Tell us, like a good
soul, what's to be done. You said something about the pattern just now.
Perhaps I'm too big for the pattern? I can't help it if I am. Many's
the good cry I had, when I was a growing girl, over my own size! There's
half too much of me, ma'am--measure me along or measure me across, I
don't deny it--there's half too much of me, anyway."
"My dear madam," protested Mrs. Lecount, "you do yourself a wrong!
Permit me to assure you that you possess a commanding figure--a figure
of Minerva. A majestic simplicity in the form of a woman imperatively
demands a majestic simplicity in the form of that woman's dress. The
laws of costume are classical; the laws of costume must not be trifled
with! Plaits for Venus, puffs for Juno, folds for Minerva. I venture to
suggest a total change of pattern. Your niece has other dresses in her
collection. Why may we not find a Minerva pattern among them?"
As she said those words, she led the way back to the wardrobe.
Mrs. Wragge followed, and took the dresses out one by one, shaking her
head despondently. Silk dresses appeared, muslin dresses appeared. The
one dress which remained invisible was the dress of which Mrs.
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