ME: (shyly) Oh, thank you, Mrs Pierce and, please, you must call me Stephanie. And May I say that you are quite lovely to look at your- self.

MOTHER: (Obviously very pleased). You may most certainly say such things, Stephanie, and if you keep doing so I'm sure that we will be great friends. And please call me Sally.

JANE: Sally, I'm sure that you'd like to change and freshen up. Stephanie, would you please show Sally to the spare room while I organize Mrs Kinross for dinner.

ME: Certainly, Jane. (I stood again and mother stood also. I was about an inch or so taller than her in my high heels. I led off towards the staircase, picking up her bag as we went). MOTHER: (As we climbed the staircase). Have you been staying long Stephanie?

ME: Oh, about a month, Sally. It's lovely to be in the city for awhile.

MOTHER: You must know my son, Steve, then?

ME: Yes, I do of course. Sweet boy.

MOTHER: (Sighing) Too true, I'm afraid. ME: Whatever can you mean, Sally?

MOTHER: Oh well, nothing really. It's just that I rather think poor Steven is a little too fragile and delicate at times. I wonder how he'll ever fit into a man's world?

ME: (A little taken back). Really? (We turned into the spare room and I put my mother's bag on the bed.

MOTHER: (Brightening) He's really a lovely boy. Draws beautifully. (She opened the bag and took out a pair of claret colored knickers, a matching petticoat and vest and lay them on the bed)

ME: Oh, what a marvelous color. Where on earth did you get them?

MOTHER: In New York. Aren't they fun? We should have such colors here, don't you think, Stephanie?

ME: Most certainly I do. (Mother began to undo the top buttons of her dress. I decided it was time to leave). I'll just leave you to it.

MOTHER: Oh, Stephanie, please stay a minute. I'm just going to change my underclothes and I'll be right down. You could help, actually. Undo my dress for me. (She offered her back to me).

(Suddenly I was in a most embarrassing pre- dicament. I could hardly refuse the request and yet I was sure my mother would be shocked when she eventually found out that it was I who had helped her to undress. I simply hoped she would not go too far. I undid the buttons of her dress for her and she eased it off her shoulders and shrugged it down over her hips. Her vest and petticoats were of cream colored finely woven cotton.)

MOTHER: Thank you; you're a dear.

(She undid her petticoats and stepped out of them as I made my way to the dresser mirror and made a fuss of examining my makeup, hoping that she would not ask me to help further. Fortunately, Aunt Jane called me from below.

ME: See you downstairs in a little while, Sally. (I rushed from the room. Downstairs Aunt Jane was waiting).

JANE: I thought that I had better rescue you just in case things were getting out of hand. up there.

ME: Oh, they were! Mother had just decided I should help her undress. Your call saved me from a very embarrassing situation.

JANE: (Laughing) Less embarrassing than you think, I'll wager. I think she'll have her new daughter helping her willingly before long.

(We strolled into the living room and in a few minutes were joined by Mother who looked refreshed and pretty)

JANE: Feel better?

MOTHER: Oh yes, much. Thank you.

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