The War-Workers

ollard Street was op

y, only the unfortunate Miss Plumtree upsetting a mug of scalding tea over herself at the precise moment when Miss Vivian, trim and workmanlike in her dark uniform, entered the big hall and stood watching the scene with her arrogant, observant gaze. She did not

n which the precise direction which the activity o

rs. Potter and Miss Henderson, to each of whom was appointed the care of an urn, Grace Jones, Miss Delmege, and Miss Marsh. Miss Delmege stood behind the buffet, which position, she s

fortunate that Miss Marsh and Miss Delmege should select their first Monday together at the Canteen for the for

uggesting that I don't do sufficient work, there's simply nothing more to be said. You heard her the other night saying some peo

pathetic not to take any grievance confided to her at the teller's own va

right out, but that doesn't prevent others from seeing the point

hadn't meant anything person

epeated gloomily that Delmege had really got on her nerves lately, and though sh

eir way down the street at seven o'cloc

ny tot, mother always used to say of me, 'That child Vera is so sensitive, she can't bear a sharp word.' I know it's very silly t

interrupted desperately: "Do make it up with her before we start this job. It's so m

s behaving very strangely indeed, and doesn't speak to me at all. Of course, I don't mind either way-in fact, it only

edy when Miss Delmege had to resort so freely to her favourite adj

ed thicker than ever tonight and the noise greater. Grace hung up her coat and hat, and hastily made room on the already overcrowded peg for Miss M

r this, Gracie, I shall simply not speak to her till she apologizes. Simply ignore he

see a poignant consciousness of Miss Delmege's existence in the elaborate bl

olicy, and addressed acid remarks in a sma

her tray-cloth and brought it back to the counter for a fresh supply. "How the poor men stand it! I must say I do like things

of a clean tray-cloth for me," said Miss Marsh furiously. "T

directed towards the roof, and Miss Delmege's elegantly curved

y, please," said Gracie rap

ck turned to the infuriated Miss Marsh, and said coldly: "How very messy, dear! But I'm sure yo

m the tray on to the counter. "You wouldn't let me have your cloth, I suppose, would you, dear?" At the sam

, dear; I'll give you anot

sage and mashed,

o make it clear that she did not take anything so vulgar as a sausage and mashed potatoes seriousl

ou for the last five minutes. Kindly ask for what you want a little mo

tly, and moved about restlessly under the scrutiny of which she was obviously conscious, but Grace's small, pale face had

shering in visitors whom she had obviously i

rmaid's job now; you'll see me behind the counter in another minute, Joanna. I find I have the most wonderful talent for chaff-the men love it so, you know. Do come in, Joh

and the mirthful gleam in her blue eyes prevented Captain Trevel

ed her lorgnette

bia with a sort of jovial spite. "Now, Joanna, I insist upon your ge

ith her laden tray, and Mrs.

or this lady before you stir anothe

usquely. "I don't suppose there is such a thi

race looked at her with composed admiration and a sense of gratitude. S

d herself in the direction of a burly form which appeared str

gently took the t

hall I t

ping her aching arms. "That table over there, righ

m afraid I ought not to have let him do that, but we

ly attractive new-comer was the wife

'll tell me

ight," said Grace, conscientiously selecting a euphemism fo

in spite of a protest from John, who took the view o

r any woman to carry! It's mo

, and at the end of a long day's work, too. But as for me, you know I'm

rs's slow, rambling walks round the grounds and still slower evening games of billiards formed

orders in her slow, despotic drawl. She rather wanted Johnn

e his thoughts elsewhere, and Cha

ort of thing!" she said under her breath

ways courteous, but never of the q

with all these girls, when she's capable of such

revellyan, to whom it came as a shock that any one who was priv

hy shouldn't she take up some big work for the Go

ly leave your father

ut there in the trenches, and it hasn't hit them materially; they've not felt it in any single, smallest way. I shouldn't say it to any one but you, but there are times at Ples

shudder that was not

yet it's all shoved away in the background. Brucey tells me that she's under standing orders not to discuss the news in the papers at breakfast, and mother won't ha

Char, there was in his mind no shadow of criticism for that which he did

sympathetically also at

ssing very much, n

too much, but, after all, I'm of an age to decide that for myself, and to

ossal thing, in its way. I

oked p

what a tiny part of the whole it is really, but-"

girl I've been working with,

-Jones," said

rt here. I want to ask her out to Plessing.

r eyes in an expression of exagg

vian coolly, stripping

n the least realize the official footin

s official for showing some friendliness to a gir

nder-secret

Delmege? She's got ten times her br

knowledge the infallibility of the Director of the Midland Sup

r most official ma

between the various members of the staff, or

ber of your staff, I can remain as unofficial as I p

lace in the office again; and think of all the cackling there'd be at the Questerham Host

never realize, that her assumption of officialdom always provoked her mother to the ut

hter's vehemence, and crossed over to where Gra

s tired as you look," she said w

n an extra busy night. It w

ady Vivian rather wistfully, "but I

at full speed, found time to fling

l where there's a way

tly: "I should like you to come and see me, if you will, but I know you're

in a pleased voice. "I should like

ack to where her daughter, with a rather

d Char, rath

t in earnest, said provokingly: "Well, my dear, I've made arrangements for a

cily. "She's very much in earnest, always ready t

her job, too," said Trevellyan,

can't help thinking it's rather a pity to distinguish her from the others, mother; she

along. I can't keep the car waiting any longer. Rather a different class indeed!

o hear nothing else, morning, noon, or night," Char muttered to John Trevellyan, who replied with matter-of-fact commo

to spend the night at the Questerham Hostel, where you'll lose all your presti

her parent's motor in silence, and with a movement

aff walked up the str

ho helped with the trays?" a

u know? That was Mi

y. "I didn't know that. Miss Viv

the benefit of Miss Marsh and Mrs. Potter, walking behind, from one of whom a sound of contemptuous mirth had proceeded faintly. "It'

ck of Sir Piers Vivian's white head in church, but she ma

ven o'clock, and the fire had gone out soon after eight; but in sp

n the gas-ring. I am sorry the fire's out, but it smoked so badly all the eve

you, Plumtree, after all those awful plates and dishes-

, tea or no tea. If I don't drag myself upstairs now I ne

iss Marsh. "I'll bring up

lly. Good-night, la

ting-room with this langui

quickly," observed Mrs. Potter, pulling off her hat a

. "Still, it's something if she gets into her dressing-

put down he

to be on for mealtime, don't we?

laimed Miss Hend

d I'm in the habit of meaning

n we're not even at table. Besides, if we were, there'

st out Miss Marsh, very red. "The harm is in their own

ed Miss Henderson, b

d with dignity to

about it. I imagine that you, as a marri

e appeal, some subtle hint of the dignity of Mrs. Potter's pos

u-but at the same time-there wasn't anything in what Miss Marsh

y what Miss Marsh had said, and only retained a ge

gether," exclaimed

be a very different thing,"

Bullivant, if you please," s

claimed Mis

ad suddenly

red out more tea, and said

t I can see," observed Miss Delmege, sti

not myself today,"

athetically. She slipped a fri

ing. A great friend of mine, who's been

sked Miss Henderson. "I didn't ev

ly a chum," said Miss

bad,

e arm, and something

they'll send him to England t

ge rose fr

to Miss Marsh. "It seems rather strange you didn

been rather sharp in my manner today, I hope you won

Grace, fearing an anticlimax, beg

lmege, in a buff-coloured drapery known as "my fawn

en more distinct than usual: "I know Miss Marsh was tired l