People in this small village find it difficult to accept a woman physician. Also, there is a very personable male physician, George Sims, in the village to offer competition. Helen's debts are beginning to pile up. She has made a good friend in Miss Beatrice Keats-Madderly, but Miss Keats-Madderly went to Dr. Sims when she needed medical treatment. Helen had received an anonymous letter, but paid no attention to it. It was a great shock to her when her friend, Miss Keats-Madderly committed suicide apparently because of one of these letters. The letter was found burned and unreadable in the fireplace.