29.

The following afternoon Patsy arrived with a paper wrapped bundle and was obviously bubbling over with excitement and a sense of mystery. After an obviously casual greeting she clos- eted with Mother in the kitchen. I couldn't hear clearly but it was obvious that Patsy was urgently pleading for something against Mother's objections. All I heard was Mother's closing remark, "No, Patsy. I won't make him do it, it wouldn't be fair; but you can ask him and if he wants to I haven't any objections. ## With that they returned to the living room, Patsy carrying something concealed behind her. She came over to me and casually asked me if I would do her a favor. But with that secret conference and her lack of real casualness I was suspicious and refused. But she pleaded with me and the more she pleaded the firmer I became Finally she broke down and brought the package out from Behind her and opened it to reveal a plain little checked green and white gingham school frock. I stared at it and asked what the dress had to do with her favor. At that they burst into laugh- ter and Patsy explained that she wanted to see how I would look wearing it. This was disconcerting and I could feel a flush spreading over When I refused Patsy started to cry Faced with this development my fondness for Patsy won out and I con- sented. I put the dress, the only thing Patsy had brought, on right over my own underwear. The dress had a full skirt, high neckline, short sleeves and buttoned up the back. Patsy button- ed it up the back and fastened the sash. I'm sure my fiery red face contrasted beautifully with the green of the dress--I was horribly embarassed.

up

me.

Then while Mother continued to watch. Patsy put on my make- Somehow this made me feel better, because, I think, I subconsciously felt it added concealment. When Patsy finished both she and Mother had a good laugh at my expense. When I saw myself I didn't blame them. From the waist up it wasn't bad, but otherwise it was terrible. My shoes and socks were utterly out of place and the lack of a slip not only made the sheer dress indecent but revealed my masculine underwearl Des- pite the very appropriate hairdo the effect was so comical that I lost all embarassment and joined in the laughter. Both re- marked that it was too bad that the rest of my clothing didn't go with the dress and I felt so too as I looked absurd