"The young one—Burdon."
"What did he discharge you for?"
"That's it. That's the very thing I asked him."
"Perhaps they need your places for some of the men who are coming back."
"No, ma'm. We wouldn't mind if that was it, but there's nobody expected back this week."
"Then why is it?"
There was a moment's hesitation, and then the one who had been crying said, "It's because we're women."
A shadow of unconscious indignation swept over Mary's face and, seeing it, the four began speaking at once.
"Things have never been the same, Miss Spencer, since you were sick—"
"First they shut down the nursery—"