The narrator recalls an uncomfortable experience as Mary helps prepare her for a special event by brushing her fancy dress. At the same time, her mother is tightening her corset to the maximum, causing both of them to grunt and groan in a humorous comparison to the giant hogs at the zoo. This vivid imagery emphasizes the discomfort and awkwardness of the situation.

Instead of enjoying a carefree day, the narrator is constrained and forced to sit quietly in the parlor for two hours, missing out on lunch. The tension between the desire for freedom and the restraint imposed by societal expectations is palpable in this passage, highlighting the struggle faced by the protagonist during this time.