Mrs.Ellis was a fat, fair, rosy matron of most undisturbed conscience and digestion, whose main business in life had always been to see to her children's clothes.

She had brought up Lillie with faithful and religious zeal; that is to say, she had always ruffled her underclothes with her own hands, and darned her stockings, sick or well; and also, as before intimated, kept a list of her offers, which she was ready in confidential moments to tell off to any of her acquaintance.

The question of ruffled or plain honiton was of such vital importance, that the whole four took some time in considering it in its various points of view.
"Sarah Selfridge had hers ruffled," said Lillie.
"And the effect was perfectly sweet," said Miss Clippins.
"Perhaps, Lillie, you had better have it ruffled," said mamma.
"But three rows laid on plain has such a lovely effect," said Miss Nippins.
"Perhaps, then, she had better have three rows laid on plain," said mamma.
"Or she might have one row ruffled on the edge, with three rows laid on plain, with a satin fold," said Miss Clippins.

"That's the way I fixed Miss Elliott's." "That would be a nice way," said mamma.

"Perhaps, Lillie, you'd better have it so." "Oh! come now, all of you, just hush," said Lillie.