spoons, knives, crockery, and other kitchen-ware at the Health Camp, bought with our bazaar proceeds. Cousin Air Pilot: My dear, I’m glad you didn’t forget me altogether during the holidays. You will be sitting for proficiency next year, won’t you? Where did you spend your holidays? Cousin Mignonette: Your letter was welcome, my dear. Goodness me! The only cousin in your district! Are there not many children there? Don’t worry if people call you a tom-boy because you like reading boys’ books. I am sure you can be very lady-like when necessary. Cousin Dorothy: Yes, thank you, I enjoyed my holidays. Do you mean that there is a gramophone record about a Japanese houseboy? Supposing you call the calf Bunty. I hope you will enter for many competitions this year. Cousin Golden Gorse: Ido hope you are feeling better now, dear. Was it very hot in the train? Puppies are darlings, and I can imagine that you would like to keep them all. Cousin Mountain Queen: Yes, the weather has been very hot, but one becomes accustomed to it. I suppose you kept cool in the river. Did you catch any minnows? Cousin Lorraine: You are such a regular correspondent that I will certainly forgive you this time, my dear. The new dress sounds very sweet, and you will not be likely to have the unpleasant experience of seeing one exactly the same. Heather is at a very interesting age, isn’t she? Cousin Cushla: lam sure you had a very good time at home, didn’t you? Yes, the weather has been hot, and you are fortunate to have a river in which to swim these days. Do you like dancing?.

Cousin Ginger Nut: I think your poultry is quite out-standing. All marks start afresh this year. Yes, the evenings are getting shorter, aren’t they? Cousin Just So: What a lovely trip you had, my dear. Sleeping in a tent is quite an experience, isn’t it? I am looking forward to seeing you one of these days. Yes, it is a good idea to keep the letter about the marks. I hope other cousins will do the same. Cousin Daddy's Love: Yes, the girl who received your gift is better now. She is a Little Southlander, too. Would you like to join the Central Girls’ Clan, my dear? The members come to see me every Monday afternoon, after school. Cousin Little Red Riding Hood: Yes, the trees near the road become covered in dust in hot weather. If you work well all the year I am sure you will pass the proficiency examination. Cousin Moonbeam: Yes, thank you, I enjoyed the holidays, though I did think .Saturday’s paper seemed a little odd. Cousin Rob the Rover: What do you call your kitten? They are playful little things, aren’t they? Write again, soon.

Cousin Morning Glory: My dear, you sound submerged by lessons! You are wise to settle down to work early in the year. Yes, you do seem to have the “reallys”, don’t you? Cousin Duneam Lad: Bad luck about proficiency. Still, it is one of the things in life for which one is given a second chance, isn’t it. Yes, holidays at home can be most enjoyable. Persevere with the swimming. Cousin Tom Mix: Yes, I have nearly melted avzay, too! You are lucky to have a pool nearby in which to go swimming. Congratulations on your first attempt at verse writing. I would like to publish it in the Original Verse column. May I? It might encourage more of the boys to write. It is very good for a first attempt and would receive three marks. Cousin Fairy Fay: I was delighted to hear from you again, my dear. The

holidays bring many picnics, and in the summer they are enjoyable. Can you swim? . . Cousin Bessie: My dear, it is the date of your birthday I want, not the year. Yes, Santa Claus remembered me. Is Mervyn’s hand better? . Write soon and tell me when your birthday is, won’t you? Cousin Lucky: Each year the marks begin afresh, my dear, and you must keep a record of the dates on which you receive them. Work hard and you will soon gain 50 marks. Cousin Leonie: I was pleased to receive your first entry, my dear. Perhaps you will write me a poem or story about those inquisitive wekas you have in your part of the world. Give my love to Eugene and Pat. Cousin Mist O’Morning: It was lovely to hear from you again, my dear. I do hope vou are feeling better now. Cousin' Smiles: Yours was such a nice, fat letter. I am looking forward to seeing you again. You were lucky to have such a splendid trip.