In tales that combine realism with sentimentalism and in topical essays, Davis confronted a wide range of current issuesâ?"notably womenâ??s problemsâ?"as one who knew the frustration caused by the genteel femaleâ??s helpless social position and barriers against women entering the working world.

"This rich new collection, graced by a detailed scholarly introduction by Jean Pfaelzer, (is for) everyone from Davis scholars to those interested in the foremothers of modern social protest fiction". Laura Hapke, Belles Lettres