In "A Conspiracy of Friends," the character reflects on the value of practical activities over academic pursuits. She considers the idea that abandoning philosophy or literary theory for more mundane tasks is not something to be judged negatively. This highlights an appreciation for the ordinary and the craft behind everyday actions. Maggie's thoughts further emphasize that engaging in simple pleasures, like eating pies, should also involve a respect for the effort that goes into creating them. This suggests that all forms of work, whether intellectual or practical, hold intrinsic value and should be honored equally.

In "A Conspiracy of Friends," the character reflects on the value of practical activities over academic pursuits. She considers the idea that abandoning philosophy or literary theory for more mundane tasks is not something to be judged negatively. This highlights an appreciation for the ordinary and the craft behind everyday actions.

Maggie's thoughts further emphasize that engaging in simple pleasures, like eating pies, should also involve a respect for the effort that goes into creating them. This suggests that all forms of work, whether intellectual or practical, hold intrinsic value and should be honored equally.