Growing Up at Last

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory: "But there is clearly a third sort and that is the woman that men neither marry nor take as their mistresses. Women that go home alone for christmas. And that seems to be you, my sister. Good day." (Gregory 242) Mary finally stands up to Anne! Mary seems to be growing up and realizing how much power she has over her sister and she's discovering ways to use it with class.
I think when Mary doesn't want the king anymore she's showing how naive she was and how it was just an infatuation and nothing real. (Not real love, what she thought it was.) When Anne leaves for christmas, it gives Mary a chance to be free from Anne's brittle and mean comments. Plus the fact that Mary is almost twenty now, not her youthful, immature preteen years, she has more insight and a clearer head.
I should also point out how her brother, George, is a homosexual. It's ironic because he is the envy of the court with his charm and good looks. He's betrothed to Jane Parker, a nasty lady-in-waiting and he despises her with all his heart, as well as Anne and Mary.