A DREAM PARTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 508, 10 November 1928, Page 29

A DREAM PARTY

‘ Are you nearly ready?” “Yes, Little Thought. I'm coming right now.” The Dawn Lady had invited all the Sunbeams to a party in Happy Town and had sent the Little Thought to tell me to be early. He was quivering with joyous excitement and his feet scarcely touched the ground as we hurried down Tiptoe Street. Flags were fluttering everywhere, and the Happy Town gate was flung wide to permit the faiiy cars and fairy “Moths” that were chartered, to enter with their happy passengers. What a fairyland it was! Roses were banked up everywhere, their beauty and perfume catching at one’s very heart. And just beside the Dawn Lady were the Doorkeeper, the Joyshop man and the Woodpecker, looking very important and all prepared to help with the entertaining. The Dawn Lady said there would just be time to peep at the tables before the first car arrived. . . . Oh, what a wonderful tea! Never before, surely, had there been such things to eat, such cakes to melt in one’s mouth, such strawberries and cream, such ices—all the colours of the rainbow. Soon car after car, “Moth” after loaded “Moth,” all labelled “Happy Town,” began to arrive in quick succession, and it was entrancing to watch the bright-faced boys and girls greeting their Dawn Lady and to see the eager interest they took in this well-loved place. Soon I began to recognise different Sunbeams, and it was not difficult to guess the names of the little people that the Dawn Lady kept close beside her. The sweet-faced child, now flushed with excitement, is surely the Dawn Lady’s beloved Jean, the next child, with “eyes like brown pansies,” is Gloria. She has brought Monty, too. Margaret, her eyes full of happy dreams, has left her crutches behind. Little Rive looks much stronger. The small girl clinging to the Dawn Lady’s hand is Jean Cramp. Among the others I see a little Sunbeam from Howick, and with her is Peter the rabbit, freshly bathed and wearing a jaunty blue bow. Here, too, are the Waller Sunbeams and Nola Craig. Do I recognise “Buz?” Doris has brought her little friends and here, too, is Joy Hill, who writes stories. Now, where is that liftle Sunbeam who sends me love messages? After tea there were games for those who wanted them, and the Woodpecker invited everyone to inspect the Hollow Tree. Just for once, the Little Thought allowed the smaller Sunbeams to trundle his yellow and green wheelbarrow, but looked greatly relieved when he was able to put it safely away again. At last the party was over and, as each Sunbeam passed through the Happy Town gates, the Joyshop man handed out a package of fairy joys. Each package was clearly marked with the Sunbeam’s name and labelled “Not to be opened till Christmas morning.” Now, was there ever such a delightful party? —ELIZABETH CHRISTINE.