36.

When I recovered I begged her not to make me wear the things promising to be quiet. But she reminded me of previous promises I had made. Then, I suggested she give me a haircut. That was refused too and she explained that the combination of long hair and dresses would be the best thing in the world for me. When Mother was firm she was very firm. It was Patsy's things or stay in bed. So in a few minutes I was dressed, wearing her best white underthings, the becoming combination of blue skirt, white blouse and grey cardigan, and my own mocassins over short blue socks All the time I was dressing I was mentally reviling Patsy for having refused to take her things home.

I wore the things all day- late in the afternoon Patsy and her Mother dropped in and were astonished to see me that way in the face of my previous firm refusals. Mother, thank good- ness explained for me. Then in reply to a question of Patsy's she left me gasping by stating that I would have to dress that way for a period of at least several months Mrs E..., I think, sympathized with me, but at the same time agreed with Mother that it was a wise course Then, to further clinch my doom, forthwith gave me all the clothes I was wearing and said that she would see if there weren't some other things of Patsy's that could be spared. Patsy, of course, was highly in favor of the idea and didn't in the least begrudge me her things. When they had left the evening was a succession of tearful scenes but Mother was unrelenting All I could think of was, "sissy",

she

I had no more success during the next few days and to make matters worse Mrs E... augmented my wardrobe with 2 dresses and a lot of underthings which at least gave me a needed change of clothes Finally, it became obvious that I was getting nowhere with protests and it might be better to cooperate. It didn't change things but it cleared the air. During the wailing period Mother just left me alone except to tell me what to wear, but when I cheered up and stopped objections her manner changed mark- edly, She picked the things I should wear, helped me dress, ar- ranged my hair, and bettered my appearance in a hundred little ways. Too, she began to coach me on manners, voice, etc. At first this rankled my soul, then better sense told me that I'd best appear all feminine than just half so, so I paid close at- tention to her suggestions. I soon adapted myself to the clothes