The Carter Girl’s Mysterious Neighbors

The Carter Girls, by Nell Speed (Emma Speed Sampson) is a 4-book series published by Hurst & Co. from 1917 to 1924, reprinted by A. L. Burt. The feminist themes of the stories are fascinating, woven around the the girls' (Douglas, Helen, Nan, and Lucy) struggle to support themselves and the family after their father has a nervous collapse. In this, they have an ongoing battle with their mother, a lady with a decidedly unfeminist point of view. Commenting on Douglas' acceptance at Bryn Mawr, Mrs. Carter says, "... I'm glad to say she has given up all idea of that foolishness. I am very anxious for her to make her debut." Douglas, of course, has 'given up that foolishness' only because of the family's financial constraints. This book was published in 1921.