Mal. I rather use buttons and holes, which are more of an ornament, and less burdensome for putting on and taking off one’s clothes.
Bell. Every one has not the same judgment on this any more than on other matters. Put down this breast-covering here in the box, and don’t bring it out again during the whole of the summer. These straps have quite lost their strength. This belt is unsewn and torn to pieces. See that it is mended, but take care that no unshapely knots are sewn on.
Gom. This will not be done for at least an hour and a half.
Bell. Then stick a needle through it, so that it doesn’t hang down. Give me the garters.
Gom. Here they are! I have got ready for you your shoes and the sandals with the long latchets. I have shaken off the dust from them well.
Bell. Rather wipe off the dirt from the shoes and polish them.
Mal. Is the ligula (shoe latchet) in the shoe? Concerning this word there has been a very sharp controversy amongst grammarians, as there usually is about everything, whether it should be called ligula or lingula (a little tongue).
Bell. The strap is sewn on the Spanish shoes over the top of the sole. Here they do not wear it so.
Mal. And in Spain they have given up arranging it so, because they now wear their shoes in the French fashion.