Zoe and Clare first meet when they are 10. Miss Mattie does not want her granddaughter distracting Joshua from his work. At the same time, she does not want Clare to spend her time working or doing chores. As there are no other children on the farm, the old woman requests that Zoe become a playmate for Clare. The girls come from very different backgrounds, but quickly become close through shared games. They see each other only in the summer, but that is no obstacle to their friendship.

Clare gradually becomes confused about her own position in society. She is aware that she should receive the same treatment as other scholarship students, since her father is unable to pay her tuition. However, she a light-skinned child, which places her in a privileged position. At school the previous October during prayer, a girl who is as dark as Zoe experiences an epileptic seizure. None of the teachers or other students approach to help until the assembly is over. The school takes away the girl’s scholarship so as not to embarrass the school.

The summer they are 11, Clare comes to the country with a new bathing suit.