This section of the novel opens with Claudia's memory of how the first twigs of that spring made for painful switching because the twigs were so supple. On one particular Saturday, Claudia spent most of an afternoon outside. When she returned home, her mother was upset and singing the blues. Claudia looked for Frieda to find out what was wrong. Frieda was in tears when Claudia found her. Frieda told Claudia that their parents had beaten up Mr. Henry after they discovered that he had fondled Frieda's breast while the couple was working in the garden. Mr. MacTeer fired a shotgun at Mr. Henry, who ran so fast that he jumped out of his shoes.

Claudia was jealous that Frieda had once again experienced something before her until Frieda explained that what happened was a bad thing. Frieda feared that she was "ruined" (101), although the girls were not completely sure what being ruined meant. Maginot Line was certainly ruined, and since she was obese, the girls assumed that being ruined must have something to do with one's weight.

Claudia tried to reassure her sister by telling her that exercise would likely prevent her from being ruined. Claudia then realized that China and Poland were ruined as well but not fat, apparently because they lived mostly on whiskey.