Eleven-year-old Esmerald and her family are poor cranberry farmers in America, although they are originally from Eastern Europe. The family is in the barn sorting through berries, and Esmerald's older sister Alina has curled her hair and dressed up in anticipation of something. This anticipated event is the arrival of Warren Perkins and his father, wealthy neighbors who come to the farm in an automobile. Warren says hello to the girls and teases Esmerald about her shyness. He invites Alina to dinner the following night, although the girls' parents will not allow Alina to go in the car. When Warren comes the following night, he teases Esmerald again and she becomes aware for the first time of how skimpy her dress is. Alina returns late in the night from dinner, which angers her father. Warren has invited her to a show at the church that evening, but the father and mother will not allow Alina to go. So, Alina offers to take Esmerald with her so she will not be alone with Warren, which the parents agree to. Warren teases Esmerald on the walk to the church, but she does not care and is just happy to be out. In the church, Warren sits between Alina and Esmerald, and rests his hand on Esmerald's thigh, which makes her uncomfortable. As soon as the show is over, she runs outside to get away from him. Warren runs after her, and she knocks his cap off. Alina is angry at Esmerald's behavior and chastises her. Esmerald tags Warren so that she can run home away from him. When they all get home, Esmerald refuses to say goodnight to Warren. When the two sisters are back in the house, Alina yells at Esmerald for flirting with Warren, and she is very upset. They go to bed, and Alina is silently crying next to Esmerald. Esmerald tries to explain that she didn't mean it, but Alina will not listen. Esmerald wishes that it was morning so that she could experience things she is used to, and she notes how frightening the sound of the clock is when one has to hear it all alone.