Dear Sir,–Some time ago I wrote to you explaining how, one evening at an hotel in London, my mother caught me just after I had secretly put on my first corsets, and how she was delighted, and made me go down to the lounge again. I told you how self-conscious I felt, although my frock did not display my figure.
Not long after that evening, when I first reduced my waist from 27in. to 22in., I was put into still smaller corsets, and they were reduced at first 1in. per week, and later ½in. per week, until I could wear them only 18in. All this time, though I was thrilled by the somewhat painful and irksome treatment. I did not like anyone to stare at me. My dresses were quite loose, but I always seemed to attract more attention than I liked. My people laughed at me, and agreed among themselves to cure me.
On my eighteenth birthday, which fell only about seven weeks after the night at the hotel, we returned to London, and I was told to go to in room to be dressed for dinner. I found that an evening gown had been bought for me as a birthday present, that necessitated my being laced to 17in. The new stays were ready there also, and the gown so tempted me that I asked to be dressed at once. I willingly stood in front of the mirror, with my hands behind my head, while I was reduced further than ever before. Judge of my surprise to find that my two long plaits had been securely fastened into the corset laces down my back, thus compelling me to hold my head fully erect.
My shoes were new also, with 4in. heels–1in. higher than I had ever worn.
I was delighted and most thrilled, but almost afraid to go out of the bedroom. At last I descended to a private dining-room, and found one or two guests waiting for me with other members of the family. They stared, and I had to sit through dinner with them staring, unable to bend my head and without even a fan.
After dinner a wrap was brought, but I was not allowed to put it on until I had walked through the lounge and the lobby to a taxi. Never in my life had I felt so nervous. In the theatre also I was the centre of attraction for several rows near our seats, but that evening cured me of self-consciousness.
Yours sincerely,
ADA.