Between Ourselves

Southland Times, Issue 21091, 24 May 1930, Page 22

Between Ourselves

Cousin James: I was very sorry to hear you had been ill, my dear; but do you have to stay in bed before you can remember the page again ? That’s a very nasty thought, and 1 hope you will write and tell me it’s' not true. Do you find lessons harder this year? Cousin Moonmoth: I’m glad you are enjoying the rehearsals so much, my dear, and that you know most of the others think as you do. I, too, look forward to Saturdays—and Friday nights, too —and . the time does go too quickly. I hope you’re right . and that these are “the best plays we’ve ever had”—it seems to. be a habit of Little Southlanders to look forward to ‘the best'! I think, when I see you next, I will supply you with a-list of adjectives to use in place of that slang you deplore! Cousin Mary: Thank you for your contribution, little cousin. I am looking forward to a longer letter from you. Cousin Unah: I have missed your work of late, my dear. Do you enjoy solving cross-word puzzles? Why not try and make one for the page? Making them is really’ very interesting. Cousin William: I was glad to receive your letter, and to know you did so well at school. I don’t hear at all from that other cousin, these days—will you ask him why? I haven’t sent out badges and enrolment cards for some time, but they ■will all be sent by the end of the month.

Cousin Rosemary: I sympathised with you very much when I knew you had been having teeth out, for I still have vivid recollections of the time when I had three great big ones at the back pulled out. I was in bed for a week after it—so you guess I thought I was very badly done by! What makes me angriest is for the dentist to protest it won’t hurt a bit. I hope you managed to' enjoy your holidays, all the same.

Cousin Rex: If you change your mind, you know I am always glad to see you—and you know where the hall is. What do you do on the wet days on a farm? I suppose there is still plenty to be done, mending implements and things. That “and things” looks as it is, very vague—l’m quite ashamed of it, how I see it written. Can all football matches be heard over the wireless these days? I think you are unwise to slant your writing as much as you are doing. It’s not nearly as effective. Cousin Sunshine and Shadow: How nice that prize sounds—who contributed the stories in it ? Do you have much opportunity for reading, situated as you are? I hope so, although I know what a busy life you lead. I would like to see a copy of that other paper with some of your work in. May I, please—some day? I think you and your young brother are most disrespectful to your big sister—and don’t' you know a large nose denotes character and intellect ?

Cousin Carrotty: Your letters are certainly not nearly as frequent as I should like, although when you have explained how busy you are, I feel quite mean to expect longer letters. I am glad you find time to read a lot, at all events. Wouldn’t a world without books be dull! Cousin Funny Face: I think you are jolly lucky to be able to go to bed really early once in a while. There are times without end when I make up my mind to do just that, but somehow it never eventuates, and I find the wrinkles that accompany old age and dissipation ruining the calm serenity of my brow! Life is full of trials, my child. What have you been reading lately? Cousin Eileen: It was so nice hearing from you again, dear; but I think you must have forgotten to include the stamps for your badge. How proud you must be of your school; though of course if* all the pupils didn’t try, another school would win the coveted prizes. Do you ever come in to Invercargill? I hope you will come and see me some time.

Cousin Winiform: I wonder why you think Sir J. M. Barrie’s “The Little White Bird” is such a "funny” book, and like it since you have had it explained to you. What did you have explained? The Bridge Circle sounds very nice. I wonder how much money goes into the donation at the end of the year? I suppose it gathers into quite a considerable amount. What a busy time you have. Am I going to see your report ? Cousin Iona: I enjoyed your letter very much, because it really was a satisfactory length, and told me a lot—and what lots you had to tell me. You certainly manage to find a place for many things in your daily routine, and as for your influence on the rest of your family—it’s admirable, if it only lasts! Do you think it will? I think you are most disrespectful to Mr Thackeray, and you really don’t deserve the honour of reading his books. By the way, what was the piece of music yourteacher referred to so glowingly, and what are you going to play at these forthcoming concerts ?

Cousin Charlotte: Your letter was a pleasant surprise, dear, which I hope will be repeated soon. I am glad you are so happy in your new home, although I shouldn’t like it a bit if you forgot the happy days in Southland altogether; but I don’t think there’s any fear of that, eh ? What a lovely party that must have been—l think you will be happy wherever you go. Do you still employ your fingers so busily with fancy work? How nice it must be to have a boat. Can you row? ; Cousin Fairy Rata: You made up for your silence by writing such a long, interesting letter telling me things, that of course

you are forgiven! Please don’t let such a long silence happen again, will you. It is not nice losing touch with any cousin. I really was surprised to know you had joined the ranks of the bread-winners! Dearie me—how old I am getting. It seems no more than a week or two ago that you were a little girl going to play rehearsals. How well you have both done by your achievements so far, and how proud your grandmother must be of you. I liked George Eliot’s "Romola” better than her other books.

Cousin Primrose: How wonderful it is that you can sit at home and hear a concert in another town or another part of the world! I wonder what marvellous developments will come' within the next few years? I suppose the potatoes have to be picked over and brought in before the wet weather sets in? Cousin Jester:-It was fine to hear from you again,, and although I realise how yrnur time must be occupied during the term, I 'do hope you will write sometimes, even if the letters are irregular. I should like to see that "Ode to a Poached Egg,” written when you were lying hungry in the sick room. I thought people with influenza were never hungry! I shall look for that promised copy of the school magazine. Cousin Snuff-box: I should have thought ditching would be child’s play after such an exciting adventure. Which just to prove you never can tell, can you! Ton must be a very handy man about the place! Cousin Ada: I hope you will choose a non-de-plume dear, so that you will be able to discover your answer in this column without any difficulty. What a lot of extra people to have in the house all at once! It must have been jolly. I hope you will just make up your mind that you can write stories and poems, and send me along the results of your efforts. There’s nothing like trying, you know. Cousin Skylark: I think English is more important than Arithmetic, although I don’t suppose your arithmetic teachers would agree with me! I hope you will both come to see me again, and soon. No, I don’t have chilblains—but I’m touching wood as I say it!

I Cousin Marguerite: I was glad to receive your letter, dear—l don’t get very nuyiy from you, do I! That’s not a hint, mind you—just a gentle reminder! When are you going to enter for some of the competitions? Yes, I’m afraid the frost ruined many flowers. Cousin Helene: Welcome to our page, my dear. I hope you will wrjte often, and be proud of being a Little feouthlander. Was it a big sister of yours who used to write to me? What has beebme of her. How well you have done at school! I hope you will come and see me one day when you are in town. Cousin Smiles: I don’t think the plays will be ready until July. Of course it is better to practice a little longer and have them more polished; but we don t want to wait too long. Yes, I think the crossword puzzle looked very hard, though I must confess I didn’t attempt to do it. Cousin Margaret: Quite a number of Little Southlanders lose their badges, it seems. I think the best thing to do is to scratch your initials on the back, and, if you lose it, let me know at once and I will advertise in the page for it. Certainly you may obtain another one, I have never been in your district, although’ I believe it is very pretty. You must have much less rain than we do.