“So would I,” said Alma. “Half a man is better than no man when he’s all you’ve got. Especially when the other half has been given to his country. No, indeed! Let us get back all we can and be thankful.” They were kept very busy at Oakdene with their wounded. In search of extra help Mrs Dare had sent for Mrs Skirrow. But Mrs Skirrow had risen on the wings of the storm. She came, indeed, but it was only to explain why she could not come as formerly. “You see, mum, I got me ’ands as full as they’ll ’old at present. When I heard they was goin’ to billet some o’ the boys in Willstead, I says to myself, ‘That’s your ticket, Thirza Skirrow. Billeting’s your job. You’re a born billeter.’ So I did up my place a bit, and made it all nice an’ tidy and clean as a new pin. An’ I got four of ’em. Big lads too an’ they eats a goodish lot. But we get on together like a house afire. They calls me ‘Mother,’ an’ I makes thirty bob a week and me keep off ’em, and feeds ’em well too. It’s better’n charing an’ more to me taste, and it’s helping King and Country. An’ for me, I don’t mind how long it lasts.” “I’m glad you’ve been so sensible,” said Mrs Dare. “Perhaps you know of someone else who could lend us a hand?” “Know of plenty that’s needing it,--spite o’ the money they’re drawin’ from Government. But most o’ them that could if they would’s too happy boozing in the pubs to do anything else. I’ll try and find you someone, mum, an’ if I can I’ll send her along--or bring her by the scruff.” “I hope you have good news of your own boys and Mr Skirrow.” “Never a blessed word, mum, not since they left. They’ll be all right, I reckon, or I’d heard about it. We’re not a family that worries much so long as things is goin’ right. They’ll look after themselves out there, wherever they are. And I’m doin’ me little bit at ’ome and quite ’appy, thank ye, mum!” and Mrs Skirrow, looking very solidly contented with life, sailed away to buy in for her boys, and round up some help for Mrs Dare if she could lay hands on it. Out of that came the idea--already essayed in other parts of the country--of opening rooms where the wives of the men who had gone to the front could meet and talk, and spend their spare time in better surroundings than the public-houses offered. And another channel for helpful ministry, and another distraction from brooding thought, was opened to them.