JO:

What are you doing?

NICK:

Kids were swingin' on the gate again. Broke the hinge.

JO:

How many times do I have to tell them it's not a toy.

NICK:

The whole house is a toy to 'em.

JO:

Whoa! [Looks back at Nick.] I, uh… I happened to see the judge today at the General Store when I was in town. We spoke about you.

NICK:

Nothin' bad, I hope.

JO:

No. He, um… He wanted to know how you were getting along in your job. I told him that you were doing very well and that you've been a big help to us.

NICK:

Thank you.

JO:

He offered to reduce your sentence.

NICK:

Really? [Nick steps up beside the carriage.]

JO:

Assault is a very serious charge, but because of good behaviour, the judge feels that you'll be free to leave as of Tuesday.

NICK:

[Grinning broadly.] Tuesday? That's great!

JO:

Well, you've earned it.

NICK:

Listen, I'll help you find a replacement.

JO:

I appreciate that, but I've already posted a sign at the General Store. Thanks. Well, I'd better get these groceries back to Asia. She's got a lot of cooking to do for Thanksgiving. [Looks one more time at Nick and then moves forward.] Come on, Marty.

NAT:

Hey, Dan, Mr. Laurie's here! [Runs to the side of the house.] Hey, guys, Mr. Laurie's here.

JO:

[Embraces her brother-in-law.] Laurie. How are you? [Amy steps out of the carriage, and she and Jo hug each other.] Amy. Well, I didn't think you'd make it back in time for Thanksgiving.

AMY:

We nearly didn't.

LAURIE:

The wind calmed the day we set sail out of London. We sat there bobbing like a cork in the channel for a week.

DAN:

It's good to have you back, Mr. Laurie.

LAURIE:

It's good to be back, Dan. And Nat, you've grown another two inches, I'm sure. [Ruffles Nat's hair.]

JO:

Bess, sweetheart, how are you?

BESS:

I'm fine, Aunt Jo.

JO:

Nan, come here. [A rough-and-tumble girl in a simple dress steps forward.] I'd like you to meet my sister Amy and my brother-in-law, Teddy Laurence.

LAURIE:

Most people call me Laurie.

JO:

This is Miss Anthea Harding.

NAN:

Most people call me Nan.

LAURIE:

It's a pleasure to meet you, Nan. This is our daughter, Bess.

NAN:

Nice to meet ya, Bess.

BESS:

[Looks at Nan with an expression of disgust.] Uh, hello.

JO:

Nan is our newest student.

AMY:

Student? You're accepting girls now? How… progressive of you, Jo.

LAURIE:

It's a wonderful idea. Do you like it here, Nan? The boys aren't too rough on you, are they?

JO:

I think you've got that backwards, Laurie. It's Nan who needs to be easier on the boys.

AMY:

Yes, she fits in quite nicely with them. She certainly has that "Plumfield look".

JO:

[Beat. Jo understands Amy's comment as a barely disguised insult.] Yes, she certainly does. She's a welcome addition to our family.

JO:

Well, you didn't have to get me anything.

AMY:

Nonsense. I couldn't very well return from Europe without bringing gifts for my family.

JO:

[Opens box to reveal a beautiful crystal bowl.] Oh, it's beautiful.

AMY:

Austrian. [Places the crystal bowl on the mantel over the fireplace, removing one of Jo's other treasures to make room for it.] There. Always nice to have a touch of class.

LAURIE:

[Sees Bess watching the children playing outside.] If you want, you can go out and play with them. I'm sure the children would like that.

BESS:

No. Thank you. I haven't quite finished my tea.

LAURIE:

[Sits next to Jo.] How have you been holding up, Jo?

JO:

I have my moments. This house, this school, Rob… Everywhere I look, there are reminders of Fritz.

LAURIE:

Your husband left quite a legacy. Our lives are the better for knowing him.

AMY:

We'll all miss him very much. [Laurie and Jo look at Amy. It's as though her words aren't quite sincere.]

JO:

The children keep me busy. They keep me in the present. I don't have much time to dwell.

LAURIE:

How have you been managing with the school?

JO:

Well, we're still here, but it has been difficult. Some of the parents have already pulled their boys.

LAURIE:

I can help sponsor some new students.

