l energies than
the petite bourgeoise suffers, especially in those districts
devastated by the first German invasion--the valley of the Marne. But
they are very hardy, and they too hang on, for stoicism is the
fundamental characteristic of the French.

This stoicism as well as the unrivaled mental suppleness was
illustrated early in the war by the highly typical case of a laundress
whose business was in one of the best districts of Paris.

In France no washing is done in the house. This, no doubt, is one of
the reasons why one's laundry bills, even on a brief visit, are among
the major items, for _les blanchisseuses_ are a power in the land.
When I was leaving Paris the directrice of the Ecole Feminine in
Passy, which had been my home for three months, suggested delicately
that I leave a tip for the laundress, for, said this practical person,
herself a sufferer from many forms of imposition, "she has been
extremely complaisante in coming every week for Madame's wash." I
remarked that the laundress might reasonably feel some gratitude to me
for adding weekly to her curtailed income; but my smiling directrice
shook her head. The favor, it appeared, was all on the other side. So,
although I had tipped the many girls of my unique boarding-place with
pleasure I parted with the sum designated for my patronizing laundress
with no grace whatever.

But to return to the heroine of the story told me by Mrs. Armstrong
Whitney, one of the many American women living in Paris who are
working for France.

This laundress had a very large business, in partnership with her
husband. Nobody was expected to bring the family washing to her door,
nor even to send a servant. The linen was called for and delivered,
for this prosperous firm owned several large trucks and eight or ten
strong horses.

War was declared. This woman's husband and all male employees were
mobilized. Her horses were commandeered. So were her trucks. Many of
her wealthier patrons were already in the country and remained there,
both for economy's sake and to encourage and help the poor of their
villages and farms. The less fortunate made shift to do their washing
at home. Nevertheless there were patrons who still needed her
services at least once a fortnight.

This good woman may have had her moments of despair. If so, the world
never knew it. She began at once to adjust herself to the new
conditions and examine her resources. She importuned the Government
until,