No way to handle things
Thea and Anna pound along the road, skipping, jumping, letting their woolen dresses blow in the cool air that whooshes past them. They play a game, who will let their dress fly the highest. Anna giggles, she is modest but she wants to impress Thea, hear Thea's praise and hold her warm, sweaty hand as she did last Sunday after church. Anna's dress flies up and catches the breeze, exposing her underclothes for just a fraction of a second and Thea claps, both giggling, but Anna is embarrassed. For she has been taught this game is not for children like herself, not for skinny, pretty Thea who is almost eight months younger.
Thea twirls around merrily, letting her frock become a ballroom gown that spreads out in the wind. She throws her head back and laughs, tight braids swinging. All is perfect and right with the world until Thea spots Georg and Otto in the distance. She runs into the woods, pushing her dress down as Anna runs after her, calling her name, bewildered by the boys' sudden appearance and Thea's embarrassment because she thought this wonderful game was only for the two of them.