The band and the button

(1980 memoirs)
The family regarded Frankie somewhat as a curiosity.  At times I could see why.  When Aunt Lois asked her for any old skirt or petticoat she might not be using, for a black edge around her braided rug, Frankie said she would see and rummaged in her closet.  At length she found what she was after and showed it to Lois.  The skirt was approved and accepted.  Thanks were given and accepted.  Then Frankie said, "Lois, if you have no use for the band and the button, I'd like to rip that off before you take it."  My aunt's lips twitched but she controlled herself, at least until she drove off in her Ford.  They never forgot it.  If a garment were handed down forevermore, one or the other would say, "Are you sure you don't need the band and the button?"  Roars and gales of laughter!  I never thought that was so funny.  If she were making another skirt, the band and button would come in handy, and Lois didn't need it.