COUSINS’ BADGES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIII, Issue I, 2 July 1904, Page 58

COUSINS’ BADGES.

• Cousins requiring badges are requested to send and addressed euvoSy><-, when the badge wilt be forwarded by return mail.

COUSINS' COKKESPOxfDENCE. Hear Cousin Kate.—Ves, old Winter has arrived at last, and lie seems very niaeh in earnest, for lie brought short days, frosty mornings, and also lots of rain. I am thankful to say that we are not troubled with Hoods in Pieton. It would seem funny to see the people rowing about the Wanganui streets in boats, ’the waler was knee-deep in McCarty's Hotel, where my sister Tracy lives, and she said she never wished to lie in another Hood, for she caught a most dreadful cold after it. and is only just getting tielter. My niece and I went to Tua Marina to see the unveiling of the Marlborough Soldiers' Memorial, and our school concert took place the same evening. I and my niece took part in some of the singing, and there was a fairly good attendance.' Well, dear Cousin I<nte, I am pleased to tell you I received :« letter from a little Boer girl in South Africa. I am enclosing it for you to read. My teacher. Miss Hay. who used io teach school in Pieton, is teaching school iu South Africa. I went to :< birthday parly and enjoyed myself very much. And now. dear Cousin Kate, excuse this short letter. I. will write a longer one next time. Now’, with love to you and all the cousins. I remain, your loving eoushi. Ruby (Pieton). [Dead Cousin I'uliy,—Many thanks for Rending me the letter from your little friend in South Africa. It is very interesting to have, is it not? and I am printing it for the benefit of the other cousins, all of whom ( am sure will like io lead it, too. I can quite imagine your sister would not want another Hood- It must have been most disagreeable and uncomfortable, and every place must have been in such a dreadful mess. Was the concert a great, success? I expect it Was. We had a picture of the memorial iu the “Graphic.’’ II is very handsome and impressive. I think. It has been very eold in Auckland for one or two days, but it lias got much warmer this morning, and I think it is goitig to rain again, which will lie a pity, as we. have really had too much. Hoping to hear from vott again next week.- —Cousin Kate.]’

A COUSIN'S EETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA. This is the letter Cousin Biil>y got from her little friend in South Africa. C onsidering she has only been learning English for less than Iwo years. 1 think she makes her meaning very clear. I may tell you I have not altered the letter on purpose that you may see how she had tried to be correct. The spelling and v riling are capital.—Cousin K a I e. My dear Ruby.—T was very glad in read your welcome letter. We are all quite well, and hope to hear the same from you. If 1 don't spell the words light, why, next time I’ll do better. We have here a lot of monkeys. [ have three sisters nnd one brother. We go to live by my grandmother. It is near the mountain. Here are very much monkeys in the mountain in South Africa. Here arc very niueh snakes in Schoerpoort. I lik'o to come to New Zealand for a visit. We have a new school. Our lent is blown one day over. You must

send me some stamps if you had some, please. Mias Hay is my teacher. She learn us very nice. In the morning when we come in we have Dutch lesson. You must please send me your photo. I am u girl of 1- years old. And you must send me your age.. My grandfarther has some donkeys. We go very nice to sehool. I am in the 2 Standert. We is Dutch girls. We can’t write so well in English. Here are very much birds at Scheerpoort. You must come to Scheerpoort for a viset. Our fowls don’t lay so much now. We have 23 fowls. And now I have not got any more to say. Good-bye. I remains, your truly, llendriena Bezuidenhout.

Dear Cousin Kate.—It seems so funny io read my own letter in the “Gnyihic.”

What nice letters some of the cousins write- I like reading them very much, and always long for Saturdays, as we get the “Graphic” then. The pictures of Buster Brown arc rgeat fun, aren’t they? I think I like Jungle Jinks better —the boys arc always getting into some mischief. Our dear little, wild kittens have both died. We do not know' what was the matter with them. It seems a great pity, they were such pretty little things. Pinchcr did not chase them, and the three were great friends. He is very fond of pulling things to pieces. The other day I found my doll on the floor with her hair all scattered about. She is quite bald now. He is very fond of getting hold of my felt slippers, so I have to put them out of his reach. I have no more news. With love, from Cousin Helen*.

