It was Christmas, 1951. I was at home with my two brothers and two sisters. Christmas Eve was spent in corners wrapping and labelling
presents. After supper, about 8.30, we all sat around the television and looked at, "Christmas in other Lands" Some scenes brought my heart
to my mouth with excitement, while others made it sink down to my shoes.
At 9.30 we all retired to bed. I was so excited, being only eleven years old, that I could hardly sleep. I was awakened when
"Father Christmas" came in. He was, of course, my father. I pretended to be asleep as well as I could. Apparently, he thought I was, for
after a bit of knocking about at the foot of my bed, he went out, shutting the door after him. About 15 minutes later 1 heard him go into his
room. I then climbed out of bed, picked up my pillow case, and went into the bathroom on pretence of getting a drink of water. I locked the
door and started to explore the contents of my pillow case. The first thing I came across was a half-pound bag of coffee crunch, a present
from my father, then came the Christmas "Sock," as it was termed in our house. It contained the usual contents of oranges, apples, nuts and
sweets. Then came a large cardboard box all done up in wrapping paper, it contained a clock-work trolley-bus. I did feel excited.
Then there came a tap at the door.
"Hello," I said through the keyhole.
"What are you doing in there?" asked the voice of my elder brother, Brian.
"Having a drink of water." I replied, via the keyhole.
"What, with the door locked! Come on, I know what you are doing, get back to bed."
I sighed, then putting my presents back, I thought "Never mind, I'll have something to look forward to in the morning." I then unlocked the
door and walked out, with my pillow case over my shoulder. Brian stood outside the door with his hands behind his back. He stepped into
the bathroom and I went to my bedroom. I was just getting into bed when a thought struck me. Again, I picked up my pillow case and sallied
forth to the bathroom. Looking through the keyhole I saw Brian exploring the contents of his pillow case. I smiled to myself. I knocked on
the door and said, "What are you doing in there?"
"Washing my hands," came the reply.
"What, with the door locked?" I said. "Come on, open the door and let me in. I can see you through the keyhole."
Brian unlocked the door and I entered, shutting it behind me. We then had a most delightful time looking at our presents.
PAUL G. BOOT

CLUES ACROSS
1, The training of the limbs. 6, An animal's doctor. 8, One more than two. 9, To try to make a person do wrong.
12, One of the curved bones of the side. 13, The step of a ladder. 15, Another word for yes. 16, The last point in space or time.
18, A hard shell with a,soft kernel. 20, A sudden attack of illness. 22, Not easily bent. 24, Short for example. 26, "I will not".
27, A mark for playing to or from in golf. 28, Royal Engineers. 30, Master of Arts. 31, To gather a crop. 32, Fine powder. 33, Tourist Trophy.

CLUES DOWN
2, To tear or cut open. 3, Spoken about or understood. 4, A law officer in Texas. 5, Elizabeth Reigns. 6, An edge or border.
7, A small bit of cloth. 10, Flesh used as food. 11, As far as. 14, A place of entering. 17, To be connected with.
19, A short piece of pointed wire. 21, A group of people. 23, A large area covered in trees. 25, The teeth of wheels.
29, To chew and swallow food. 31, A deep wheel track.
H. JoHNSTONE

FAMOUS NAMES IN CRICKET
1. Sounds like an article of clothing with a relation.
2. A honest male.
3. Sounds as though you end up here with part of the body.
4. Sounds as though you go to this every night with a title.
5. Make a clean stream.
6. Pleasure grounds and dwelling.
7. A .... and key.
8. Policeman.
9. Use at meals . . . .er.
10. Sounds like one who looks after sheep.
B. A. TRENOWETH