A fragile Kansas girl's unrequited and forbidden love for a handsome young man from the town's most powerful family drives her to heartbreak and madness.

Miss Metcalf: Now, what do you think the poet means by this line ? Deanie Loomis.
Wilma Dean: I'm sorry, Miss Metcalf. I... I didn't hear the question.
Miss Metcalf: Well, I know it's Spring, Deanie, but I must ask you to pay more attention. I quoted some lines from Wordsworth's Ode on Intimations of Immortality, Deanie. Did you hear them ?
Wilma Dean: I'm afraid not Miss Metcalf.
Miss Metcalf: Well, then I must ask to turn your text to page 380...
Wilma Dean: Yes.
Miss Metcalf: You read the lines to me. Stand, please.
Wilma Dean: "Though nothing can bring back the hour/Of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower/We will grieve not. Rather find/Strengh in what remains behind..."
Miss Metcalf: Now, perhaps you can tell me exactly what the poet means by such expressions as "Splendor in the grass" and "Glory in the Flower".
Wilma Dean: Well, I think it have some...
Miss Metcalf: Yes ?
Wilma Dean: Well, when we're young, we looks at thing very idealistically I guess. And I think Woodsworth means that... that when we're grow-up... then, we have to... forget the ideals of youth... and find strength... Miss Metcalf, may I please be...?
Wilma Dean: Didn't you ever feel that way about Dad?
Mrs. Loomis: Your father never laid a hand on me until we were married. Then I... I just gave in because a wife has to. A woman doesn't enjoy those things the way a man does. She just lets her husband come near her in order to have children.
[last lines]
Wilma Dean: [voiceover] Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower, we will grieve not; rather find strength in what remains behind.
Mrs. Loomis: Ginny Stamper is too low for the dogs to bite.
Bud: Hi, sweetheart.
Wilma Dean: I suppose you wish I was more like Juanita Howard, don't you ?
Bud: What ?
Wilma Dean: I saw the way you were looking at her. I think she's disgraceful. Well, she stand there waiting for the...
Bud: Now wait a minute, wait a minute. There is no reason in the world why I shouldn't see her.
Wilma Dean: Then why were you speaking to her...
Bud: What ? You think I'm not suppose to notice her ? It's that what you expect out of me ? I'm not even suppose to know girls like that exist, eh ?
Wilma Dean: Bud, I'm sorry. I'm sorry Bud, honest.
Bud: All right, you're sorry.
Wilma Dean: Oh Bud, please don't be mad !
Bud: I'm not mad, Deanie.
Wilma Dean: Oh Bud, Bud, I just can't stand when you're mad at me...
Bud: Oh, Deanie I don't know the matter with me lately. I always lose my temper. You're the only girl in the world for me, don't you know that, Deanie ?
Wilma Dean: My pride? My pride? I don't want my pride!
Wilma Dean: No, mom! I'm not spoiled! I'm not spoiled mom! I'm just as fresh and virginal like the day I was born, mom!
Wilma Dean: Is it so terrible to have those feelings about a boy?
Mrs. Loomis: No nice girl does.
Bud: Deanie, you're a nice girl.
Wilma Dean: I'm not. I'm not a nice girl.
[first lines]
Wilma Dean: Bud...
Bud: Deanie, please...
Wilma Dean: Bud, I'm afraid. Oh, Bud... don't, Bud.
Bud: Deanie...
Wilma Dean: No... we mustn't, Bud... no... no...
[he gets out of the car]
Wilma Dean: Bud, don't be mad.
Bud: I better take you home.