Shelly usually ignores the spelling window, the window that her sister and their hearing-impaired neighbor, Seth, use when they sign to each other. And she resents the way her sister stands up for Seth. Why should she have to make allowances for him, Shelly wonders.
Her trip to the state capitol is nearly ruined when Shelly is embarrassed by Seth's loud voice and his exuberance. She is not convinced, as her sister seems to be, that a boy who cannot hear has as much reason as anyone else to go on a field trip.
But it is during the trip that an accident prompts Shelly to see her actions in a new light. She makes a surprising variation to the spelling window and sign language, and she finds that Seth can make allowances for her.
