Her father did not miss that note.

He was thinking of another phrase.
"Now, why shouldn't you say that or something like that, my father ?" cried the girl.

"Something to set the House laughing before the Minister of the Annexation Department has had time to reply?
You can do it, you know." "I believe I could," said Mr.Ayrton thoughtfully.

"But why, my child; why ?" "Why! Why! Oh, if one only said good things when there was a reason for saying them, how dull we should all be! Any stick for a dog--any jest is good enough for the House of Commons." "Yes; but suppose it is inferred that I am not on the side of the missionaries?
What about Hazelborough ?" Hazelborough was the constituency which Mr.Ayrton represented in the House of Commons.
"My dear father, where would you be if you couldn't steer through the Hazelborough prejudices now and again?
You can always say something so good as to make people not care which way it cuts." "What?
Oh, Phyllis! I am ashamed of you.

Besides, the people of Hazelborough have got to be extremely sensitive.