fathers. They have universities all for themselves, I am told, and there
are women doctors, I hear. Surely they should rest contented. What
more can they want?"

"You are a sailor, and sailors are always chivalrous. If you could see
how things really are, you would change your opinion. What are the poor
things to do? There are so many of them and so few things to which they
can turn their hands. Governesses? But there are hardly any
situations. Music and drawing? There is not one in fifty who has any
special talent in that direction. Medicine? It is still surrounded with
difficulties for women, and it takes many years and a small fortune to
qualify. Nursing? It is hard work ill paid, and none but the strongest
can stand it. What would you have them do then, Admiral? Sit down and
starve?"

"Tut, tut! It is not so bad as that."

"The pressure is terrible. Advertise for a lady companion at ten
shillings a week, which is less than a cook's wage, and see how many
answers you get. There is no hope, no outlook, for these struggling
thousands. Life is a dull, sordid struggle, leading down to a cheerless
old age. Yet when we try to bring some little ray of hope, some chance,
however distant, of something better, we are told by chivalrous
gentlemen that it is against their principles to help."

The Admiral winced, but shook his head in dissent.

"There is banking, the law, veterinary surgery, government offices, the
civil service, all these at least should be thrown freely open to women,
if they have brains enough to compete successfully for them. Then if