CHAPTER XVII.
Later, the thing which Mary always thought of first was the ease with which the change was accomplished.
First of all she called in Archey Forbes and told him her plan.
"I'm going to make you chief of staff," she said; "that is--if you'd care for the place." He coloured with pleasure--not quite as gorgeously as he once did--but quite enough to be noticeable.
"Anything I can do for you, Miss Mary ?" he said.
"Then first we must find a place to train the women workers.

One of those empty buildings would be best, I think.

I'll give you a list of machines to be set in place." 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.