"Never seed so much pretty needle-work in all my days," declared both. "But them stiff-boned waists, what air they?"
"Corsets," replied the women.
The corsets were passed around, with many exclamations of interest and surprise. "'Pears like hit would be mighty trying to walk around all trussed-up that way," commented Aunt Ailsie.
But Ruthena was other-minded. "Maw, I aim to have some myself, right off," she said.
"Now, women, them shifts you have got pulled over your heads now—what is the reason for them? I see you tuck off the ones you had been a-wearing."
"They are nightgowns."
"I sleep in the same I wear of a day."
"We like to go to bed in something fresh—it is better for health."
"Never heared tell of that before. Do you allus strip off everything you wear of a day?"
"Yes."