Some Cluny lace—they called it Valenciennes—
Hemming is stitching—so at least they say—
A gusset is a gore—a tuck’s a flounce—
Merino’s cotton—linen’s calico—
Poplin is silk, and rep is corduroy!
I bade them hem a pocket handkerchief—
They placed their thimbles on their forefingers!
And set about their work as clumsily
As if they had been men, in girls’ disguise!
Melissa. (trembling).