COUSIN BETTY’S LETTER

Southland Times, Issue 23320, 2 October 1937, Page 1 (Supplement)

COUSIN BETTY’S LETTER

My Dear Cousins,

Percy Pencil examined all the entries carefully this week to see if any of the rules had been forgotten. Then he called for three hearty cheers. Can you guess why? Yes, you are right. My cousins had read the rules carefully, and obeyed every one. The inhabitants of Table-top land were so pleased that they all joined hands and danced round Isobel Ink-pot, who became so giddy watching them twirling past her that she spilt ink all over Bertie Blotter’s new white coat.

Sally Staircase is another happy person. She says that the Little Southlanders are now the quietest stair-climbers she knows. Once upon a time they used to make so much noise, and tread so heavily, that she thought her back would breaks and her poor head was always aching. Now, however, she looks forward to visiting days and is always glad to see my cousins who treat her with so much consideration. This week we must thank Mr Charles Trim, Mr Howard Moody, and Mr Linton Hodge who organized a Community Sing last Saturday in aid of our Hospital Fund. Shall we give them a big “cheerio” for helping us to fill Father Christmas’s bag with toys and good things for the sick children in hospital? All together—CHEEßlO! Penelope Pen says “Please do not finish yet, Cousin Betty. I want to send a message to your cousins. Tell them that I was very pleased with their poems about me, and I think Cousin Isobel McKenzie understands just how I feel sometimes when Little Southlanders make mistakes and forget rules. My legs really do become crossed when I am weary, you know.” She also asked me to tell you about the page of pen-friends in the Chronicle. Turn the leaves quickly, and you will find a number of addresses, and extracts from letters written by over-seas correspondents. She was so excited when she found that she was to have a whole page for pen-friends that she nearly fell off the table-top. Write to her, and let her know if you receive any replies from those addresses.

Your loving