Under th Mistletoe

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 71, 17 December 1917, Page 12

Under th Mistletoe

(By B. ¥. M, in the "N.Z.E.F. Chronicle")

r? T was breakfast time at No. 99, Portland Place. Mrs. Davis j_[ tossed aside "The Times," consumed half a cup of coffee, and addressed her elder daughter: "Mollie, I have a splendid idea." "What is it?" sho inquired. Mollio did .'igfc seem to he very interested. Sho had had previous expericiico of mother's splendid ideas. Ilhey had a nasty way of going wrong. "I havo jiist been reading about theso Anzacs," lcpliod her mother. "They want people to entertain some of them for a week at Christmas. It Would be an awfully novel idea. Don't you think so?" Mollie ■ looked horrified. "But, mother, Anzacs are black." Mother was not sure on that point; Bo Wilkins, xvho acted as butler, and had tho appearance of a belted earl who had lost his money, was consulted. "Hanzacs, madam," he replied, "bar Jlorstralians. You can tell them by their 'at-?. Liko cowboys, with feathers round some, and tho rest 'as got coloured hands." , "But, Wilkins," queried Mollie, "do Jhcy spoak English?" • Hero was a test, but Wilkins had the natural wish not to appear ignorant in B. matter that ho was evidently con* Eideral an authority on. Ho made a wild shot at it. "Some of them, miss." "And are they whito?" asked Mrs. Davis.

"Ho, yes, madam," and the conversation on the cubject closed. That night a long debato took place at 99, in which Violet, the younger daughter, was present. She_ threw much light on the colour question. It appeared that she had dropped something in the Strand on one occasion, and a man -with a- big hat with a red band round it had chased after her and returned, it. "He told me ho was an Anzac," she'concluded, and thought it superfluous to mention that the information was given over a tea-table in a nico little cafe off the Strand. Mothers are such inquisitive creatures sometimes. However, the end of it was a nice little.note, which was dispatched r.ext morning to a certain address in Southampton Row, containing an invitation for two Anzacs to visit No. 99 for Christmas week. ■

Two lonely soldiers sat in Hut 76; Outside a thick "fog, inside a smoky fire—neither locality _ pleasant. Comrades had gone to various parts of England, some to their homes, and others to friends and relations,-and to see the inevitable girls. A large percentage also had left in answer to the usual telegrams annouue- , ing the sudden and unexpected decease of aunts. By the wording of the wires ono ■ was led to infer that the wliole of aunty's happiness in the world hereafter was centred on whether or not her nephew attended her funeral. These things alwavs seem to crop up at odd times, and Christmas was no exception. -'"■■ However, "Mac" (the Adjutant), like _ Nelson, had a blind eye sometimes, and 'T.T'cry few of the chief mourners (?) were ;. /detained at Codford. The door opened and tho orderly corporal came in with a slip of paper in Ills hand. "Good I" ho exclaimed. "Just the men I wait. Adams and Bennett." "I was on fatiguo yesterday " began Adams. ;'' "Shut'your ■ face, "arid stop the l.clraiight,"'politely interrupted the cor....poral. "Get your belts on, you fel-.■-lows, and cut down to the Adjutant's ■ office at once. There's a Christmas :: trio on the end of it. Look sharp." :■ -- Five minutes after they_ stood before : r: "Mac." Ho returned their salute, end ■: consulted a chit in front of him. " t " "Which is Adams?" be queried. 1 ... "I am, sir." *.. "You arc a Main Bodv man, and , you, Bennett, are a fifth?" .'. '■■ "No, "sir, sixth." '■'-■■ "You : were on Gallipoli?" asked • ' ■ "Oh, yes, sir."' "Yorv good; now listen. I have " from different people in London invitu- . ;* tions for men to visit them for Christ- ; I imas. Your O.C. bos recommended you ~. as his selection"." Will you accept?" .. .- Would they" accept? Would a duck - swim? The v.: accepted with emphasis, " which only the atmosphere of that holy - of holies (the Adjutant's office) prevent- " cd from being profane. "Very well, go and get ready, and ;' yonr kits packed. Your passes will be I for seven days, and you will get-them

