RELUCTANT PRESS

when given any instructions. You will curtsy whenever you have any interaction, and you will do it gracefully and naturally without even thinking about it. You will do it until it becomes second nature for you to curtsy."

Sheldon shivered as he practiced his curtsies under the exacting critical eyes of his step-mother and step-sister. He now fully understood the degree of punishment he would suffer.

Sheldon began to practice his curtsy at two-thirty. At five, his step-mother placed Cindy in charge while she went to prepare supper. At six, she called him to the kitchen. By then, his legs felt like rubber, but even he had to admit that his movements were fluid and graceful. As he entered the kitchen, he recalled his instructions and dropped into a charming curtsy.

"That was excellent, Shelley," Helen complimented the tired sissy. "I'd like you to set the table, then go out to the barn and get your father and Barry."

After practicing for three and a half hours, Sheldon felt that his efforts were quite good. Thus, he found himself pleased by her compliment. With a sheepish grin, he moved the stool to the cabinet to get the plates.

"Just a moment, Shelley," Helen interrupted his efforts. "A proper young lady always puts on an apron before starting to work. Here you go, sweetheart!"

With that, she pulled an old-fashioned white cotton eyelet pinafore embroidered with lilies from the broom closet.

Sheldon felt his stomach lurch as he stared at the ultra feminine garment. He had seen Cindy wear it a few times, especially during the holidays. It had always seemed appropriate for her. Now, he sadly realized it would appear just as cute on him!

With a shudder of revulsion over this latest humiliation, he meekly allowed his step-mother to slip the sissy vestment over his head. Once it was on, his step-mother fussed with the shoulder straps which were generously endowed with eyelet ruffles. Once she was satisfied, she used the wide sash to

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TWO LITTLE GIRLS

By JENNIFER SUE

pull the sides together until they overlapped and tied in back at the waist making the sissy garment look like a dress.

Attired in the dainty pinafore, Sheldon carefully climbed the stool to get the dishes. For a moment, he thought about making the stool tip so he would fall and injure himself so he could get out of being the flower girl. One thing he couldn't stand was pain. With a sigh, he gave up the idea. In moments, he was placing the dishes about the table. While Sheldon was doing these things, Cindy had dressed. Now, she joined her sissified brother in the dining room.

"Are you sure you feel up to joining us," Helen asked with concern.

"I'm tired, but I'm also bored," Cindy slowly replied through her clenched teeth. The bandages and wires that held her reset jaw made it difficult and painful to talk. "Besides, I can make sure Shelley sets the table properly. It's one of the things she's going to have to learn."

"That's very sweet of you, dear," replied Helen. "Shelley, thank your sister for thinking of you."

"Thank you, Cindy," the forlorn boy stated morosely. "Shelley," Helen chided sternly. "Didn't you forget some-

thing?"

Sheldon was upset that he'd once more somehow blown it, but for the life of him he couldn't think what he'd done wrong. He looked from his step-mother to his step-sister in bewilderment, not wanting to make the situation worse, but not knowing what to do. It was only when Cindy furtively touched her fingers to the hem of her skirt that he realized what he'd done wrong.

Blushing furiously, he grasped the edges of his skirt and dropped into a perfect curtsy.

"Thank you for thinking of me Cindy," he stated, this time genuinely thankful that she had bailed him out of his dilemma. "Please forgive me for forgetting to curtsy," he added as insurance.

Helen was pleased with the children. Cindy's coaching of Shelley had not been unnoticed although she pretended not

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