| Dear Cousin Helen, —I expect if you write regularly you will get quite fond of seeing your name in print—most peo“pie do. It is very funny how some cousins like Buster Brown best and some Jungle Jinks. I expect it w ill end in the editor putting them in on alternate weeks, then everybody will be pleased. L was so sorry to hear of the death of your kittens. It sounds to me as if they must have been accidentally poisoned. Some dogs are simply dreadful about tearing things to bits, especially when they are young. Were you not angry when you found your poor doll so badly used? 1 am sure 1 should have been We had three dogs till lately, and two of them were terrors. They tore a new, front door rug to pieces, and as for shoes or boots, you could not leave a pair about for a moment. It was a relief when they were given away. Does Pinchcr bark much at night? Our pups used to make a terrible noise.—Cousin Kate-1

Dear Cousin Kate.—l wish to join the* ‘■Children’s Page.” 1 have read about you in the “Graplric.” We have been here in Cambridge a year now, and since then I have learnt to ride and drive a horse, also ride a bicycle and milk. We have, only one cow and a calf. We arc having lots of wet weather just now in Cambridge. 1 have four brothers, two of xvUoin belong to the Cambridge Mounted Rifles; they went into camp for a week, and they were fortunate; it was not ruining: it was line, beautiful weather. My brothers have a farm of 40!* acres; they have a good crop of oats, xvheat, potatoes, chaff and assorted vegetables this year; they bad "0 fruit trees, but they all died. My iwo brothers attend the dancing class, play tennis. belong to the Mounted Rifles, ami farm as well, so they have plenty to do, Aly brothers arc living on the farm, and my sister, mol her and I have a rented cottage nearly a mile from the township of Cambridge. It seems very quielj

as we came from a large city, so the country would seem quiet to us. We came from Sydney. It is a lovely place to live in, and so pretty. The harbour is larger than Auckland. Cambridge is a pretty little place, too, and we all like it very well—all except the heavy fogs falling. It is bitterly cold here 100. Will you please send me a badge, as 1 would like to be one of your cousins’ By-the-bye. 1 did not tell you about my pets, so 1 must tell you about them. We have a dear little pet dog we brought from Sydney: he is such a little gentle, man. and turns up his nose at bullock's heart and liver, and won’t earf it. He wants the best of everytjjihg, and likes cooked meat: he won’t eat it raw at all, and only drinks milk and water. AVe also brought a pretty little cat. all black, with black face, blue eyes, and white spot on the nock; Mie catches lots of rats, and lias fo«u; little kittens just like herself. We gave the kittens away and kept her; she is very dainty too. Both the dog and cat are very affectionate, and kiss you on tke hand. We brought the cat from Sydney too. We have six horses, a buggy horse, a little black face, with blue eyes, and we have 4f> fowls; only a few are laying now. 1 love animals, don’t you. 1 .will send an addressed envelope and stamp enclosed in this letter for the badge. Cousin Kate, how much will the badge cost? When you tell me I will send it in next letter in stamp.?. Dear Cousin Kale, hoping you arc quite well now. with love, and hoping your cold is better now, with love to all the cousins, I re-

main, your affectionate cousin, Beatrice Jenkins, aged 14 years. P.S.—I was going to' a new school convent in Cambridge. Bit strict there; don’t care for it being strict. [Dear Cousin Beatrice, —Wliat a long, interesting letter you sent me. and I fear.l shall not be able to write nearly as nice an answer as I should like, aS my cold is dreadfully bad, and makes me feel very headachy and stupid. I expect you do find Cambridge a little quiet after Sydney, which is, as you say, a lovely city. I have been there several times, and like it ever so much better than Melbourne. The gardens arc lovely, are they not? but the heat in summer is dreadful. I think. Your brothers must indeed be kept busy, and you, too, with riding and driving and learning to milk, besides lessons, for you arc at a school still, are you not? What are the names of your dog and eat? They sound a little spoiled, I think, and are indeed fortunate to have such kind mistresses. Cambridge is very pretty, do not you think, and so very healthy. A friend of mine from this office went up there several months ago because he was so dreadfully ill he could not work any longer in a city like Auckland. I heard the other day that he has almost completely recovered, and has got quite strong and fat. I hope you will write every, week now you have begun.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate.—Wasn’t it a lovely day to-day? It is quite a treat to haver a fine day just now, isn’t it? We had a drawing lesson from a drawing master. I am not very good at drawing, are y<H< Cousin Kate? I love painting, and t would very much like to learn painting. It needs a great deal of patience, doesn't it? I must finish for now; I will finish to-morrow if I have time. Well, dear. Cousin Kate, I have , started again to write to you; I hope I will finish this time. Thank you very much for your nice answer to my letter: I liked it very much. I am glad you liked my recipe for toffee. I sometimes put almonds or peanuts in it, and it makes itmuch nicer I think. Do you like coeoanut ice. Cousin Kate? I will give yo-u a recipe for it if you like. We are going to Prince Albert College when the trams are running out to Remuera; if.' will be much nicer, don’t you think sot The roads are simply awful jusb' now. don’t you think so? I am longing to go to Prince Albert Gol-

