I have to eat, but Gram and the family will be expecting you, and you know how she is…”

“Yes.” She said dryly.  “I know how she is.  Witness my plight” rubbing her waist.

The pretty blue, but plain dress quickly descended from the place from where it hung, and soon was fitted on Patty, the skirts adjusted and smoothed, the bodice made true to the corset’s outline.

“Beautiful!” they chorused.

“It is…rather nice, isn’t it?  Patty admitted.

“And with this,” Francine exclaimed, whisking over a white cotton flounced pinafore, “it will be absolutely perfect!  Put out your arms!”

Yet another layer to fascinate Patty.  While she put out her arms, the pinafore was tied in a big bow in the back and the skirt adjusted to fall just short of her dress.

“There!  That will keep my old pretty dress clean!” exclaimed Martha.

“This was…yours?”

“Yes – and she never looked as good as you in it!” shouted Francine.

They all had a good laugh, including Patty. She was beginning to feel much better. She loved the dress, and the pinafore as well, and she was feeling VERY kindly toward her sisters – sisterly.  Sisterly?  I feel like one of the girls! Wait! No!  I cannot let this happen.  I am NOT a girl.