It was no part of Emily's character to care for dress.
She was at once too indolent and too sensible; she saw the vulgarity
of finery, and only aimed at simplicity and elegance. During their
girlhood Emily and Lilias had had no more concern with their clothes
than with their food; Eleanor had carefully taught them plain
needlework, and they had assisted in making more than one set of
shirts; but they had nothing to do with the choice or fashion of
their own apparel. They were always dressed alike, and in as plain
and childish a manner as they could be, consistently with their
station. On Eleanor's marriage a suitable allowance was given to
each of them, in order that they might provide their own clothes, and
until Rachel left them they easily kept themselves in very good trim.
When Esther came Lily cheerfully took the trouble of her own small
decorations, considering it as her payment for the pleasure of having
Esther in the house. Emily, however, neglected the useful 'stitch in
time,' till even 'nine' were unavailing. She soon found herself
compelled to buy new ready-made articles, and expected Lilias to do
the same. But Lilias demurred, for she was too wise to think it
necessary to ruin herself in company with Emily, and thus the two
sisters were no longer dressed alike.
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