lege. Di J you go to see “Tapn” played? It will create a great sensation in England anil the other places, won’t it? Now, dearest Cousin Kate, 1 must conclude, with heaps of love to you and all the cousins. — I am, your loving eousin, Mary 8., Auckland. P.S*.—This is the recipe tor cocoanut ice: 3 cups of sugar, one small cup of milk, one breakfast cup of eoeoanut; boil hard ten minutes.

[Dear Cousin Mary S., —First let me tJiank you for the recipe for eoeoanut ice, of which 1 am very fond. You are really a clever cook, 1 think. I cannot bear peanuts, but think almonds would certainly be an improvement to the toffee. I am sure you will enjoy Prince Albert College, anil the ride to and from your home will be lovely, specially in tine weather. X have enjoyed the eold, dry days pretty well, but have a dreadful cold; in faet, I think I must be in for an attack of influenza, for I have such a headache and feel so stupid. You will therefore forgive a dull answer, will you not? All the Renniera people I know are growling dreadfully' about the roads, and I heard some people in the tram saying there will be an awful amount of money to pay before it is all done with. I cannot draw a little bit, J am sorry' to say, nor can I paint. It would be charming to be able to do either, or both, of course. Yes, I saw “Tapu,” and enjoyed it exceedingly. The poi dance was. lovely, was it not, and the haka really very good also? Did you like the pictures in the “Graphic” of the dances taken by flashlight?—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, — I would like to be one of your little cousins. We get the Graphic every week. -I saw that children, could write to you, so I am going to write. I expect plenty of children write to you. 1 see that yon put piggie-boar pictures in the Graphic, and niy little baby- brother always asks for piggie-boar book, and he laughs at the pictures. Would you please send me a badge? Now 1 must say good-bye, with lots of love to you and all your cousins—l remain, yours truly, Cousin Aubrey.

[Dear Cousin Aubrey,—l am very pleased indeed to welcome you as a cousin, and trust you will be able to write often. What a pity it was you had such bad weather in Wellington for the arrival of the Governor. Did you go and see the illuminations? They must have looked lovely, judging from the accounts I read of them. I am glad you like the Jur.gle Jinks, or, as you call them, “piggie-boar” pictures. Which do you prefer, those or Buster Brown? J will send you a badge to-day, and you will get it before you see this letter, I expect, as it takes some time to print the..paper, and there is a mail for Wellington before the Graphic comes out. Mind you write and tell me how you like it and all about yourself and baby brother. —Cousin Kate.] * 4? *

Dear Cousin Kate, —I have just been learning my lessons for to-morrow. 1 think our school breaks up on Friday for a week’s holiday. Is not that lovely, Cousin Kate? Have not yesterday and to-day been lovely days? It is quite a treat to have some nice days after all

the wet weather. Oiir little kitten i® •so funny. When we are having breakfast it will spring up on the easement windows and try to get up to the lock, as 1 supjmsc it thinks it might l»e able io open the door. Another thing it will do, too; it wile get up on the rocking chair, which is just near the door, and it will try to get its paw on the ledge of the window, when the rocking chair will come down with a bump ami send it falling on the ground; it does not mind that, at all, but. is up again on the rocking chair, and does the same thing again. It is such fun watching it. There is a young rooster, too, who is just learning to crow ; and oh, it would really make you laugh to hear it. Would you mind telling me when your photo is going to be in the “Graphic'’? 1 am getting so impatient, Cousin Kate; you would hardly believe it, Counsin Kate, but really 1 am. Good-bye, Cousin Kate, with love, to the cousins, and not forgetting your dear self.—l remain, your loving cousin, Amy 8.

