Dear Jim,
I’ve always assumed that she has suggested this to Alexandra so that her underclothes will smell nice (like rosemary). Her dresses would hang rather than being in a chest (translation bureau), so underthings (of which there were many for women in the late 19th century) is what would be in a chest).
Melissa Homestead
From: "5 Bank Street: The Listserv for Willa Cather Scholars" <[log in to unmask]> on behalf of James Cody <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: "5 Bank Street: The Listserv for Willa Cather Scholars" <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sunday, July 22, 2018 at 8:09 AM
To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [5BANKSTREET] Rosemary Leaves
Hi Everyone,
Does anyone know what practice Marie refers to when she says to Alexandra, "you put rosemary leaves in your chest, like I told you"?
--Jim
Jim Cody, D.Litt.
Professor
English Dept.
Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, NJ 07738
(732)224-2681
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