Peg and Nettie are a little embarrassed by their room mate, Mary, especially after Eleanor Joyce, the oracle of the Art School, labels her bourgeois. They have a particular objection to her long hair, but are taken aback when Stephen Vardis, Eleanor's successful artist cousin, waxes lyrical about her hair, announces his dislike of shingled hair, and asks to paint her portrait. As Stephen spends more and more time with Mary they expect an engagement, but Mary has another surprise for them.