57.

even though several asked about "K---s" absence. I never enjoyed a baseball game more than I did that one for there was the constant reminder of the delightful role I was in.

On the way home Dad, without prompting, said that the least he could say for me was that I was a good actor and. had carried off my part beautifully. But a day or so later

he took me aside and had a long and serious talk with me about the foolishness of dressing as a girl. I was well aware of the problems, but felt willing to risk them in ex- change for the fun involved and felt lower than low at the thought of not being able to repeat from time to time. When Mother learned of this talk she got the two of us to- gether, and siding with me wonderfully, told Dad that she didn't see there was anything wrong with it so long as I was discreet and confined my dressing to the family "After all," she pointed out, "we know there's nothing wrong with K--- so there is no worry there. We know too that he can pass perfectly for a girl, he's done it at Aunt's, shopping for me, and at the game. So if he wants to do it once in a while just for a pleasant change for all of us, I can't see a thing wrong with it."

Mother, of course, knew how much I liked the idea, but Dad hadn't realized that--thinking, I believe, that it was mostly Mother's idea. When he began to balk at Mother's thoughts, showing every sign of being about to put his foot down, I realized that I must act or else it would be absolutely prohibited. So, taking a deep breath, I s id, "Oh, Dad, now don't worry, I wont do it often, and I promise that there'll be no trouble. Really I dont think it's worth all this trouble it's such a minor thing.

As he realized for the first time that I was in favor of it his jaw dropped a mile. Then, recovering from his surprise he looked at me narrowly for quite a time--a searching look acutely uncomfortable for me. Finally he spoke, in a very slow calculating manner, "Well, K--- I'll be damned if I can understand why you want to do it. You know what people will think if it became known-- there's nothing in the world that will so damn a man. One thing, though, I insist on your absolute promise that there will