NAN:

Faster, Mrs. Jo! I think we lost him.

ASIA:

I sure hope Sheriff Berkley ain't around.

JO:

Whoa! Ha, ha! We beat him!

NICK:

[Appears in front of them on his horse.] Hello, ladies. What took you so long?

JO:

That's not fair. You cheated.

NICK:

What?

JO:

You took a shortcut.

NICK:

No one said nothin' about stayin' on the road.

ASIA:

All right, you two, we've got some shopping to do.

JO:

[To Nick.] Just wait until we're both on horses.

NICK:

Oh, now I'm scared.

ASIA:

Mrs. Jo, children….

NAN:

No mail for me.

ASIA:

Mail is slow nowadays, Nan. I'm sure there are a few letters on their way to you right now.

NAN:

I doubt it.

GERSON:

Oatmeal, oatmeal… Ah, oatmeal! Excuse me. [Pushes past Nan. Presents a jar of oatmeal to Jo.] Oatmeal.

JO:

Thanks. And cod liver oil, just one bottle.

GERSON:

Cod liver oil… [Looking among the cans scattered on his broken shelf.] Cod liver oil…

JO:

What happened to your shelf?

GERSON:

Collapsed. It all came tumbling down like an avalanche.

NICK:

Your carpenter should have anchored it.

GERSON:

My carpenter's incompetent. Now I have to pay someone else to get the same job done right. [Hands Jo a bottle of cod liver oil.]

JO:

Thank you.

GERSON:

You wouldn't know of a decent repairman, would you?

JO:

Oh, no. Nick does my repairs for me. [Catches herself as Nick gives her a look.] He's decent. More than decent, actually. He's very skilled.

GERSON:

Perfect. You're hired. The job is yours.

NICK:

I already got a job.

GERSON:

I know, but this would only be temporary.

JO:

It's fine with me if you think you can handle both.

NICK:

I suppose I could find the time, finish this off in a few days.

GERSON:

Good. Perfect. Could you start right now?

NICK:

Sure.

CHARLOTTE:

[Coming up to the group.] Uncle, how much for this fabric?

GERSON:

Twenty five cents a yard. [To Nick and Jo.] Have you folks met my niece, Miss Charlotte Gerson?

JO:

Hello, I'm Jo Bhaer. [Charlotte pulls her gaze from Nick just long enough to acknowledge Jo.]

NICK:

Nick Riley, ma'am.

CHARLOTTE:

Hello.

GERSON:

Charlotte's visiting from Stockbridge. She'll be working with me for the next few weeks.

CHARLOTTE:

My aunt and uncle have been so hospitable. I insisted.

GERSON:

Charlotte, Mr. Riley here has agreed to build us some new shelves.

CHARLOTTE:

Wonderful! It's been terrible like this. It took me ten minutes just to find a can of peaches.

NICK:

I'm just glad I could be of some help.

ASIA:

Got it?

NAN:

Yeah. Maybe we should tie these things down.

ASIA:

Tie them down?

NAN:

In case Mrs. Jo and Nick have any more ideas of racing back home.

ASIA:

She does that and I'm walking.

TYLER:

Asia? It is you, ain't it? Look at ya. Give me those same big eyes.

ASIA:

[To Nan.] Get in.

NAN:

Why?

ASIA:

Get in the sleigh. Mrs. Jo!

TYLER:

Why are you goin' so fast?

ASIA:

I got work to do.

JO:

[Coming from the store.] Sorry to keep you waiting.

TYLER:

I came all this way to pay you a visit.

ASIA:

[Jo gets in the sleigh.] Pay him no mind, Mrs. Jo.

TYLER:

All I wanna do is talk.

ASIA:

[To Jo.] We're ready.

JO:

Are you all right?

ASIA:

Please, Mrs. Jo, let's go. Please.

TYLER:

I'll be staying at the board house. You come by and see me, you hear. Asia! [Jo, Asia and Nan pull away in the carriage.]

NAN:

Who is that man?

ASIA:

That's my father.

NAN:

I thought that Asia's father was dead.

JO:

I did too.

ASIA:

My step-father's dead. He's the man who raised me. He took real good care of me and my ma. That man you saw in the street today up and left us.

NAN:

What do you mean by "left you"?

