Boston: Houghton, Mifflin and Company, 1884.

Fourth edition.

An important book portraying a woman deciding to pursue a career in medicine and turning her back on domestic life. The story was strongly influenced by Jewett’s own father, who was a physician and whom she regularly accompanied his rounds. The plot follows Nan Prince, the ward of Dr. Leslie Prince, who quickly has to decide between her chosen career path, and the expectations which society holds for her.

"All people, regardless of sex, receive individual vocational calls".

8vo., green fine-ribbed publisher’s cloth, embossed and lettered in red to upper board; spine lettered in gilt; matching green coated endpapers; pp. [viii], 351, [ii], 2-12 [ads]; [ii]; a few pages entirely unopened; others opened a little roughly (p.13-14); the odd crease and finger mark; previous owner’s name stamp to first two endpapers; and contemporary inscription to p. [i]; boards a little rubbed and pushed at edges and along spine; a couple of small white stains to lower board; very good.