... fct onco." ... \Two men, who appeared to ho insane, .' .tore round the interior of Hut 76. - Shortages in kit were made up by - hasty investigations of comrades' kits ] - left behind. In twenty minutes they - •were dressed.' and the hut looked like " 'a bear garden. "Como on, Jack," said Adams, com- " monly known as Terry. "We've just .. got time to get the 6.15." ~ . They made for tlie door, but before . they reached it the corporal entered. - •■ "Here, hang on, you fellows," ho ex- ; claimed. "Come and tidy this hut up, ' and take your blankets and mattresses " down to the quartermaster. And 1 " want yon to go to the orderly room \." and " He turned and found he was alone. .. In <i second lie was at the door. ■■ ■ "Hi! Adams!" ho shouted. ■ Far down the hill a voico answered • him with painful clearness. Its owner, '" to use a colonial term, was evidently "travelling," and the words that cam 6 ' out of the darkness were short and not .. particularly sweot: "Go • 'and chase „•. yourself." - The corporal swore, and closed thf door, making a mental note of future ■ fatigues for our heroes, but as ho reached the orderly room ho grinned, and ",naid softly, "Lucky devils. Good luck to them." His Christmas was to he a working one. And so Sirs. Dari.s got her Anznes . for Christmas.' A large private motor-car drew up at No. 99. Two kit bags shot violently ou to the pavonicnU to the great inconvenience of 'passing pedestrians, and then appeared Jack and Terry,, each looking as if a ride in a thousandguinea car was an everyday occurrence Tho front door of Xo. 99 opened, and a footman in livery descended tho steps and seized Terry's bag, which was stih Iving on tho pavement, while its ownei lit a cigarette. Jack and his kit were half-way up the steps. • The man turned to follow, but slopped with a start as a voice demanded, "Where the h 1 are you taking that to?" "I took the liberty, sir "ho commenced. "Yes, and you were taking my bag, too," said Terry. "Drop it, Horace." "Horace," accordingly drooped it and hastened inside. Later in the evening in the servants' hall, he remark-j ed on- the peculiarities of Anzacs in goneral, and our frionds in particular. " Terry having got. his smoke undci way. picked up the cause of thn discussion, and ascending tho stops, entered the door. Ho was at once eonfronted by a largo expanse of shirt j •front, behind which was the portly Wilkius. Not unite sure as to whethci

TOMMY ANZACS CHRISTMAS IN ENGLAND

ibis was his Lost, ho extended liii, Land. "Kia Ora;" lie said. Wilkins started. Here was evidently one of the Anzacs who did not speak English. Ho indicated (ho door of iho draw-ing-room, and attempted by signs to induce Terry to enter. Terry turned to Jack. "Coino on," he said. "The poor devil's dumb." And so they went to meet their hostess, leaving tho "poor devil" on tho verso of apoplexy. Jlrs. Davis smilingly advanced to meet them. "Hoxv do yon do?" she said, extending her hand to Terry. Ho took it and gave it a proper colonial shake. "Very well, thank you," ho replied. "How's yourself?" Mrs. .Davis, while nenarating the fingers of her right hand behind her back, managed to convex- the impression/that she was also well. Then came Jack's turn, hut, happilv, ho treated her hand with rooro consideration. Introductions and greetings having concluded, tea arrived per medium of a protty ir>f'd. Shortly after came Mollv and Violet.

