“Ah, we must have some Richmond Gems or Turkish. I wish, pa, when you go into town, you would get me some Turkish.”
"I will do nothing of the kind. I do not at all think that it is a fitting habit for young ladies. I do not agree with Mrs. Wesimacott upon the point.”
“Really, pa! It was you who advised us to imitate her.”
“But with discrimination. What is it that you are drinking, Clara?"
“Rum, papa.”
“Rum? In the morning?" He sat down and rubbed his eyes as one who tries to shake off some evil dream. “Did you say rum?”
“Yes, pa. They all drink it in the profession which I am going to take up.”
“Profession, Clara?"
“Mrs. Westmacott says that every woman should follow a calling, and that we ought to choose those which women have always avoided.”
“Quite so.”
"Well, I am going to act upon her advice. I am going to be a pilot.”
“My dear Clara! A pilot! This is too much.”
“This is a beautiful book, papa. ’The Lights, Beacons, Buoys, Channels, and Landmarks of Great Britain.’ Here is another, ‘The Master Mariner's Handbook.’ You can’t imagine how interesting it is."
