was done, all the dishes, pans, and silverware had been put away. The apron was slipped off over her head, neatly folded, and put in a drawer with her mother's other aprons. Shirley tried to keep all tell-tale evidence out - of - sight.

A throbbing pounding of her heart told Shirley the moment was now at hand, quickly a sinking feeling of despair decended on her, and many reasons for abandoning her plan to go outside quickly followed. Indecision led to an after dinner drink of port. The warm red wine rekindled Shirley's spirit and the plan was formed.

The plan was a simple one. It was to mail a letter from a post box a block and a half away. To any more sophisticated girl this was an act of no consequence. Those who have had the nerve to dare so much perhaps would find it difficult to recall that first outside adventure. The height and lack of a wig made it seem difficult to keep from arousing the suspiciion of those who might meet her during this walk. Shirley hoped that by late evening this area in the Sunset district of San Francisco would be deserted. The chief danger was that a street car stopped at the corner where the mail box was located. The second consideration was that Shirley would have to walk about a half-a-block to reach the corner from where the mail box could be seen. A large apartment house was located at this corner which would block Shirley's vision from any people walking up the steep block from the street car stop. Shirley would have to listen intently for any sounds of a street car, and chance that no late walkers would be out in the area where her visibility was blocked. So much to lose and so little to gain, but feminine logic was ever thus.

Shirley went into her bedroom to change into something special for this important occasion. The dress decided on was a cute full skirted one. This choice required a slight change in her lingerie as a waist nipper was the answer to the narrow fit at the waist. A bouffant petti-coat in white was added to give the skirt more fullness. The sound of a rustling slip or a petti-coat created by her walk was exciting to hear. The navy blue dress with white polka dots was finally zipped all the way up in back. It seemed that the fit was perfect, and Shirley's excitement mounted. A black scarf was chosen to conceal the short hair. Shirley then selected a black coat of her mother's. It fitted

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