'Women's work in war time is every bit as important as men's, that's what I say; only they don't get the glory.'
Mrs. Vinney giggled and looked at the others.
'Now Rachel's off again. She's a caution when she gets on the woman question. She spent most of her time in Holloway in the old days, didn't you, dear?'
'She thinks she ought to have the vote,' Sid Vinney explained to Alix in a whisper. Alix, who had hitherto moved in circles where every one thought, as a matter of course, that they ought to have the vote, disappointed him by her lack of spontaneous mirth.
Miss Simon was inquiring, undeterred by these comments, 'Who keeps the country at home going while the men are at the war? Who brings up the families? Who nurses the soldiers? What do women get out of a war, ever?'
'The salvation of their country, Miss Simon,' said Mrs. Frampton, 'won for them by brave men.'
'After all,' said Sid, 'the women can't fight, you know. They can't fight for their country.'
Miss Simon regarded him with scorn.
'How much are you fighting for your country, I'd like to know?'
'One for you, Sid,' said Evie cheerily, ignoring Sid's aggrieved, 'Well, you know I can't leave mother.'