FOR THE GIRLS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 230, 28 September 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOR THE GIRLS.

■" WENDY TAKES A LITERARY HOLIDAY. SOME NONSENSE VERSE. My Dear Girls, — In spring our thoughts turn to holidays, cither the jolly one we have just spent, or the one we are looking forward to. But writers and journalists, and those who follow the course of the inky way, cannot shut up their offices at a moment's notice and bolt off to the country because they feel spring a-calling— so they take a literary or pen holiday within their own sanctums, and the result of their nonsense has charmed many a holiday hour for us. I always think these lines of Lewis Carroll's feel like a February day in Auckland: "It was four o'clock in the afternoon, and the lithe and slimy badger lizards turned round and made holes in the grass. All miserable and flimsy were the thin shabby looking birds, and the green pigs bellowed and whistled." We don't know in the least what it means, but it sounds dreadfully hot somehow. Here is a charm against fright if you'd care to try it: When I'm frightened by bogies or spooks. Or things that go flop in the night, Or things that start hooting like peacocks or rooks, And something goes with the light. Then 1 try to keep cool and collected and calm, To avoid at all costs going mad! Then I find the use of this family charm, Is the best antidote to be had. By reciting the alphabet backwards, And tying my toes into knots, And holding my breath for ten minutes, And thinking of millions of dots. By knitting my eyebrows with needles ' ' , It produces a soothing effect, And you haven't got time to be frightened-— You've heard of this way, I expect? Another one, called "It Looked Like": It looked like a rug, or a bunch of flowers, Or a pie, or a garden gate; But I waited for hours and hours, •The moon itself was. late. It looked like an old and sleeveless coat, Or a cheap edition of songs; « It looked like a blackened crag or stone, Or a tired and worn-out joke; But I scratched my cheek with my collarbone, And caused the stars to choke. It looked like a bad mistake in print, Oh a house that had fallen down; And a brass bell rang with a greenish gling, And the swallows' song turned brown. Just space for another wee verse, which makes one think ©f our last visit to the country: He met her in the meadow, She nc-iher smiled nor thanked The sun was sinking low; him, They walked along together, Indeed she knew not how; In twilight's afterglow. For he was but a farmer's lad— Her big eyes shone upon him, And s ke?— * Jersey cow! As brilliant as the stars; I » And she was very patient, k . ,iy*Jy^^ As he let down the bars. I Aj^^^^^

Ina Markwick: So sorry to hear of the accident, and I 'hope that Ray's collar lione soon mends. Olga Whitefield: Thanks Tor your nice letter, Olg-a. Write again soon. Nora Slaney: I "wouldn't lite yon lo neglect your lessons for the Budget, Nora. Just write to us and enter the competitions when you nave a few minutes to spare. Mance Jones! Although you now spend many hours hi piano practice you will appreciate it later on when you become an expert player. Glory and Mary IHclntyre contribute i newsy letter.—Thanks, girls. Mavis Young: T think Phyllis should wait for a year or two, TWavis, then she'll be able to earn points for herself. Eileen Thomas: I was very pleased to hear from you, Eileen. Basketball season will soon "be over now. Colin Laing: I'm so pleased to hear that you have recovered from your injuries. Betty Stone: Sorry we have no American pen-friends available just, now. Doris Day: How unfortunate that your foot should have Broken out just as you started your holidays. I hope that it is' better now. Nancy Williams: It really doesn't matter whether you send stamps or a postal note for your badge.

Shirley Barnett: Thanks for the photograph. Ruth Cox owns two little kittens, named Bessie and Bimbo. Billy Cox, a Westport reader or tire Budget, says that the earthquakes have continued off and on for nearly eleven weeks now. and some 'quakes arc still quite severe.—You have had a Lad time with the 'quakes, Billy. Write a.?ain soon. Allan Christie: Kill in a form Tor your sister arid I'll enrol her. ' Jack Dimery: You have six points recorded on your card, Jack. Ida Moore contributes a chatty letter. I'or which I thank her. AHie McLennan: I'm sure that Tink would he pleased to receive your /ecipes. Sorry it isn't possible for me to see your rabbits. Katie Allwright: I hope you have a good time at the ball. Muriel Smith: So pleased to hear from you, Muriel. Write ag-atn soon. Margaret Kerr: A very nice letter comes from this correspondent. Gordon Morris: I'm pleased to hoar from you, Gordon. Did you pay a visit to ttie : dentist? Joyce Hunter: Your second entry was accepted.