‘“The Philosophy of Vegetables.”
‘“You have forgotten Thursdays; the Philosophy of Government, my dear,” observed a third lady.
‘“No,” said Mrs. Brick, “that’s Tuesdays.”
‘“So it is!” cried the lady. “The Philosophy of Matter on Thursdays, of course.”
‘“You see, Mr. Chuzzlewit, our ladies are fully employed,” observed his friend.’
They were indeed; but for the life of me I cannot understand why, amidst so many philosophies, the Philosophy of Fancy-work was so cruelly ignored. I should have thought it quite as suitable and profitable a study for Mrs. Jefferson Brick and her [248] lady friends as some of the subjects to which they paid their attention.
‘Whatever are you making now, dear?’ asked a devoted husband of his spouse the other evening.
‘Why, an antimacassar, George, to be sure; can’t you see?’
‘And what on earth is the good of an antimacassar, I should like to know?’
‘Stupid man!’