The acceptance of such things, even from her aunt, had been gall to her; but, in the old days, no idea of refusing them had come to her.
Of course she must submit herself to her aunt's charity, because of her father's poverty.

And garments had come to her which were old and worn, bearing unmistakable signs of Lotta's coarse but reparative energies-- raiment against which her feminine niceness would have rebelled, had it been possible for her, in her misfortunes, to indulge her feminine niceness.
But there was a sweet scent of last summer's roses on the things which now lay in her lap, and each article was of the best; and, though each had been worn, they were all such as one girl would lend to another who was her dearest friend--who was to be made welcome to the wardrobe as though it were her own.

There was something of the tenderness of love in the very folding, and respect as well as friendship in the care of the packing.

Her aunt's left-off clothes had come to her in a big roll, fastened with a corking-pin.

But Rebecca, with delicate fingers, had made each article of her tribute to look pretty, as though for the dress of such a one as Nina prettiness and care must always be needed.
It was not possible for her to refuse a present sent to her with so many signs of tenderness.
And then she tried on the shoes.