THE LOST BABY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19941, 27 October 1934, Page 22

THE LOST BABY

“Aren't babies a nuisance!” grumbled Bob, as he and Bunty met in the garden one afternoon. The twins had loved and welcomed their new little brother at first, but now it seemed as though nurse never had time to play with them, or read them stories at bedtime. There was always the baby to feed, or bath, or something.

So Bobby had a great plan. “Let’s make a nest for him in the plantation, where nobody will find him,” he said, excitedly. Away they ran, and found the very cosiest spot, a dear little hollow in an old tree trunk. Quickly they lined it with soft green leaves and moss, and were climbing over the style into the garden, when they heard nurse’s voice, calling. “I am going into the village,” she said. “Be good children and don’t get into mischief! I shall not be long.” Here was the very chance to get baby out of the way. Cook was busy in the kitchen, and mother was shut in the drawing-room with visitors, so the twins crept round to the nursery verandah, where baby was fast asleep in his cradle. Lifting him up very gently, Bunty carried him tenderly, for he looked so lovely, when sleeping. Bobby carried the blankets and pillow. Carefully avoiding the kitchen and drawing-room windows, the twins hastened to the plantation with their

burden, and soon had the “little nuisance” comfortably settled in his new bed. The journey had awakened the little fellow, who now lay there smiling and cooing, and Bunty was half wishing they could take him back, when Bob said comfortingly, “He will love staying there with the birds, and we can come and feed him every day, and nurse will have more time for us now.” After tea that evening, nurse said, “I will read you a story out of your new book, before you go to bed, dears,” and the twins smiled understandingly. But when mother had kissed them goodnight, and put out the light, they began to wonder if baby would be lonely in the plantation, when the birdies were asleep. At last they grew frightened at what they had done. “Oh, I wish we had left him in his own bed," cried Bunty. “He might be crying out there in the dark.” Then their sobs grew so loud that mother and nurse came running upstairs to ask if they were dreaming. “It must be a nightmare," they said, when the twins were trying to confess together. But turning round, they saw daddy (with baby in his arms) who said, “He is quite all right, my dears, I took a short cut home through the plantation, and watched you from behind a tree, guessing you were up to mischief, and brought baby home safely. How the twins hugged and kissed their little brother, and declared he was the best baby in all the world, and they would never, never part with him. (5 Marks and a Merit Card awarded to Joan Mary Thomson, Timaru.)

when she ran in to see whether dinner was ready nurse had bundled her out again, saying that it was not nearly dinner time, and she must sit quietly in the garden with her book, for mother had a bad head and must not be disturbed.

“I think I am the most unhappy little girl in the world to-day,” sighed Margaret. “Nobody seems to want me.”

“Never mind! Come with me.” Margaret blinked open her eyes. Why! surely that was not her favourite little baby speaking? Yes, it was beckoning her. Fancy a wee baby like that talking! Yes, the baby was pointing to a long flight of stairs which led up and up, and hastily Margaret began to climb the stairs which were pink and blue, saying to herself, “Pale blue for little boys, pale pink for little girls.” At last she reached the top, where she found a large bell and a notice which read, “Babyland.” Margaret never stopped to think why she knew that it read babyland, but hastily pulled the chain. What a noise it made, and immediately there was such a dreadful noise of crying babies that Margaret was just going to run away when the door opened and a goblin nurse said crossly, “Oh, why did you ring that bell so loudly? You have wakened all the babies! I have a good mind not to let you in.” But looking at Margaret’s little unhappy face she said more kindly: “Why it’s Margaret. Come in, dear. You may chose a baby of your very own.” But just then she heard a voice saying; “Why, here she is, fast asleep!” What

a disappointment! It was daddy smiling at her, and lifting her up he carried her into mother’s room saying he had a lovely surprise for her. There, in a little cot all fluffy with lace and pale pink bows, lay a little baby, fast asleep. “Oh! daddy! I am the happiest girl in the world!” said Margaret.

n Marks and a Merit Card awarded to Dorothy Lyne, Timaru.)