64 THE GARDEN OF A 



might better be called a microbe, as they came in 

 fashion about that time. It should have been bottled 

 and labelled "The social importance of clothes," a 

 disease as deadly as appendicitis and more prevalent. 



Karen had, up to this time, lived much to herself, 

 dressing neatly but in the old world simplicity of her 

 class that well suited her ; for those whose gait has 

 been formed by the swinging of the wooden shoes 

 and the shoulders shaped by the milk-yoke, had best 

 beware of high heels and the fantastic fashions 

 descended from the French through the interpreta- 

 tion of a factory town. One day Trina appeared in 

 a new but flimsy coat, the week after one of mine, 

 nicely cleaned and freshened with new collar and 

 cuffs, had been given her ; then Aunt Lot, thinking 

 some accident had befallen the garment, made 

 inquiry. 



Karen's face took a threatening, sullen expression 

 that quite frightened Aunt Lot, while her black eyes 

 snapped, as she blurted out, " Trina have it slappit 

 at her in school dat her coat vas ole clothes and de 

 cuffs put on to make longer de sleeves. She cry 

 vith shame, and she shall not bear such." 



Father insisted that Aunt Lot could not have 

 understood and that such nonsense was impossible, 

 but a little later on he was somewhat taken aback 



