I told the young people, whenever they wanted a little dance or a merry time, to make our house their rallying point, and I would light up and give them a glass of water and some cake.

In that way we had many pleasant informal gatherings.

Then, in imitation of Margaret Fuller's Conversationals, we started one which lasted several years.

We selected a subject each week on which we all read and thought; each, in turn, preparing an essay ten minutes in length.
These were held, at different homes, Saturday of each week.

On coming together we chose a presiding officer for the evening, who called the meeting to order, and introduced the essayist.