ASIA:

He just took off one day like he did sometimes, except he just didn't come back that time.

JO:

How old were you?

ASIA:

I had just turned eight. I've only seen him three times since, including today.

NAN:

What do you think he wants?

ASIA:

I know what he wants. He wants money for liquor, but he's not getting any more of that.

CHARLOTTE:

My, you are a good worker, aren't you?

NICK:

Ah, I like to get things done.

CHARLOTTE:

Well, don't finish too fast, Mr. Riley. I'm glad to have the company. I love my uncle dearly, but he's not the most interesting fellow. [Beat.] I heard you were a merchant marine.

NICK:

That's right. [Begins hammering.]

CHARLOTTE:

[Over the hammering.] I bet you have some fascinating tales to tell.

NICK:

I don't know about fascinatin', but I've seen some things.

CHARLOTTE:

And I'd like to hear about each and every one of them.

NICK:

[Pushes past Charlotte to get back to work.] Excuse me.

DAN:

Let's get our chores done quick so we can go for a hike before dinner.

NAN:

Sounds good to me. [Looks out the window and sees Asia's father coming up to eh house.] Look who's coming.

NAT:

Who's that?

NAN:

Asia's father. [There's a knock at the door.] Coming!

TYLER:

[Enters.] Do you remember me? I saw you in town.

NAN:

Yeah.

TYLER:

Is my daughter here?

NAN:

Oh, she's inside the kitchen. She's really busy.

JO:

[Enters from kitchen.] Mr. Franklin! Hello, I'm Jo Bhaer.

TYLER:

Pleased to meet you, ma'am, but my name's Tyler. Samuel Tyler.

JO:

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Tyler.

TYLER:

Asia must go by Franklin. That's her step-daddy's name.

JO:

I apologize.

TYLER:

Oh, no matter.

JO:

Did you walk all the way here?

TYLER:

Oh, I figured I'd wait forever before Asia's come see me in town.

JO:

Oh, good. Come inside. I'll go and find Asia.

TYLER:

You're most kind.

ASIA:

I told him not to come here.

JO:

Well, he did. He's waiting in the parlour.

ASIA:

You can just tell him to leave.

JO:

Asia!

ASIA:

I don't have anything to say to him.

JO:

Well, clearly he has something to say to you.

ASIA:

Well, it doesn't mean I have to listen.

JO:

Asia, I know this is difficult for you, but can't you just spend a few moments with him?

ASIA:

All right.

TYLER:

Oh, my Asia was a rascal, that one! Got into trouble quicker than a blink.

NAT:

Really?

TYLER:

Yeah. I could never stay mad at her, though. All she gotta do was look at me with those big brown eyes and that beautiful smile. I fell for it every time.

NAT:

What else did she do?

DAN:

Yeah. What was she like?

TYLER:

Well, I seem to recall she loved climbing trees - the higher, the better. Her favourite food: apples. She used to make me peel the apples first and then she'd eat the peel separate.

DAN:

Yeah, Asia still eats her apples like that.

TYLER:

I remember I used to carve little dolls for her. Pieces of wood always thrown together like a moppet. [Asia enters after some hesitation.] Remember that? Remember those dolls, Asia?

ASIA:

No.

TYLER:

Sure you do, Asia. You used to play with them for hours. [To Nan.] I could make you one, if you like.

NAN:

I don't play with dolls.

JO:

Nan!

NAN:

But thank you.

JO:

Why don't we let Mr. Tyler and Asia spend some time alone. Come on. [Exits with the children.]

NAN:

Mrs. Jo, what are you doing? She doesn't want to talk to him.

JO:

I know that Asia is angry, Nan.

NAN:

Of course she is. She's got a right to be.

JO:

We don't know that her father came here to ask for money. Perhaps he came here to ask for her forgiveness.

NAN:

He left her when she was eight years old. He doesn't deserve forgiveness. [Nan exits.]

TYLER:

This is a fine house. It's big. Must get real loud here with all those children about.

ASIA:

Sometimes.

TYLER:

Are you happy here, Asia?

ASIA:

I'm comfortable.

TYLER:

And the folks here, do they treat you kind?

ASIA:

Mrs. Jo's a real good friend. She treats me like family.

