Contrary Mary

To make ends meet after her sister's marriage, Mary Ballard takes a lodger, Roger Poole, into the house where she lives with her troubled younger brother, their housekeeper, and her aunt as chaperon. Her friends and relatives disapprove -- they want her to marry a childhood friend and be taken care of, but Mary wants to work and make her own way in the world. Roger has his own troubles. Touches of early feminism and fine character development elevate this novel from routine romances.