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Message: <blockquote data-quote="tzhfsh6" data-source="post: 11447111" data-attributes="member: 380662">〈Eight Cousins〉Serial•Fashion and Physiology-2[FONT=宋体]　[/FONT]"Growing stout! Yes, thank Heaven, she is, and shall continue todo it, for Nature knows how to mould a woman better than anycorset-maker, and I won't have her interfered with. My dear Clara,have you lost your senses that you can for a moment dream ofputting a growing girl into an instrument of torture like this?" andwith a sudden gesture he plucked forth the offending corsets fromunder the sofa cushion, and held them out with the expression onewould wear on beholding the thumbscrews or the rack of ancienttimes.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Don't be absurd, Alec. There is no torture about it, for tight lacingis out of fashion, and we have nice, sensible things nowadays.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Everyone wears them; even babies have stiffened waists to supporttheir weak little backs," began Mrs. Clara, rushing to the defenceof the pet delusion of most women.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"I know it, and so the poor little souls have weak backs all theirdays, as their mothers had before them. It is vain to argue thematter, and I won't try, but I wish to state, once for all, that if I eversee a pair of corsets near Rose, I'll put them in the fire, and youmay send the bill to me."As he spoke the corsets were on their way to destruction, but Mrs.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Jessie caught his arm, exclaiming merrily, "Don't burn them, formercy sake, Alec; they are full of whalebones, and will make adreadful odour. Give them to me. I'll see that they do no harm.""Whalebones, indeed! A regular fence of them, and metalgate-posts in front. As if our own bones were not enough, if we'dgive them a chance to do their duty," growled the Doctor, yieldingup the bone of contention with a last shake of contempt. Then hisface cleared suddenly, and he held up his finger, saying, with asmile, "Hear those girls laugh; cramped lungs could not makehearty music like that."Peals of laughter issued from Rose's room, and smilesinvoluntarily touched the lips of those who listened to the happysound.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Some new prank of yours, Alec?" asked Aunt Plenty, indulgently,for she had come to believe in most of her nephew's odd notions,because they seemed to work so well.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Yes, ma'am, my last, and I hope you will like it. I discovered whatClara was at, and got my rival suit ready for to-day. I'm not goingto 'afflict' Rose, but let her choose, and if I'm not entirely mistaken,she will like my rig best. While we wait I'll explain, and then youwill appreciate the general effect better.[FONT=宋体] [/FONT]<a href="http://www.cheapoakleysoutlet.org/" target="_blank">cheap oakley sunglasses china</a>, I got hold of this littlebook, and was struck with its good sense and good taste, for itsuggests a way to clothe women both healthfully and handsomely,and that is a great point. It begins at the foundations, as you willsee if you will look at these pictures, and I should think womenwould rejoice at this lightening of their burdens."As he spoke, the Doctor laid the book before Aunt Plenty, whoobediently brought her spectacles to bear upon the illustrations,and after a long look exclaimed, with a scandalised face"Mercy on us, these things are like the night-drawers Jamie wears![FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]You don't mean to say you want Rose to come out in this costume?[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]It's not proper, and I won't consent to it!""I do mean it, and I'm sure my sensible aunt will consent when sheunderstands that these well I'll call them by an Indian name, andsay pajamas are for underwear, and Rose can have as pretty frocksas she likes outside. These two suits of flannel, each in one piecefrom head to foot, with a skirt or so hung on this easily-fittingwaist, will keep the child warm without burdening her with belts,and gathers, and buckles, and bunches round the waist, and leavefree the muscles that need plenty of room to work in. She shallnever have the back-ache if I can help it, nor the long list of illsyou dear women think you cannot escape.""I don't consider it modest, and I'm sure Rose will be shocked atit," began Mrs. Clara, but stopped suddenly, as Rose appeared inthe doorway, not looking shocked a bit.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Come on, my hygienic model, and let us see you," said her uncle,with an approving glance, as she walked in, looking somischievously merry, that it was evident she enjoyed the joke.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Well, I don't see anything remarkable. That is a neat, plain suit;the materials are good, and it's not unbecoming, if you want her tolook like a little school-girl; but it has not a particle of style, andno one would ever give it a second glance," said Mrs. Clara,feeling that her last remark condemned the whole thing.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Exactly what I want," answered the provoking Doctor, rubbing hishands with a satisfied air. "Rosy looks now like what she is, amodest little girl, who does not want to be stared at. I think shewould get a glance of approval, though, from people who likesense and simplicity rather than fuss and feathers. Revolve, myHebe, and let me refresh my eyes by the sight of you."There was very little to see, however, only a pretty Gabrielle dress,of a soft warm shade of brown, coming to the tops of a trim pair ofboots with low heels. A seal-skin sack, cap, and mittens, with aglimpse of scarlet at the throat, and the pretty curls tied up with abright velvet of the same colour, completed the externaladornment, making her look like a robin redbreast wintry, yetwarm.