But the garter was of a bashful disposition, and did not think it
proper to answer.

'Perhaps you are a girdle?' said the shirt-collar, 'an under
girdle? for I see that you are for use as well as for ornament,
my pretty miss!'

'You ought not to speak to me!' said the garter' 'I'm sure I
haven't given you any encouragement!'

'When anyone is as beautiful as you,' said the shirt-collar, 'is
not that encouragement enough?'

'Go away, don't come so close!' said the garter. 'You seem to be
a gentleman!'

'So I am, and a very fine one too!' said the shirt-collar; 'I
possess a boot-jack and a hair-brush!'

That was not true; it was his master who owned these things; but
he was a terrible boaster.

'Don't come so close,' said the garter. 'I'm not accustomed to
such treatment!'

'What affectation!' said the shirt-collar. And then they were
taken out of the wash-tub, starched, and hung on a chair in the
sun to dry, and then laid on the ironing-board. Then came the
glowing iron.