Instead of designer thongs or flimsy lace things, Ethel wore the plainest of cotton panties, the type described by past generations as 'practical.'
Judging by past experience, the combination might well seem hopeless, and honorable men like Fox might easily regard it with suspicion.
The tried and true varieties favored by past generations are generally more resistant to disease, pests, and weather conditions such as drought or cold than the trees of today.
When there is a downturn in the economy, as shown by past job loss statistics, many workers find themselves in a position where they never foresaw themselves.
It may be helpful to thumb through the books at a bookstore or read reviews of the books by past readers in order to get an idea of the format and tone of the book.