TWELVE TO ONE

New Zealand Tablet, 10 April 1913, Page 61

TWELVE TO ONE

The clock struck twelve, and the China Lady with the parasol, who stood on the mantelpiece, put down the parasol with a sigh of relief. 'One does get so tired of standing in the same position all day,' she said to the China Gentleman in pink knickerbockers, a green coat lined with yellow, and a cocked hat with a blue bow in it, who stood leaning on a walking-stick with a green tassel on the other side of the clock. He tucked the stick under his arm and took off his hat with an air of great politeness. ~ ' I have found the day unusually long,' he said with a low bow to the China Lady, ' for that idiotic housemaid who took the liberty of removing the dust from my coat—which she did very imperfectlyturned me round so that until now I have been deprived of the pleasure of seeing you.' At which speech the China Lady looked very pleased and made a low curtsey, though it was only one of those silly things that humans call ' compliments,' which just mean nothing at all. ' When you two have done smirking at each other,' said the Copper Warming Pan, hanging upon the wall near the fireplace, ' perhaps we can have a little rational conversation.' ■ Some people forget that their original habitation was the kitchen,' remarked the China Lady. ' I hope we are not • going to spend the short time we are permitted to use in our own way in quarrelling,' said a cheerful voice, ' we have only an hour, remember.' The voice came from the Inkstand on the study table. ' You have a much more cheerful time than the

rest of us/ ticked the Study Clock, ' because you know what the humans are thinking about.' 'I get a good deal splashed at times, however,' replied the Inkstand, ' though that doesn't matter,' he added, cheerfully. And just then there was a great tapping at the glass doors of the cabinet against the wall. 'Dear me!' exclaimed the Cabinet Key, 'I quite forgot to turn !' So he turned at once, and the doors flew open. ' We felt sure you had forgotten us,' said the little Dresden China figures, that stood all in a row. .' Oh, I am so glad the doors are open!' squeaked a tiny voice. And the Dresden China ladies, who all wore their hats very much on one side, and carried crooks like shepherdesses, gathered their flowered skirts closely round them, and uttered funny little shrieks, just like humanswhen sometimes do on such occasions. For out of a corner had come a wee bright-eyed Mouse. ! Pray do not be frightened, ladies,' he said, for he was a most polite little Mousie ; and then he made a spring right into the middle of the writing-table, and sat down by the Inkstand. ' You must see a great many interesting things in the course of your travels,' said the Quill Pen pleasantly; 'it is very nice to be able to move about just as you like.' 'I do see some extremely curious things sometimes,' answered the Mouse, combing his whiskers, for it was rather dusty in the cabinet. Now let us tell our adventures,' suggested the fat China Teapot, all covered with queer figures, that stood on the lowest shelf. We will ask you to begin then, if you please,' said the Blue Plate. It always took the lead in everything, for it was badly cracked and gave itself great airs, thinking that a special distinction. 'With pleasure,' returned the Teapot; and they all settled themselves comfortably to listen, when sudden the clock struck One, and the hour was over.