Michel hadn't even thought about that. After a few days, he had gotten used to her not-so-presentable clothing. It wasn't as if it was his problem. However, if he was going to be seen with her, then the outfit simply wouldn't do. With his mother a textile laborer and another acquaintance a tailor, Michel never really had that much difficulty in finding good clothes to wear. Of course, this wasn't something that he took for granted either. The clothes he owned were made to last, and he babied them knowing that he didn't want to have to buy more any time soon. Mabelle didn't seem as keen to do the same. That was something he would blame on her easy upbringing.
"You'd be better off wearing a barrel," he noted honestly. He wouldn't be doing her any favors by not telling her the truth, after all. However, at the same time he felt partially responsible in finding her something else to wear. Or perhaps he just doubted that she would actually find anything worth wearing on her own. Plus, if he did it then he could be assured that they would at least match. "We have a few days. Just wear what I tell you to wear."
With that, he sat his violin on his chair and walked closer to stand behind her. He placed his hand over hers this time, pushing her fingers unto the right strings. "This is the first chord you missed. Play it to remember what it sounds like, then go from the beginning and play until you hit the next chord that isn't familiar." His instruction was demanding a lot from her considering she hadn't been playing for long. Still, no sense in lowering any expectations as he had with her in many other categories.
"And do it slowly this time." There would be no more of this playing to his tapping. Even if he had been tapping, it wasn't an acceptable excuse.