Chapter 2: Plans For A Rematch

At school the next day during recess Mary Ingalls is jumping rope. Laura wasn't in the mood. She wanted to be alone and stayed under a Oak tree while the rest of the kids played. Mary cames over to Laura and asks, "Laura what is the matter with you? Why aren't you playing with us?"

Laura answers, "Why? I don't have to play all the time do I?"

Mary says, "I can tell you're avoiding something!"

Laura answers, "I'm just avodiing Nellie!"

Mary asks, "Why?"

Laura answers, "Because I want to!"

Nellie cames over to Laura and Mary smiling. Laura knew right away that nothing could come good out of Nellie butting in. Nellie asks, "What are you two talking about?"

Laura responds, "None of your business!"

"Well than anyway!" Nellie says still smiling as she continues, "Laura do you what to know why I am smiling?"

Laura asks, "WHY?"

Nellie says, "Because!"

Laura says "I don't have time for this!" She picks up her books.

As Laura begins to walk away Nellie mentions "I have a question Laura."

Laura says, "Oh...ok... I suppose, what is it?"

Nellie says "Mother thinks you cheated in the race in order to win. Mother also says for you to prove your honesty to her. I kinda of agree with Mother! But Father says for us to be happy for you and Bunny!"

Laura says "What does your Ma care if I win or not or if it was an honest race?"

Nellie answers, "Because! You won her family Silver cup that has been in the family for years."

"Well," Laura replies, "I did give the cup back, didn't I?"

Nellie answers, "Yes and I know it sounds weird but I actually stood up for you on that. I reminded Mother that you give the cup back. She still thinks you should prove your honesty."

Laura asks, "My honesty... are you asking for a rematch does your mother want another race?"

Nellie says "Yes, and by the way I still say Sparks could of kicked your horses' butt since your horse was already tired."

Laura says "Bunny got spirit over yours Nellie Oleson. I won that race fair and square. That brings up another question. If Bunny was tied than how did I cheat to win? It seems to me that you tried to cheat since you knew Bunny was tired. I tried to postpone the race so Willie could ride Sparks. How is that cheating on my part?"

Nellie answers, "I am not sure of that and neither is Mother but she still thinks you cheated."

Mary chimes in, "Nellie your whole family is messed up! Bunny is the best Horse around here even our Pa says so."

Nellie says, "I don't care those are just statements. Lets prove it into being a fact."

Laura says, "I don't want another race."

Nellie persists, "Well than maybe you did cheat!"

Laura says, "Ok...Nellie just to prove to you I'm not a cheater we will have a rematch! When do you want to schedule it for?"

Nellie answers, "It doesn't have to be right now. We both have to get our Horses back into shape. Sparks needs some trainning."

Mary asks, "You sure that is all he needs, Nellie?"

Nellie just shrugs her shoulders and doesn't answer Mary but only says to Laura, "I vouch for about a month from now to a rematch. If we both work with our Horses to get them equally fit. My Father can be the judge this time.''

Laura says, "How about two months to get our Horses fit? How long is the race going to be?"

Nellie answers, "Your more than welcome to come over to my house for supper tonight and we can talk more about the details of the race itself if your not too chicken to show up."

Laura stands up she drops her books and states, "I am not to chicken to show up Nellie. Count me in a place for supper tonight!"

Nellie says "Good see you at 6pm, bye for now!"

Mary standing next to Laura, "Laura you know what you did? You made a bet and you know how Pa is about gambling."

Laura says, "Not yet but I got to go and find out what the race is going to be like right?"

Mary asks, "How you going to tell Ma and Pa?"

Laura says, "I'll think of something."

Laura and Mary arrive home and Laura tells her Ma and Pa, "Nellie and her mother has challenged me and Bunny to a rematch because Mrs.Oleson thinks I cheated in the first race. I'm going over to the Oleson's tonight for supper to talk about it. Is that ok Pa?"

Charles, Laura's Pa says, "I don't know about this. It sounds like gambling."

"Oh Pa," Laura says, "It isn't gambling it will be just a rematch to show them I didn't cheat! We are going to talk about it more tonight."

"Laura," her Pa says, "Ok you can go to the Oleson's tonight for Supper."

At the Olsen's Nellie and her Mother are in the kitchen cooking extra food for Laura and a few other guest for super when Nellie says, "Mother?"

Harriet was busy with mixing bread dough and she says, "Yes dear?"

Nellie says, "Laura and I are going to talk about the race after supper."

Harriet mentions, "I haven't thought of that yet we need to draw out a map so we know how far our horses are going to run."

Nellie stops with washing a few dishes and asks, "Mother is there any place were we can have the race besides in Town where we had the last one? Like more in the Countryside?"

Harriet says, "Not sure on that either but I can ask around."

Nellie smiles and says, "Mother I know it is going to be a good race because this time Sparks and I are going to win!"

Meanwhile back at the Ingalls House Laura is getting dressed with Mary's help and Mary mentions, "I really don't see the need in a rematch!"

Laura turns to her and asks, "Why? I need to show Mrs. Oleson I didn't Cheat in the first one."

Mary sighs and says, "Its a bunch of work for nothing."

Laura says, "No it's not."

Mary than agrees and says, "Maybe you are right we will see. I got your dress zipped up here is your shawl."

Both Laura and Mary go downstairs. Caroline has super on the table and Charles was sitting at his usual place and finishing up with reading the newspaper. He puts down the newspaper looks at Laura. He whistles a little bit and says, "Laura have a good time at the Oleson's tonight."

Laura says with a grin, "I will try!" Then Laura says to her family, "Have a good Supper. I will be home by 8:30pm."

Arriving at the Oleson's right at 6pm. Laura knocks on the door. Nellie answers the door and says, "I am surprised you made it on time the Reverend is here and so is Mr. Hanson."

Laura says, "You didn't tell me you had others coming."

Nellie says, "I know it will be fine come on. Let me put your things up."

Laura takes off her jacket and bonnet gives them to Nellie and she hangs them in the closet.

Laura asks, "When is super?"

Nellie answers, "Soon Laura, soon."

Laura asks, "Your Mother has company on school nights, Nellie?"

Nellie says, "Well, this was sort of unexpected but it worked out good anyways."

Nellie and Laura made their way to the Living Room, where Nels, Willie, Reverend Alden and Mr. Hanson were talking until they saw Laura and Nellie walk in. Nels gets up and says, "Hi Laura glad to have you here with us tonight."

Laura smiles and says, "Thank you Mr. Oleson! I'm here to talk about a Horse race rematch."

Mr. Hanson mentions, "I been hearing about a rematch between your Horse and Nellie's can't wait for you two kids to set a date."

The Reverend says, "Yes Laura, Bunny has caused quite a stir around here if things go good after this race. Laura you could be racing Bunny all year round!"

Laura gulps there was no way for her to be ready for a super date like this!

Nellie than replies, "Or maybe Sparks, my Horse will be racing all year round in bigger races. I know Sparks is going to win the rematch!"

Harriet comes in and says, "I see everyone is chatting and talking. Supper is ready."

Everyone went to the table chatting about the rematch and how Horses should be trained. There was so many suggestions being made Laura's head began to swim. All Nellie did all night was smile big. She knew Laura wasn't expecting so much with a Country Horse Race. until now.

Finally when Supper was over Laura agrees to a rematch and asks, "When will it be?"

Nellie answers, "2 months from this Saturday."

How will the training for both Sparks and Bunny go?

To Be Continued