Chapter 2:

Almanzo is still at the Ingalls home. Caroline is rinsing out Almanzo's shirt. Charles let Almanzo wear one of his his until his shirt was ready. As Caroline is heading outside to hang up Almanzo's shirt she says, "Almanzo, it appears you upset Laura and you should apologize."

Charles interrupts and says, "Caroline, I think we should let them work it out."

Charles sees Almanzo out the door and back to his horse and wagon and Almanzo explains to Charles why the fuss over pancakes, "I just told Laura that I think we should use Royal's pancake recipe."

Charles advises, "Well I wouldn't worry about it, son. You got to learn women need time to calm down and think things through. From a business point of view as far as raising more money for those who are suffering at Grays Corners I agree with you. Your brother does make great pancakes. Be patient with Laura she'll come around. Just wait and see."

Almanzo removes his hat, scratches his head, put his hat back on and says, "Mr. Ingalls, this talk helped me out alot and I want to thank you Mr. Ingalls, so thank you," as he extends his hand for a handshake.

Charles shakes his hands and says, "You're welcome, son."

Almanzo drives off back to Laura as he says, "I'll tell her I love her."

Charles answers, "You do that son."

Caroline is watching the whole thing from the window and before Charles comes back in the house Caroline goes to the stove and starts to prepare supper. Charles comes in and says, "It's all taken care of and he's going home and telling Laura..."

Caroline interrupts, "Charles, really i saw you out there agreeing with Almanzo against your daughter. The nerve of you, Charles and you can fix your own supper!"

Caroline rushes out of the house fighting back tears saying to herself, "I will sleep in the soddy."

Charles tries to finish what he just started to say now feeling down, "... and tell her he loves her."

Grace is just sitting on her bed playing with Bandit not paying attention to what is really going on.

Albert and Carrie look at each other and sigh over the discontent in their home. Carrie says, "I'll make supper Pa, Ma showed me how."

Albert mentions, "I would help but remember when the coffee exploded all over the meat and potatoes I tried to cook when the outlaws unbeknown to us took refuge at the Blind School?"

Charles grins and chuckles and hugs Carrie and Albert for their act of love at a time like this.

The next day at the Mercantile Mrs. Foster is buying some yarn from Harriet Olsen when Harriet says, "I heard," She looks around as if she was going to sneakily tell a secret, "I heard Caroline is going to leave Charles over something to do with pancakes and the same with Almanzo and Laura."

Nels was counting pitchforks in the store room. Nels comes around the corner but before he speaks he notices Mrs. Foster was just leaving. He speaks and boy does he speak, "HARRIET OLSEN, how dare you spread gossip like that! I don't want to ever hear you say a unkind word about anyone again! It's' time I put my foot down. I'm a better cook than you! If Royal's got the best pancake recipe than bravo for him. Besides this whole thing was to help those poor folks in Grays Corner. Let Caroline and Charles work out their own problems and let Laura and Almanzo work out theirs and Mrs. Olsen since you let Nellie and Willie get away with not pulling their weight around here you get in the kitchen and do those pile of dishes left over from supper and breakfast this morning. Now get to work WOMAN!"

Harriet is shocked and a little afraid that her "Mouse" has become a "Lion" obediently heads for the kitchen saying, "YES, Nels."

Jonathan and Alice Garvey step in the Mercantile just than. Alice approaches the counter and Nels says in a chipper voice, "Yes Mrs. Garvey, how may I help you?"

Alice answers, We came in for some cheese?"

Jonathan grins and chuckles a little.

Alice pays for the cheese.

Jonathan and Alice are now driving back home from the Mercantile. Alice is holding the cheese they purchased on her lap sitting beside her husband. Jonathan glances down at the cheese a couple of times and laughs until finally Alice responds, "Please stop it, Jonathan. Mr. Olsen got some real courage to tell his wife to stop meddling in other people's affairs. Enough is enough honey," she chuckles a little.

Jonathan asks, "How do you feel about the fussing?"

Alice replies, "Well our friends are involved and I'm heartbroken for them. I suppose Almanzo really didn't mean any harm with his suggestion. I just pray our friends the Wilders and the Ingalls work this out reasonably."

Jonathan sighs, "I guess if I hadn't mentioned pancakes this wouldn't have happened. I blame myself."

Alice answers, "Don't blame yourself you didn't mean anything by it. Besides you can't blame yourself for something you didn't control. It will all be all right. I know the Ingalls and I know the Wilders deep down they love each. Love will win out I'm sure. The Reverend said that very same thing in his Sunday sermon about a month ago."

Jonathan replies, "That takes a load off my mind. Alice, I guess they ain't no fussing over pancakes in the Bible is there?"

Alice slightly hits Jonathan in the arm with her handbag and says, "I never heard of any such like. Oh Jonathan, I sure the principals are in the Bible over such matters."

Jonathan answers, "Don't worry, Alice I was just joshing you. Let's not fuss over it."

Alice Smiles at Jonathan and puts her arms around the arm she just hit and Jonathan smiles back places the reigns in one hand the same arm Alice is embracing and with the free hand Jonathan places his big hand over Alice's two small hands and they both say to each other, "I love you!"

Will the Garveys be able to help their friends The Ingalls and The Wilders make up?

To Be Continued