Yes, there is too much “green pine” in the lives of some women; but then, on the other hand, there is equally too much “light wood” in the lives of others. Mrs. Fennel remarked, in the course of the kindling conversation, that sometimes her wood-pile would be all “logs and sog,” and next thing ’twould be all “light stuff,” and that what you want is to have both together. You want good solid wood to keep the fire agoing; and you want dry pine to make a flash. I gathered from the talk, however, that this ideal wood-pile is seldom found in Tweenit. “If they could all be shaken up together,” said Mrs. Melendy, meaning wood-piles, “they would all come out about right.” And I suppose it is somewhat so with the lives of women. Some are mostly “green pine;” and some are mostly “light stuff:” if they all could be shaken up together, they all would come out about right. No concern of mine? Why do I interest myself so much in woman’s life and woman’s work? Attend to my own affairs? Why, that is just what I am doing. I have discovered from my late course of reading that woman is my “affair.” Am I not, as one of the dominant sex, placed in authority over her? Are not her interests in my keeping? Have I not, with others like me, to make the laws which govern her? and to see that she obeys them? and to punish her, if she does not? and to regulate the taxes on her property? and to say what studies she may pursue, and what profession, if any, she may adopt? And, more than all this, I have, to some degree, the care of her conscience. For instance, if she be doubtful as to the wrongfulness of her rising to speak in prayer-meeting, or in the pulpit, or on the platform, it is my province to decide for her. And, as she is intellectually unable to interpret what the Scriptures have to say on this point, it is my clearer head, as one of the clearer heads of the dominant sex, which must bring out the meaning, and place it where she can see it. And if, after being thus morally and intellectually enlightened, the Spirit move her so strongly, that she must rise and speak, then I, with others in authority, must compel her to silence. Woman? _She_ doesn’t know what is best for herself. _She_ doesn’t know, in all cases, right from wrong. Fortunately, she has in man an unerring guide. My own affairs indeed! It is the affair of all in authority, I should think, to acquaint themselves with the condition of their subjects, in order to legislate wisely, and above all justly. Some of those old Eastern rulers, I believe, used to go among their people in disguise, for this very purpose. Well, so am I a ruler in disguise, acquainting myself with the condition of those over whom I am set in authority; and my disguise is the robe of indifference.