Patience knew she couldn't be more different from the sort of women Dutch surgeon Julius van der Beek seemed to attract. After all, she was a quiet country girl with a somewhat unique taste in clothes-and an assertive personality to match! Yet she was attracted to him. Not that she had any hope of him noticing her, particularly with the glamorous Sylvia van Teule already at his side....

A 14-year-old country girl, Polly Milton, visits her friend Fanny Shaw and her wealthy family in the city for the first time. Poor Polly is, overwhelmed by the splendor and their urbanized, fashionable lifestyles, expensive clothes and other habits she has never been exposed to. Fanny's friends reject her because of her different behavior and simple clothing, and Fan herself can't help considering her unusual sometimes. However, Polly's warmth, support...