Ronald’s Visiting Day.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXIX, Issue IV, 26 July 1902, Page 249

Ronald’s Visiting Day.

"The carriage at 3 please, Martin, said a voice at the rtoorwav; an

Ronald crept softly from the room and down the flight of stone steps which lead to the servants’ hall.

"Where are you going. Master Ronald?” said the housemaid, just as Ronald was trying to make an escape by the back door. “Oh. nowhere,” said Ronald, crossly. "Can't T go into the garden?”

“But yon know this is visiting day.” went on Mary; “and your ma doesn’t like to be kept waiting.” It was all up. Ronald, who had hoped to have made an escape before the carriage came round, looked up at Mary and sighed despairingly.

"Oh. dear!” he said. “I do hate visiting—it’s beastly. And I’ve got to put on that horrid velvet suit, and wear gloves, and sit like a mouse in a drawing-room, and eat a tiny bit of cake, when I want a good tea. About ten minutes later Ronald appeared in the hall, twisting and shuffling about in a most uncomfortable fashion, and making a great many wry faces over the tight kid gloves which he begged very hard not to wear.

“But why must I wear gloves, mamma?” he grumbled. "Because all gentlemen wear them." said his mother. “Come. Ronald, make haste, or we shall be late.”

Late! Oh. how Ronald hoped they would be. But up eame the carriage, as punctual as possible, and there was no help for it: off they went at a fine rate down the drive.

"Don't sit looking like that. Ron aid.” said his mother after a time

“And don’t fidget about so. What's the matter with your glove?” “I split it trying to get it on.” said Ronald. “Oh, dear! What a tiresome boy you are. And Mrs Grey, is so particular, too.” “Are we going to the Greys?” “Yes; and Gwennie—such a dear mite. You must speak nieely to her. Ronald, and not tease her.” At this Ronald bit his lip in disgust, and leant back in the cushions. A girl, too—if it had only been a boy they might have had some fun: but a girl. Cgh! However, when they came to the Greys' house, and went up to the smart drawing-room. Ronald was surprised that any little girl could be so jolly and friendly. She was such a pretty little girl. too. with long golden ringlets, and such blue eyes and she wore a beautiful white silk frock which came right down to the very toes of her little white shoes. "Hallo, little boy.” she said, coming up without a bit of shyness. "What’s your name?” "Ronald. What's yours?" “Gwendoline Marjorie Grey. Isn’t it a long silly name? But they call me Gwennie for short. You can call me Gwennie if you like. Have you finished your tea?" "Yes,” said Ronald, swallowing the last morsel of cake. "Well, you don’t want to stay up in the drawing-room, do you?” she said, lowering her voice. "No.” said Ronald, eagerly. "Where shall we go?"

"Come along into the garden." she cried. “I say. isn’t it fun? I do hate visiting da vs. don’t you?"

“Rather." said Ronald. “But 1 thought girls liked them.”

"Not till they get old. like mamma," said Gwennie. “But I don’t think I shall ever like it."

They ran out into the garden and had a good game at hall on the lawn. Then they grot tired of the garden, and Gwennie said she would show him a robin's nest if he liked to come into the orchard. Ami the time went ever so quicky. “Where's Ronald?” said his mother, about an hour later. “We must be going.”

And just then Ronald and Gwennie appeared at the door: but. oh. how different they looked! Their faces and hands were black, and their

clothes all torn. Ronald's collar was half off. and Gwennie's ringlets had escaped from her smart nink bow. and were hanging all over her face.

Then what a scolding thev got. Visiting was over for that day. and Ronald was driven straight home, while his mother was almost in tears over his sad behaviour.

“I did en’ •» it.” he said to himself a little late.. “«he was a 'ollv girl: I shan't mind going visitin" there again.”