The protagonist feels a sense of liberation as she walks down the stairs, realizing she wouldn’t have done so if her father were present. Her father has strict views on propriety for women, especially regarding smoking. He believes that a woman should only smoke in certain private contexts and only when invited, emphasizing a strict code of behavior that she finds oppressive. These views are so ingrained in him that he sees them as unquestionable truths.

Despite her time at Girton, where she was exposed to a more sophisticated and liberal environment, she still lacks the confidence to challenge her father's outdated beliefs. The conflict between her desire for independence and her father's controlling nature creates a tension that reflects broader themes of societal expectations and personal freedom. She finds herself torn between the influences of her upbringing and her experiences at university.