“There was something strange about this country of America, something that they all seemed to share and understand and she did not.” 

Kit experiences an early sense of foreboding that she might not fit into life in the colonies. Aside from her colorful clothing and aristocratic ways, she fails to realize the underlying mindset of intolerance and superstition that pervades the Puritan mentality. Failing to fit in can prove dangerous for an outsider.

“She tried to tell him of her own childhood, and it was as though they each spoke a totally different language.”

Kit and John have become friends on shipboard, but the young divinity student comes from a humble background, and his thoughts are entirely devoted to pleasing God. Kit has no context for relating to his life experience. 

“You will fit yourself to our ways and do no more to interrupt the work of the household or to turn the heads of my daughters with your vanity.”

Uncle Matthew makes it quite clear that Kit must adapt to Puritan ways because no one is going to accept her as she is. His attitude is not unusual for the elders in his religious community. While Puritans demanded religious tolerance and came to America to create it, they do not accord the same tolerance to anybody else.