Something is unfolding, being revealed to me. I see that there's a whole world of of girls and their doings that has been unknown to me, and that I can be part of without making any effort at all. I don't have to keep up with anyone, run as fast, aim as well, make loud explosive noises, decode messages, die on cue. I don't have to think about whether I do these things well, as well as a boy. All I have to do is sit on the floor and cut frying pans our of the Eaton's Catalogue with embroidery scissors, and say I've done it badly.
The quote expresses a sense of liberation and discovery. The narrator realizes there exists a community of girls and their activities that she can join effortlessly. This realization brings relief as it allows her to step away from the pressures of competition and societal expectations often associated with boys. She highlights that she doesn't need to measure up to anyone else's standards or prove herself through performance.
Instead, she finds joy in simple, creative activities, like cutting shapes from a catalog, without the burden of self-judgment. The act of doing things "badly" becomes an acceptance of her unique identity and interests, contrasting sharply with the traditional norms of achievement. This moment indicates a profound shift towards embracing a path of self-expression and belonging within the female experience.