George Eliot hadn't a college training, but of course she was a very great woman." Mrs.Bassett compressed her lips.

She had not liked this quotation from Mrs.Owen's utterances on this vexed question of higher education.

Could it be possible that Aunt Sally looked upon Marian as one of those colts for whom the trainer could do nothing?
It was not a reassuring thought; her apprehensions as to Sylvia's place in her kinswoman's affections were quickened by Sylvia's words; but Mrs.Bassett dropped the matter.
"I have never felt that young girls should read George Eliot.

She doesn't seem to me _quite_ an ideal to set before a young girl." As Sylvia knew nothing of George Eliot, except what she had gleaned from the biographical data in a text-book on nineteenth-century writers, she was unable to follow Mrs.Bassett.She had read "Mill on the Floss," and "Romola" and saw no reason why every one shouldn't enjoy them.
Mrs.Bassett twirled her closed parasol absently and studied the profile of the girl beside her.
"The requirements for college are not really so difficult, I suppose ?" she suggested.
Sylvia's dark eyes brightened as she faced her interlocutor.

Those of us who know Sylvia find that quick flash of humor in her eyes adorable.
"Oh, they can't be, for I answered most of the questions!" she exclaimed, and then, seeing no response in her inquisitor, she added soberly: "It's all set out in the catalogue and I have one with me.