Miss Ellen was putting a dozen needles into her book , having just picked them out of the old cushion , and , as she quilted them through the flannel leaves , she said half aloud , -- `` It is very evident where the needles go , but I really do wish I knew what becomes of the pins . '' `` I can tell you , '' answered a small , sharp voice , as a long brass pin tried to straighten itself up in the middle of a faded blue cornflower , evidently prepared to address the meeting . Miss Ellen stared much surprised , for she had used this big pin a good deal lately , but never heard it speak before . As she looked at it she saw for the first time that its head had a tiny face , with silvery hair , two merry eyes , and a wee mouth out of which came the metallic little voice that pierced her ear , small as it was . `` Dear me ! '' she said ; then added politely , `` if you can tell I should be very happy to hear , for it has long been a great mystery , and no one could explain it . '' The old pin tried to sit erect , and the merry eye twinkled as it went on like a garrulous creature , glad to talk after long silence : -- `` Men make many wonderful discoveries , my dear , but they have never found that out , and never will , because we belong to women , and only a feminine ear can hear us , a feminine mind understand our mission , or sympathize with our trials , experiences , and triumphs . For we have all these as well as human beings , and there really is not much difference between us when we come to look into the matter . '' This was such a curious statement that Miss Ellen forgot her work to listen intently , and all the needles fixed their eyes on the audacious pin . Not a whit abashed it thus continued : -- `` I am called ` Granny ' among my friends , because I have had a long and eventful life . I am hearty and well , however , in spite of this crick in my back , and hope to serve you a good while yet , for you seem to appreciate me , stout and ordinary as I look . `` Yes , my dear , pins and people are alike , and that rusty darning-needle need not stare so rudely , for I shall prove what I say . We are divided into classes by birth and constitution , and each can do much in its own sphere . I am a shawl pin , and it would be foolish in me to aspire to the duties of those dainty lace pins made to fasten a collar . I am contented with my lot , however , and , being of a strong make and enterprising spirit , have had many adventures , some perils , and great satisfactions since I left the factory long ago . I well remember how eagerly I looked about me when the paper in which I lived , with some hundreds of relations , was hung up in a shop window , to display our glittering ranks and tempt people to buy . At last a purchaser came , a dashing young lady who bought us with several other fancy articles , and carried us away in a smart little bag , humming and talking to herself , in what I thought a very curious way . `` When we were taken out I was all in a flutter to see where I was and what would happen next . There were so many of us , I could hardly hope to go first , for I was in the third row , and most people take us in order . But Cora was a hasty , careless soul , and pulled us out at random , so I soon found myself stuck up in a big untidy cushion , with every sort of pin you can imagine .
Such a gay and giddy set I never XXXXX , and really , my dear , their ways and conversation were quite startling to an ignorant young thing like me .
added bought glittering happen lived picked saw taken talking tell