`` Alec , if it is a Bloomer , I shall protest . I 've been expecting it , but I know I can not bear to see that pretty child sacrificed to your wild ideas of health . Tell me it is n't a Bloomer ! '' and Mrs. Clara clasped her hands imploringly . `` It is not . '' `` Thank Heaven ! '' and she resigned herself with a sigh of relief , adding plaintively , `` I did hope you 'd accept my suit , for poor Rose has been afflicted with frightful clothes long enough to spoil the taste of any girl . '' `` You talk of my afflicting the child , and then make a helpless guy like that of her ! '' answered the Doctor , pointing to the little fashion plate that was scuttling out of sight as fast as it could go . He closed the door with a shrug , but before anyone could speak , his quick eye fell upon an object which caused him to frown , and demand in an indignant tone , `` After all I have said , were you really going to tempt my girl with those abominable things ? '' `` I thought we put them away when she would n't wear them , '' murmured Mrs. Clara , whisking a little pair of corsets out of sight with guilty haste . `` I only brought them to try , for Rose is growing stout , and will have no figure if it is not attended to soon , '' she added , with an air of calm conviction that roused the Doctor still more , for this was one of his especial abominations . `` Growing stout ! Yes , thank Heaven , she is , and shall continue to do it , for Nature knows how to mould a woman better than any corset-maker , and I wo n't have her interfered with . My dear Clara , have you lost your senses that you can for a moment dream of putting a growing girl into an instrument of torture like this ? '' and with a sudden gesture he plucked forth the offending corsets from under the sofa cushion , and held them out with the expression one would wear on beholding the thumbscrews or the rack of ancient times . `` Do n't be absurd , Alec . There is no torture about it , for tight lacing is out of fashion , and we have nice , sensible things nowadays . Everyone wears them ; even babies have stiffened waists to support their weak little backs , '' began Mrs. Clara , rushing to the defence of the pet delusion of most women . `` I know it , and so the poor little souls have weak backs all their days , as their mothers had before them .
It is vain to argue the matter , and I wo n't try , but I wish to state , once for all , that if I ever see a pair of XXXXX near Rose , I 'll put them in the fire , and you may send the bill to me . ''
Alec Bloomer Clara Doctor abominations corset-maker corsets days lacing thumbscrews