Judge Adams and Adam Kendall are now in Mr. Kendall's room above the Post Office where Adam lives and also uses for his office. Mr. Kendall asks, "Judge would you like a cup of coffee as we talk?"

The Judge answers, "Yes, Thank you.''

They have a cup of coffee and begin talking, Adam asks, "What would you like to do sir? We see that he did this out of anger not to hurt anyone."

The Judge reads Bart's journal and says, We have to give him some kind of punishment.'' Judge Adams is than quiet for a moment and than says, "I suggest giving him 30 hours of Community Service to help the Town and the Ingalls to build new Outhouses and to clean up the place where the Blind School burnt down where he took Charles and the Town's Outhouses. He can work on the weekends so we can make sure that he continues school and graduates.I also feel that we should send him to see a therapist to talk about his anger."

Adam agrees, "Your Honor, I agree with that punishment," Adam takes a sip of his coffee and continues, "I hear Dr Baker is hiring a therapist we can have him see the therapist that is coming into Town."

Judge Adams replies, "Sounds good to me. Working for the Community and getting things off his chest by talking to someone I believe will help him more than sending him to jail."

Meanwhile Carrie, Albert, Charles, Caroline, Bart and his Ma had to use the Olsen's Watercloset. Harriet was using it and when she came out she saw there was a line for the Watercloset, "NELS!" she screamed, "Why do we have to continue letting all these people use our Watercloset?"

Mr Olsen says, "There is nowhere else they can go."

Mrs Olsen asks, "Why can't they go over to Dr. Bakers place? He just got a new Watercloset."

Mr. Olsen answers, "Dr Baker is out of Town seeing about the new therapist he is hiring. We have to help our friends, that's all Harriet."

Harriet was getting irritated when more people came into use the Watercloset she did not like all these people inside her place she felt like it was an invasion she kept complaining to Nels, "Why! NOW! I am going to have to clean my Watercloset good. Just look at this mess!"

Nels calmly says, "These are our friends!"

Mrs Olsen went into the Watercloset and slammed the door. She starts to clean everything up then Laura knocks on the door. Mrs Olsen asks, "Who's there?"

Laura says, "Sorry to bother you Almanzo and I have to use the Watercloset."

Mrs Olsen grunts at them and says, Make it quick do not touch anything!"

Laura looks at Almanzo and they both use the Watercloset. When they came out Mrs Olsen asks, Is there anybody else coming?"

Laura answers, "No we are the last ones Court is about to start soon."

Mrs Olsen replies, "GOOD! now maybe I can get this cleaned up!" and than she thinks to herself, ''I'm going to let Nels have it for letting people use our Watercloset!"

Everyone is back in the Church/Courtroom from using the Watercloset and are waiting for the verdict. Bart was nervous that he might go to jail and never be able to see his Ma and Pa again. Bart kept looking at his Pa. His Pa was very angry. Adam cames into the Courtroom and sat next to Bart. Bart asks, "Adam, am I going to jail?"

Adam answers, "The Judge will tell you when he comes in."

Bart answers, "Ok, thank you but I hope he does not send me to Jail. I am sorry for what I did!"

Judge Adams comes in Rev. Alden says, "Please stand for the Honorable Judge Adams."

Judge Adams replies, "No need to stand, stay seated but Bartholomew please stand."

Bart stands and Judge Adam continues, "Bartholomew this is my verdict and Adam Kendall agrees to it. You will have 30 hours of Community Service helping the Town build the Outhouses and cleaning up the rubble of the burnt Blind School, where you took the Outhouses, 5 to 10 hours on the weekend so you can go to school and graduate and also to see to a therapist twice a week for a hour after school for a month. Do you agree to this arrangement?"

Bart answers, "Yes your Honor and Thank you for not sending me to jail!"

Everyone in the Courtroom also agrees to the verdict.

Judge Adams then says to Bart, "Bartholomew, I wish you the best in the coming days. I need to go now."

Bart thanks the Judge and then Judge Adams exits the Courtroom and then Adam Kendall makes a little speech: "Bart, like William Shakespeare once had said in a play, 'The quality of mercy is not strained it droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven upon the place beneath,' it is up to you now, Bart to how you use the mercy given to you today."

EPILOGUE:

A year later:

Bart and Albert both had it rough for a while, they had to work together to build new Outhouses for the Town, and at the Ingalls place Albert had to help his Pa with installing a Watercloset for his Ma.

Bart got to use some of his hours of Community service as part of school credit since Laura had made Bart and Albert write an essay on the meaning of friendship and working together. Bart and Albert putting the finishing touches on one of the Outhouse one day and Bart tells Albert, "I like working with you now Albert, before I didn't but now your not so bad."

Albert smiled and laughed, "Likewise."

Bart asks "How's your project going at home with the Watercloset?"

Albert answers, "Slow we need more people to get it done."

Bart says "I am free this weekend I can come and help besides I need a few more hours to complete Community service."

Albert says "Ok! I'll ask Pa tonight."

That weekend they finish the Watercloset at the Ingalls."

Bartholomew Slater was also finally going to graduate, this year! He was talking to Laura and asks, "How are my grades?"

Laura looks at her sheet and says "You got high grades now! You will graduate!"

Bart smiles, and says "Thank you Mrs. Wilder."

Laura replies, "No Bart you did the work, to make it happen, congratulations!"

Bart asks, "When is graduation?"

Laura replies after looking at her Calendar, "May...May 7th I do believe".

Bart says "Great, that is also my 21st birthday."

Laura says with a tear of happiness, "Bart that is wonderful, graduation is a excellent way to celebrate your birthday."

Bart continues, ''I will need to buy a cap and gown!"

Laura says "Yes, The Olsens will have them at the store".

Bart says "Thank you." Then he leaves for the store and orders his gown.

After ordering the gown he tells his folks and friends, "I am axioulsy waiting to graduate."

When the day of graduation came he smiled and waved at his parents in the row where they were sitting, Laura called his name to get his diploma, he stands and gives a little speech of thanks and walks down the isle to hug his parents and his Pa says, "Son, I am proud of you!"

His Ma says, "Likewise, Bart I am too!"

Bart has tears of happiness.

"The quality of Mercy is not strained it droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven!"

The End