Dear Sir, - Now that the slight controversy between Miss Roper and Mr. Stort seems to have come to an end, I should like to endorse nearly all Mr. Stort has said with regard to the appeal one-legged girls have for the opposite sex. I would, however, like to ask Mr. Stort how it is that in one of his stories he stated that he coined the word "monopede" and that it is not to be found in any English dictionary. I am not suggesting that he did not coin it, but f would like to know why he coined it.
It appears to me to be a misspelling of the word "monopode" which figures in Baker's "New English dictionary", and it is there stated that it is derived from the Greek, meaning one foot. (Greek, podos, Latin, pedis).
It appears therefore that monopede (Latin) or monopode (Greek) should in either case mean "one-footed," and not "one-legged."
Mr. Stort knows his subject so well that I hesitate to suggest that he is wrong; but on the face of it, it would seem that he is.
Should he reply to this, I hope he will refer to me as a one-legged girl, as I hate to be called a "monopede."
To return to Mr. Stort v. Miss Roper. My right leg was amputated at the hip some time ago, and I reckon the absence of it, coupled with a very shapely left one, are my chief charms over and above being considered very good looking.
I should be more than pleased if Miss Roper's articles (not forgetting her illustrations) were designed to show us one-legged girls how best to show off our "unusual charms," and in case she should decide to do so, may I suggest that she does not forget to stress a pair of crutches, short skirts revealing our single legs, and the great importance of high-heeled shoes?
We did not ask to be cripples; but, as we are, I think that most of us are very happy with one solitary leg, and many of our men friends find this one of our chief attractions, it is up to us to dress the part and take what the gods have given us - or perhaps it would be more to the point to say to accept what the gods have taken away from us.
I, for one, would sooner have one leg than two, for I dress very well and have many more friends because of my crutches, my short and empty skirt, and my one lovely leg on its 4« inches heeled shoe.
The best of luck to Mr. Stort, and may he write many more articles for your valuable paper.
Yours truly,
One High Heel.