HOLIDAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 222, 19 September 1928, Page 18

HOLIDAYS.

(D.v R. Taylor, Birdwood Aveuu?. Papatoetoc; age 15. > " You're out! " " I'm not] " " But the ball hit ver lc" " "It didn't! " "It did! " "It didn't; it only hit me sock" " You children scrapping again. Give me that hat, and if I have any more of (1 it you'll go to bed without any tea." u "But what can we do, Mum?" tt "I don't know, but you heard what f said." "Yea! "chorused the three. "Gee! " I thought we was in for it 3 then," said Bill, the eldest. "But what L " about playing firemen?" d " Oh, yes! " 5 < "We'll get an old kerosene tin and 3 fill it with rags." t '• Put a match to it and shove it in the t washhouse," chimed in Jack, the youngt< lest, eager lest he should be omitted. 0 " What'll we have for a hose V " " That garden pump and hose Dad borrowed from Mrs. White about a month ago'll do corker."' r " You bet! Come on." In less than five minutes smoke was t pouring out of the washhouse window, i, and the gallant firemen tore down the - yard with the step-ladder and hose, c yelling "Fire! Fire!" But just as - the fun was at its height, when the fire- ) men were cfleeting a good "save," a 1 voice over the fence caused tho boys to . cease their activities. " I suppose that's r what your father borrowed my hose for, r eh? Well, then, if I were yo-ir mother . I'd ring y*ur necks. Now perhaps, if 1 you have finished with my hose, I'll have it back." When tho goods had been returned the trio were at a loss to know what I to do again, i " Blow! " > "Gee!! 1 know—er—er—" : " Yes, that would be lovely."' i "No! But couldn't we make a target i on the back fence to biff something at? > Where's those darts made out of pe»s , you had t'other day ?" ° i " Gee, yes. I know where they are.' , j i It took but a few moments to draw , some circles ou the back fence and , fetch the darts. "I'm going first,' , announced Mick, • the happy medium. " You're not. 'Cau.se I'm iiie eldest." "Ha! Ha! I raced the lot of you," said Jack. "Then I'll give yer a good hiding. Take that, and that!"' A long drawn out howl was the result, drowning easily that of an engine, but it was cut short by Mrs. Brown. " Can't you boys let anyone have a bit of peace? Here I am dead beat. I go off to get forty winks, and you kick up that orful row. Pity yer if I were yer mother. Curse!! " " That doesn't stop us, does it * " "Come on." "Bull's eye first time. Bet you couldn't do that! " Mick, not to be 'beaten, picked up « dart and hurled it with all his might. It cleared the fence like a bird, and tore a foot long slit in Mrs. Black's quilt, which was hanging on the tine, even- j tually landing on the cat, which was | sunning itself on Black's lawn. With ! ,a frightened scream the cat jumped and sought refuge under the house. Mrs. Black, alarmed by the scream, tore out of the back door, and, seeing daylight through the quilt, stopped short, wringing her hands. "Oh, you naughty, bad boys. My new quilt." " We didn't mean to, Mrs. Black." "Didn't mean to! What roti It's one of your pranks. If I was your mother I'd skin you alive. Don't you let me catch you anywhere near that fence again, or I'll—l'll " They waited to hear no more, but fled j into the washhouse to hold a council of ' war. j "Dash! We've incurred the wrath of! -Mum, Mrs. Black. Mrs. Brown, and Mrs. White. We can't go into the street. We re bottled up in this here back yard. What can we do ? " i "What about writing a letter to Peter Pan?" "Hurrah! Fancy not thinking of that before."