33.

borrowed a pair of her pink silk bloomers and took to wear- ing them under my pajamas at night. Soon I wanted more of the feeling of silky things next to my skin, so I started wearing the bloomers daytimes under my boy's clothing. As was to be expected, Mother found out that I was wearing them and I was punished. That didn't stop me. I was about 16 then, and was earring money by delivering papers, and doing odd jobs. I got a mail order catalog, and sent for soom bloomers in my own size. It was a delight to have my own and I laundered them at night and wore them at every opportunity. Of course, eventually I wanted more, so when I was 18, I got a regular job, rented myself a small room and sent for slips, a corset, silk stockings, and a dress. At first, this was enough. I could wear the bloomers all day under my male clothing and at night could dress up in the other clothes. I thought my chest was flat so I sent for some bras. I stuffed them out to the proper contour, and each night slept in a rayon nightie. I was happy.

Then I fell in love with a girl, my future wife, and laid my lovely silks away for fear that she would be of- fended. We were married, and shortly after the first child came I was be-deviled with the same ob longing to wear soft silky women's clothing. I got started again by telling my wife that I just hated the harsh cotton shorts that men wear, and wished I could wear soft silky undies like she did. She agreed that my underwear left a lot to be desired as far as comfort was concerned and agreed when I asked her if I could wear panties around the house. This broke the ice, and soon after I persuaded her to let me wear rayon vests. This led to my wearing nighties at bed- time and soon after, just as if she had known from the be- ginning, my sweet wife asked me if I would like a complete ladies outfit. If she had done nothing else in our married life, that suggestion would have been enough to endear her for the rest of my days.

I am one of the few who are blessed with an under- standing help-mate. She helps me pick out dresses which are right for my shape, and insisted that if I were going to wear women's clothing, that I get some well-fitted foundations to provide the proper fit for my other things.