They had seated themselves at the tea-table; it was evident that Miss Fraley had found it a hard day, for she looked tired and worn.  The mistress of the house was dressed in her best and most imposing clothes, and sat solemnly in her place.  A careful observer might have seen that the best blue teacups with their scalloped edges were not set forth.  The occasion wore the air of a tribunal rather than that of a festival, and it was impossible not to feel a difference between it and the former tea-party.

Miss Prince was not particularly sensitive to moods and atmospheres; she happened to be in very good spirits, and talked for some time before she became entirely aware that something had gone wrong, but presently faltered, and fell under the ban, looking questioningly toward poor Eunice, who busied herself with the tea-tray.

“Nancy,” said Mrs. Fraley impatiently, “I was amazed to find that there is a story going about town that your niece here is studying to be a doctor.  I hope that you don’t countenance any such nonsense?”

Miss Prince looked helpless and confounded, and turned her eyes toward her niece.  She could only hope at such a mortifying juncture that Nan was ready to explain, or at least to shoulder the responsibility.

“Indeed she doesn’t give me any encouragement, Mrs. Fraley,” said Nan, fearlessly.  “Only this morning she saw a work on ventilation in my room and told me it wasn’t proper reading for a young woman.”

“I really didn’t look at the title,” said Miss Prince, smiling in spite of herself.

“It doesn’t seem to improve the health of you young folks because you think it necessary to become familiar with such subjects,” announced the irate old lady.  It was her habit to take a very slight refreshment at the usual tea hour, and supplement it by a substantial lunch at bed-time, and so now she was not only at leisure herself, but demanded the attention of her guests.  She had evidently prepared an opinion, and was determined to give it.  Miss Eunice grew smaller and thinner than ever, and fairly shivered with shame behind the tea-tray.  She looked steadily at the big sugar-bowl, as if she were thinking whether she might creep into it and pull something over her head.  She never liked an argument, even if it were a good-natured one, and always had a vague sense of personal guilt and danger.

“In my time,” Mrs. Fraley continued, “it was thought proper for young women to show an interest in household affairs.  When I was married it was not asked whether I was acquainted with dissecting-rooms.”

“But I don’t think there is any need of that,” replied Nan.  “I think such things are the duty of professional men and women only.  I am very far from believing that every girl ought to be a surgeon any more than that she ought to be an astronomer.  And as for the younger people’s being less strong than the old, I am afraid it is their own fault, since we understand the laws of health better than we used.  ’Who breaks, pays,’ you know.”