[Dear Cousin Amy 8.. —As you will see from my answer to Cousin Mary, I have a dreadfully bad cold, so have not been able to enjoy the bright days as much as I otherwise would; but, of course. I would have been even more miserable had the weather been wet. I much liked reading all about your kitten's antics. I think it is great fun watching them when they arc small. We had three a little while ago, and they used to romp like anything, but were always getting under one’s feet, and 1 fear often got a little bit of a squeeze. Years ago we had a kitten, and by some accident it got its tail pinched in the door; it was a very bad pinch, and after some days the end of her tail dropped off. We heard an awful mewing, and there was the kitten and her mother mewing and crying over the bit of tail. 1 think" we laughed till we could not stand, it w’as so comical. This sounds rather too good to be true, but it really did happen.—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate. — I would like to be one of your little cousins. We get the “Graphic” every week, and I generally read the letters. I would like you to send me a badge, please, if you do not mind. 1 am in the third standard, and lam ten years of age. Dear Cousin Kate, I do not know any of the cousins that write to you. I must bring my letter to a close now, with lots of love to vourself and cousins.—Gwen.

[Dear Cousin Gwen,—l shall be delighted to have you for one of my band of cousins, and do you know you are the third Cousin Gwen, so I think if you have a second name it will be better to call you by it, don't you? because I get rather confused when there are two or three of the same name. I will post a badge to you one day this week, and I hope you will like it. Do you find the lessons in the third standard easy or difficult? I expect you are looking forward to the examinations now? So many of the cousins have written lately to say that they have just had theirs or arc just going to have them. I don’t know of any “Graphic” cousins who live close to Berhampore, go you wuld have no opportunity of meeting them; but perhaps you will come to Auckland some day, ami then

you will be able to see a great many of them. —Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —It is a long time since I last wrote to you. Our Schoolmaster is laid up with the mumps, ami we are having a holiday. It is raining to-day, ami w«*.could not go out to play, so 1 thought I would write to you, dear Cousin Kate. Our baby Ethel is seven months old, and she has only got one tooth, and she is sueh a dear little thing; she can say Ada quite plainly. It is my Cousin Ellen's birthday to-day, and she is twenty years old. What a nice long Jotter in the ’’Graphic” last week from Cousin Alison. I have cousins in South Africa; they live in Johannesburg.Our Sunday-school teacher was married the other day; the choir and Sundayschool children gave her a present of a sugar scuttle and a serviette ring and a pair of sugar tongs and six silver teaspoons. What a lovely big town Auckland must be: 1 should like to sec it very mueh. When are you going to put your photo in the “Graphic"'? 1 look for it every time the “Graphic” conics, and 1 feel quite disappointed when 1 don't see it there. I must close now W i -.<■ to y..u and all the cousins.— Ada. [Dear Coivim Ada, —It is a very long -time sine:- you v.Toie to me last, and I hope you won't let such a long time elapse beiore yon write to me again. How long a holiday will you have, I tvor.'.l -.u? I expect by the time your sch.:■;>'mastor is veil enough to bo back at school all the pupils will have caught imm q>- t:u. because they are so dreadfully -hirnr. 1 should like to see your litfb' sister Ethel so much. She is just get:ring to thy ini .“resting age now; but she mm i be very forward for her age, for I don’t think I ever heard of a baby of seven month.-' old being able to say even the cti-.iest word. Alison’s letter was a very nite long one, wasn’t it? Do your cousins write you long ones like that? liie, in Capetown, and that is a long v.i-y from Johannesburg. Your Simdnv school teacher must have been deligi.iet! wh-n she got sueh beautiful w. tiding >'>••'sents. Did you go to see her m-.u-iii-.l? Auckland is a beautiful piece. I hope some day you will eoino up lo see it. You must come and see me if ever you do come up here. —Cousin Kate.] + + 4’ Dear Cousin Kate, —Will yeu kindly excuse me for not writing to you before, as 1 have not been well? I now live a good distance from school. 1 have just passed my school examination, and I r.m now in the fifth standard. The house we are now living in has move conveniences than the first one. Have you ever read “The Family at Misrule”? I think it is such a sweet story; I like Ethel Turner's books, don’t you? 1 wish you would put your photo in the “Graphic,” as I am just dying to sec it. As I am sh- py I will now end my short letter, with love to you and all the cousins.—Cousin Fenton.

