One day, should her dresses period continue, she would be into long dresses and padding in her bodice, much as her older brother had been for a short time before he learned to ‘behave’ and not ‘act like a ruffian’.
Patty sighed deeply, then, as always, and as instructed, took deep breath and held it while the girls gathered around to close her busk with the stud and slot fasteners.
To be sure, the girls were very slow and gentle with lacings, and stopped about two inches short of their goal. They were really not mean – Patty, nonetheless, suffered, not used to such constriction, and she knew they were not finished. If they stopped here, I could do this.
“Pretty girls have tiny waists, little sister Patty!” exclaimed Delilah, unable to resist. The rest giggled. Patty didn’t see the humor. Besides her mind was not on this as much as if she hadn’t been staring down and admiring her pantaloons with the pretty pale blue dainty flowers.
But the reprise was only for the ‘settling in’, as they called it. Now they proceeded with the rest of Patty’s dressing routine.
After assisting Patty down from the all-too-familiar bar, the girls escorted her back over to the armoire area.
“All right, Patty,” said Francine. With your pretty blue corset, you may wear a pretty blue dress! But first, we’ll help you with your petticoats.”
Martha already had a pile of petticoats in her arms, and she produced the first, which was of pink taffeta.
“So rustley!” said Francine. “Mind you take care of this! It is our favorite for daytime use! Besides, you would not want to disappoint Gram!” She pulled it over Patty’s head and down over her new waist, fastening it there with the attached cord. The girls could not help notice the difference in Patty’s demeanor. A far-off look had come to her eyes.
Again, the sisters looked at each other –but his time they were not smiling.
