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cleaning and laundry, I want also to have you teach me to cook, so that in time I can take over that duty as well. In short, I hope to soon be able to relieve you of all household tasks. My objective in doing so, is to then leave you free to look for the kind of work you would much rather be doing.

In turn I will be doing what I would like to do. I am well familiar with your ambition to be able to do, either free-lance writing, or to at least be engaged in some similar field of public writing, and in which I know you have already had previous experience, but due to existing circumstances, you have always been unable to follow up on. For until now your time has always been fully occupied running this house, preparing meals, and so forth."

"All that I have outlined is very much what I honestly want to do, mother. Although I realize that you are quite appalled over certain aspects of my proposal, why not give it a fair trial? If after a few weeks time, either I should find the situation not to be exactly what I had in mind, or if in some other respect it does not work out satisfactorily, we can both drop the whole idea, and I shall then make another attempt to create a more successful life for myself.

On the other hand, if after at least one full month's time, I have in the meantime proved to you that my proposal can indeed

work out to the advantage of each of us, then you must permit me to then take over complete management of the house. Also, to be dressed at all times in an appropriately feminine manner, while you in turn go looking for a job you have dreamed about for such a long period of time,"

Susan, while little more persuaded than before regarding her son's extraordinary proposition, could not help but be impressed by his obvious sincerity, let alone determination.

Yet, at the same time, not a little horrified, by his readiness, if not eagerness, to not only live and dress as a girl, but to all extent and purpose, to take over the complete duties of a maid servant. In spite of these misgivings, Susan was at the same time more than a little intrigued with the prospect of having someone willing to take over from her, all the household tasks that she so heartily despised. That would permit her at the same time to now seek, also find, the kind of job outside the house, that she had for so long wished to be able to do. Consequently, when Jan had completed his final, fervant plea, his mother replied calmly, and now with less hostility,

"Well Jan, I can only say in complete honesty, that I still do not like your idea one bit. In the first place, it goes without saying against all good sense, that you, a quite handsome, well dressed, young man,