• COVER STORY

JEAN &

JEANNE

JUDITH

55- B-1

By

Early in this century a little baby was born and given the name of Jean. This "either or" name actu- ally forecast a boy and girl future for the child. the end of the first year, its mother had started to train a mass of golden curls into a semblance of con- trol. With much effort the result began to approach the long curls we seldom see today. Although this was in the era of skirts for small boys, the child's clothes leaned a little more to the fussiness of little girls. Al- so they stayed in use to an older age. Public opinion frowned on such a choice except for many of the fair sex who delighted in admiring the pretty, chubby girl. So we find Jeanne appearing with her mother at after- noon teas where she was either the center of attraction or she sat and jabbered in girlie talk to one of her lov- ely dolls; the latter often had clothes to match hers.

Eventually, when school became imminent, the father insisted upon a change. Gradually the femme clothes became, at least outwardly, more convention- ally boyish. A Scottish background gave an excuse for a kilt to be worn. Mother had her way underneath by making lovely silk underclothes. Thus though the out- ward appearance was Jean, there was still Jeanne under- neath. This practice is still carried on to this day.

School days brought many problems with result- ing changes. A natural mimic, Jean soon became part of that little extra group that did recitations and play acting for school concerts. But somehow "she" was act-

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