An hour later I was transformed into Sue's replacement! My hair was beautifully curled and tied with a large ribbon in the back to cover its shortest area, my naturally long lashes were heavily mascared and a dark shadow added, my brows were plucked and shaped, my mouth made into a cute "bee stung" shape of the times, large gold button ear- rings screwed into place. A wasp-waisted corset of Aunt Effie's earlier days in place, the mesh theatrical stockings tightly drawn and the frilly panties and voluminous petticoats of the can-can costume slipped over my head. "I don't think we should try high heels at first" said Connie. "How about those ankle strap platform shoes of yours, mother? The heels are not so high, really. They just look that way!" With them on my feet we began the short way to the "Follies" tent, entering the in- terior through a flap in the canvas. The girls screamed with delight! They had been huddled around the stage, wondering what they would do without Sue. After many congratulatory remarks, we all went up on the stage and the piano and drum started for an hour-long rehearsal. Everything went wonderfully well, I fell into the routine easily enough, following the girls through three practice sessions. "You will do, Hon," Connie said. "Don't get frightened now if you make a mistake," "the others aren't too wonderful performers anyway, and no one will pay any attention," which brought a chorus of "boos" from the other girls, as they filed out for a half hours rest before the first performance. I gladly went back to the trailer and got out of those shoes, my feet were hurting me and the corset was getting uncomfortably tight. I did man- age to eat a sandwich and drink a glass of milk, but just could not seem to manage my usual ample lunch.

The evening performance went quite well, I was proud and pleased with the way I had carried out my part of the show, although I did get the others rather confused at the early afternoon performance out front. Of course they were over anxious and flubbed their parts too, all wait- ing for me to miss a cue. However, the out-front act is very short, mostly we just stood in a line and smiled prettily at the prospective customers, whom Uncle Jim bullied and coaxed inside to see the "big show." It was eleven o'clock eventually and I struggled to my bed exhausted, not even combing out my hair or removing my makeup. I danced all night in my dreams and woke up at ten in the morning, tired but strangely happy.

Aunt Effie came into the little bedroom and handed me a silk Chi- nese dressing gown, saying teasingly, “Breakfast is ready, Doll, here slip into these, I hope they fit" as she produced a pair of "mules" with pink bunny tails on the instep. Without hesitation I donned the frilly things

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