“Well, I’ve just begun,” Ethel replied primly. “I don’t know much about it myself. I’m in the Gregg and Burley company; they’re one of the biggest insurance agencies in town. Mr. Burley’s been ever so nice to me. His little girl’s in my Sunday-school class. Mrs. Burley asked me to a birthday party they had for Louise last summer, so I really feel that I know the family. I’m handling the telephone calls and doing other little things till I get the run of the office. I’ve started at eighteen a week but Mr. Burley says they’ll raise me just as soon as I’m worth more. There are six other girls in the office and one who’s been there ten years get fifty a week and I don’t see how they ever could get along without her. She knows more about the details of the business than the members of the firm.”
“That sounds good,” said Grace warmly. “I suppose there are women in business here who make large salaries, far more than high school teachers or teachers in colleges.”
“I never thought my girls would have to battle for their bread,” said Mrs. Durland. “I’ve always clung to the old-fashioned idea that girls should stay with their mothers till they married. Of course thousands of splendid girls are at work in every kind of business, but it’s hard for me to get used to it.”
“I don’t see why women shouldn’t work if they need to or want to,” said Grace, “I think that’s one of the things that’s settled; women can do anything they please these days.”
“I can’t bring myself to see it,” Mrs. Durland replied, “I remember that it seemed queer when my father employed a woman stenographer in his office.”
“Well, times have changed, mother,” Grace remarked. “I have an idea that I can sell things; I read an article in a magazine about the psychology of salesmanship, and I have a strong hunch that that would be a good field for me. The big stores must be taking on more help at this season. I think I’ll see what the chances are.”
“Grace, surely you’re not in earnest!” cried Mrs. Durland. “Of course we will need your help, but it would be a lot better, considering your education, for you to take up teaching or go into an office as Ethel’s doing. It’s so much more in keeping with your bringing up. It would break my heart to see you behind a counter!”
Durland shifted uncomfortably in his chair as the matter was discussed. For years he had lived his own life, his thoughts centered constantly upon mechanical projects. He was now confronted by the fact that as the result of his intense preoccupation with tools, metals and wood and his inattention and incapacity in business he was hardly a factor in family affairs. He listened almost as though he were a stranger in a strange house, his guilt heavy upon him. He started when Grace addressed him directly.
“Well, daddy, don’t you think I’m right about trying my arts of persuasion as a saleslady? I’ve always loved that word! I think it would be fascinating.”
“You make it sound interesting,” said Durland cautiously, after a timid glance at his wife. “I want you to know it hurts me to think that you girls have got to go to work. But as long as it can’t be helped I want you to do the best you can for yourselves. You ought to be sure you get into something where you’ll have a chance to forward yourself.”