Chapter 4 Summary

Valancy's cousin and mother make sure that Valancy has on her rubber boots and warm petticoat because Valancy is prone to colds. As Valancy walks uptown, she notices that the Stirling house is the ugliest house on the block. She covets a new house that Clayton Markley has built and furnished for his bride-to-be, Jennie Lloyd. Valancy doesn't even covet the man as much as she envies Jenny for the house that will be her house.

Chapter 4 Analysis

Valancy is suffering from "the grass is always greener on the other side" syndrome. She is jealous of what she doesn't have and what she has not experienced, but she sees others enjoy. In a way, Valancy remains childlike because her family treats her as if she is a child, but then condemns her for never marrying.