A RAINY DAY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19803, 19 May 1934, Page 13

A RAINY DAY

It was a horrid drizzling rainy day. The kind that makes you feel very miserable. especially when it happens to be a holiday and you have planned such heaps of happy things to do. When John awoke and saw the rain splashing against the window he felt very angry, and refused to dress when Mother called him. "What’s the use of getting up on a day like this?” he asked. But when Mother told him he would miss his breakfast, he decided to dress, for the breakfast had a delicious, appetising smell; so with an ugly frown upon his usually bright face, he rolled out of bed on the wrong side, (which was a very bad beginning), and arrived downstairs rather late. “Even if you have no school to-day, John,” said Father, “there is no need to be late for breakfast.” John did not even apologise, but began to eat his porridge. After breakfast he was in no better humour, and went to the nursery, where his little sister was playing with her dolls. “You worship those things,” he said. Now Molly had ju€s learned at Sunday School of the poor little black children who worshipped idols, and the thought of worshipping her dolls made her very indignant, and, turning round quickly to deny the accusation, Gloria, her very best doll, slipped off her knee and broke. Poor little Molly was broken-hearted, and Mother could not even comfort her with the promise of a new doll. John commenced

lets were beautiful, Betty, and were so fragrant that several times I almost imagined Lady Spring had come to visit me. Dorothy Lyne, Timaru: Your story and poem were splendid, Dorothy. Did you have a nice holiday in Christchurch? Alice Mclver, Clandeboye: The warmest of welcomes, Alice. Take care Jack Frost does not catch you on your way to school one of these cold mornings. Tell Mother I recognised the poem, but there was not room in our Page for it. Ivan Jackson, Gleniti: A big welcome to our Circle, Ivan. What a jolly holiday you had at Pembroke. Your “Clyno” must be a little beauty. Thanks for the riddles. May Smith, Kimbell: I enjoyed reading your verses, May, but they were not quite good enough to find a place in our Page. Your letter was nice and newsy, my dear. What do you call your new pony? That is quite a good puzzle. Frances Miller, Rangitata Island: I think Frisko is a good name for your kitten, Frances. How is Susie? I liked that poem very much, but there was not room for it in our Page. Amy Rusbatch, Waimate: I was pleased to hear from Amy again, and liked the wee story about the pigs. Margaret Rusbatch, Waimate: “A Wish for You” is a lovely little poem. Margaret. Margaret Ayrey, Hunter: I liked the quaint little picture you sent me, Margaret. Have you names for all those kittens? Yes, the trees are beginning to look very bare and forlorn. Jean Ramsay, Timaru: I am glad you had such a happy birthday. Jean. That is a fine little poem. Joan Lyall, Waimate: I hope you have quite recovered from the measles now, Joan, and hope little Sister is nearly better. The wind is carrying you both thimbles from me. Selwyn Dale, Maungati: The biggest welcome to you, Selwyn. Puppies are jolly, mischievous little fellows, aren’t they. Joyce Gibson, Timaru: A big welcome to you Joyce. “Little Socks” is a dear little poem, and you will see it in our Page soon. Keep on with your Verse-Making. Leslie Brooks, Craigmore: I have put your new address in the Membership Book, Leslie. Yes, there is always lots to do on a farm. Michael thinks Felix must be a very fine kitten, and sends him a very large purr.

whistling very shrilly, and poor Mother’s head began to ache. “What is wrong with you to-day, John.” You must have got out of bed the wrong way!” “I did,” said John. “Well, please go back until you feel better, and get out the right side.” After a while John began to think how unkind he had been, and as he lay gazing out of his window the rain turned into a crystal staircase which he could not resist the temptation of exploring. There were hundreds of stairs and he was quite out of breatn when he reached the top. At first the crystal drops seemed to blind him, but he heard a sweet voice say, “This way,” and a lovely lady in a glittering gown led him to a large room. “This is where tears are manufactured,” she said. The room was full of steam, but John could see tiny men breaking off pieces of clouds, boiling them In little silver pans and catching the crystal drops as they fell from the silver roof. "Come and see the room where Mothers’ sighs are made,” said the lady. The dwaifs have had to work very hard to-day, so many children have been naughty; but the sound of the wind moaning was too much for John. “Oh, please let me go home,” he said. “I want to tell Mother how sorry I am.” “I know you are sorry, dear," said Mother; “you’ve had a nice sleep and your dinner is waiting.” (5 Marks and a Merit Card awarded to Dorothy Lyne, Timaru.

Reta Keeffe Lake Coleridge: Your first attempt at Verse-Making is very good indeed, Reta. I hope old Goblin Measles does not visit your part of the world. “Winter Games” will appear next month. Mavis Hewson, Seadown; “Sunbeams” is a very happy poem, Mavis, and I enjoyed reading it. Mary Virtue, Timaru; I was pleased to hear from you again, Mary. We are doing without pen-names now, dear. I liked your nice note-paper. Dora White, Geraldine: Such a neatly written letter from this Circlian of mine. lam sure that scrap-book of yours will be splendid, my dear. “Tay” is a nice wee poem, but is Just not quite good enough to win a Merit Card. Gwen Boat, Pleasant Point: Congratulations, Gwen. You must be a most athletic little person. I am sure your cup is a beauty. I do not mind Circlians writing in pencil when they are in the Land of Counterpane. You must be a splendid basketball player. I like both those poems very much indeed. Philip Bartrum Baker, Cave: Your letter was nicely written, Philip. I am glad you liked Mothers’ Page. What a busy time your Mother has had lately I,am very glad you are all better again. Collecting pretty Autumn leaves is a splendidly hobby. Alice Keeffe, Lake Coleridge: Good Verse-Making, Alice. I like your poem very much except for the last few lines. You will see it again next month. Marie Bailey, Rosewill: A nice, airy fairy poem, Marie, that is going to steal into our Page soon. Have you ever tried to write stories? Doris Bailey, Rosewill: What fun you and Jean must have had, Doris. How are the pet bunnies? I love your wee poem about puppy, and you will see it again soon. Jean Nicol. Rosewill: You and Doris must have had lots of happy days, Jean. Yes, it is fun listening in to the Children’s Hour. I hope you will have a happy birthday to-morrow, dear. Your pretty “Flower” verses just might appear in our Page soon. Brenda Rutland, Timaru: What a jolly time you had at Temuka, Brenda. I hope you are having a happy holiday. Gordon Butland, Timaru: I hope you will have a jolly birthday next Tuesday, Gordon. That must have been a most interesting procession.