CLIFFORD'S NEW GIRL

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVII, Issue 14, 8 April 1909, Page 557

CLIFFORD'S NEW GIRL

' ' The old dishes to wipe,' whined Clifford. ' I never saw one little supper make so many. Rob White never wipes dishes, and I think it's hateful that I have to do it.' Mrs. Fagan looked at him in dismay. ' Why, Clifford, I thought you enjoyed helping mother,' she said. Clifford felt sorry about the pained look on his mother's face. ' I do like to help you, mother, and all that, but dishes are girls' work. I wish I didn't have to . wipe any more for a month, anyway.' ' Well, you need not,' said Mr. Fagan, who just came into the room. ' Why needn't I?' questioned Clifford. ' I had a letter from Cousin Helen Webb to-day, anl she wants you to visit her for a month. She says she wants some life in the old home,' explained Mr. Fagan. Clifford danced in glee. ' May I go ?' he questioned. ' I never saw Cousin Helen, but I know she would be fine. It will be great fun to visit in a little town.' So it was arranged that the visit should be made, and"~ Clifford spent the yveek intervening in making plans. He arrived at his cousin's in a state of great excitement. He could hardly go to sleep that night for thinking of what he would do the next day. His cousin rapped on the door at half-past 5 the nextmorning. * ' Yes,' called Clifford, drowsily, and he immediately went to sleep again. . At 6 Miss Webb opened Clifford's door. ' Breakfast is ready,' she said quietly. ' I am surprised that you are so lazy. A big boy should be up early. lam ashamed of you.' ' Mamma lets me sleep until 9 o'clock,' he answered, in surprise. ' She says a growing boy needs lots of sleep to make him strong.' At breakfast Clifford's table manners were criticised. His cousin was shocked, later, when he slid down the banister. She was greatly amazed when he went up town without asking. ' Why, Cousin Helen, a fellow must do something, for - amusement,' he explained. ' Well, walk in the garden, or read. I don't like, anyone to tear about the house. How do I know who you would talk to up town? I want you to have proper company while you are here. And 'I may as well say I don't want boys coming here- to play, either; they make too much noise.' At -the end of three days Clifford longed for homo. There he had some liberties; here it was always 'don't.' He had never realised how nice home was before. That evening out of sheer loneliness he offered to wipe the supper dishes. ' No, thank you,' said his cousin. ' You would brealc one the first thing.' ' I wipe my mother's dishes and they are just as nice as yours.' * Clifford knew the remark was impolite, but he didn't care. 'I am going home to-day,', Clifford the next morning announced .at breakfast. " 1 Going home !' his cousin exclaimed. ' Why, you came to stay a month, and a week is not gone yet.' ' I don't care. It seems that I would just die if I didn't see my father and mother to-day. I'm going honu? at 1 o'clock.' And go he did.

Mr. and Mrs. Fagan were surprised just as they sat down to supper by a /Hello!' followed by Clifford. ' Why, Clifford, what is the matter ?' his mother exclaimed.

' Nothing, I just got hojnesick. I thought I would just die. I guess Cousin Helen don't understand boys; she never wanted me to do a thing. I am _so glad to be home. I won't even complain if.l have to wipe dishes.' ' So there are wofse^ thirigs than wiping dishes,, are there, son?' his mother asked, smijing.

' Yes, and I'll tell you what it is. It's to- live with someone who don'.t understand a fellow like his mother does. Mothers . don't mind a ,T>oy'« noise and fun,' and Clifford gave her a resounding- kiss.,;