At the end of her first year, Berenson was invited to return to Smith in fall when her original, temporary position was made permanent. With the expectation of a future income, plus a financial contribution from her brother Bernard whom she hadn't seen for several years, she decided to spend the summer in Europe to visit him. Bernard initially discouraged her visit, because he was in a relationship with a married woman, Mary Costelloe. His concerns were apt; the visit was strained whenever Mary was present, but Bernard took pleasure in showing his sister around Europe and introducing her to his friends. When Berenson returned, she continued to develop her gymnastics program as the Instructor in Gymnastics but pursued other interests with the aid of a part-time assistant. She had visited a number of art galleries during her summer with Bernard, and she keep up her interest in art. She corresponded with Bernard regularly, who was happy to hear of her interest in art. He was not yet convinced that her career in gymnastics was wise, hoping that she would abandon it for a career in art. Berenson wrote often about art, partly to show Bernard she could keep up with him intellectually. She did not emphasize her work, although she did send him a picture of herself in her gymnastics outfit. She was also involved in campus theater, starting with play reading and continuing with appearances in several plays. She played the lead role in a William Dean Howells play "Unexpected Guest", which was so well-received, they performed it a second time.