of the period--with mutton chop sleeves, a high neck, and a drape suggestive of a bustle in back. I also talked Frances out of the blue silk dress with lace trim that I had worn at first. These new dresses gave me such a selection that I could always dress approp- riately for almost any occasion. Also one afternoon I screwed up my courage, and dressed in my black gown, went shopping by myself. It took a lot of fortitude to make my first purchase--a lovely gold filigree brooch, but when that obstacle had been passed I fairly went wild, and returned home that evening well laden. Mother was both surprised and pleased when I showed her my new purchases--a lovely pink silk chemise, hosiery, a new purse, brooch, gloves, and a veil.

the

Finally came the day that marked the real turning point in my life. Resolved to get the long-neglected haircut I waited till Mother was out, then changed to my completely unfamiliar masculine attire. It felt almost as strange as had dresses the first time I wore them, and I had to walk about the house some time to reaccus- tom myself. My skirts, corsets, and high-heeled shoes, had com- pletely changed my walk--I had to force my self to stride rather than take the usual quick short feminine step. Finally I felt that I would pass, so taking my dusty hat from the closet I put it on. At first I thought that it had shrunk, for it merely perched on top of my head--then I thought of my hair and stepped to the hall mir- ror.

Looking at myself from the masculine point of view, I realized that I looked absurd--for my hair was impossibly long. The thought of the barber's probable reaction was so embarrassing that I fled upstairs and into the solace of petticoats. When Mother arrived home I asked her to cut my hair, but she absolutely refused. Angry at her, I swore I would go out the next day, but like many resol- utions--I never carried it out.

A week or so later I returned from a shopping expedition to find that all my masculine clothing had been moved to the attic to make room for my expanding feminine wardrobe--for during the week Aunt had given me a lovely rose lace evening gown with a black vel- vet cloak lined with rose satin, and rose pumps, and Mother had given me a fine Seal coat. I was delighted with these new clothes, and though I immediately wore the coat I had to wait some time for an opportunity to wear the gown, but finally the night came and we were off to the theatre. The gown left my shoulders and arms bare but was cut high enough in the bosom to conceal my deceptive padding. With it I wore a new pair of long gold and coral earrings and arr-

62.