TYLER:

Does my heart good. A father likes to see his child.

ASIA:

You'll have to excuse me, but I'm behind in my work.

TYLER:

Of course. I didn't mean to cause you no trouble. Asia, I - [Doubles over in pain.]

ASIA:

Are you all right?

TYLER:

[Breathlessly.] Yes. Yeah. Do you think you could spare a little shot of something to help out your old man.

ASIA:

You haven't changed a bit.

TYLER:

Asia, it's cold outside. I get chilled to the bone.

ASIA:

This ain't no tavern.

TYLER:

I just wanted to -

ASIA:

Excuse me. I've got work. [She sees her father out.]

JO:

Mr. Tyler, are you leaving?

TYLER:

Got to.

JO:

Well, let me get my carriage. I'll take you into town.

TYLER

Don't bother, Mrs. Bhaer.

JO:

Really, it's not a problem.

ASIA:

He'll be fine.

TYLER:

Thank you kindly. I'll manage. [Beat.] When can I see you again, Asia? [Beat.] Well, you know where to find me.

MAN:

[As Meg and Amy enter.] Good morning.

AMY:

There's Nick.

MEG:

Well, I wonder what he's doing here.

AMY:

What's she doing, is the question. [Charlotte dramatically "falls" off the ladder and into Nick's arms.] Did you see that?

MEG:

Yes, she… "slipped."

AMY:

Slipped. And you saw that as plainly as I did. We have to tell Jo.

MEG:

Amy!

JO:

You mean Charlotte.

MEG:

We didn't hear the name.

AMY:

Is that her name? Honestly, Jo, you should have seen her. She deliberately fell in Nick's arms.

MEG:

It did seem rather… calculating.

DAN:

[Coming down the stairs. To Bess.] What's going on?

BESS:

Shh! [Bess and Dan crouch on the stairs to listen.]

AMY:

It was a shameless display of guile.

JO:

It sounds like quite a performance.

AMY:

I must say, I must give Nick credit, though. He was very gallant with her. He put her down and went back to his work.

MEG:

He doesn't seem taken with her.

AMY:

Not yet anyway. I mean, they work together in that little store and that brazen woman is chasing after Nick like a freight train!

JO:

A freight train?

AMY:

A pretty freight train.

JO:

This is ridiculous. Nick is a grown man. He can do as he pleases.

AMY:

So you're just going to stand by and watch this happen?

JO:

If Nick wants this to happen, I can't do anything to stop it.

DAN:

Somebody's got her sights set on Nick.

BESS:

I heard.

DAN:

We've gotta do somethin', Bess. If he's gonna keep workin' there at the store with her, it'll be a matter of time before she gets him to marry her.

BESS:

That's highly unlikely.

DAN;

Well, what if she does? Nick would have to leave Plumfield, and you don't want that to happen, do you?

BESS:

No, I don't want Nick to leave Plumfield, but what are we going to do?

DAN:

We're gonna get everyone together and think of ways to keep Nick from working at that store.

BESS:

Well, have you got any ideas because I'd sure like to hear them now, Dan.

DAN:

As a matter of fact, I do.

JO:

There's leftover stew if you're hungry.

NIC:

Thanks. I had dinner in town.

JO:

Oh.

NICK:

I just needed something sweet.

JO:

I have just the thing: cookies.

NICK:

Perfect.

JO:

I made them myself. [Nick hesitates.] They're a little burnt on the bottom, but they're still good. [Nick bites into the cookie which is extremely hard.]

NICK:

Not bad.

JO:

So how did things go in town?

NICK:

Fine, I guess. I wanna thank you again for lettin' me take the job.

JO:

You don't need my permission.

NICK:

Well, actually, I work for you so I do.

JO:

I suppose, but I want you to know that you can do as you please. If you want to spend time there, it's none of my business. Good night.

NICK:

Good night.

TYLER:

You caught me by surprise, you comin' to see me like this.

JO:

I wasn't sure I should, but Asia's my friend. I know she hasn't exactly welcomed your visit, but -

TYLER:

She's got good reason not to. Lord knows I ain't been much in my girl's life. Mrs. Bhaer, I know I can't make up for all the things I should have done, but I just want Asia to know that she ain't never left my heart.

