The next day Elizabeth visited an old family friend who had been practicing medicine for many years. When she told him of her intentions, Dr. Melton’s eyebrows nearly took leave of his head, but he quickly settled himself and said, “Well, that is a brilliant idea, Miss Blackwell, but clearly it is an impossible one.”

“But if it is truly a brilliant idea, then it must be possible,” Elizabeth countered.

Dr. Melton shrugged and said, “Perhaps it will be possible someday.” Then he added, “But while you’re waiting for someday, you may borrow from my library if you wish.”

Which line from the excerpt provides an implied detail about the restrictions women faced during Elizabeth’s time?

“Well, that is a brilliant idea, Miss Blackwell, but clearly it is an impossible one.”
“. . . you may borrow from my library if you wish.”
. . . Elizabeth visited an old family friend who had been practicing medicine . . .
When she told him of her intentions, Dr. Melton’s eyebrows nearly took leave of his head . . .