He was already too little impressed with the Whipple state.

Nor did she confide to him the singular remark of Sharon Whipple, delivered to her in hoarsely whispered confidence as Merle spoke at length to the group about his new horse.
"Ain't he the most languageous critter!" had been Sharon's words.
And Winona had thought Merle spoke so prettily and with such easy confidence.

Instead of regaling Wilbur with this gossip she insinuated his need for flannel trousers, sport shirts with rolling collars, tennis shoes of white.

She found him adamant in his resolve to buy no further clothes which could have but a spectacular value.
To no one that day, except to Wilbur Cowan himself, had it occurred that Merle Whipple's birthday would also be the birthday of his twin brother.
* * * * * Winona hoped that some trace of the day's new elegance would survive into Wilbur's professional life, but in this she suffered disappointment.

He refused to wear, save on state occasions, any of the beautiful new garments, and again went forth in the cap and dingy sneakers, the trousers without character, and the indeterminate sweater which would persist in looking soiled even after relentless washing.
Not even for golf with Patricia Whipple would he sound a higher note in apparel.