It became necessary soon after our arrival for some of our number to
employ a dressmaker, and one was recommended who visited ships where
there were ladies on board. His features were far from masculine; his
prices, thirty-five cents a day, was in correspondence; his thimble
was on his thumb, his motion in sewing seemed to be that of pushing
more than of pulling; his progress slow, all day being spent on
something which ordinarily was done at home, it was said, in two or
three hours.