From New Caledonia
p. 29 · Read in the full issue
Into the shop of old Ah Fat A stranger in a tall grey hat Stepped with a manner debonair, Bowed to the corners everywhere, Gazed to the ceiling to invoke A blessing—ere he turned and spoke: “Cher compatriot ’ave you got Ze chou-fleur an’ ze jeune carotte?
Je vous demand ze pomme-de-terre, Lentils francais et ordinnaire — Tout ce que c’est la vegetables Dis moi compatriot, s’il vous!
Qu’est-ce que c’est que je payerai?”
Then in the shop of old Ah Fat Silence fell, while the Chinese cat, With back arched high and all claws bared In dumb amazement grinned and glared.
With a deep sigh, Ah Fat arose; Settled his glasses on his nose; Peered at the stranger, at a loss, Mutter’d a something to his joss.
Then, with indignant shrugs began: - - “Whaffor? No spik Ostlalian?
Me born in Sydney—Oxfor’ -stlee Sharbee goo’ Inglis— NO CHINEE I”
A. J. C.
Mrs. H. Emmett Shiel, of Dunedin, N.Z., who has been the guest of her brothers, Mr. Raymond Parer, of Wau, and Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Parer, of Wewak, N.G., passed through Sydney in June en route to her home in N.Z.