MAGGIE. Don't talk nonsense. Hasn't he made things different himself? [_Getting a little heroic._] Heaps of fellows in London go on doing the same old thing, in the same old way, only too glad if it's safe. Look how everybody runs for the Civil Service. Why? Because it's safe, of course, and because they'll get a pension. Look at the post office clerks and Somerset House and lawyer's clerks and bank clerks-- LILY. Bank clerks don't get pensions-- MAGGIE. I know they don't, but once in a bank, always in a bank. Is there anything to look forward to--and aren't they all just--exactly _alike?_ I once went past a lot of offices in the city--I don't know what sort of offices they were. But the windows had dingy drab blinds, and inside there were rows and _rows_ of clerks, sitting on high stools, bending over great books on desks. And over each there was an electric light under a green shade. There they were scribbling away--and outside there was a most beautiful sunset. I shall never, never, forget those men. LILY. They don't have long hours. MAGGIE [_promptly._] Nine to six. LILY. I always thought it was ten to four. MAGGIE. Don't you believe it. That's what I thought once. You're thinking of the bank clerks, of course. My dear, the doors close at half-past three or four--but the clerks--why, they never see the daylight. LILY. In the summer they do. MAGGIE. [_impressively._] I don't care what you say, or what anybody says, it's not right. And if the men have got used to it, it's all the worse. They want stirring up--and it's the women who've got to do the stirring. LILY. Whatever can _they_ do? MAGGIE. Lots. It's the women who make the men afraid. In the old days the women used to help the men on with their armour and give them favours to wear, and send them forth to fight. That's the spirit we want now. Instead of that we say to the men:--"I shouldn't trouble, my dear, if I were you. You're safe here. Do be careful." LILY. You're very unjust. Look at the Boer War, and how brave the women were then. MAGGIE. That isn't the only kind of war. Is a soldier to be the only kind of man, that a woman's going to encourage? Can't she help the man who wants to make a better thing of life? Oh, what a lovely chance you had and didn't take it, Lil! LILY. How can you talk like that! What a fuss you're making over a little thing. MAGGIE. It wasn't a little thing. Here is Charley, with all sorts of "go" in him and fire and energy. Why couldn't you go to him and say, "I'm proud of you. Throw up the horrid business and go and seek your fortune." It was all he wanted, I do believe. Instead of which, he's got every blessed person against him--wife, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and all his friends and relations, and everything he can have. Everybody thinks him mad. LILY. _You_ ought to have married him, I should think! MAGGIE. Don't get spiteful, Lil! LILY. Wait till you're married yourself to Walter-- MAGGIE. I'm not going to marry Walter.