CONTENTS.
COLOURED PLATES:
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AS TOLD TO
“BIDGYBAH,” “POLLYKIM,” and “PINKLES.”
Time of Telling: Sunday Evenings.
Place: Any old spot remote from the older members of the family.
Descriptive Characteristics of the Audience:
“Bidgybah”: Schoolboy; full of strange noises and a scornful contempt for all things sisterly and feminine; but with such an unquenchable thirst for stories as to be able to keep silence whilst one is being told, and to forget for the nonce to pull his sister’s hair, pinch her arm, or otherwise constitute himself a source of annoyance.
“Pollykim”: Schoolgirl; demure of manner, yet overflowing with the ability to pointedly disregard all that a boy holds in esteem; but so hungry for fairy tales as to forget her airs for the time being, to sit still during the telling of the tale, and to refrain from giving other offence.
“Pinkles”: Chubby male person, aged five, with fair flaxen curls, [[10]]and a complexion remarkable for the fact that pink carnations seem to be forever chasing white piccotees up over his cheeks into the starry depths of his grey-blue eyes. In addition, he possesses an immeasurable love of stories about Fairies; and a red-gum faith of so sound a quality, that the white ants of doubt and disbelief have hitherto attacked it in vain!
Origins of the Names
“Bidgybah”: Title assumed by the present owner. Supposed to have at one time belonged to an aboriginal Chief of extraordinary bravery and skill. Real name, Keith.
“Pollykim”: Pet name; origin shrouded in mystery. Believed to have arisen out of an attempt to pronounce a word too difficult for a childish tongue to overcome. Real name, Madge.
“Pinkles”: Descriptive appellation; bestowed at a very early age consequent upon a pink and white complexion of more than ordinary beauty. Real name, Kevyn.
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A WATER FAIRY.
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