JO:

Would you like to come to dinner at Plumfield tomorrow night?

TYLER:

Surely, but how's Asia gonna be with that?

JO:

Don't worry about Asia. I'll speak with her. She'll come around. Say about five o'clock?

TYLER:

I'll be there.

JO:

I'll see you then.

JO:

Hello.

MAN:

Good morning.

NICK:

[To Charlotte.] Ah, I'd been up all night, remember? That raft was feelin' mighty cozy. I only closed my eyes for a few seconds, but before I knew it -

CHARLOTTE:

Don't tell me.

NICK:

That's right. Fell asleep on the raft and woke up several miles off the coast of New Zealand.

CHARLOTTE:

You mean you were just floating there? All by yourself?

NICK:

Ah, I had a couple of dolphins to keep me company. [Charlotte laughs charmingly at Nick's story. Nick sees Jo.] Jo!

JO:

Nick! [Comes around from behind shelf.] Hello.

CHARLOTTE:

Mrs. Bhaer, can I help you with something?

JO:

[Flustered.] No, thank you. Cod liver oil…. I just need some… cod liver oil.

GERSON:

I thought you just bought a bottle yesterday.

JO:

Yes, Tommy spilled it all over. Silly boy. I just thought while I was in town…

GERSON:

Of course.

JO:

Well, these new shelves look great.

CHARLOTTE:

They look wonderful.

NICK:

Ah, simple shelves really. Not much to 'em.

GERSON:

[Handing Jo more cod liver oil.] I'll put that on your account.

JO:

Thank you.

ASIA:

How could you do that? How could you invite him here without asking me?

JO:

Excuse me, Asia. You know I don't like to meddle -

ASIA:

Hah!

NAN:

Mrs. Jo, she already told you she wants nothing to do with him.

JO:

If you could have heard how he spoke of you today. He said that you've always been in his heart.

ASIA:

Ain't that sweet: "in his heart". Where was he when my mother was working two jobs trying to put bread on the table?

JO:

I'm not excusing what he's done, but is there nothing he can do now to make amends? He is your father. [Beat.] I told him tomorrow night at five o'clock.

ASIA:

You what?

JO:

I'll cook.

ASIA:

No. I'll cook, but I'm not makin' nothin' special. [Asia exits.]

JO:

Nan, her father is trying.

NAN:

I guess so.

JO:

It's been a while since you've heard from your father, hasn't it?

NAN:

I don’t know. A few weeks.

JO:

Have you written to him?

NAN:

What's the point? It's not like he'll write back to me. [Nan exits.]

BESS:

I'll get it. [Opens door.] Hello.

CHARLOTTE:

[Enters.] Hello, I'm Miss Gerson. Is Mr. Nick Riley about?

BESS:

Oh, Nick is unavailable right now.

NED:

He went to get more wood.

DAN:

We'll tell him you came by. [Jo enters.]

CHARLOTTE:

Oh, Mrs. Bhaer. It's good to see you.

JO:

What a surprise.

CHARLOTTE:

I hope you don’t mind. Nick said he'd be here all day to catch up on his work, so I brought him some preserves.

JO:

Preserves?

CHARLOTTE:

He enjoyed them so much at the store yesterday, I cooked up a fresh batch.

JO:

Oh, wasn't that nice of you to bring them all the way over here.

BESS:

I'll see that he gets it.

CHARLOTTE:

I could give it to him.

DAN:

Nick's out in the woods. He could be gone for hours.

CHARLOTTE:

Really. Would you mind if I wait a bit?

JO:

[Bess shakes her head to Jo.] Not at all. [Beat. To the children.] Don't you have chores to do?

BESS:

No.

JO:

Go. Go on. [Children exit.]

CHARLOTTE:

How many children are there exactly?

JO:

Oh, I lost count at ten. [Charlotte looks taken aback. Jo shrugs - she's just joking.]

CHARLOTTE:

When did you say Nick would be back?

JO:

It's hard to tell really. [Offers tea.] Cream? Sugar?

CHARLOTTE:

Yes, thank you. [Jo puts a lump of sugar in Charlotte's tea.] Two. [Beat.] You know, I've gotten so used to having Nick around. I know it's only been a few days, and yet I feel like I've known him… forever.

JO:

How do you like living in Concord?

