Question!

[rain-ing.livejournal.com]

Hello! I am new to this community! I just read King of Attolia and I had some questions, and MWT very kindly directed me here. btw this site is fabulous! i'll have to spend at least a few days reading all the backdated comments and entries :) It's rather late here, so i'll make my introductions another day :P

Anyway, here is my question. What is the significance of Gen pulling hair pins out of Irene's hair when they were square dancing? I read it several times over, but I did not quite understand the full meaning of it.

Any suggestions?