[Dear Cousin Fenton, — I had given up expecting to hear from you, for Olive and Winnie have said in their letters •so often that Fenton is going to write to you to-day, and then 1 have been disappointed, so I was very delighted to get your letter this morning, ami as

M was unexpected I enjoyed it all the more, I am sorry to hear that you have not been well; it seems funny to hear of the mischievous monkey, Fenton, being ill. 1 congratulate you on passing your examination; you must be getting on very well indeed at school to be in the fifth standard already. Isn’t it & pity you have to move again so soon? You will be just comfortably settled in this house by the time your new one is ready for you. Yes, 1 have read “The Family nt Misrule,” and 1 liked it very much indeed; but all Ethel Turner’s books are nice I think. I think I will have to wait until alt the cousins have had their photographs in the “Graphic'’ before I put mine in. Don't you think that would be a good idea? -Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I received my badge, and like it very mueh. Yes, I do know Cousin Lorna. The horse is called Dolly and the cats are called Black and White and Bessy. I have a lovely big doll, with real hair and brown eyes. Her name is Miily. I have been staying with my cousins out at Epsom. Wc had horrid weather. When are you going to put your photograph in the Graphic? With best love to all the cousins and yourself, from Cousin Carre.

[Dear Cousin Carre, —Is that the light, way to spe.ll your nam ? II looks to be. signed-like that in your letter, but 1 could not quite make it out. so thought I would ask for next time. That must be a lovely doll of yours. Does she shut'her eyes? The other day 1 was in one of the big fancy goods warehouses in town talking to >i friend who works there, and 1 was shown a •101 l which says about half a dozen sentences when you press a spring—ur, rather, two or three springs, one for each sentence. It was dr adfully expensive, and I don't think it would keep in order very long, so 1 don't suppose many arc sold, do you? It was a pity it was wet when you were at Epsom, but this week has been lovely, if yon don't mind the cold, and don't get chilblains. I used to have them dreadfully. when > was your age., Hoping for another, letter soon, Cousin Kate ]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I am afraid news is very scarce this week, nothing seems to have happened that I could tell you about. Olga came in yesterday, ami is going to stay until Monday. She and Valerie are very quiet this afternoon, so I suppose they are playing with th'ir dolls. Have you been out to Howiek in the new motor 'bus. Cousin Kate? We have not yet, bul mother is going to take us when the weather is more settled. I should think it would i»e lovely. I often see it. passing through Newmarket when I am going to, and coming from, school- It looks awfully nice going along. don’t you think? Doesn't it seem lovely to think that we will have the cars running past School in about three weeks’ time? I daresay it will be more than three. thou>»ii, if this awful weather continues. What a lot of new cousins we are getting now, there seem to be a couple or so nearly every week. What a time little Buster Brown had with his skates I think he is awfully good, much nicer

than Jungle Jiukl. I tried very hard to persuade Desmond to write to you again to-day, but be said he wanted to itiiisli a story lie was reading. I think, if I lie truth were known, he was too lazy, as I know tie does not like writing hitters one little bit. Yes, Cousin Kate, mother does take me down to I he opera sometimes of an evening, but very .seldom. t hope next mon th. when Alfred Woods’ Company comes, they will give some matinees, as I have, never seen any of their plays. I did not go fast time they were here, did you? Could you tell me the name of a nice book to read. Cousin Kate? 1 have not read one for ever such a long time. I think the last two I read were ‘■Doctor Nikola’’ and ‘•Farewell. Nikola,” both by Guy Roothby. 1 like his books very much. Now, dear Cousin Kate. I must couelmle. with love to the cousins and heaps for yourself, from Cousin Muriel J.. Auckland,

(Dear Cousin Muriel, —It certainly lias lieeu rather dull lately, but your letter was quite interesting all the same. No, I have not been out to Howiek in the motor 'bus yet, though, like you. I often see it in the. street, and think I should like to go, bid it takes practically the whole day, for one has to stop there some hours, Ml it would be difficult for me to find the time. However, when the summer comes, I must take a holiday, and make up a nice party to go out; it would be very dull by one's self, would it not? I don’t think you would care so much for Ihe Woods-Williamson Company as for the comic opera,, as their plays are, so far as I remember, all melodramas. It will certainly be very convenient when you get the ears past your school, but it will make you dreadfully lazy about walking, al least I know I scarcely ever walk nowadays, and I used to be quite fond of it before the trams came. I suppose you are sure to have read “the Treasure Island,” by Itobert Ixvuis Stevenson, but I just mention it. because if you have not you have a tremendous treat in store. It is really frantically exciting, and written in the most beautiful English. ‘•Count Hannibal,” by Stanley Weytnan. is capital. lam sure you would enjoy both these. —Cousin Kate.]

Hear Cousin Kate.—We take the Graphic every week, and 1 like reading the cousins' letters, and t would like to become a consul. too. I used to live at Dunbaek. New Zealand, ft is seven years since I came to Mount Gambier (South Australia>. I do not like it as well as New Zealand, although it is a verv pretty place. If you will have me for a cousin 1 will write and tell you and the cousins all about the place. — Herbert.

