RANSVESTIA

good nature. As you know, our house is not large, and apart from our bedroom and Steve's room there is only one guest room. If you were a child you could room in with your mother, but even should you wish to in your role of a girl, I would not approve your doing so. Consequently, there is no alternative but to your sharing Steve's room. It is a large room with two beds and plenty of closet space for his clothes and yours. I can appreciate that under the circumstances you will undoubtedly feel a sense of embarrassment dressing and undressing before Steve, as I readily believe you have during the past few weeks developed a state of mind where you now consider yourself to all intents and purposes, a real girl. In other words you probably will feel the same as a girl would if she were asked to disrobe in front of a boy even though that boy were her cousin. On the other hand, you must realize that Steve himself will probably feel initially some embarrassment. Unfortunately there is no alternative and you both must make the best of it, and I am sure that you two boys will make a satisfactory adjustment. In addition it will help you, Alan, to keep things in the proper perspective and prevent your going too far overboard."

Alan heard all of this with a sinking heart for it was far worse than he at any time had anticipated. While he was trying to absorb the impact of his uncle's first words, he failed to hear or comprehend the last remark, which otherwise would have distressed him even more. Mrs. Wright seeing the chagrin on Alan's face felt a deep sorrow for the way his dreams were being shattered. She now recognized that this whole trip had been a mistake, and that it was asking too much. of others to understand or accept a state of affairs they had deluded themselves into believing was almost natural. She could say nothing, however as the only alternative was to immediately return home, which would not have made matters any better. The only hope was that somehow or other something could be salvaged from the vacation. At least there had been no suggestion that Alan give up his treasured wardrobe and revert to all boy.

Alan reluctantly climbed the stairs behind his uncle who was carrying his suitcase up to the room he would now have to share with Steve. It had been suggested that he put on something simple before lunch, and that would also be suitable for going to a ball game that afternoon at Steve's school. It had been assumed that Alan would accompany Steve on his various activiites as his female cousin Jenny in the same manner he normally would have done if he were visiting

15