“Yes,” said Mrs Dare quietly. “It is doing good in that way, and in matters at home also,--the matters which come home to the hearts of us women. We’ve just formed a committee for looking after the wives and children of the men who have to go to the front, and every single person I’ve seen about it is keen to help,--people in some cases who have hitherto shown no inclination for anything beyond their own concerns.” “There will be a good deal of distress one way and another, I fear,” said the Colonel, nodding thoughtfully. “That is if things go on as they usually do.” “I’m inclined to hope they’ll go better,” said Mrs Dare. “Our men at the head of affairs are in closer touch with the needs of the people than yours ever have been,”--with a pacificatory little nod towards him. “I know you don’t like Lloyd George, but you must acknowledge that he has handled the financial situation in a masterly way.” “I do acknowledge it. And I’ll even go so far as to say that I don’t believe our side would have handled the whole matter as well as it has been done. We might. Men rise to the occasion,--as yours have done. We might,--but I confess I don’t at the moment see which of our men could have done what has had to be done as well as Sir Edward Grey, and Churchill and Lloyd George and Asquith.” “Hooray!” cried Honor. “You’ll be on the right side yet, Colonel.” “I’m always on the side of right, anyway. What are you girls doing to help?” “I’m going to knit body-belts and mufflers,” said Honor lugubriously. “But I’m only a beginner and I’m shy of performing in public yet.” “And you, Victoria-who-ought-to-have-been-Balaclava?” “Our Central Committee in town is considering how we can best help, and as soon as they decide I’m on to it. In the meantime, Honor is teaching me to knit body-belts and mufflers,--that is, she’s passing on to me, the beginnings of her own little knowledge,--though I don’t quite see the need of them. It’ll all be over in a month, I expect.” “If it’s all over in six months I shall be more than glad,” said the Colonel weightily. “And there’ll be plenty of cold days and nights before then. However, I’m glad you’re all doing what you can. It’ll do you all good.” XV “Yus!” said Mrs Skirrow, with an emphasis that carried conviction. “It may seem a vi’lent utt’rance to you, mum, but, for me, I’m bound to say I’m right down glad o’ this war. It’s tuk my three off o’ me hands, an’ it’s givin’ me the time o’ me life.” “Where have they got to?” asked Mrs Dare sympathetically.