Chapters 13-14 Summary and Analysis

The philosophy of Swinbrook House was that girls should have enough education to manage a household and staff of servants. They only need learn enough arithmetic to manage the household accounts. Not many of the girls are content with this role in life. Jessica is very moody and unhappy with her situation, but her mother says that this would change after she was married. Marriage results in a woman having things to do, like running the household. She doesn't feel that Jessica is making any progress in this direction and feels she needs a change. In the spring of 1936, Boud, Debo, Jessica, and Muv depart for a Mediterranean cruise.

The cruise is an educational tour, with many students and university people. All three girls engage in harmless shocking behavior to test their mother. Near the end of the cruise...