ror! No! No! I wouldn't look! Let's face it—I couldn't look! Sadly I shuffled toward the door in wedge-slippers. Quite instinctively I picked my beaded handbag off the hall table and despondently slipped through the door into the quiet hall.

In the hall I knew panic again! Suppose someone-anyone-should see me! Dressed as a man, I mean. That would be by far the unkindest cut of all! Oh, horrors! I minced quickly to the elevator, then with crim- son cheeks changed my mind and fled down the stairs to the rear en- trance. How fortunate I was that I encountered no one—not a soul! I breathed a mighty sigh, took great, deep breaths of cool night air. How I wanted to hide! But I wouldn't—I just wouldn't! Clenching my teeth and clutching my dainty handbag I walked determinedly toward the bus stop. I wanted to cry but I didn't. I could be brave-if I really had to and I really did!

I got on the bus with no problem. Underway, however, I became aware of curious stares. Was it just that I was upset and unusually ap- prehensive, I wondered. I thought about it and then blanched as I realized what was happening. I was being read! I was being recog- nized as a woman! It wasn't very nice, really; I became more and more uncomfortable and finally I just stared back at the bitch ahead of me who'd turned around to get a good look. Quite indignantly I said sar- castically "What's the matter, dear; haven't you ever seen a man be- fore?"

That fixed her. All she said was "Oh! Is that what you are?” and turned around as the other passengers tittered (no doubt, at the idiot she'd made of herself). That taken care of, I casually looked through my bag. I had everything important, I noticed compact, small flask of cologne, my cute little purse with the money for my dress, extra lip- stick-everything the well-dressed male should need-well, everything,

anyway.

I took a look at the tiny, gold watch, bound to my left wrist with its tasteful thin, black braid as I got off the bus. Oh, good! Plenty of time to get to Millie's and get my dress. I wanted to skip and waltz and started to but changed my mind quickly. It wouldn't do! Clad as a male I must play the part and I slowed my walk to a proper, sedate gait. There may have been some slight play to my hips but it seemed so natu- ral, now, like that. So much better than the old way, you know.

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