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

Chapter Five

Laura narrates: "Over the next couple of weeks, Ma worked hard with Mary. She taught her how to read, write, and do arithmetic. Ma said how she loved seeing Mary's willingness and determination to learn and a fast learner she was."

One afternoon, Caroline is working with Mary on her arithmetic. She struggles with finding the answer and sighs in frustration as she says.
"I just can't do it. I'll never get the answer." "Yes, you will." Caroline tells her. "You're very close, just try again. And remember to carry the two." Mary looks at the problem again and her face then lights up as she writes down the answer. Caroline smiles and says. "See? I knew you could do it." "Those are always the hardest ones for me." Mary says. Caroline then tells her. "I know, it takes a lot of patience, but you're getting there. I'd say you've made quite an improvement since we first started." Mary's face lights up with excitement as she responds. "Really?" Caroline nods. "Mm-hm. You'll catch up with the other students in no time." "I hope so." She responds.

Caroline then asks her. "Would you like to work on your spelling next?" Mary nods. "Yes, ma'am." Caroline starts to open her book, but then stops and gasps. "Oh." She then looks down as she places her hand over her middle. Mary looks at her puzzled as she asks. "Is something wrong, Mrs. Ingalls?" Caroline gives a soft giggle as she replies. "Oh, no, not at all. I think the baby just kicked." "Really?" Mary says. Caroline nods. "Yes." Mary then asks her. "What's it feel like?" Caroline then explains to her. "Well, I'll admit, it does feel quite strange. But, it's also a wonderful feeling to know I have this new life growing inside of me. And it's mine." "Do you have any other children?" Mary asks. "No, this will be my first." Caroline replies. "My husband and I live in the Big Woods of Wisconsin." Mary then asks. "Do you miss him?" She nods. "I do. Very much. Just like I know he misses me. It's hard being apart from the ones you love." Mary then hangs her head down and says with sadness in her voice. "I miss my Ma. She died when I was really little."

Caroline places her hand over hers as she says. "Oh. I'm sorry." Mary then tells her. "I think Pa misses her, but he doesn't like to talk about it." "Well, I guess it's harder for some people to talk about those things. It just makes them feel sad." Caroline explains. Mary then says to her. "I don't even think he cares about me sometimes." Caroline then reassures her and says. "Oh, I wouldn't say that. I'm sure he loves you. He just may not be able to express himself in a way that most folks do." Mary shrugs her shoulders as she responds. "Maybe. But, I would like it if he would at least tell me he was proud of me, you know?" Caroline gives a small smile and rubs her head as she says. "I know. But I know how proud I am of you though." Mary gives a small smile and says to her. "Thank you, Mrs. Ingalls." Mary then wraps her arms around Caroline. She gives a soft giggle and says to her. "Oh. You're welcome, dear. Now, we best get started on your spelling." "Yes, ma'am." She says and they get back to Mary's lessons.

One week later, Caroline is back home again in the Big Woods. She is sitting up in bed while Charles is at the end of the bed massaging her foot. Caroline closes her eyes as she says. "Mmm. That feels so good." Charles smirks and then asks her.  "So, how does it feel to be back home again, teacher?" "Well, as much as I love teaching, it is nice to be back home again for the weekend." She replies. "Although I am worried about Mary." "The girl you've been tutoring?" He asks. She nods. "Yes. She's been doing so well, but her father doesn't seem to show any interest in what she's accomplished at all. It's almost like he doesn't care. He made that perfectly clear with me." Charles then remarks. "He sounds like a real stubborn man." "He's more than that." She says. "He's a blind stubborn man. He just doesn't seem to realize what a bright and wonderful little girl he has." Charles then says to her. "You know what somebody oughta do is go over and knock some sense into that bullhead of his."

Caroline then says in a somewhat stern tone. "I just might do that." Charles looks up at her and smirks and then tells her. "Just be careful, alright?" Caroline then tells him. "Don't worry, I'll be nice. Besides, he doesn't scare me in the least. I feel sorry for him more than anything." She then looks down and puts her hand over her bump and says. "I do know that this child is going to get all of my love and attention and they're going to be able to come to me with any problem they may have and I'm going to listen to what they have to say no matter what. I'll be the best mother I can be to this child." Charles smiles and responds. "I'd say that child already has the best mother." She smiles. He then lays her foot back down and says. "Now." He leans in and gives her a kiss. "Get some sleep." She smiles.

A few days later, Caroline goes back to the Barton place to try to reason with Mary's father. She knocks on the door. Ed answers it and sees who it is and says in annoyance. "Oh, it's you again. Look, I already told you…" Caroline interrupts him and says to him. "I know what you told me, Mr. Barton, but I just want to try to understand." Ed then says to her in a frustrated tone. "You don't have to understand anything. Now, look, I don't want to argue with a woman in your condition." Caroline looks at him and responds in a somewhat sarcastic tone. "Well, by all means don't let that stop you because it certainly won't stop me. Do you even care about your daughter's feelings whatsoever? Do you even love her?" "Of course I love her." He says. "I've been taking care of her all these years, haven't I?" Caroline then tells him. "Taking care of a child is one thing, being a father to them is another." Ed starts to raise her voice at her as he says. "Don't tell me how to raise my daughter! You don't know how hard it's been for me since her Ma died!"

Caroline responds in a sympathetic tone with. "I understand that, and I'm sorry. But, try to think how your daughter is feeling too and what's best for her." Ed responds with. "I know what's best for her. Besides that, I don't see what business it is of yours anyhow." "It is my business when she's my student." She tells him. "And I happen to care a lot about her, which is more than I can say for you. Good day, Mr. Barton." She storms off as he slams the door shut. Caroline makes it halfway before she starts to feel a little lightheaded and short of breath. She stops to catch her breath before she heads off again.