PREFACE 



Amongst many changes that the Great War has 

 brought about, none are more marked than those 

 which concern the future of Englishwomen. It is 

 difficult at present to take a sufficiently compre- 

 hensive view of these altered conditions, but a 

 few certainties that will affect women, stand out 

 prominently and are worth consideration. 



The private soldier, when he returns home, will 

 expect greater thrift and better cooking than he 

 has hitherto exacted from his wife. During his 

 sojourn in France he has learnt to appreciate the 

 Frenchwoman's careful housekeeping. He knows 

 how cleverly, with a few broken sticks, she can 

 kindle a fire which enables her to cook a dinner for 

 him that a king would not despise. It is not that 

 she uses more or better ingredients than the 

 Englishwoman, but centuries of careful saving and 

 thoughtful consideration in making the most out 

 of very little have taught her how to be a good 

 manager. War has been brought often near to 

 the homes of French people ; they, like the 

 Belgians, have realised the devastation that comes 

 with it, and consequently women, in both these 

 countries, have learnt a degree of resourcefulness 

 and industry which is lacking in our village people. 



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