TOBY'S CHRISTMAS
By Winifred Norling
TOBY hated the very sound of the word Christ-
ר
Then why stand on them?" "Because I have to. It's my Job."
"Your Jobi" Host Toby sounded astonished. "It didn't know days had jobs."
"I have. My master has a
mas.. Every time he heard it, his cars dropped and Judy show, and I'm and his eyes implored the speaker to forget there was such a word.
Toby could not understand Honey. She took no notice at all, and when he spoke to her about it, she just said cats were different from dogs. This was so, Toby knew, for cats were allowed to stay with the family when visitors came, but dogs were shut up in the kitchen. True, the young visitors did not take Honey for walks, but walks were only sometimes, and at Christmas visitors were all the time.
From the day the puddlings This Christmas was not gaing were made ull Chrithas was to be any different from any No one over, Toby hated life. It was: other, Toby felt sure. *Don't let that dog into the war unkind to him, of course, Christmas
room."
or "Aunt and the children took blm for Anna doesn't like dogs, remem- short runs, but most of the day ber," or "Shut up that dog, or he was in the kitchen, and even he'll chew my slippers to shreds, there he was in the way it he
10 rnet
tho as though Uncle John could not wanted
round fable forget one wild-puppy moment!
after a bell or scarch for imaginary rats.
ה
"I believe Toby hates all this fuss and bother as much as I
One day had been extra dull. do," said Master one December and this úme the word PARTY evening whet supper was late was added to the hated word because puddings were still CHRISTMAS.
It was not till boiling.
the afternoon, when Toby was Trying to sleep after an extra big dinner, that the kitchen door opened and
strange man entered with a dog. Toby be- gan lo bark, but Master spoke to at
"it's all right, Toby This is another Toby, and he's your guest. You must look after him for a little while. He'll be all right here while you are getting things ready," Master went on. turning to the man, and they went away.
"Would he the vet's over
you
him, be happler
the holiday, de Mistress asked. think?" "Aunt Anna can't stand dogs, Uncle John has forgotten his ruined
and I'm sure never slippers,"
"You can't send ne to the vet's, anyway." grinned Muster.
"Hallo," said Host Toby. "No, we "How are you?" he added, be- Then he grew serious. wen't send Toby nway. home, and it's up to the children couse Mistress always said that. I'm "repiled the other "but I can't Jet Master
It's his
to keep him out of the way."
We will promised Martyn and Celin, but Toby knew they would not. Presents, portles and visitors, all helped to make them forget the dog shut up is the kitchen,
days down."
"What's wrong?"
"My nose is hot, and every time I stand on my hind legs I feel dizzy."
in it. I'm Dog Toby,"
"What fun! What do you
have to do?"
"jump up
when Master
tells me, and bark through the front of the box."
"And don't people scold you?" "Of course not. They like it, and clup. And after the show the children pat me, and Master gives me a juicy bone."
Wish my Master had a what- do-you-call-t show," sighed Host Toby. "I can bark."
Can "You have to net, too.
on your hind legs? you stand And could you pick up Judy if Master telia and shake her you to?" Cuest Toby asked.
"Of course I could" "You have to wear a big red and white frill and a cap."
"I wouldn't mind,"
++
"Ümi
"Happy barked. everybody!"
Chris-mas?"
he
"Happy capering
Christmas,
mused Guet wender!" Toby, putting his head down on his paws, "I feel il, and
You we're very much ailke.
an actor, I'm an actor," can lake my place today if you
Hos! Toby. want to. They won't notice, be boasted
guess we've round the kitchen on his hind cause they won't
When places.
my legs. changed master calls me, you must run "That looks better, Toby," to him and let him dress you. cried Guest Toby's master, com- He varies the act a lot, so ho Ing in. "I thought you weren't won't be surprised
you feeling well, but you look all hesitate. He usually tells mo right now." what he wants each trae, be- some children like one pert most, and others laugh loudest at another bit. Will you do it?"
cause
"Rather! I'd love the chance." "Good. You're a pal, and I'm sure I'll be better if I can rest hem for a while and don't have le act today."
TOYS
GALORE
at
Lane Crawford's
1wo The
dogs exchanged winka, and Host Toby sat quiet while his cap and big frill were put on.
For the next hour Host Toby enjoyed himself, as he had rare- ly done before. He was quick and intelligent, and did all that was wanted of him casily and well. After the Punch and Judy Show wis over, the children crowded round him, patting ami praising him. Even Aunt Anna said he was a nice dog.
"Pity you haven't trained your Toby as well," she told Marlyn. "Our Toby's all right," Martyn replied. "We wouldn't change him for any dog, not even this one."
Leaping up, Toby began to lick his young mastor's hand.
"He like you, Martyn," críod Cella. "Kiss my hand, Toby."
Toby obliged, and looking up he saw his young master WIS frowning.
"It's rotten for our Toby. Cella," Martyn said. "He never comes to our Christmas parties I vole we take him for an extra long walk tomorrow to make up."
"Toby began to bark 30 - citedly that his cap fell of. Christmas parties were fun, so perhaps Christmas was not so bad after all, he decided. Look- ing round, he saw Aunt Anna. and quietly going up to her, ho gently licked her hand. Then the door of the
WILS room opened and he slipped out and made for the itchen.
"Quick, Toby," he barked. "Take off this frill. We mayn't get another chance. I have enjoyed mysekt."
That evening, when the party. was over, Toby slipped into the dining-room where the family were baving their meal.
"There's Toby," cried Mistress. "Take him outside, Martyn You know Aunt Anna doesn't [like dogs"
"Eet him stay," Bold Aunt Anna unexpectedly. "I don't mind him if he behaves himself. Perhaps one day ho'll lick my hand like that other dog."
Looking first at Mistrem and then at Aunt Anna, Toby began to grin. Softly he crossed the room and, standing up on his hind legs, he licked Aunt Anna'a Band.
"And they "may; dogu" can't understand what we, my” burt out Master. "With #bit of training, our Toby'd bois Lotbor actor than the one we saw this
Toby wonton
laughing. Christmas was fum-aberto, and now bo hadṣa Christmas-secretowthst- wikalā mamayabaring: witif the family.
when Aunt Azma i wis dlane, Toby look, Honey curled on the hourth -zug, and
even of ChalanDNS
51-4
IT'S CHRISTMAS
ALL THE YEAR AROUND
WHEN YOU
FLY
SWISSAIR.
SWISSAIR wishes all its many friends a happy Christmas & a prosperous
New Year. Looking forward to seeing you on board again in 1960.
SWISSAIR
Fly from Hong Kong to Bangkok, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Geneva and Zurich- with immediate connections to all major European cities. General Sales Agents for Swissair: CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS Passages: 26646, 62407,31262 Fraight: 64091,64045 or your favourite travel agent.
MERRY
CHRISTMAS
Frohe Weihnacht
JOYEUX NOËL
NESTLE
The Finest Swiss. Chocolates
NESTLÉ
Cailler KOHLER