( Dear Cousin Herbert. —Of course, T shall be delighted to have you for a cousin. 1 am always wanting more cousins to write Io me from some other part of the world. I have ever so many New Zealand cousins, but we. all want, to hear about other places, so I hope you will write often, and tell us about .Mount Gambier. I am so glad you like reading the cousins’ letters in the Graphic. Cousins i’oic and Alison are beginning to write much more regularly, and of course they can tell us such a lot of interesting things. 1 wonder if you would like to be back again in New Zealand. A place alters so much in seven years, that very likely if you came back to live here you would thio); Alt. Gambier ever so much nicer. Well, Herbert. I must stop now. as I have ever so many letters tu write this morning. I will post a badge to you to-day.— Cousin Kate.l ♦ < Hear Cousin Kate,—lt is a very long lime since I wrote to you last I think it is nearly a year. This evening I have been blowing bubbles for the amusement of my sister, who is always wanting to join I he cousins, but mother says she is too young. I am very anxious to see your photograph in the Graphic. On Friday we had a ball here, and as the tenchec of the school was secretary we had a half-holiday on Thursday to get decorations for the ball from the bush. On Friday we had another half-holiday because he was going to finish the decorations. On Saturday I Went up there when they were cleaning out the hall and got a lot of iiikau. I think Buster Brown is very mischievous. don’t you. Cousin Kate? He was especially so when he put the frogs in

cousins anj yourself, I remain. Cousin Arthur.

Here is a little joke for you. A negro servant, on being ordered to announce visitors to a dinner party, was directs*! to call out the names in a distinct voice. Tlie first to arrive was the Fitzgerald family, numbering eight persons. The negro announced Major Fitzgerald. Miss Fitzgerald. Master Fitzgerald, and so on. This so annoyed the master that he said to the man, “ Don’t announce each person like that; say something shorter. The next to arrive was Mr and Mrs Penny and their daughter. The negro solemnly opened Ihe door and said, “Threepence.”—A. [Dear Cousin Arthur, —It is a very long time since you wrote to rne last, but I don’t think it is quite a year yet. I hope you are not going to be so long before you write again. You never told me before that you had a little sister, so I don't know her name nor how old she is. I wish she was old enough to write to me, Witl you tell her that directly she ean write for herself I will semi her a badge? I expect you wish there would be a Ixnll at Tuma every week if your schoolmaster was secretary each time. It was very nice for you to have two half-holidays, wasn't it? Much nicer than going to the ball. Was the hall very pretty when the decorations were finished? I think nikau and fern trees are the prettiest decorations one can have. Buster Brown is a dreadful boy, isn’t he? I don’t think I should like to live in the house with him, though it is very amusing to read of his pranks. 1 nearlj' forgot to thank you for the story. It is nearly as funny as Buster Brown’s, isn't it?—Cousin Kate.]

Dear Cousin Kate, —I am afraid that this won’t be a very interesting letter, as I have not much news- What a large

number of cousins wrote to you this week; it must take you quite a long time to answer them all. lam glad that Cousin Hole wrote, because I am so interested in her letters —she tells ns such a nice lot of news. I am sorry to say that I have not been well. I could not go to school on Monday as I felt too ill: but. being better on Tuesday. I went. lam glad to say that my cousins at Epsom are better now, but I do not think that they arc at school yet. We are going to have a week’s "holiday next week, and I do not know at present what I shall do. I must close now, with love to you and all the cousins, Cousin Lynda I.

[Dear Cousin Lyndal,—There seems to be a scarcity of news everywhere just now. I have not anything interesting to tell you this week either, perhaps we shall have more to say to one an-

other next week. There were a lot < f cousins’ letters last week, weren’t, there? and there was one from Cousin Ethel; but I bad not time to answer it, so I held it over till this week. It does take some time to answer all the cousins’ letters, especially when there are other things one has to think about too. lam sorry to hear that you have not been well. I expect you thought you were going to get the mumps, "didn’t you? They don't seem very bad things to hare, for I met two boys who had them this morning when I was coming down to the office; they both had llannel bandages round their heads, but it didn’t seem to trouble them inncn. as they were going off to the beach to plav. 1 expect you are very glad that voiir cousins are better again, as now you will be able to go out and see them again, and perhaps spend your week’s helidav with them. —Cousin Kale.]