Nesah scoffed when the painter said some of the poorest had done extraordinary things, and she would have objected, but the man continued speaking. She sat back and watched him as if trying to figure him out, while he made his suggestions. She was slightly offended that he began about money - although if her family did not support her, she might need funds to study in the first place. Still, she hadn't thought of that, hoping that if she got in, her family would support her. "Oh, I know most places are open to women now...." she said. "But many women have not had that same privilege in preparing as their brothers."

She placed her serviette on the table and resolved to be nicer to this man. He seemed well-connected in university circles and his influence might just be an opening. "You seem to move in very interesting circles... But do your friends know that many young women have spent their childhoods with governesses, receiving a rudimentary education, because they were forced to focus on their accomplishments? Many of them have no school leaving certificate, even if they have later taught themselves beyond the level of their brothers."

Her brothers were idiots.