The "school" was ready the following Monday morning. For "teachers" Mary had selected a number of elderly men whom she had picked for their quiet voices and obvious good nature. They were all expert machinists and had families.
On Saturday the following advertisement had appeared in the local paper:
A CALL FOR WOMEN
Women wanted in machine-shop to do men's work at men's wages for the duration of the war.
No experience necessary. Easier than washing, ironing, scrubbing or sewing. $21 a week and up.
Apply Monday morning, 8 o'clock.
JOSIAH SPENCER & SON, INC.
As you have guessed, Mary composed that advertisement. It hadn't passed without criticism.
"I don't think it's necessary to pay them as much as the men," Mac had suggested. "To say the least it's vera generous and vera unusual."
"Why shouldn't they get as much as the men if they are going to do men's work?" asked Mary. "Besides, I'm doing it for the men's sake, even more than for the women's."