This is one of the more public Lapham disgraces. Although the whole family is happy living on Nankeen Square, Persis and Silas want good opportunities for their daughters. As Persis says, “If the girls are going to keep on living in Boston, and marry here, I presume we ought to try to get them into society, some way” (29). Although they have lived in Boston for twelve years, they still haven’t really entered society there. Silas Lapham then decides to build on his lot in the more fashionable Back Bay. Of course, they only start thinking seriously about this after Mrs. Corey and her daughters pay a visit, showing up in the evening because the driver of their coach had gotten lost. As Anna explains, “nearly all our friends live on the New Land or on the Hill” (29). The Coreys have many friends throughout Boston, but don’t know the location of Nankeen Square. The Laphams bought the house there in the first place from a gentleman of means who realized right after he bought it that it wasn’t a good enough location for him. Again, it took the Laphams twelve years to realize this. Anyway, they soon resolve to move to the Back Bay, on the New Land. Of course, when Mrs. Corey hears of this, she condescendingly remarks “it is getting very common down there” (73).