1916 School Magazine

(DGIRLS' Gu.M MAR SCHO)( L M.A7.\ZINE.

December, 1916.

Peter felt extremely awkward. He didn't know whether to sit down, or remain standing. His legs felt like arms, and his arms like legs, and his hair felt as if it hadn't been brushed. The vision appeared embarrassed also, and after a minute's strained silence, asked in an uncertain voice if he would sit down." Smith promptly doubled up his legs and sat down. He began to feel desperate. The ten- sion was awful. He had a weird feeling in his throat, and his tongue seemed tied up. "A-a-are you my cousin P-p-perdita?" at last he broke forth. "A-a-are you my cousin P-p-peter?" said the vision at the same time. Then they both laughed-a strained unnatural laugh. Then another silence. "Look here," said Peter, gaining courage, "my name's Peter Smith, and your's !s Perdita ('urtis, but somehow. I don't think you're my cousin; you don't look it, somehow," he added lamely "My name 'Is' Perdita Curtis. and I swnt a letter to my *onu" n Peter Smith, so I don't think there can be any mistake," said Perdita. At that m-ttuci( the rustling of skirns an- Iioulncr the arrival of a third person on the scene. "Here's mamma." said Perdita, with evident relief. "Mamma. here Is our expected cousin." 'Mamma' surveyed the uncomfortable cousin through her pince-nez, and then said coldly. "In this my nephew-my brother's son?" "N-no, ma'am, at least my name's Peter Smith." said the agonised Peter. "I got a letter from P-Miss-your daughter asking me to come and see her. and I.l've come!" "Oh." said Mrs. ('urtis. "I see." "Yes, ma'am." said Peter, welcomingc the en- trance of the maid with tea and the afternoon letters. "I hope you will excuse nie one minute," said Perdita. "there is an important looking letter here I want to read." and she opened it while Peter tried to converse with her mother. Suddenly a lady-like shriek disturbed their talk. "Mother, Just listen!" cried Perdtta. "Here is a letter from Paris, signed Lieutenant Peter Smith, 'your cousin.' We addressed our letter to Private P. Smith, and it went to the wrong person-I'm going to write to ('ear I'Peter straight off." "Murder ! It was for 'Dandy.'" said Pte. Smith, as he rose to go, "and I might 'ave re membered my cousin's name was Jones." OLIVE McWADE, IVb

Dear Peter (I love the name Peter), I am simply pining to see you, and you must come and see me in London as soon as you ca't get permission. ["Murder!" broke off 'dear Peter'; "I knew I had some cousins in London, but-I didn': know they used scented invitation paper."] "Papa " continued the letter, "says he is particularly anxious to see you, but I am sure he can't want you as much as I do. 1 rcally cannot quite recover from the joyous tumult within me, on hearing of you, dear Peter, so do please hurry up and come. I have got a lovely picture of you, II myn Il'na. You are tall, and oh, so handsome and brcnfod. But I musn't flatter you, must I ? \Vll, dear Peter. I will say good byo. and come soon. From your loving cousin. PERDITA C(URTIS." 21 Kensington Mansions, London, W. "Murder!" gasped the 'desr cousin,' amid the feers and laughter of his companions. "Kenstngton Mansions!" said Otbbs. "Gee! dear Peter, you'll have to have a shave before you go." "Handsome Peter!" cooed another. Three days later P'te. Smith received unex pected leave, and followed the usual programme of going to London. "'pose I have to go and see Perdita," said Smith, confidentially to GOlbbs. "She might wte disappointed," he added sarcastically. Accordingly, two days later, the 'bus, to- gether with the help of several policemen, landed Peter outside 21, Kensington Mansions. and if he expected to see something grand he was not disappointed. Suddenly a bright idea struck him. and his harassed countenance looked altogether relieved. "Of course," he said hopefully and marched bravely to the door. He poked uncertainly at the button, and was relieved to hear soft foot-falls in answer, antI then the opening of the door revealed a smart maid-servant. "Hello." plunged in Smith, giving vent to his "Idea." "I suppose you, are my cousin Per. dita." The maid girgled, but soon repressed it andt said "that Private Smith was expected by her mistress and Miss Perdita." "Murder." muttered Smith, "and I hoped she'd turn out to be the servant." He was led along a thickly carpeted hall. into an equally thlckly-carpeted drawing-rocm. where a vision rose at his entrance.

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