IN THE BIDING-SCHOOL. 183 



broadcloth five dollars ; rough, uncut cheviots, 

 about six dollars ; and shepherds' checks, single 

 width, about two dollars and a half. For waist- 

 coats, duck costs two dollars and a quarter a 

 yard, and fancy flannels and Tattersall checks 

 anywhere from one dollar and a half to two dol- 

 lars. The heavy cloths are the most economical 

 in the end, because they do not wear out where 

 the skirt is stretched over the pommel, the point 

 at which a light material is very soon in tatters. 

 The small, flat buttons cost twenty-five cents 

 a dozen ; the fine black sateen used for linings 

 may be bought for thirty-five cents a yard, and 

 canvas for interlinings for twenty-five cents. 

 With these figures you may easily make your 

 own computations as to the cost of material, for 

 unless a woman is "more than common tall," 

 two yards and a half will be more than enough 

 for her habit skirt, which should not rest an inch 

 on the ground on the left side when she stands, 

 and should be not more than a quarter of a yard 

 longer in its longest part. Two lengths, with 

 allowance for the hem two inches deep are needed 

 for the skirt, and when very heavy melton is used, 

 the edges are left raw, the perfect riding skirt in 



