Margaret goes to Nancy’s house for the meeting of the secret club. It turns out there are only two other members, both from their class at the new school: Janie Louis and Gretchen Potter.

At the meeting, the four girls eat cookies and chat. Nancy teases Gretchen, who is a bit overweight, for taking too many cookies. Then the conversation turns to Laura Danker, the tall and big-breasted girl from class. Margaret learns that Laura “has a bad reputation.” Her body developed early, and that makes older guys, maybe even Mr. Benedict, show interest. Plus, Laura probably gets her period already.

The subject of periods worries Margaret because she has not started menstruating yet. When the others ask her about it, she admits the truth—and they all say they have not had their periods either. Margaret is relieved because she does not want to be the odd one out.

Nancy, who seems to be the boss of the secret club, says that everyone should think up a name for the group. Margaret has no ideas because she does not even know what the club does. Janie and Gretchen each make suggestions that get voted down. In the end, it is Nancy who comes up with the new name: they will be the four PTSs, or Pre-Teen Sensations.

Next, the girls agree to use secret names during club meetings, and they agree that everyone should make a rule about what the club will do. Nancy’s rule is that everyone has to wear a bra, which makes Margaret nervous because she does not wear one yet. Gretchen’s rule is that they have to tell each other when they get their periods. Janie’s rule is that everyone has to make a book containing the names of the boys they like. Then it is Margaret’s turn, and she cannot think of anything to add. After a bit of hemming and hawing, she says they should all agree on a certain day of the week to meet.

As it turns out, the business of agreeing on a meeting day is rather difficult. Gretchen has the most commitments because she attends Hebrew school on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Nancy asks if Margaret will attend this school, too, and Margaret says no. This impresses Nancy, who thinks it is cool for a kid to avoid both Sunday school and Hebrew school. She asks how Margaret manages it.

Somewhat uncomfortably, Margaret explains that her father grew up Jewish and her mother grew up Christian. When the two of them fell in love, both of their families resisted. In the end, Margaret’s parents eloped and chose not to practice any religion at all.

The other girls think this story is cool, but they say it will be hard for Margaret’s family to decide which activity center to join. After all, the Christians go to the Y, and the Jews go to the Jewish Community Center. When Margaret says her family is unlikely to join either one, the other girls reply that everyone belongs to one or the other. This bothers Margaret, who does not like being different.

That evening, Margaret nervously tells her mother she wants a bra. Her mother asks why, but Margaret refuses to give a reason. It is obvious to both of them that she does not need one yet, but her mother does not press this issue. She promises to take Margaret shopping on Saturday.

Before going to sleep that night, Margaret tells God about her plan to buy a bra. She asks whether she should go to the Y or the Jewish Community Center. “I want to be like everyone else,” she says.