In high school she liked Latin and the balances of algebra.
Her mother had died years before and her father married again.
The new wife was solicitous for her husband. “A workingman
         —has he the means for this education of a girl.”
They took her out of school and got her a job as a bookkeeper.

A student at one of the universities whom she had met in high 
        school, began to call.
She herself had been reading, but evenings are too short;
        besides, her reading was haphazard.
They talked of books that he knew and what was good in his
        lectures. Her stepmother and father said. “It will be years
        before he’ll finish his studies and make a living. When
        he’ll be ready to marry, you’ll be too old. He’s wasting your time.”
It was useless talking to her, but they spoke to him and he stopped calling.

A salesman, professionally good-humored, introduced him-
        self to her father. A good match, they all said. Besides,
        home was uncomfortable with a nagging stepmother.