It was the day of the play. The clothes were ready. All five of the boys had to wear a light green shirt with a dark green trousers and black shoes. Some of them had a shorter trousers, something that shows that not all families were able to afford new clothes for their kids. The girl had a dress on. It was the last scene, were she had to determine who has brought the best flowers.
The play has ended with a clap from the audience. The kids stood up for the clap, before leaving the stage through the corridor. They went in the back, changed back to their clothes. But, the girl refused to. She kept her dress on, despite the attempts to ask her to change. Then, they allowed her to leave. She went back home. Her mother greeted her at the door and praised her dress. The girl went straight to the mirror. She looked at the dress. It was the best she had got since the passing of her father. She changed and took the dress back to her mother. She told her that they allowed them to keep it. She told her mom something about the colors and fitting. But, it was clear that all she wanted was, to get some pennies in exchange for it, to help her mother in affording the next rent.
Era o dia da peça. As roupas estavam prontas. Os cinco meninos tinham que usar camisa verde-clara com calça verde-escura e sapatos pretos. Alguns deles usavam calças mais curtas, o que demonstrava que nem todas as famílias tinham condições de comprar roupas novas para os filhos. A menina estava de vestido. Era a última cena, na qual ela tinha que escolher quem havia trazido as melhores flores.
A peça terminou com aplausos da plateia. As crianças se levantaram para aplaudir antes de saírem do palco pelo corredor. Foram para os bastidores, trocaram de roupa e vestiram seus trajes. Mas a menina se recusou. Ela manteve o vestido, apesar das tentativas de convencê-la a trocar. Então, permitiram que ela saísse. Ela voltou para casa. Sua mãe a recebeu na porta e elogiou o vestido. A menina foi direto para o espelho. Olhou para o vestido. Era o melhor que tinha desde a morte do pai. Ela se trocou e levou o vestido de volta para a mãe. Disse que eles haviam permitido que ficassem com ele. Comentou com a mãe sobre as cores e o caimento. Mas ficou claro que tudo o que ela queria era conseguir alguns centavos em troca para ajudar sua mãe a pagar o próximo aluguel.
