Mrs.Woodward was one of those parents who expect their children to gain the prizes which they were incapable of winning for themselves.

She had claimed a kind of second-hand credit in her daughter's triumph.

Winona knew from past experience that so keen a disappointment would involve a string of reproaches, regrets and fretting.

She would probably never hear the last of it.

The family hopes had been pinned upon her success, and to frustrate them was to court utter disgrace.