The scene is a boudoir, with two young ladies, in handsome walking-dresses, standing centre of foreground. Upon a chair, left of foreground, is a handsome dress, with a long ragged tear conspicuous upon it. A strip of black cambric with torn edges basted down is a perfect imitation of such a tear.

One of the young ladies is holding up the overskirt of her dress, and sewing a very tiny rent; while the other points to the torn dress on the chair, as if quoting the proverb.