CHARLOTTE:

[Hastily.] Oh, it's just lovely, thank you. [More slowly.] Tell me, Mrs. Bhaer, is Nick… attached?

JO:

Attached?

CHARLOTTE:

Is he available? I mean, he's not involved with anyone, is he?

JO:

Well, I can't be certain. Nick is a very private person.

CHARLOTTE:

Yes. That brooding manner of his is quite compelling, isn't it? [Nick enters.] Nick.

NICK:

Hey, Charlotte. Uh, what brings you here?

CHARLOTTE:

My preserves.

NICK:

Oh.

CHARLOTTE:

I made raspberry this time. Why don't you try it?

NICK:

Thanks.

JO:

Isn't that sweet?

CHARLOTTE:

It was my pleasure. Nick, my uncle has been so happy with the work you've been doing, he insisted that you join us for dinner tonight.

NICK:

Tonight? Ah, thanks, Charlotte, but I've let too much of my work slip by here.

CHARLOTTE:

But you have to! He'd be so disappointed and Aunt Sue's already started the cooking.

NICK:

Well, I got all these chores to get done.

CHARLOTTE:

Mrs. Bhaer, surely you could release Nick a little early.

JO:

Release him? He's not imprisoned here. Nick, if you want to go, I'm sure you can complete your work later.

CHARLOTTE:

[To Jo.] You're wonderful. [To Nick.] We'll expect you at six-thirty.

NICK:

Six-thirty… [Nick exits.]

JO:

The table looks lovely, Asia.

ASIA:

Thank you.

JO:

So do you. [They check the clock.] He'll be here.

JO:

What happened?

NICK:

I don't know. It's like someone drug it through the stables a few times.

JO:

[Jo rubs pine needles over the jacket.] This should get the odour out.

BESS:

What is Aunt Jo doing? She's ruining everything.

JO:

[She smells the jacket and, satisfied, hands it over to Nick.] Fresh as the forest.

NICK:

I hope. Thanks, Jo. I owe you one.

JO:

Yep, you do.

NICK:

Well, have a good night. [Exits.]

JO:

Yeah, you too. [The children rush away from the door. Jo turns and sees them, but isn't quite sure if she should wonder what they're up to.]

ROB:

Can we eat yet?

JO:

Let's just wait a little while longer. [Asia exits. Nan and Jo follow her to the hallway.] Maybe something happened.

ASIA:

No!

NAN:

He's just a little bit late.

ASIA:

He's not coming!

JO:

Maybe I could -

ASIA:

No! Look, you've done enough. Just leave me alone, Mrs. Jo. Go! [Jo and Nan exit, leaving Asia alone.]

NICK:

Mornin'!

JO:

Oh, good morning. [Nick pours himself some coffee and then goes over to see what Bess and Dan are doing.]

DAN:

So, how was your dinner last night?

NICK:

Ah, nothing special.

BESS:

[Cheerfully.] Oh, really! [Toning down her cheerfulness to sound as though maybe that's not such a good thing.] I mean… oh, really…

NICK:

It's pretty tough to top Asia's cookin'.

DAN:

Yeah, but how about the company? I mean, it must be kind of dull sittin' around with old Mr. Gerson and his family.

NICK:

They're nice folks.

BESS:

But not as good as being here, right?

NICK:

You can't beat the company around here. [Approaches Jo.] Jo?

JO:

Mm hmm?

NICK:

Mr. Gerson's found a couple more things for me to fix down at the store. I thought I'd take care of them this morning.

JO:

That's fine with me.

NICK:

All right then. See ya! [Exits. Jo exits as well.]

BESS:

Mr. Gerson's going to keep finding things for Nick to do.

DAN:

Then we gotta keep findin' things to make sure Nick stays here.

JO:

Asia, I shouldn't have interfered.

ASIA:

Mrs. Jo, I know you meant well, and I'm sorry for lashing out at you, but I can't let him do that to me again. Every time I give him a chance, he lets me down.

JO:

He was so sincere in town when I talked to him. He was eager to come.

ASIA:

Maybe he was, but it's the same old story: stops off for a quick drink, has another and another, and before he knows it, he's passed out.

JO:

Maybe we should go and check on him.

