5:51 train became a thing of the past with Annie Black and she bemoaned
it bitterly; but Hertha noticed that while there was complaint among the
American girls and much grumbling over unfairness and meanness, it
seemed to end there, while with the Jewish girls some plan was afoot.
Seated, together at the luncheon hour, their eyes shining, a slight
touch of color in their cheeks, a number of the more serious, with
Sophie Switsky at their head, talked of something beside their feeling
of fatigue, the forlornness of a cold dinner, or the loss of an evening
with a gentleman friend. One day, coming in earlier than usual from
luncheon, Hertha found herself drawn into the circle while Sophie
explained the meaning of the conference.

The shop must be unionized. Only by this means was there any hope for
justice. Without the union to back them, the employers could treat them
as they pleased, could confer or withdraw favors at their pleasure. But
with the union behind their demands this overtime work would cease and
they would secure a better wage. Did Hertha not think the conditions
abominable?

Hertha felt embarrassed. To these girls the trade which they worked was
their one means of livelihood; they were intense in their attitude
toward it, while to her it was only a step to something more, she did
not yet know what. She regretted the long hours, but they would not last
for many weeks, and as long as she could endure them and make good pay
she had not thought of change. Richard Brown, whom she was seeing a good
deal of now, urged her to drop the whole thing; but since he knew
nothing of her affairs she took his advice lightly. Her little legacy
kept her for the time in safety, but Sophie Switsky in her old dress
with her wet shoes, sending money to her brother and striving to save
for the summer, was not safe. Any day she might face starvation.

"I don't know about these things," Hertha stammered in answer to the
question put to her.

"What's doing?" Annie Black asked good naturedly, coming over to them;
but before she could receive a reply the signal came to turn to work
again.

"I see there's a strike in the 'Parisian,'" Kathleen said the next
morning as she scanned the paper. "Perhaps you'll be going out before
long; you aren't organized."

"Kathleen," Hertha questioned, "do you believe in the union?"

"Do I believe in the union? Do I believe in God? There, don't be
shocked, but there's something tangible about what