The old heartache over Marian's indifference to the call of higher education for women returned with a new poignancy as Mrs.Bassett inspected Sylvia's diploma, as proudly displayed by Mrs.Owen as though it marked the achievement of some near and dear member of the family.

Sylvia's undeniable good looks, her agreeable manner, her ready talk, and the attention she received from her elders, were well calculated to arm criticism in a prejudiced heart.
On the evening of their arrival Admiral and Mrs.Martin and the Reverend John Ware had called, and while Mrs.Bassett assured herself that these were, in a sense, visits of condolence upon Andrew Kelton's granddaughter, the trio, who were persons of distinction, had seemed sincerely interested in Mrs.Owen's protegee.

Mrs.Bassett was obliged to hear a lively dialogue between the minister and Sylvia touching some memory of his first encounter with her about the stars.

He brought her as a "commencement present" Bacon's "Essays." People listened to Sylvia; Sylvia had things to say! Even the gruff admiral paid her deference.

He demanded to know whether it was true that Sylvia had declined a position at the Naval Observatory, which required the calculation of tides for the Nautical Almanac.