Final answer:
Emaline is expressing surprise at modern attire, specifically swimwear, as it contrasts with her usual experience of bathing without clothes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Emaline's statement, "A bathin' suit! Gosh, back home, folks still take a bath with nothin' on," expresses surprise at modern attire. In this context, Emaline is likely encountering swimwear for the first time and is comparing it to the more natural and unencumbered practice of bathing without clothes that she is accustomed to. Her reaction underscores a contrast between her familiar ways and the new customs that include wearing specialized clothing for bathing or swimming activities. This encounter could highlight the cultural or societal shifts in attitudes toward modesty, practicality, and the commercialization of everyday life.