NAN:

Mrs. Jo, don't you get it? Some folks just have bad fathers. We're not all lucky like you.

ASIA:

Look, Mrs. Jo, you can check on him if you want, but I'm done. [Exits.]

TOMMY:

Nick! You gotta come quick!

NICK:

What is it?

TOMMY:

Smoke's coming from the chimney. Come on!

JO:

What's happening?

DAN:

I don't know. The flue's open. I checked. The chimney must be clogged.

NICK:

It can't be. I just swept it last week.

TOMMY:

I guess you'll have to stay here and fix it.

NICK:

Listen, I don't know what you kids are up to, but you better not be messin' with the chimney. It's dangerous.

DAN:

Nick, of course not.

NICK:

All right, everybody out. It's not good to breathe in this smoke. [The children leave.]

JO:

I'll go tell Mr. Gerson you'll be delayed.

NICK:

Thanks.

CHARLOTTE:

Mrs. Bhaer.

JO:

Oh, Miss Gerson. Is your uncle here?

CHARLOTTE:

I'm afraid not. May I help you with something?

JO:

If you could just tell him that Nick may not be able to make it into work today.

CHARLOTTE:

I'm sorry to hear that. Is he ill?

JO:

Oh, no. The chimney in my kitchen is clogged. He had to stay home and repair it.

CHARLOTTE:

I see.

JO:

If you could just give the message to your uncle. [Turns to leave.]

CHARLOTTE:

Certainly. Very convenient though, isn't it?

JO:

[Turns back.] Pardon?

CHARLOTTE:

Now, Mrs. Bhaer… a clogged chimney?

JO:

I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.

CHARLOTTE:

Don't you? You'll have to do better than that to keep Nick away from me.

JO:

Miss Gerson, I find this highly improper and very insulting.

CHARLOTTE:

Aren't you the perfect school mistress?

JO:

If this is the manner in which you address your customers -

CHARLOTTE:

There you go again! Always so… grammatical. Who are you going to impress with that fancy talk? Not Nick. The two of us have a wonderful time together.

JO:

I'm sure he makes very polite conversation while passing the time working here, but really, is it anymore than that. Well, I'd best go and see how Nick's getting along at home. [She emphasizes her last word and then exits.]

DR. PIERCE:

Is everything all right, Mrs. Bhaer?

JO:

I'm not sure. I'm looking for Samuel Tyler.

DR. PIERCE:

You know him?

JO:

He's Asia's father. I stopped by the tavern. The barkeeper told me that he brought him here last night.

DR. PIERCE:

Yes.

JO:

He was drinking heavily?

DR. PIERCE:

Yes, but it seems that's how he handles his chest pain. [Beat.] …for his bad heart.

JO:

Bad heart?

DR. PIERCE:

Surely you knew. Oh, dear, I shouldn’t -

JO:

No, Dr. Pierce, it's good that you told me. Do you know where I can find him?

DR. PIERCE:

I wish I did. I left him here earlier, but when I came back, he was gone.

JO:

He just left?

DR. PIERCE:

A man in that condition shouldn't be exerting himself.

JO:

Thank you, Dr. Pierce.

NAN:

I'll get it. [Opens the door. Tyler stumbles in.]

ASIA:

I don’t wanna see you.

TYLER:

Asia, honey -

ASIA:

No! [Exits hastily.]

NAN:

You'd better go.

TYLER:

I wanna… I wanna apologize.

NAN:

It's too late for that.

TYLER:

Don't say that… It ain't never too late.

NAN:

Why do you keep treating your daughter like that? How could you do it? How could you just leave her that way? How could you just forget her?

TYLER:

I ain't never forgot her.

NAN:

Just go! Go! [Tyler collapses on the stairs.] Mr. Tyler? Mr. Tyler, what is it? Asia! Asia, come quick!

JO:

[Enters.] Mr. Tyler! Mr. Tyler -

TYLER:

Oh, Asia…

ASIA:

Oh, my God! What happened? [Goes to her father's side and holds him in her arms.] What happened? Help me get him in the parlour, Mrs. Jo, please.

TYLER:

Wait… I know I shamed you, but I ain't never stopped lovin' you. Know that…. You gave me those same big eyes….

ASIA:

No! Daddy! Daddy, no! Please, God…

CHARLOTTE:

Did I scare you?

