It being settled, then, that woman does possess this motive-power which belongs to _my_ science, and which I have named mind-power, the question next arises, Is she doing all she can with it? Is none of it running to waste? What ideas, apart from household affairs, take up her mind mostly? It was to obtain light on this last question, that I resolved to pay attention to the talk at the sewing-circle. I wished to take the level, the mental level, of its members. Their conversation, by revealing what subjects chiefly occupy woman’s thoughts, I believed, would give me some idea of how much she is accomplishing with this mind-power of hers. True, Tweenit is only one village; but it is, probably, much like other villages, and its sewing-circle like other sewing-circles. NOTES OF CONVERSATION. AUNT JINNY UNDER THE HILL.--Aunt Jinny Piper. Destitute old woman. Much given to rheumatism. Mainly dependent on charity. Might make things go further. No calculation. Slack. Cloth given her not cut to advantage. Mouldy bread in her cupboard. Wore an apron forenoons good enough to wear afternoons. Used white pocket handkerchiefs: why not a square piece of old calico? Grandchild visits her too often. _They say_ she _makes_ her rheumatism. [Illustration] AUNT JINNY DOWN AT THE CRICK.--Another Aunt Jinny Piper. Unmarried. Well off. Chests full of sheets and pillow-cases. Stingy. Got enough of every thing. Might clothe Aunt Jinny under the hill just as well as not. Ought to give land to build chapel on. Great for beating down prices. Paid man that spaded up her garden in pumpkins. Pumpkins overran two cents: told man he must bring back the skins and insides for her pig, to make it all square. PLANNING.--“Forecasting” your work. Lying awake nights to plan how next day’s baking shall be worked in between the ironing or house-cleaning. Babies make it so you can’t carry out your plans. Best not to take much notice of young children, so they’ll bear “turning off.” MIS SUSAN.--Mis Susan, wife of Mr. Henry Melendy. Lives in Pickerel Brook neighborhood. Has traded shawls with a peddler, and got a green one. Don’t see what Mis Susan wants of a green shawl. Shouldn’t think ’twould be becoming to her. Her shawl was a beautiful shawl. Hadn’t had it a great while. Guess she’ll be sorry. Don’t believe this one’s all wool.