Little House on the Prairie Prequel Story. "Mary."

Chapter Four

Laura narrates: "Although Pa was reluctant at first, he agreed to let Ma take the teaching job. He knew how important it was to her and he also knew that once she set her mind on something, there was no stopping her. One thing was for certain though, and that was how much they would miss each other."

Frederick waits for Caroline on his buckboard while she says goodbye to Charles who puts his arms around her and pulls her close. He then pulls away and says to her. "Now, you're sure you don't want me to come along with you?" "Charles, I'll be fine, really." She says. "It's best you stay here. Pa will see to it that I'm alright. And the teacher, Mrs. Sullivan, was kind enough to let me stay in her home during the school week. So, I'll be well taken care of. And besides, I can take care of myself, you know." "Oh, I know that." He says. "But I'm still gonna worry, you know." She smirks as she responds. "I know, but there's really no need to. The week will go by quickly and I'll be home again before you know it." "Alright." He replies. "I love you." "I love you." She says and he takes her face in his hands and gives her a long lingering kiss. She pulls away, but then he says to her. "Just one more." He pulls her back in and kisses her again. She giggles as she says. "Charles. I have to go now." "Alright." He says and then tells her. "Be careful now, okay?" "I will. Goodbye, Charles." She says. "Bye." He replies softly. He then helps her onto Frederick's buckboard as Caroline then says to him. "See you at the end of the week." Frederick takes off as Caroline waves to him and Charles waves back to her as he watches her go.

Caroline walks into the classroom, puts her things down on the desk and takes a seat. The students slowly start to enter the classroom and they each take their seats. After everyone is seated, Caroline gets up from her seat and says. "Good morning, children. I'm Mrs. Ingalls and I'll be your teacher for the next two months until Mrs. Sullivan recovers. Now, she's given me a list of your names, the progress each of you have made, and your assignments. I can also assume that each of you have brought along your own slate and slate pencil because you are going to need them. Now, are there any questions before I begin calling out your names and marking them down?" A boy raises his hand. Caroline sees him and calls on him. "Yes?" "You're having a baby?" The boy asks. Caroline smirks as she replies. "Yes, is that a problem?" "No." He says. "It's just I didn't think women could still teach with a baby and all." Caroline then tells him. "Well, there are lots of things women can do in that condition." "Like what?" He asks.

Caroline then explains to him. "Well, I'm sure your mother still kept up with the housework, the chores and even worked out in the fields when she was carrying you because she knew those things still needed to be done. Just like with my need to teach you. Suppose you wanted to do something that you really loved doing, but you were told not to just because you had a condition. Now, would you let that stop you?" He shrugs his shoulders a bit as he replies. "Well..no." She smiles and then tells him. "Well, teaching is what I love and I'm certainly not going to let my condition get in the way of it. Now, what is your name?" "Tommy Wilkins." He says. She opens the book on her desk and marks off his name on the list. She then tells the class. "Now, when I call your name, please raise your hand." She looks down at the list and begins calling out the list of names. "Samantha Dobkins?" A girl raises her hand and says. "Here." Caroline marks off her name.

Laura narrates: "Ma had gotten through her first week of teaching and was anxious to get home and tell Pa. It was always a joyful homecoming for them."

Charles eagerly awaits Caroline's arrival back in their cabin in the big woods. Charles hears the buckboard approaching from outside and turns his head to the door as a big smile spreads across his face and he then jumps up excitedly and heads out the door. He sees Caroline on Frederick's buckboard heading towards him. Frederick brings it to a halt in front of Charles and Charles then helps Caroline down from the buckboard and she then leaps into his arms. They hold each other close as he chuckles a bit and says to her. "Oh, darling, I've missed you." She giggles and says. "Oh, and I missed you." He kisses her and she then says to him. "Oh, I have so much to tell you, Charles."