 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. You may be one of these girls, and if you are, we want you to be prepared for it. 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. “Peg, your mother and I are cautious only because we love you so much and want what’s going to make you happy. Before I came out here to Rockport to edit the Eagle , I worked as a reporter on one of the best papers in New York. Its musty but clean scent of straw and horses and leather made her feel calm and alive. Breathing in its odor gratefully, she walked into the half-dark to Socks’s stall. Socks took it eagerly and pushed her nose against Peggy’s hand in appreciation. As Peggy mixed some oats and barley for her pet and checked to see that there was enough straw in the stall, she thought about her life in Rockport and the new life that she might soon be going to. And of course, all of this was in addition to the usual growing-up pleasures of swimming and sailing, movie dates, and formal dances—everything that a girl could want. Peggy had lived all her life here, knew every tree-shaded street, every country road, field, lake, and stream. All of her friends were here, friends she had known since her earliest baby days.
 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.