Patricia and isabel osullivan arrive at st. claire's, a girls' college, to study and reside. in their place, they meet alison, wella, catherine, and doris, who also dwell at st. claire's. the group of five young women bond quickly and enjoy playing games together for hours on end, maintaining harmony until the arrival of winfred, a rude, sulky girl with an antisocial personality, who is likely to cause trouble for the osullivan twins and their friends.