The Twins’ Birthday Presents.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVI, Issue VI, 9 February 1901, Page 282

The Twins’ Birthday Presents.

HOW BETTY AND MOLLY GAVE THE BOYS A GAME OF HIDE AND SEEK. “ I say,” said little Molly Barker, “ have you remembered it’s the twins’ birthday next Saturday?” “ Yes, I’ve remembered, and I’m trying to think what’s tlie best present to buy with Is. 2d. That’s all I’ve got left, for we spent such a lot when we were away for the holidays. ” “ And I’ve only got eighteenpence. Holidayswherethere are shops just, ‘wheedle the money out of one’s purse,’ as I heard nursie say. ” “Well, what can we get?” And then there was a long silence, broken at last by Molly. “ I wonder if it’s enough to buy them each a book, like those we saw at Llandudno, if we club together?” she said. “Let’s ask mother, and p’raps she’ll get them for us if there is. I like mother to do shopping, ’cause she always gets something people like.” So mother was called in to discuss the weighty matter, and after giving it her best attention decided that it was possible, aad accepted the commisson to make the purchase. And soon the two books were safely tucked away in the girls’ most sacred hiding place, for on no account must Reg and Jack see them before their birthday. But, meanwhile, Betty was busily turning over in her mind how they could present these selfsame books in a new and original way. It was so tame just to wrap them up and put them on the breakfast-table, just as everybody did. Why not strike out a new and original method for themselves ?

And the morning before the birthday she confided to Molly the result of her cogitations.

“ Look here,” she said, “ let’s creep into the boys’ room to-night, after they’re asleep, and stick a letter addressed to them lioth up somewhere so that they can’t help seeing it. Inside we’ll put a note telling them to look in a certain place if they want to find their presents, and when they get there they’ll find another slip of paper telling them to look in another place. We played something like it at school once, and it was great fun. We’ll get mother to help ns.”

They went into the boys’ room just to have a look round and decide what was the best place to put the envelope, and at last decided that if they fixed it up l>ehind the chest of drawers Reg and Jack could not help seeing it. Molly got an empty envelope just to try it, so as to get an iclea of the effect. “ There, if we fix it up like that,” she said, they’ll be sure to see it as soon as ever they wake.” “ Let’s get mother to write something to put in the envelopes,” suggested Betty. Mother rose to the occasion, and into the envelope that was to greet them first went a slip of paper bearing these words : “ If you would a present find, Pull out the chest and look behind.” Behind the chest was a second one, and inside there was another suggestion for the present-seekers : “ A journey to the library may not prove in vain, For if you do not find it first, you can but try again.” In the library was another envelope tucked behind the overmantel, but withone corner visible. Inside there was more advice :

“ The summer-house might well repav A visit from you two to-day.” But the summer-house would prove equal ly disappointing, for there was another en velope, containing these words : “ I think that you have quite forgot. Your rabbits like their breakfast hot.’And on the rabbit hutch was a placard

“ In the breakfast-room you’ll find Something that will ease yeur mind.' And then in the breakfast-room they would each find on their plates a slip of paper bearing these words : “If you’re not disgusted quite, Open the door and turn to the right.” And there at last the long-looked-for parcel would be found. Betty and Molly made nurse promise to call them in good time next morning, so that they might see the fun, and they were almost dressed when they heard an excited shout in the boys’ room, and then a sound which was evidently the chest of drawers being moved out from the wall. Next came sounds of hurried dressing, and then the door was burst open, and Reg and Jack made a rush for the library, Betty and Molly following closely at their heels. And so they went on, getting more and more excited, and laughing very much over the verses ; but at last their patience wa> rewarded, and just as they had really found the presents, father came down to break fast, carrying his contributions, ami break fast was a very merry meal. And now Reg and Jack are trying to think of some original way in which to present their presents to Betty anti Molly.