Their domineering guardian did the same to Billy but spared him the sob story, but she did tell him that if he complained just once, she’d take his corset in another inch. Billy didn’t complain as the chain was locked in place around his already narrow waist, nor did he enthuse over his new frilly nightie before climbing into his bed. He sobbed all night long in his creaking metal bed and didn’t enjoy a single wink of sleep.
On Sunday he wore his white ‘Sunday’ dress with white stockings and cream-colored shoes. Alice wore a similar outfit and all three of them walked down to the town and attended church. All the other evacuees were there and every last one of them pointed and giggled and whispered when they saw poor Billy in his Sunday best, complete with a straw bonnet bearing a broad white ribbon.
