Quakers and kites

Between packing our bags and last minute visits with friends, I am reading Dickens’ David Copperfield on my Kindle. Last night I came across this quote. Aunt Betsey is defending to David the childlike activities of an old friend who lives with her.  She says, “If he likes to fly a kite sometimes, what of that! Franklin used to fly a kite. He was a Quaker, or something of that sort, if I am not mistaken.* And a Quaker flying a kite is a much more ridiculous object than anybody else.”

Now why would anyone think that?

(*She was mistaken.)