Thursday, December 16, 2010

When does one start to talk about elegance to a child?

A ten-year-old wearing an exquisitely designed striped knit sweater was my excuse this morning. Showing her the finesse with which the stripes were measured in proportion to the collar and edgings made vivid to her the difference between a humdrum fingering and one that made an ornament feel -- and sound -- as if caressed by her hand.