She now hoped that the occasion for their use had at last arrived but the utter impossibility of getting herself into them was finally made apparent to her, and she mournfully returned them to the trunk.
Washing, starching, ironing, darning, patching, and an immense deal of talk and consultation, occupied that and a good deal of the following day, the rest of which was given up to the repairing of an immense pair of green baize shoes, without which Aunt Patsy could not be persuaded to go into the outer air.

It was Saturday morning when she began to dress for the trip, and although Isham, wearing a high silk hat, and a long black coat which had once belonged to a clergyman, arrived with the ox cart about noon, the old woman was not ready to start till two or three hours afterward.

Her assistants, who had increased in number, were active and assiduous.

Aunt Patsy was very particular as to the manner of her garbing, and gave them a great deal of trouble.

It had been fifteen years since she had set foot outside of her house, and ten more since she had ridden in any kind of vehicle.