A third class of ambitious girls hardly knew what they wanted , but were hungry for whatever could fit them to face the world and earn a living , being driven by necessity , the urgency of some half-conscious talent , or the restlessness of strong young natures to break away from the narrow life which no longer satisfied . At Plumfield all found something to help them ; for the growing institution had not yet made its rules as fixed as the laws of the Medes and Persians , and believed so heartily in the right of all sexes , colours , creeds , and ranks to education , that there was room for everyone who knocked , and a welcome to the shabby youths from up country , the eager girls from the West , the awkward freedman or woman from the South , or the well-born student whose poverty made this college a possibility when other doors were barred . There still was prejudice , ridicule , neglect in high places , and prophecies of failure to contend against ; but the Faculty was composed of cheerful , hopeful men and women who had seen greater reforms spring from smaller roots , and after stormy seasons blossom beautifully , to add prosperity and honour to the nation . So they worked on steadily and bided their time , full of increasing faith in their attempt as year after year their numbers grew , their plans succeeded , and the sense of usefulness in this most vital of all professions blessed them with its sweet rewards . Among the various customs which had very naturally sprung up was one especially useful and interesting to ` the girls ' , as the young women liked to be called . It all grew out of the old sewing hour still kept up by the three sisters long after the little work-boxes had expanded into big baskets full of household mending . They were busy women , yet on Saturdays they tried to meet in one of the three sewing-rooms ; for even classic Parnassus had its nook where Mrs Amy often sat among her servants , teaching them to make and mend , thereby giving them a respect for economy , since the rich lady did not scorn to darn her hose , and sew on buttons . In these household retreats , with books and work , and their daughters by them , they read and sewed and talked in the sweet privacy that domestic women love , and can make so helpful by a wise mixture of cooks and chemistry , table linen and theology , prosaic duties and good poetry . Mrs Meg was the first to propose enlarging this little circle ; for as she went her motherly rounds among the young women she found a sad lack of order , skill , and industry in this branch of education . Latin , Greek , the higher mathematics , and science of all sorts prospered finely ; but the dust gathered on the work-baskets , frayed elbows went unheeded , and some of the blue stockings sadly needed mending . Anxious lest the usual sneer at learned women should apply to ` our girls ' , she gently lured two or three of the most untidy to her house , and made the hour so pleasant , the lesson so kindly , that they took the hint , were grateful for the favour , and asked to come again . Others soon begged to make the detested weekly duty lighter by joining the party , and soon it was a privilege so much desired that the old museum was refitted with sewing-machines , tables , rocking-chair , and a cheerful fireplace , so that , rain or shine , the needles might go on undisturbed . Here Mrs Meg was in her glory , and stood wielding her big shears like a queen as she cut out white work , fitted dresses , and directed Daisy , her special aide , about the trimming of hats , and completing the lace and ribbon trifles which add grace to the simplest costume and save poor or busy girls so much money and time . Mrs Amy contributed taste , and decided the great question of colours and complexions ; for few women , even the most learned , are without that desire to look well which makes many a plain face comely , as well as many a pretty one ugly for want of skill and knowledge of the fitness of things . She also took her turn to provide books for the readings , and as art was her forte she gave them selections from Ruskin , Hamerton , and Mrs Jameson , who is never old . Bess read these aloud as her contribution , and Josie took her turn at the romances , poetry , and plays her uncles recommended . Mrs Jo gave little lectures on health , religion , politics , and the various questions in which all should be interested , with copious extracts from Miss Cobbe 's Duties of Women , Miss Brackett 's Education of American Girls , Mrs Duffy 's No Sex in Education , Mrs Woolson 's Dress Reform , and many of the other excellent books wise women write for their sisters , now that they are waking up and asking : ` What shall we do ? ' It was curious to see the prejudices melt away as ignorance was enlightened , indifference change to interest , and intelligent minds set thinking , while quick wits and lively tongues added spice to the discussions which inevitably followed . So the feet that wore the neatly mended hose carried wiser heads than before , the pretty gowns covered hearts warmed with higher purposes , and the hands that dropped the thimbles for pens , lexicons , and celestial globes , were better fitted for life 's work , whether to rock cradles , tend the sick , or help on the great work of the world . One day a brisk discussion arose concerning careers for women .
Mrs XXXXX had read something on the subject and asked each of the dozen girls sitting about the room , what she intended to do on leaving college .
Amy Brackett Duffy Girls Jo Sex freedman hour nook trifles