"My daughters," announced Mrs Davis. Tlifi hoys were very glad to see iliom and said so, and soon, they wore tlu host of friends. Mollv chatting witl the gallant Terry, while Violet gav< her attention to Jack, and the hostess divided her attention between the counlos. Conversation turned, of course to lifo in tho colonies. "Have you a hist farm?" Violot asked Jack, apparently labouring undoi the common delusion that all colonial. l were cattle kings. Jack took in another sandwich before replying. "Not verv bil in the south." ho answorcd. "Mv father lias a large 'to: toi' cstato in the north; ono of thf larcost in the island; in fact, I wai talcing up land there myself when wai broke out." (He did not see his way to explain that the land in question was in the Hauralci Plains, and tlipt+h' "faking up" process was out of a dram and on a shovel for which he received me. ind threepence an hour.) "Fov/ splendid." exclaimed Violet. "And 'toy toy' is so valuable, isn'i it? " The expression on Jack's face seemeo to indicate that it was so valuable as to ho almost aimisinrr, hut he only replied brieflv,'"lt. is." . . Meanwhile Molly was questioning Terry. "Havei /vju many sheep, Mr. Adams?" she asked. Terry, who had been learning for tho first time that "toi toi" was valuable, turned with a start. "Well, about 65,000, as far as I know now," he said. "Oh! what a lot," exclaimed Molhe. "And do you have names for all of them?". Terry gulped, and gave way, the maid, who had been reinforcing the :ake stand, that mystic signal known »s the "glad eye." . "Oh! no," he answered. "Wo just put a nice little label with a number an each ono's ear." "And do you have much troublo wvtli ilie savages?" was her next question. Terry's mouth was full of cake, but 10 managed to convey the impression ;hat fierce skirmishes wore of daily ocuirrence, and so it went on until bedlime, when they all went upstairs to;ether, Violet standing breathlessly mtsido her door, whilo Jack told her if a night patrol in No Man's Land; n which lie did several things that exsted, it is to be feared, only in his >wn imagination; while Terry, who had lersuaded Mollie to sit on the top staii ivo minutes moro, was modestly Telatng an account of a his flood, in-which le rode at top speed from Taihape tc S T apier to prevent the AVaikato express 'rom being hurled to destnictior trough a broken bridge over the Waiganui.

Christmas morning at last. The boys had been instructed by the pretty maid as to tho privileges attached to Christmas and mistletoe, so when Terry descended the stairs on Christmas morning ho was not at all surprised to find that damsel reading a letter Tinder a largo bunch in the hall. Of course, she did not hear him, as her back was towards him, and, of course, she was very surprised to find herself in his amis. However, to her credit may it bo said, she did not take long to got over that surprise, and did not evince any particular inclination to get away. Terry glanced round, no one in sight, and, after nil, it was Christmas, and she was pretty. She looked up at him and smiled. That settled it. He paused after the fifth kiss for breath. A voice behind him made him jump. "Good morning, Mr. Adams," said Mollie. Terry swore under his breath, and released his "half-nelson" on May. "Merry Christmas, Miss Davis," he stammerod. "So it seems," sho replied, and swept in to breakfast. It was a very subdued Terry that sat down to breakfast. Gono were all hopes of Mollie and mistletoe, and all because ho had merely followed a true Aristae's nature, which is to kiss anything that is nico and fluffy that comes his way. ■. . Tho morning passed quietly. Jack and Violet went to the music room, with the avowed intention of singing carols, but after half an hour the piano was strangely silent. Dinner was, a splendid affair, to which ovoryone did full justice, and after allowing a reasonable timo for digestion somo one suggested a game of hide and seek. A few young friends had beon invited for the afternoon, and soon tho game was in full swing. Poor Terry took little interest in the game. Mollie was not nasty or otherwise to him. She simply didn't ap-. pear to bo able to soo him. fjo listless was ho that presently ho found himself standing in an upstairs passage, undecided where to hide, with Jack's" ringing shout of "Coming!" in his oars.

