Aunt Catherine put herself together and partially dis- robed myself. The saleslady returned, took my meas- urements and left to get the desired garments. I was nervous as a cat but Aunt Catherine gave me a pat and a quieting look which had the desired effect. I tried on four different corselets and finally decided to take a model which was basically a silk satin and rubber elastic model in shocking pink. I guess the color was what sold me more than anything. Aunt Catherine just smiled. I was already floating on a cloud when we left the foundation department, but then we walked right into the lingerie section.

Aunt Catherine told me that she would buy me a little personal present, and, when I suggested a slip, she agreed. We must have looked at twenty-five slips in my size all the colors of the rainbow and all manner of cut. Finally I decided on a pink silk slip fitted at the bust, with a shadow panel double skirt, and a bit of pink Alencon lace around the bust, and at the hem. It was truly a confection and though it no longer fits I still treasure it among my souviners.

Next we went to the hat department and Aunt Ca- therine went wild. I must have tried on every expen- sive hat they had and some of them were adorable, but Aunt Catherine would shake her head. Finally, we left the hat department without a purchase and since it was close to the store's closing we did not tarry in the cos- metic department but went straight home via the inter- urban.

As we walked in the door Aunt Catherine started to explain her peculiar tactic in the hat department. She herself was quite an accomplished amateur milli- ner and had decided to turn out a copy of the hat which proved to be most becoming on me. I mentioned sev- eral which I thought looked nice and she nodded and said she quite agreed but that I'd just have to wait and be surprised. After dinner Aunt Catherine excused herself while I did the dishes and went to her room, closing the door behind her. I didn't think much about it, until, on the way to bed myself, I noticed a trace of light under the door. Curiosity and concern prompted me to knock and ask if everything was OK. Aunt Ca-