Mr. Hal Cuthbert opened the debate.
"It's a dreadfully overcrowded profession you are thinking of embarking on, Miss Stornway, and unless you have influence or money, even talent has a hard fight."
"I have no influence, and very little money, and I don't really know that I've got any special talent," declared this applicant for stage honours, making no attempt to conceal the true state of affairs.
Mr. Cuthbert shook his head portentously.
"That is not a very hopeful prospect," he declared. "Haven't you got a voice? There's a piano yonder. Let's hear what you can do."
Evarne in her turn shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't sing," she said regretfully. "I've never had my voice trained at all."
A momentary silence seized the party.
"Perhaps you can dance?" suggested Margaret Macclesfield, hopefully.
"Only ordinary ballroom dances."
"That's no go," and a silence still more melancholy, more profound, held sway.