54.

CIN

I sat silently during her tirade, knowing that she meant every word she said and leaving the choice to me, by inference; I could rebel, walk out and probab- ly not have to worry about her informing on me, or I could stay, be a girl and, as she termed it her maid, her slave. So that night, I was dressed in the lovely pink chiffon evening gown and the silver satin slippers. My hair was cleverly arranged and set in curls and waves and adorned with a tiny ribbon. I had a beaded evening bag in my hand and the sheer evening wrap I was to wear was draped on the table. Constance and I were waiting for our men escorts to take us dancing and dining!

Day followed day and with each one, it found us going on successive dates with Joe and Art. They took us dancing, to night clubs, to dinner and to the theatre. By this time I was sure that Joe and Connie were having an affair with each other. At the end of each date we went on, Joe would take Connie and me to the door of our hotel, say goodnight to me and then he and Connie would disappear along the corridor. It was usually two or three hours later that Connie would get back to our room and by the evidence of her still disordered hair, the flush in her cheeks and the brightness of her eyes, it was obvious that she had been at least in a struggle of some kind. Joe was a big, powerful man and probably the type that would like a big woman like Connie. I did not dare to pro- test, but my ego was hurt and I usually sulked when she would return from one of these excursions.

Art was a perfect gentlemsn with me and although he tried to kiss me every time he had the chance, he seemed to be usually discouraged easily. Between the late nights, my work as a maid and my additional work as Connie's secretary, I began to feel tired and listless. My wife noticed this and the following night I was agreeably surprised when she told me that we were not going out and would go to bed early. She let me sleep late the next morning too.