Dear Sir, - In the summer of 1929 business took me to Birmingham, and at the last minute I caught the train from Paddington and somewhat breathlessly dropped into a corner seat. The only other occupant of the carriage was a girl, at first sight obviously pretty, sitting directly opposite me. I looked at her and remarked:
"I am afraid I cut things rather fine."
"Yes," she replied, "I am afraid I have to allow more time than you did."
The significance of this remark then dawned on me, far it was apparent that her shapely and well-displayed left leg was her only leg.
For a time we chatted on the weather, and all the while I was taking in the details of the girl's perfect face and figure.
I will not trouble you with the details of our conversation, but let it suffice to say that I made a firm friend of the girl, and during the following months spent much of my spare time with her.
She had lost her leg when very young, but had always made the best of things. Indeed, I do not think she thought very much about it at all. She became aware of the one-legged kink when about 16, when her growing beauty added to the skilful use of her single leg.
At first she rather resented the attitude of the majority of men thinking she would like to have a boy who loved her in spite of her deficiency.
Gradually, she accepted the position and made friends with the more suitable of several admirers. I must admit I fell completely in love with her, but her attitude to me was one of intimate friendship, and not love.
Eventually, she did meet the right man, and I was present at her wedding in the autumn of 1930. The wedding took place in a registry office, and a beautiful figure the bride made in a smart short-skirted dress supported by a slim black crutch.
I am afraid I did not pay much attention to the ceremony, as my attention was wholly taken up by a pretty brunette who was present and had herself lost her right leg. I took the opportunity to make the acquaintance of this girl, who used a pair of crutches; but of my experiences of her I will tell later.
Yours truly,
Marcel The Second