Chapter 4

Next day, Wednesday, Jonathan is making a delivery out to the Wilder place and Alice goes along. Jonathan and Almanzo unload. Alice goes to the house and is welcomed by Laura who offers her some lemonade. Alice looks at the lemonade and hopes Laura doesn't get mad and splash it on her. Alice sips on her lemonade and then sits her glass down on a table between the chairs she and Laura are sitting on. Alice speaks, "Jonathan had a delivery out here but I also came because I wanted to talk to you. Laura, you have been true friends to me and Jonathan. I have been married for some time now. Has it always been smooth? No, I've learned something one of the beautiful things about marriage and God knew exactly what He was doing is that male and female are different. God told man to tend the Garden of Eden, women to be a helpmeet, a helper suitable to her man. God gave man the mind of business. Hard facts sums the bottom line. God gave women the beauty and harmony of making life all the worthwhile. You know Almanzo loves you and never meant to hurt you and I'm sure what he said about Royal's pancakes was the business aspect in mind. You have to admit he doesn't go over to eat at Royal's for pancakes he eats yours. Why? Because he loves you, committed to you, faithful to you. The sweat pours from his brow everyday because he wants to keep you in house and home. You do love him, Laura I know you do."

As Laura is shedding tears she says, "Alice, you are right!" Then Laura goes to Almanzo in the barn.

Meanwhile as all this is going on and before Laura heads to the barn where Almonzo is. Jonathan is talking to Almanzo and unloading the wagon. Jonathan says, "I'm here for you if you need someone to talk to."

Almanzo mentions, "The last few days have been rough. I mean all I said was let's make sure we raise enough money to help those poor folks in Grays Corner and then mention Royal's pancakes."

Jonathan says, "Now hold on that's what you said and what you heard yourself stay but to Laura you told her, her cooking wasn't good enough."

Almanzo answers, "I sure didn't mean it that way. I've been a big idiot!"

Jonathan's says, "Don't tell me, tell Laura."

As Laura goes to Almanzo, Almanzo heads toward Laura and they tenderly embrace and patch things up.

Charles and Caroline are visited by Almanzo and Laura for supper and sees how things are patched up. The Ingalls also patch things up as they agree now they don't have any reason to be angry with one another. They all enjoy a nice supper before Wednesday prayer meeting.

It is now time for Wednesday night prayer meeting and Reverend Alden doesn't know anything about these pancake events among the families in question. Everyone is gathered together at the Church the folks of Walnut Grove aren't sure what to think when they see the Wilders are happy and the Ingalls are pleasant with one another. Even the Olsens have gotten back to normal with each other. Harriet is her oldself and Nels just goes along and lovingly puts up with her. Everyone is seated and Miss Foster is at the Church organ playing softly, 'Rock of Ages'

Reverend Alden walks in the back door and the organ is quiet. Everyone stops any talking and whispering among themselves.

Reverend Alden asks Miss Foster to play 'Whispering Hope.' The congregation rises to sing as Reverend Alden leads them, "Soft as the voice of an angel breathing a lesson unheard. Hope with a gentle persuasion whispering her comforting words..."

Rev. Alden begins "My lesson for this evening is taken from Prov.15 verse 1 and 2, 'A soft answer turneth away wrath but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge upright but the mouth of fools pourth out foolishness," Noticed King Solomon said a soft answer. Oh that we may have gentleness in our speech. The wise ones who know God. Notice I didn't say know of God but the wise are those who are acquainted with God. They know God like a real person. Is God real to us? That could be a hard question for some but the reality of God and being installed with His wisdom is available to all of us. We must want it. We will have to work for it. Only God can control our tongue if we submit it to Him. It takes practice, God will give us victory if He sees we want it bad enough. Let us pray."

The congregation all bows they heads to pray.

Reverend Alden then addresses the congregation, "I trust you all had time to think about the pancake bake off. I spoke to the Town Council and Church leaders of Grays Corners. I told them we can most definitely help. Wouldn't it be a blessing if we could give to them our acts of christian charity by the time they gather for Church next Sunday. We would need to have the bake sale on Friday to get the help they need out to them by Sunday. Is the Church prepared for such a worthy cause?"

Charles Ingalls stands up and says, "Yes we are but what you don't know is Walnut Grove almost split over pancakes. See Rev. charity is a good thing and well we should do it but some of us forgot or didn't think about what it takes sometimes to perform these acts of charity. I was part ofthat some that had wrong thinking and I'm sorry." (Charles is tender and weeping a little.) "Charity isn't just business it's love and I forgot."

Laura speaks up, "He's speaking about me. I got hurt a few days ago. I know the person didn't mean it but I felt unvalued and unloved. I do care about the folks at Grays Corners and if my pancakes will help them then I want to make the best pancake."

Almanzo stands up and says after both Charles and Laura sits down, "It was me Rev. Alden. I was an insensitive idiot who opened up his big mouth thinking I was making a big contribution to Grays Corners."

Royal Wilder made an unexpected visit to Walnut Grove to visit with his little brother Almanzo and his sister-in-law and walked in the back of the Church while Almanzo was talking. Almanzo looked back and saw him and welcomed him. Caroline noticed him too. Caroline stands up and says, "I've been wrong to. Charity isn't a competition to see who wins. Charity is love. The focus is on the folks in Grays Corners. Why can't Royal make pancakes to and help the folks in Grays Corner?"

Almanzo looks at Laura and Laura looks back at Royal and asks, "Why not?" and smiles.

Royal at first protests he didn't want to feel awkward but they assure him the focus is on the act of charity so he agrees.

Who will make the best pancakes Royal, Laura or someone else? Will the pancake bake off be a success and Grays Corners get the help they need?

To Be Continued