millie dear and belle , both picturesque if not beautiful old women , tended the few roses growing by the side porch which had been saved from the wilderness that now covered the property from the front fence to the back wall all the family appeared for nine o'clock mass on sundays at the chapel , little deirdre a picture in her navy blue sailor dress and straw hat with its ribbons , carlotta in her dark business suit and high-necked blouse , and the old ladies , millie dear and belle , exquisitely attired in their black high string shoes , gabardine dresses with lace , and dark gloves miss millie and miss belle often went shopping together on iondays , taking a taxi from first street to gus mayer or godchaux 's , the finest stores in new orleans , where they bought their pearl gray dresses and flowered hats with veils , and other genteel accoutrements .