Darsie Garnett stands out among her siblings. She has sparkle. It is that which causes her great-aunt to carry her off as a companion for a few weeks, much to Darsie's chagrin. But while there she grows up a bit, learns to see the value of even a crochety old relation, and makes some new friends.

Fast forward three years, and she's ready to realize her most treasured dream... going to Cambridge. Her friends, the bookish brother-and-sister Hannah and Dan, are going as well. Dan has been a quiet but steady friend to Darsie from their younger years, but Darsie is most drawn to Ralph, a charming neighbor of her great-aunt. He once saved her life, and she now feels bound to do whatever she can for him, especially when he starts getting a bit debauched. Can she really influence him to change?

I liked this, although I wanted the conclusion to be a bit more definite instead of just a hint of things to come.

The latter half of the book is a fun look at a turn-of-the-century girls' college. It really sounds pretty great.

As with "A Houseful of Girls," the tone reminded me of Louisa May Alcott, which means that there are morals to be gleaned, but they are handled with a better economy of words, and I do like the points brought out. ( )