Part 43 (1/2)

”So while we're having lunch,” she said, ”I'll send these women out to find their husbands, and we'll talk to them altogether.”

It was half past one when Mary entered the rest room with her three visitors and Archey. Nearly all the women had found their men, and they were waiting with evident curiosity.

As simply as she could, Mary repeated the plan which she had outlined to the leaders.

”So there you are,” she said in conclusion. ”I want to find twenty-five families to give the idea a trial. They will live in those new bungalows--you have probably all seen them.

”There's a gas range in each to make cooking easy. They have steam heat from the factory--no stoves--no coal--no ashes to bother with. There's electric light, refrigerator, bathroom, hot and cold water--everything I could think of to save labour and make housework easy.

”Now, Mrs. Strauss, suppose you and your husband decide to try this new arrangement. You would both come here and work till twelve o'clock, and the afternoons you would have to yourselves.

”In the afternoons you could go shopping, or fis.h.i.+ng, or walking, or boating, or skating, or visiting, or you could take up a course of study, or read a good book, or go to the theatre, or take a nap, or work in your garden--anything you liked....

”In short, after twelve o'clock, the whole day would be your own--for your own development, your own pleasure, your own ideas--anything you wanted to use it for. Do you understand it, Mrs. Strauss?”

”Indeed I do. I think it's fine.”

”Is Mr. Strauss here? Does he understand it?”

”Yes, I understand it,” said a voice among the men. a.s.sisted by his neighbours he arose. ”I'm to work four hours a day,” he said, ”and so's the wife. Instead of drawing full money, I draw half and she draws half.

We'd have to chip in on the family expenses. Every day is to be like Sat.u.r.day--work in the morning and the afternoon off. Suits me to a dot, if it suits her. I always did think Sat.u.r.day was the one sensible day in the week.”

A chorus of masculine laughter attested approval to this sentiment and Mr. Strauss sat down abashed.

”Well, now, if you all understand it,” said Mary, ”I want twenty-five families who will volunteer to try this four-hour-a-day arrangement--so we can see how it works. All those who would like to try it--will they please stand up?”

Presently one of the labour leaders turned to Mary with a beaming eye.

”Looks as though they'll have to draw lots,” said he... ”They are all standing up...!”

CHAPTER x.x.xIV

The afternoon was well advanced when her callers left, and Mary had to make up her work as best she could.

A violent thunder-storm had arisen, but in spite of the lightning she telephoned Helen.

Wally was still improving.

”I'll be over as soon as I've had dinner,” said Mary, ”but don't expect me early.”

She was hanging up the receiver when the senior accountant entered, a little more detached, a little more impersonal than she had ever seen him.

”We shall have our final report ready in the morning,” he said.

”That's good,” said Mary, starting to sign her letters. ”I'll be glad to see it any time.”

At the door he turned, one hand on the k.n.o.b.

”I haven't seen Mr. Woodward, Jr., today. Do you expect him tomorrow?”