PREFACE xi 



how united men and women workers are, how they 

 act together as comrades, and to note the steadfast, 

 calm, non-hysterical way in which their women 

 push forward all national movements. 



Those who, like myself, have been brought in 

 close contact with women workers of every social 

 grade, of varying temperament and character, 

 know full well the large capacity for good that is in 

 most Englishwomen. Patriotism, powers of organ- 

 isation, self-sacrifice for any cause that they 

 take to heart, an unbounded enthusiasm which 

 renders them regardless of physical weakness or 

 fatigue, these are qualities that they most certainly 

 possess in a high degree. Whether they are rich 

 or poor, high up in social position or very humble, 

 it is seldom that a real worker has not several 

 of these characteristics, and this being the case, it 

 would seem impossible that they could fail in 

 those great things that are now expected of them. 

 And yet those who have the interests of women 

 very close to their hearts are waiting with tense 

 anxiety to see how they will take this great chance 

 that has come to them, how they will suffice to 

 meet the strain which future years will put upon 

 them. Will they take it with both their hands, 

 earnestly, with no thought of self, having learnt 

 those traditions of discipline, order, and esprit 

 de corps that generations of Public School life 

 have taught to men ? 



If goodwill or endurance alone sufficed, they 

 would take their chance just as willingly as any 

 man, but lack of disciplined training still handicaps 

 those young women who leave their homes at 



