Having given her final order for the hat, the lady crossed over to the other side of the room and shook hands with a friend whom she addressed as Mrs.Brown, who had just come in and was making a purchase at the lace counter.
"I have been putting my new resolution into effect," she remarked after the first greetings; "I have just ordered my new hat, and it is not to have a bird or a wing or a tail on it." "Oh, I'm glad to hear of one convert to the gospel of mercy," said Mrs.
Brown heartily.

"The apathy of our women on this subject is heart-sickening.

Men are denouncing us; the newspapers are full of our cruelty; the pulpit makes our heartlessness its theme; and yet we keep on with our barbarous work with an indifference that must make the angels weep." Her face glowed with righteous indignation.

It was easy to see that any cause to which she might commit herself was sure of an ardent and untiring champion.
"But they tell me that chicken feathers, and those of other domestic fowls are being largely used now instead of birds," said the other lady.
"Oh, yes; they tell us so because they want to prevent us from getting alarmed, since so much has been said against the destruction of the birds.

It is true that chicken feathers always have been used to some extent, the straight quills for instance.