"If I don't marry Wilfred," Norah went on, "I must earn my own living."
"How?" inquired her father, with an assumption of blustering incredulity.
"By going on the stage."
"On the stage?" he repeated. "Do you realize that only yesterday I had to deal with the question of our attitude toward the posters of several theaters?"
"That wouldn't have anything to do with me," said Norah.
"But how are you going on the stage?" her father continued.
"I should try to get an engagement."
"Oh, would you, indeed? Ha-ha! Your mind seems to be running on engagements, my child. However, this engagement is even more visionary and improbable than the other one," said Mr. Caffyn, with a laugh. "I'm afraid you think it's easier than it is, my dear girl. I have a little experience of the stage—I regret to say chiefly of its worst side—and I can assure you that it's not at all easy, really."
"But if I can get an engagement?" persisted Norah.
"Why, in that case we'll talk about it," said her father. "Yes, yes, there'll be plenty of time to talk about that later on. And now if you have no objection I should like to read what Mr. Balfour is saying about Protection. It's a pity you don't try to take some interest in the affairs of your country instead of— However, I suppose that's too much to expect from the younger generation."