"That's better, Gerald!" his aunt exclaimed. "Now you can come forward and join us."

Tears of shame filled Gerald's eyes as he minced daintily forward.

Noticing them, his aunt said, "Please, Gerald, no tears now. Surely you do not wish to ruin your makeup, dear?"

do you,

"No, Aunty," he replied.

"Here, dear, take my hankie and dry your little eyes, " his aunt said, holding out a silk lace handkerchief to him.

Gerald took it from her and daintily dabbed his eyes.

Mrs. Smythe clapped her hands together and gushed, "How perfectly sweet! Why, his every movement is preciously feminine!"

"He practices simply hours daily, don't you, darling," his aunt said.

"Yes, Aunty!" was his sheepish reply.

"You see, he is most anxious to portray his role to perfection!" his aunt pointed out. "He has really fallen in love with his pretty panties and pettis and pinnies."

13 -