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maid. Regretably, she now looked upon him as just that, a female servant, and as a result now intended that this should become their actual relationship, but under quite different rules, and those to be of her chosing.

When Jan appeared in response to his mother's call, she noted with annoyance, that he was wearing a very soiled apron over what could only be described as an afternoon dress, making for an incongruous sight, when coupled with the wash bucket and scrub brush he was carrying. In reaction to his appearance, she snapped out,

"Jan, will you take that bucket and brush back to the kitchen, and also take off that soiled apron and ridiculous dress and see if you can find a clean housedress to put on. Then after tidying yourself up, came back here at once. You really look a mess. I don't know why you don't at least wear lipstick occasionaly, as you won't look so drab all the time. If you really want to give the appearance of being a woman, then you should show some pride in how you look. When you are presentable, come at once to the living room, as I have several very important matters to discuss with you. Now off with you, girl, and don't take all day."

Jan had never before heard his mother speak so roughly to him, even in her most critical moods, and wondered what had pre-

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cipitated this outburst. He well knew, as did Susan, that it was not his fault that he never wore lipstick. He had asked his mother about this before, but had been told that when she wanted him to wear lipstick around the house, she would let him know.

After disposing of the bucket and brush with despatch, Jan hurried to his room to put on a clean cotton house dress, washed his hands and face, also combed his now quite long hair as best he could.

This was in a style he had recently developed that he considered to be a little more feminine than the way he had worn it before. He was now often combing the fore part of his hair forward over his brow, where he had since boldly cut it straight across to form quite creditable bangs, while the remainder of his hair he now parted in the middle and combed straight back over his ears. It was a makeshift arrangement at the best, but in his impression, a little more feminine than it had been before.

Arriving a few minutes later at the living room, Jan found his mother already striding impatiently back and forth across the carpet. In her now customary brusque manner, Susan did not bother to acknowledge his return, other than to say queruously,

"What took you so long?" and "Your hair looks like the very devil. I have been meaning