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"How do you like it, Rosy?" asked the Doctor, feeling that heropinion was more important to the success of his new idea thanthat of all the aunts on the hill.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"I feel very odd and light, but I'm warm as a toast, and nothingseems to be in my way," answered Rose, with a skip whichdisplayed shapely gaiters on legs that now might be as free andactive as a boy's under the modest skirts of the girl.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"You can run away from the mad dogs, and walk off at a smartpace without tumbling on your nose, now, I fancy?""Yes, uncle! suppose the dog coming, I just hop over a wall so andwhen I walk of a cold day, I go like this "Entering fully into the spirit of the thing, Rose swung herself overthe high back of the sofa as easily as one of her cousins, and thenwent down the long hall as if her stout boots were related to thefamous seven-leaguers.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"There! you see how it will be; dress her in that boyish way andshe will act like a boy. I do hate all these inventions ofstrong-minded women!" exclaimed Mrs. Clara, as Rose came backat a run.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Ah, but you see some of these sensible inventions come from thebrain of a fashionable modiste, who will make you more lovely, orwhat you value more 'stylish' outside and comfortable within. Mrs.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Van Tassel has been to Madame Stone, and is wearing a full suitof this sort. Van himself told me, when I asked how she was, thatshe had given up lying on the sofa, and was going about in a mostastonishing way, considering her feeble health.""You don't say so! Let me see that book a moment," and AuntClara examined the new patterns with a more respectful air, for ifthe elegant Mrs. Van Tassel wore these "dreadful things" it wouldnever do to be left behind, in spite of her prejudices.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Dr. Alec looked at Mrs. Jessie, and both smiled, for "little Mum"had been in the secret, and enjoyed it mightily.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"I thought that would settle it," he said with a nod.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"I didn't wait for Mrs. Van to lead the way, and for once in my lifeI have adopted a new fashion before Clara. My freedom suit isordered, and you may see me playing tag with Rose and the boysbefore long," answered Mrs. Jessie, nodding back at him.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Meantime Aunt Plenty was examining Rose's costume, for the hatand sack were off, and the girl was eagerly explaining the newunder-garments.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"See, auntie, all nice scarlet flannel, and a gay little petticoat, andlong stockings, oh, so warm! Phebe and I nearly died laughingwhen I put this rig on, but I like it ever so much. The dress is socomfortable, and doesn't need any belt or sash, and I can sitwithout rumpling any trimming, that's such a comfort! I like to betidy, and so, when I wear fussed-up things, I'm thinking of myclothes all the time, and that's tiresome. Do say you like it. Iresolved I would, just to please uncle, for he does know moreabout health than anyone else, I'm sure, and I'd wear a bag if heasked me to do it.""I don't ask that, Rose, but I wish you'd weigh and compare the twosuits, and then choose which seems best. I leave it to your owncommonsense," answered Dr. Alec, feeling pretty sure he had won.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]"Why, I take this one, of course, uncle. The other is fashionable,and yes I must say I think it's pretty but it's very heavy, and Ishould have to go round like a walking doll if I wore it. I'm muchobliged to auntie, but I'll keep this, please."Rose spoke gently but decidedly, though there was a look of regretwhen her eye fell on the other suit which Phebe had brought in;and it was very natural to like to look as other girls did. Aunt Clarasighed; Uncle Alec smiled, and said heartily"Thank you, dear;[FONT=宋体] [/FONT]<a href="http://www.cheapoakleysoutlet.org/" target="_blank">Oakley sunglasses</a>, now read this book and you will understand whyI ask it of you. Then, if you like, I'll give you a new lesson; youasked for one yesterday, and this is more necessary than French orhousekeeping.""Oh, what?" and Rose caught up the book which Mrs. Clara hadthrown down with a disgusted look.[FONT=宋体]　　[/FONT]Though Dr. Alec was forty, the boyish love of teasing was not yetdead in him, and, being much elated at his victory, he could notresist the temptation of shocking Mrs. Clara by suggesting dreadfulpossibilities, so he answered, half in earnest, half in jest,"Physiology, Rose. Wouldn't you like to be a little medical student,with Uncle Doctor for teacher, and be ready to take up his practicewhen he has to stop? If you agree, I'll hunt up my old skeletonto-morrow."That was too much for Aunt Clara, and she hastily departed, withher mind in a sad state of perturbation about Mrs. Van Tassel'snew costume and Rose's new study.</blockquote>

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