Dear Sir, - I have just read the letter from "Admirer", and am pleased to know that my letter was of interest to one, at least, of my fellow readers. Perhaps the rather long letter I am going to write to you will interest them too.
I said in my letter that I had a peg leg made to fit the high heel, but when wearing an ordinary low heel the peg leg was far too long to walk on, so I had to resume to crutches again.
I first used the kind which fir under the arm, and after a time I was able to use one crutch only; but this pattern forced my shoulder up when using it, so I got a pair of the elbow kind, which are very much lighter and more comfortable, and now I can walk as far and as easily as I could before I lost my leg, but I do miss dancing and games, and stairs are still a great nuisance.
The peg leg is very rarely used now, as apart from having to take it off when not wearing a 4 inch heel, it is very awkward in a bus or train, as it is not jointed, and gets in other peoples way.
It is of black enameled wood, highly polished, and is very light and looks quite smart.
Indoors I use a crutch very little, as I can get about with the aid of a stick and the backs of chairs, etc.
Now I will answer "Admirer's" letter.
I appreciate his sympathy very much, but I do not mind my one-leggedness, as it is no use crying over spilt milk, and much less use crying over a lost leg, and so I make the best of it, although it would not be true to say I prefer oneleggedness.
He may also wonder why I do not wear an artificial leg; but a leg of this kind is only camouflage, and is easily known as artificial. It is also expensive; and besides, I consider myself so expert with a crutch that I can get about much better without the artificial leg. And I could not wear my lovely high heel if I used a wooden leg.
My shoes are all either strap or lace-up ones, as the Court pattern tend to slip on my one foot with such a high heel.
The only time I do really regret my loss is when I see a photo in your paper of a reader wearing two high heels. I can never do that, of course, but console myself with the knowledge that not many of your readers can wear a heel 18 inches high on one foot and a 5 inch heel on the other, because that is what my peg leg really amounts to, isn't it?
Yours truly,
Helen Fivetoes