NICK:

You surprised me.

CHARLOTTE:

A good surprise, I hope.

NICK:

You know, I was gonna come back in a bit.

CHARLOTTE:

I couldn't wait that long. I miss you too much. Haven't you missed me?

NICK:

Charlotte, I'm workin' two jobs now. I gotta get things done -

CHARLOTTE:

But I just got here. [Steps closer to Nick.] Nick, I need more time with you.

NICK:

Maybe we can talk later… at the store.

CHARLOTTE:

But there are always people around and I never get the chance to tell you, to say to you, exactly how I feel.

CHARLOTTE:

There, that says it.

NICK:

[Pushes Charlotte to arms' length.] Charlotte, you're a fine woman, and some man's gonna be happy to have you, but not me. Now, I'll see you at the store.

AMY:

Meg, she needs to talk about it, and she needs to tell him. [Jo enters.] Jo!

JO:

Well, I wasn't expecting you two to come by today.

MEG:

Well, we were in the area.

AMY:

We want to know what's going on… [Beat.] … between Nick and Charlotte.

JO:

Well… they kissed.

AMY:

They kissed?

JO:

[Whispers.] I saw them.

MEG:

Well, what kind of kiss? Was it a cordial sort of peck on the cheek?

JO:

It was hardly a peck. It was a kiss.

AMY:

So what are you going to do about it?

JO:

Excuse me?

AMY:

Well, you can't just let her win.

JO:

Amy, this isn't a contest.

MEG:

Jo, what Amy is trying to say is, well, if you've developed a certain… fondness for Nick -

JO:

Even if I have, I'm not ready. I'm far from ready to act upon that fondness.

MEG:

At least tell him you have feelings for him.

JO:

Meg, I am delighted that you have found someone like Edward, but it's much too soon for me to get involved.

MEG:

Well, tell him that too. Jo, if you do care for him, you should make him aware, because if he cares for you too, perhaps he'll be willing to wait.

AMY:

Or, you could stay quiet as a mouse, lose him to that hussy, and spend the rest of your life alone. [Jo exits, exasperated.]

MEG:

Amy!

JO:

It's all taken care of. I've arranged for a small gravesite service tomorrow.

ASIA:

Sounds fine. Thank you for calling, Mrs. Jo, for me.

JO:

Your father's belongings. [Hands the box to Asia.]

ASIA:

Probably all he had in the world is in this box.

JO:

Would you like some tea?

ASIA:

Thanks, Mrs. Jo, but maybe later. [Jo exits.]

ASIA:

It's all right, Nan. Come on in.

NAN:

That little girl…

ASIA:

That's me. He kept it. He kept it with him all these years.

NAN:

He really loved you.

ASIA:

I loved him too, but I held onto my anger so tight that I couldn't bring myself to tell him that. Now, it's too late… It's too late.

NAN (V.O.):

Dear Father, there have been so many times that I've wanted to write… to tell you how I feel. To tell you that… To tell you that… I love you.

JO:

Hi, Nick. You're eating late.

NICK:

Just got back from town. I finished up at the store.

JO:

Oh, good. [Jo goes over to the stove to pour her coffee. Nick is sitting such that she is behind him so neither of them can see the other's face.] I, um… I wanted to tell you that, um… This is real awkward…. When you started working in town at the store, it made me realize how accustomed I've become to having you here. I know you have every right to pursue any relationship -

NICK:

Jo, I'm not interested in Charlotte.

JO:

But I saw you kissing her just this morning… [Catches herself.] Completely by accident!

NICK:

First of all, she was kissin' me. That woman came at me like a freight train. [Jo smiles at the déjà vu.] But I told her she was aimin' for the wrong man.

JO:

Still, one must admire her for how direct she can be with her feelings.

NICK:

Don't matter if she's direct if they're feelings you don't share.

JO:

I wanted to tell you that, um… I have certain feelings. [Beat. Corrects herself.] Hints of feelings, really, but still… they're real. [She sits next to Nick.] I just don't know how long it will be before I can express them.

NICK:

[Nick gives her a sidewise glance.] Lucky for me, I'm in no rush to go anywhere.

JO:

[Exchanging a brief glance with Nick.] Lucky for me.