"Yes; I guess that's it, when you come right down to it."
"Do you think it's fair?"
"I'm sorry, Miss Spencer, but it's not a bit of use arguing any longer.
If these four women stay, the men in our department quit: that's all."
Mary looked up at the pictures of her forbears who seemed to be listening attentively for her answer.
"Please tell the men that I shall be sorry—very sorry—to see them go," she said at last, "but these four women are certainly going to stay."
CHAPTER XXIV
From one of the windows of Mary's office, she could see the factory gate.
"If they do go on strike," she thought, "I shall see them walk out."
She didn't have to watch long.
First in groups of twos and threes, and then thick and fast, the men appeared, their lunch boxes under their arms, all making for the gate. Some were arguing, some were joking, others looked serious. It struck Mary that perhaps these latter were wondering what they would tell their wives.