Whatsin, on the other hand, was having a bit of trouble getting naked. He had shed the frock easily enough, and his shoes, but the damned corset had a...hook and eye arrangement in the back, unlike Maizie's front-closing model, that was beyond his reach, save for the uppermost couplet. He was now spinning around and around, like a dog chasing its own tail, in a futile attempt to get at the lower most closures.Maizie, laughing, watched him twirl for a minute or so, then said, " Bring it over 'ere,. When I arrive home, I lock the door and make sure the blinds are pulled down. I don't want to be disturbed once I start. As I pass by the full length mirror on the way to the bathroom, I have to stop to check out how nature is treating me. I try to take care of my body, but I have noticed some slight changes that I guess I'd better work on. I watch as I run my hands through my hair, releasing the pins holding it in place for my look in the office. I have grown my hair long because I love it. "Mark knew that Jackie cherished the memory of Brother Erasmus, as well, but the whole thing was a little too far out to drop the idea on her, just yet. "He seems like a pretty good dog," Mark commented. "Maybe all he needs is a good meal, and he'll be on his way." I don't know," Jackie said again. "But, you know, he sort of puts me in mind of Cumulus." Can't be," Mark smiled, realizing Jackie was softening. "He's nowhere near as ugly as Cumulus was."Cumulus had been the scroungy old mutt that. Multi-faceted light shone all around him, enough to blindhis eyes. He was jolted with a surge of energy he could not fullydescribe. He felt weak and electrified; his body convulsed and shook ashe was bathed in the strange light.He did not know how long he was pelted with the crystal's illumination,but he gradually became aware that the sensations were receding and theroof was being closed again. He fell to the ground, dazed. Much of hisstrength seemed gone, and he felt smaller. Was this what.