An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott

Later, when Trix goes to New York for a week, Frances asks Tom to escort Polly and her to the opera. Jane has attempted suicide due to insufficient work, and Polly convinces them to send work to her. She is uncomfortable among the gossipy women, but tells them about Jane Bryant, an invalid who lives in the rooming house. Polly invites the Shaws and Sydney to a recital of vocal and instrumental works at her lodgings and is herself invited to a sewing circle tea party. Later, after Tom has played a practical joke on one of his university professors, the dean sends a letter to his father but his mother intercepts it. Polly then sings for the guests and wins some of them over. They go for a walk, and much to Frances' dismay, dance with each other at the party. After she meets Trix, who treats her like a country bumpkin, Polly decides to leave but runs into Sydney, who is arriving. Sydney, and is invited to an elaborate party at her home, where she is snubbed by the other young women because she has a career.

Three weeks later, with her classes underway, Polly receives a visit from Frances, who is being courted half-heartedly by Mr. Polly, who is enamoured of Tom, is dismayed to learn that he is engaged to Trix Parker. Parents Anastasia and Edward, son Tom, sister Frances and younger sister Maud were expecting Polly to stay with them, but she has chosen the rooming house as she intends to give singing lessons in order to help support her family. After she has settled in, she goes to visit the Shaw family, to whom she is distantly related and with whom she stayed previously. In the fall of 1870, Polly Milton travels with all her belongings from Lincoln to Boston, Massachusetts, where she takes lodgings at Miss Mills's Rooming House.

An Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott