The Cost

"The Cost" by David Graham Phillips is a likely written during the late 19th century. The opening chapter introduces the main character, Pauline Gardiner, a spirited young girl who navigates the complexities of youth, friendship, and early romantic feelings against the backdrop of her relationships with her peers, particularly John Dumont and Hampden Scarborough. The narrative sets up themes of social standing, personal growth, and the clash between parental expectations and individual desires...