At the beginning of each visit to Aunt Eliza I was in the habit
of dwelling on the contrast between her way of living and ours. We
lived from "hand to mouth." Every thing about her wore a hereditary
air; for she lived in my grandfather's house, and it was the same
as in his day. If I was at home when these contrasts occurred to me
I should have felt angry; as it was, I felt them as in a dream--the
china, the silver, the old furniture, and the excellent fare
soothed me.

In the middle of the day Aunt Eliza came down stairs, and after
she had received a visit from her doctor, decided to go to Newport
on Saturday. It was Wednesday; and I could, if I chose, make any
addition to my wardrobe. I had none to make, I informed her. What
were my dresses?--had I a black silk? she asked. I had no black
silk, and thought one would be unnecessary for hot weather.

"Who ever heard of a girl of twenty-four having no black silk!
You have slimsy muslins, I dare say?"

"Yes."

"And you like them?"

"For present wear."

That afternoon she sent Mrs. Roll out, who returned with a
splendid heavy silk for me, which Aunt Eliza said should be made
before Saturday, and it was. I went to a fashionable dress-maker of
her recommending, and on Friday it came home, beautifully made and
trimmed with real lace.