A sixteen-year-old who had been living on her own since her mother died, frequently gets in trouble with the police. She gets sent to an "institute" for young girls in the countryside. There the residents grow their own food, cook and clean for themselves, and are taught language, music, and sewing. While there the young girl slowly begins to form friendships and come out of her shell.
Sumiko Nakamura
The unfortunate Sumiko is sent from place to place: to live with her alcoholic uncle, then sold to the circus, then adopted by a wealthy family, and finally sent to a Christian orphanage.
