his variety is a business in itself. The ware is non-absorbent and is
considered very hygienic. Toilet sets as well as dishes are made from
this especial sort of clay. So you see each plant has its own
particular specialty which has been decided largely by the native
clays at hand. Here at Trenton we turn out some of the finest
porcelain manufactured in America. In quality it equals the English if
not the French wares, and it needs only the foreign trade-mark to give
it its deserved prestige. But our people, alas, have not arrived at
the pitch of patriotism where _Made in America_ has become the popular
slogan. I hope this war may elevate the motto to its rightful place."

"Perhaps by the time Theo gets to making china things will be
different," ventured Mrs. Croyden.

"If I thought so I should be very glad," came earnestly from her
husband. "We have all the necessary clays here in our own soil; the
only one we need to import is black clay. What is now most necessary
in all our industries is intelligent, trained, ambitious, and
appreciative workers. It is a great reproach to us that here in the
United States we have so few schools to educate workmen for their
craft. Before the war Austria had eight schools to teach
pottery-making and Germany twenty-two. Even England had several. And
in the meantime what are we doing here in America? Aside from a few
arts-and-crafts potters who of necessity must work on a very limited
scale we are training no pottery-makers. We should establish schools
for such things if we wish to keep abreast of the time, and compete
with other nations."

"Theo can attend to that, too," laughed Mrs. Croyden.

"We have cut out quite a program for you to work out in the future,
haven't we, lad?" said Mr. Croyden, relapsing into jest. "On the
strength of it I suggest that you trot along to bed to get rested up
so to be ready to undertake it."

Theo rose and with a merry good-night they parted.

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XIV

THE BEGINNING OF THE PORCELAIN PILGRIMAGE

[Illustration: I]

In accordance with Mr. Croyden's plan Theo and his host stepped, the
next morning, into the waiting motor-car and were whirled to the
porcelain factory.

As they rode along the boy remained silent until he saw Mr. Croyden
lay down his paper; then he asked:

"How many persons in the United States do you suppose are employed at
pottery-making, Mr. Croyden?"

"A great many," was the reply. "Before