Dear Sir,- The letter from "Monopede's Admirer" was very interesting and as I hope to have for my wife a fair monopede very shortly, I think I can add a few comments which you may care to publish.
My fiancee lost her right leg from just above the knee, several years ago, but I confess to me she is all the more attractive owing to her disability - of which, I may say, she makes very light. She is wonderfully agile, and her one perfect leg has a definite charm and appeal.
I shall never forget the day when I was first introduced to her, and my happy experience that day. It was last summer, at a newly opened bathing pool. I saw Jean balanced daintily on her one leg on the tap diving board, talking to a girl I knew very well.
She was dressed in a pretty green bathing suit, evidently specially made for her in view of her loss of a limb, and she dived beautifully, swimming the length of the bath with a powerful side-stroke. I took an early opportunity to ask for an introduction, and found her as charming to talk to as I expected.
when we had all spent some time in the water I was pleased to find that her two friends wanted to leave early; but Jean was in no hurry. I offered to take her home in my car later, and she agreed to this suggestion. Half an hour later Jean hopped lightly away to the ladies dressing room, and I went my way to change.
I fell to wondering whether my charming acquaintance would look as attractive when she was dressed. My mind was set at rest after waiting a few minutes. Jean came towards me from the ladies side of the pool. She was dressed in a pretty summer frock, and I at once saw that she was wearing a high heeled shoe. She was using one crutch only, and I offered her my arm as we walked towards the car park. I found her glad of a little support as we made our way over some rough ground outside the gate, but otherwise she leant very little weight upon me.
I soon found that Jean had gone to a great deal of trouble to perfect her balance on one leg, and that she habitually wore a shoe with a high heel except for walking long distances.
Recently she came with me while I chose for her a Court shoe in red with a very high heel. She looks, and admits she feels, rather helpless in this with her one supporting crutch. Nevertheless, she meets me at the door wearing it, and my supporting arm is quickly round her waist as we go into the room.
It is certainly thrilling to me to see her stand with no support other than her one crutch, and to watch her move gracefully and carefully across the room with a very short stride.
Jean is very particular in her dress, and she always wears a rather tight skirt almost as narrow as the old "hobble" skirt. This looks right with her one leg, and allows her to use her crutch gracefully.
Recently I had a surprise when I called on Jean. She had never let me "into the secret," as she called it, thinking I should not approve.
I found her wearing a light wooden leg - quite thin and dainty looking. She told me she had it made some years ago for indoor use, but had not worn it for some time. I was quite fascinated to see her walk with it with a graceful circular motion and, of course, a very short stride owing to her narrow skirt.
Jean was delighted at my approval, and although she does not intend to wear it outdoors, she walked on it to the pillar-box at the end of the road, wearing one of her highest heeled shoes and holding my arm.
I gather that when we are married she will often dispense with her crutch in the house, but she promises to keep to her high shoe. She will not, I am glad to say, experiment with a normal artificial leg, as she knows that she would have somewhat of an ungainly walk and not look so attractive. She is very graceful in the use of a crutch. I may say I have never yet seen her use two crutches. She has several smart ones, well made and light, and with a special adjustment for height, so that she can easily and quickly alter them for use with a medium or high shoe.
I think "A Monopede's Admirer" will perhaps be a little envious when I mention a few of my little attentions to Jean, all of which I find very exciting. Helping her to put on or take off her coat, holding her crutch far her the while, and she balancing perfectly on one leg; changing her shoe for her when we go indoors, putting on her foot a pretty shoe with a high heel; walking with her arm in mine as I always do indoors; inserting in the pierced ears a pair of heavy pendant earrings which swing in such a fascinating way as she walks. All these things I do for her whenever I have the opportunity. And how thrilling it is to see her hop on her high heel a few paces across the room when she does not trouble to use her crutch; and to look at her one perfectly clad foot resting on the floor as she sits, perhaps gently tapping the carpet with her toe to the wireless dancing music. Another fascinating thing is hearing the alternate sounds of her crutch and high heel on the pavement as she walks towards me.
Jean has rather weak sight in one eye, and for reading or close work of any kind wears attractive tortoise shell rimmed glasses. After a little persuasion I have got her to wear a monocle quite frequently instead of her glasses. She looks charming with this in her eye, and admits it is very handy, saving her opening her handbag and putting on her glasses on odd times. The monocle has a thin gold rim and hangs on a very fine black silk cord. I delight to see her using it, and am in no doubt that it adds fascination to her. She has lovely eyes, of which I think it increases the attraction.
I am kept in a constant state of interest in Jean's appearance. When I call upon her I find myself wondering whether I shall find her using her crutch or walking on her thin and shining wooden leg, whether she will be wearing her monocle, or have put in her long earrings before I arrive. Need I say that I find her fascination grows upon me more and more?
Yours truly,
One High Heel Only.