Tender

Vindication

by April (5-B-6 FPE)

The late afternoon sun was caressing the rose, gold and green decor of my Aunt Catherine's sitting room that Friday when I turned her key in the lock and let myself in. It was like stepping into a Renoir dream. Two short weeks ago I was busy cramming for some exams. I fully expected to spend the week be- tween semesters on campus, playing handball, and otherwise being quite the laziest creature on earth. Then Aunt Catherine called. She invited me to take my week's vacation with her in Chicago. She mention- ed words like "Brentmos, Art Institute, "Schubert

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Theater, Marshall Fields,

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etc etc which unerring- I admit I agreed to the

ly turned my heart and head. proposition without offering any of those silly gentle- manly, reservations. After that the time flew until the moment I crossed her threshold and was given pause by the reflection of the sun on her special world.

I made my way through the apartment soaking up every pleasing detail. It had just been redecorated, and my aunt had quite obviously handled the whole job herself. Her talents were everywhere in evidence, and perfectly executed. This land of silks and scents was completely captivating. It has remained engraved on my memory as the ultimate in feminine decor. Each room was different in tone and yet the whole effect was a gentle harmony.

The bedroom where I put my bag was done in cream and baby blue around Louis Quatorze furniture. The whole setting was enhanced by deep, white carpeting and a large, gold-framed, painting of two nudes bath- ing at the edge of a lake. A note was laying on the bed. It read, "Dear Terry, please make yourself at home until I return from the Loop (6:30 P. M. at the latest). The re are cookies in the pantry and milk in the refrig. Love, Catherine." I decided to forego the cookies and milk in favor of unpacking my bag and taking a good hot shower, as I still had not warmed up from the trip. I hung up my shirts, put my shaving

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