The Spectator., 1915-07-30
WHAT SEE touLD DO
By DOROTHY BLAcKMoRE.

England seemed to be capable of doing some work in the great war crisis, and all the Americans living in London were doing their utmost to help, yet Della Thorne could do nothing.
 Twenty thousand women have registered themselves as capable of helping in some capacity or another, and l can't even use a typewriter in telligently or figure sufficiently well to sell ribbons behind a counter" Della thrust this appalling fact be- fore her own mental outlook hun- dred times day. She worked her self into a fervor of resentment against the system of development, or lack of development, that sur rounded the idle rich. For Della was one of the idle rich.
 A letter which reached the honor able secretary of the Woman's Elmer gency corps was the outcome of De- lia's frantic desire to do something and to become a part of the great struggling nation.
 The honorable secretary, Miss, Diana Mershon, tossed the letter to her brother, who sat working labo-- riously over the days correspondence. Had Jack Mershon possessed half of the robust supply of health with which. his handsome sister was endowed, he would have been in the continental trenches with his comrades.
 There is a girl after your own heart, Jack.'' laughed Diana. Diana Mershon was an avowed suffragette, successful organizer. and she could make telling speech before multi tude of people, but knew she would be a failure as home-maker.
 Jack smiled at triHe wistfully and picked up the dainty little letter.
 Hon. Secretary, Dear Madam" he read, 'I am one of the old-fashioned, ultra-feminine type of girls. Is there anything you could suggest my doing to help the government war service? I can do absolutely nothing except keep house, since have been perfect ly trained for that purpose. I would be glad to keep house for some of you fortunate women who are out in the busy world; that I can do. Very sin cerely. Della Thorne.'
 Diana Mershon wondered, as her brother read this letter. if the thought it had inspired in her own mind would be suggested to him also. When he looked up she knew that it had.
 Bully ideal" he exclaimed, as If Diana had already voiced her decision. We both need an intelligent person to take our household in charge, don't we Di?'
 She smiled bit wistfully as she gazed at her brother.
 Poor old Jack, know I have made rather a mess of homemaking. If Della Thorne can make an orderly home for us she will be doing her part in the Woman's Emergency corps. want real home as much as you, but don't seem to know just how to manage it.
 You can do everything else SO well, Di." he said fondly. Here you are about to help another poor soul
 
 By Jcve, you're brick" Jack Mer- shon never quite knew whether it was admiration for his sister or relief in the prospect of having an old-fash- toned woman in his household that drew forth his enthusiasm on this oc- casion.
 When Della arrived at the head quarters of the corps in answer to Diana Mershon's letter. she felt strangely elated. She had hungered so long to be of some service to some one that she entered Miss Mershon's office with smile on her lips and song in her heart.
 q feel that you are doing this al most out of charity" Della said to. Miss Mershon, when arrangements for her to take charge of the big, untidy- kept home had been made.
 "No. I have not" Diana assured her frankly. My brother'- she glanced over at Jack who was trying his best not to stare at the new re- cruit-"requires a real home. If you can transform the four walls of this house into real home for my brother and me believe you will be doing as great a good for the country as any business woman could do."
 q feel sure I can do that" Della agreed shyly, but with a look of con fidence in her earnest eyes.
 A month later Jack and Diana went about their daily tasks free and rein vigorated. Gradually the four walls of the Mershon house became home indeed. and Della was directly respon- sible for the metamorphosis. She had been given the opportunity to exer- else her one talent and she had sue ceeded even beyond her expectation.
 How shal, We ever do without herr" Diana said to Jack one day while they were still at the office. What will become of us when she