you had better look out or Davy will supplant you as the pretty one of the family."
Aunt laughingly said, "Well I don't care if he does, I'm quite proud to have been the discoverer of Davy's hidden talents." Dinner was, by that time, almost ready; seeing a way to get out of my embarrassing attire I suggested that I had better change before we ate. But Mother slipped an arm about my slim waist, kiss- ed me, and said, "Oh please don't change for a while yet Davy. Let me pretend you're my daughter--instead of my son--for I've always wanted a daughter, and you make such a good looking one. This remark suprised me indeed, for Mother had never talked that way be- fore. So when Aunt added her entreaties I consented--to their ob- vious pleasure.
H
Our meal and the long visit afterward were pleasant, for I was kept so amused that I did not have time to dwell on the discom- fort of my attire. Martha persistently embarrassed me at the table by calling me, "Miss", at every opportunity; it was "Please try these pickles Miss", or "Try to eat a little more Miss Davy", all through the meal. But afterwards when we were chatting around an open fire in the living room I forgot all about my embarrassment-- and so long as I sat up straight I suffered little discomfort from my corset. Several times during the evening, as I would glance down at my skirts, a feeling of gratification would creep over me, and I would think to myself with a feeling of pride, "It's not every man that can make himself appear to be a pretty and dainty girl."
As we sat chatting the time slipped away until Mother, glanc- ing at the clock, exclaimed, "Heavens Davy! It's almost éleven. We must go right home." Aunt rising to her feet replied, "I'm sorry to have kept you so long Agnes, we've been having such a good time that I didn't realize how late it was. #1
now.
"We've had fun too Frances," replied Mother, "But we must go
"Hey!" I interjected, "Don't be in such a hurry, I've got to change before we start."
"You seem so natural that way that Rather than keep your Mother waiting home. You can bring them back to-
"Goodness" replied Aunt, we'd forgotten all about it. why not wear those clothes on morrow and get yours at the same time."
50