FROM MODEL TO MODISTE PART II

Early the next afternoon Aunt arrived, laden with bags and box- es--at her direction, I carried part of them to the room she was to occupy and the rest to my own. By then I thoroughly regretted my bargain, but determined to stick with it so they would have no opp- ortunity to laugh at me.

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As soon as Aunt was settled she came to my room, and said, "Well Davy, shall we get started?" My heart sank; but I took the dainty silk and lace chemise she handed me from one of the bags, and going into the bathroom, I undressed and put it on. Returning to my room I found Aunt had unpacked most of the bags. My bed was piled high with lingerie, hosiery, corsets, and other feminine app- arel, while in my closets hung a long row of gowns. Aunt, turning from the closet, saw me and smiling, said, "Davy you look better al- ready. Now let's finish dressing you. In a short time I was att- ired in all of the underthings: corset, hose, bloomers, corset cov- er, and petticoat, and struggling for breath against the tight lac- ing. Aunt then took one of the dresses from the closet. It was of plain black silk, with a narrow skirt draped to a suggestion of a bustle in back, high choker collar with fine white lace about it, long narrow sleeves with lace cuffs, and fitted very snugly about the waist and bosom. With her help I struggled into it and was in- itiated into its mysteries of hooks and eyes and snaps--for it was by far the most complicated dress I had worn. This was followed by shoes, wig, powder and rouge, and lastly, a fine emerald ring and cameo brooch.

Thus dressed, Aunt made me look at myself, and again I was surprised at my feminine appearance; though I had to admit to my self that I did not think the severe black dress was as becoming as those I had worn on previous occasions--then I was paraded before Mother and Sue. They were lavish in their praise; though Mother, to my satisfaction, did say that she thought that the dress was a trifle too severe for my age.

As before it took some time for me to become accustomed to my clothes, but the afternoon and evening fairly flew by, and before I knew it it was bed time. Both Mother and Aunt came to my room and

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