At the Midland Supply Depôt in the England of the First World War, a group of young women are busy at their war-work, under the spell of their charismatic and indefatigable leader, Charmian Vivian. But is Charmian really as motivated by patriotism as she claims? Can her commitment to the war effort survive in a family crisis? And can her relationship with her mother survive at all? E.M. Delafield's second novel - drawing on her personal experience- shows us the pleasures and pains of war-work, how women's contribution to the war effort was celebrated and criticised, and how humour, friendship and solidarity can make overwork, discomfort and anxiety a little easier to bear. This edition includes: Introduction E M Delafield timeline Suggestions for further reading Reviews from first publication