sorting the clothes for Martha. The sleepers were sensible for a teenage boy, as they had no front opening, but buttoned down the back, and so made it harder for a boy to indulge in any nasty habits, but there are methods we can use even if you wear a nightgown. As for the short pants, I am afraid that you will not wear long trousers again while live with me. I do not believe in boys going into long trousers and aping the man until they are eighteen or so. The blouses, the tunics which I shall have made and pinafores all add attractiveness to dress. your And I am a strong believer that there should not be much distinction between boys and girls clothes. What

you

you may refer to as girls' things, nightgowns,

blouses, dresses, corsets, etc., we should really call children's things, and not emphasize the distinction in dress between the boys and girls so much. I think this way boys and girls would grow up naturally and not get the awareness of sex too early. There, my dear, you have some of my philosophy of clothes for children. So, dear, put on your pinafore quickly. I assure you hat my four little ones, as I shall call you, Book really sweet!"

The terms 'little ones' and 'sweet', plus the fact I saw no way out of wearing the

24

horrible pinafore, as I felt I could not make an issue about it seeing Sis and I had only arrived. I did attempt one more feeble protest, or, at least, started to.

"But Aunt Lauise..."

She interrupted me, saying, "A child does. I don't want to get cross, not argue.

but a

naughty child gets a sound smacked bottom, and I am afraid that you have not been across somebody's knee enough! Also you will call me Aunty, which is a nice term for children to use.

"I

She led us then to the schoolroom, which was a large upstairs bedroom cleared out and set with benches, which looked very uncomfortable. up She told us to wait there until the Governess arrived, and left us alone.

This was the first chance we had had to speak to our cousins alone. They had hardly uttered a word in front of their mother. I asked Carol how he put up with the clothes he had to wear, sleepers, pinafores, short knickers (British term for short pants was 'knickers', the same. term used for the schoolgirl bloomers), playsuits, etc. What on earth did his chums say about his clothes, I asked.

you

Poor Carol said, "Please Richard, don't make fun of them. I have no say in what I have 25