Pei touches on two specific subjects that seem especially pertinent in today's society, love affairs and antiSemitism. The love affairs about which Pei writes include both premarital and extra-marital, both of which he treats with a good deal of sensitivity. Premarital love affairs are looked upon with more tolerance; Augusta's early relationships with Jerry and Allan appear much more simple than the ones in her present, and Pei shows Karen's relationship with George in a tender manner. His characters do not condemn premarital sex but accept it as a fact of life. Augusta even tells Karen, "If you do take him to your room some night, don't stop because of me," but she also makes the point that Karen should not make love with George unless she feels ready. Through Karen, the point is made that not all teen-agers are ready.

When Augusta mentions this, Karen...