Part 3
It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was one I’d have to make quickly. Aunt Agatha won’t sit around indefinitely waiting for a reply. I recalled just how hard Rebecca used to work and how Aunt Agatha was always really mean to her. Mother said that since I’m a ‘big strong boy’, I won’t find the work anywhere near as arduous as a girl, and since I’m a ‘bright young man, I’ll soon learn that Agatha’s bark is far worse than her bite. Mother penned a letter to Agatha, informing her that I’d agreed to become her manservant. “…is manservant OK… or would you prefer ‘valet’, or ‘butler’?” Mother asked as she drafted the letter.
“Not Butler… she’ll think she’s Queen Victoria if she thinks she’s got a butler,” I replied. “Valet I guess.. or manservant… does it matter?”
“Not really.” mother replied before writing …to become your manservant until such time that his services are no longer needed. Please let me know when you’d like me to bring him to you. Yours Sincerely, blah blah blah.
A few days later, mother received a telegram from Agatha requesting that I be brought to the manor house at her earliest convenience. “Tomorrow!” I yelped after asking when I’d be going. I’d expected a few day’s notice so I could… I dunno… prepare myself. Agatha greeted us with the usual disdain when we arrived. The atmosphere was frosty and I tried to make conversation by asking if I’d be a manservant, valet, or butler.
“You’ll be the maid.” she retorted. “I have no need for a manservant.”
“But I er…” I stammered and gestured to myself. “…I am a man.”
“You’re a boy,” she stated. “But first and foremost, you’re the maid. My maid,” she told me. “I trust you remember where Rebecca used to stay?” she asked. I did. “You’ll find a uniform on the bed. Go and change into it.”
“Er… I er…”
“Your mother may help,” Agatha said. I looked at my mother who smiled back. I picked up my case. “You won’t be needing that.”
Mother followed me up to the tiny room in which Rebecca used to stay and there, on the bed is what looks like Rebecca’s old uniform. “She doesn’t expect me to wear that does she!” I gasped.
“Well, she does appear quite insistent that you be the maid and not a manservant.” My mother replied. “I have a feeling she’ll insist you wear this too,” she added as she dug out a corset from beneath the frock.
“Really?” I gulped. “It’s going to be bad enough wearing that.” I sighed as I aimed a trembling finger at the jet-black frock. I felt as if I was being imprisoned as my mother wrapped the corset around me and showed me how to fasten its busk. She began pulling on the laces and I let her know when it was snug. Mother tied the laces off and told me that normally one would fit and tie off their own corset. “Only ladies with a maid have someone to help,” she said.
“Does that make me the lady or the maid?” I asked.
“Well I suppose whilst I’m around to help, you’re a lady of sorts,” she said. “How does it feel?” she asked. “Not too tight?”
“No, it’s er… fine… I guess.” I gulped as I ran my hands over the alien garment. It’s a plain cotton canvas, undecorated and uncomfortable in the way it holds me. I must admit I expected it to feel a lot worse, especially after hearing Rebecca whining about it and Mabel’s relief that she’s never had to wear one. Maybe men are made of stronger stuff. Mother showed me how to handle a pair of silk stockings and how the garter clips work and before too long, I found myself buttoning up the jet black housekeeper’s frock. “It’s too small,” I grumbled.
“Let me see.” mother said. She had me remove it and turn around so she could tighten my corset.
“That’s too tight,” I said as she tied off the laces.
I began buttoning myself into the dress but it still wouldn’t fit. Mother claimed that my corset wasn’t quite tight enough. I claimed that my dress is too small. “Just another half an inch, that’s all it needs.” Mother said. Before long, I’m clad in the demeaning uniform and mother is putting the little lace ‘thing’ on my head. I bend as best I can to seek my reflection. “I look ridiculous,” I said.
“Well… let’s see what Agatha thinks.” Mother said. “Hopefully she’ll say the same and order you a suit.”
Aunt Agatha isn’t at all impressed with what she sees. “But, he’s wearing the uniform, just like you requested… and the corset too… what’s wrong?” Mother asked.
“Couldn’t you tidy him up a bit?” Agatha barked. “Do something with his hair… apply some make-up? I want my maid to look like a maid… not some boy you’ve dragged off the street and put in a uniform!” she ranted.
“Yes, Auntie. Of course. I just thought you’d like to see him beforehand.” my mother claimed, brown-nosing all the way. “Although I’m… not sure what to do with his hair.”
My hair was normal for a boy; plenty on top but not invading my neck or collar too much. I am in need of a trim but Aunt Agatha had other ideas. “There’s a set of rollers in his room. I suggest you teach him how to use them,” she tells my mother.