Whcro could he go? He glanced round and spied a small door. In a second ho was inside, and just in time, for in less than a minute Jack came thundering down tho passage like a squadron of cavalry. Evidently Hie door escaped his notice, for ho did not pause, and Terry, after making certain ho bad passed, began to examine bis hiding place. He struck a match. Buckets, brooms, and mops in confusion. Evidently a place of one of tho maids. Ho turned to examine the other side, and found himself facing Mollie. "Ob, is that you?" ho said, lamely. "Yes. Mr. Adams," she answered. Poor Torn'. Her iey tones, together with the mn of bis surname, crushed him completely. Ho made another attempt. "i did not know you were hero " ho hon;nn. "ft is of no consequence. Thn cup-

board is big enough for the two of us," Mollio replied. Ho tried again. "Mollie, about this morning before breakfast, I " Sho interrupted him. "It is hoik of my business, Mr. Adams, whom yov kiss. Pleaso do not rcl'or to it again." Terry was silent. Gouo were all life glib explanations. It was evidently ; clear caso of "finish.' 1 Silenco for fivo minutes, thou si scnfflo from Mollio's corner, and a halfstilled exclamation. Another scuffle, and then her voice c:""r tremulously:— "Oh, Mr. Adams, there's a mouso in J Terry struck a match, but nothinp was to bo seen. Ho searched behind a couplo of buckets, still nothing. Then, may it bo said to his credit, he remembered a clause from his King's Hegulations. It was: "Use your initiative." Ho came and stood close to her and said miiotly: "It was not a mouse, Miss Davis." He dropped tho match, and they wore in darkness. "What—what was it?" sho asked, tearfully. Ho opened his arms wide under cover of the darkness, and remarked briefly: "A rat," Even though ho was expecting it, the force with which sho arrived in his arms nearly upset him. "Oh, Terry, lift mo np, pleaso. Please, Terry!" Terry dutifully lifted her in his arms clear of the floor and quietened her fears, in tho only way. Tie paused for breath, and from tho rcrion of his paybook pocket camo a still small voice:— "You don't really liko that little cat of a maid, do you?" Terry grinned to himself. "Of course, T don't, dear. It was a bet* They wore Into for tea, But the, host of good times must end. A few days later two An/ncs leant out of two windows in a corridor train at. Paddington Station, while two girls stood on tho station and gazed into their eyes, and tried to think of something to say. One's conversational powers always seem to fail when it comes to "Good-bye," and both men were'leaving in the New Year draft to Prance.

Four photographs had been exchanged, and love vows of tho most exceptional order (oven for war-time) had been said, but each of tho quartet knew in their heart of hearts that it was only a flirtation. Still, appearances must bo kept up to the last. A whistle! l\vo hugs that left two girls breathless, and but for memories the episode of Mrs. Davis's Christmas to tho Anzacs was forgotten. Not quite) forgotten, though, for a few weeks later Mollie stood besido a train once more, only this timo it was i second-lieutenant in tho Flying Corps that protruded from the window. "And is there no hope for me?" he ras saying. Mollie shook her head. "I'm afraid not." ."But pcrliaps when I come back " Eo left the sentence unfinished. "Perhaps," sho answered. Ho was young, and he really loved ber. It is always bad the first time. "Can't I learn how to make you lovo mo?" For a moment she stood irresolute alio liked liim—was not sure sho did ;iot love him; but The flag waved and tho train commenced to leave the station. "Is thero anything Tell me, daring." "Yes," sho spoko as one who lias suddenly made up her mind. "What is it? Tell mo," bo comnanded. Tho train was moving steadily now. 3ho had to walk quickly to keep ibreast of his window. A burly porter saw her, and' shouted "Stand clear, miss." Sho gave his hand a last squeeze ind said quickly: "Oh, Jim, learn to kiss like an Ansae." When he recovered from his surprize', she was fifty yards away. Fivo minutes later ho sat in a smoking carriago, the only occupant, gazing it a photograph from which Mo'llio'a ;yes smiled at him. , Ho kissed it, for, as has been said, ie was very much in love, and thou out it in his paybook and filled his oipe. Ho sat thinking. for a while, and then the sight of a New Zealand offi:er passing down the corridor seemed ;o bring bim to earth again. "Learn to kiss like an Anzac," he said, softly. "If they kiss like they light " He paused a, moment, and said (almost reverently it seemed) "Oh, FIell!"-B.W.M.