 Why was Socks a part of this story?
Mrs. Lane smiled gently and placed her soft white hand on her daughter’s lean brown one. We both want to do what’s best for you, not to stand in your way. “None of them is as fascinating as acting to me,” Peggy replied, “and none of them is nearly as important to my life.” We think you’re wonderful, but the theater is full of young girls whose parents thought they were the most talented things alive; girls who won all kinds of applause in high-school and college plays; girls who have everything except luck. You may be one of these girls, and if you are, we want you to be prepared for it. I don’t see how you could miss being the biggest success ever—but I’m your father, not a Broadway critic or a play producer, and I could be wrong. All I ask is that you finish college and get a teacher’s certificate so that you can always find useful work if you have to. What I want to prove in this year is that I can act. If she were all starry-eyed and expected to see her name in lights in a few weeks, I’d vote against her going, but I’m beginning to think that maybe she’s right about this being the best time.” “Peg, your mother and I are cautious only because we love you so much and want what’s going to make you happy.
 Technically Socks helped Peggy pass the time, but Socks also gives us more of an idea of what Peggy's life at home is like and how wonderful it is.
 Technically Socks helped Peggy pass the time, but Socks also gives us more of an idea of what Peggy's life at home is like and how wonderful it is.  Peggy talks to Socks about all her major life decisions.  Peggy might reconsider staying home because of how much she loves Socks.  She only helped Peggy pass time while her parents made a decision.