JO:

That means so much, Laurie, but I couldn't ask you to do that. You've already sponsored Dan and Nat -

LAURIE:

You didn't ask me to do anything. I want to do it. Anything to help keep the school running.

JO:

I wish everyone felt that way. If it were up to Eli McBride, he'd turn this school into a guesthouse. He won't stop badgering me about buying.

AMY:

What did he offer? [Jo and Laurie give Amy a nasty look.]

JO:

I told him it wasn't for sale.

AMY:

No, of course not. This is a fine school, Jo. Perhaps the best in all of Concord. Any parent who wouldn't want to send their child here would be a fool.

JO:

Thank you.

LAURIE:

She does love you, Jo, very much. When word came of Fritz's death, she was inconsolable. She just has difficulty expressing her true feelings. You know that.

JO:

Well, the last she'll confide in are the ones she loves the most. [Nick walks by.] Oh, Nick! You haven't met my brother-in-law: Laurie.

NICK:

Hello.

LAURIE:

A pleasure to meet you.

JO:

Nick's been helping us out since Silas had to leave.

NICK:

I'm gonna ride into town, send some inquiries about ships leaving Boston.

JO:

[A bit uncomfortably.] Of course.

NICK:

Nice to meet ya. [Leaves to saddle his horse.]

LAURIE:

He's leaving?

JO:

Well, he's only been here on a temporary basis. You remember Emil's uncle, Captain Hoffman?

LAURIE:

Unfortunately, yes.

JO:

Well, he was abusing Emil and Nick stepped in. Tried to stop him. Sort of… punched him.

LAURIE:

He punched Captain Hoffman?

JO:

Yes.

LAURIE:

I'm liking this guy more and more.

JO:

Yes, well, he had Nick arrested for assault. I spoke to the judge and arranged for him to serve out his sentence at Plumfield.

LAURIE:

That makes sense: a man convicted of assault serving out his sentence at a school for children.

JO:

He's done a great job. The boys are very fond of him. [Beat.] Anyway, his sentence is up on Tuesday so he's leaving.

LAURIE:

Well, I'm sure there are many other convicts you can pluck out of jail.

JO:

[Jo gives Laurie a playful nudge.] Very funny!

LAURIE:

Bess, the boys are choosing teams to play ball. Why don't you join us?

BESS:

I'm reading.

LAURIE:

You can read later. Come on.

BESS:

I'm wearing my new dress, father.

LAURIE:

That's all right.

AMY:

No, it isn't. That's cashmere. I will not have her wallowing in the mud.

LAURIE:

[Joins the children.] She doesn't want to play.

NAT:

[Nick rides up on his horse.] Hey, Nick! Nick's on our team.

CHILDREN:

No! We get Nick!

NICK:

Sorry, guys, I can't play. I got too much to do before Tuesday.

DAN:

What's Tuesday?

NICK:

[Looks at Jo.] You didn't tell 'em?

JO:

I thought you were going to tell them.

JACK:

Tell us what?

NICK:

[Beat.] Judge says I'm free to leave as of Tuesday. Just rode into town an' found out a ship's leavin' Boston Harbour on Thursday. A company I've worked for before is headed to the South Pacific, then on to India.

NAT:

Why do you have to leave?

NICK:

I was only here temporary, Nat. You know that. Can't stay in one place too long. Never could.

TOMMY:

But Thursday's Thanksgiving.

NICK:

I know, but if the ship's leavin', it's leavin'. Company don't give much thought to holidays. [Looks at the sad faces around him.] Guys, come on! I'm finally getting back to doin' what I love. The sea's my home. It's where I belong.

LAURIE:

Walnuts! It's the most amazing thing. Nan's out there cracking them on her forehead.

JO:

[Laughs.] She's a child of many talents.

LAURIE:

That she is. Reminds me of a certain March girl I once knew.

JO:

Are you staying for dinner?

LAURIE:

I'm afraid Amy and Bess are ready to go. Bess is already in the carriage.

JO:

Oh, well, you will be here for Thanksgiving then?

LAURIE:

Of course.

JO:

[Beat.] What is it?

LAURIE:

It's Bess. It's just, I'm worried about her. I feel she's missing out on so much of life.

JO:

Missing out? She's traveled the world. She's seen things that most children only read about.

LAURIE:

Most of the time she just stays inside, reading a book. She has no friends, no ambition, no… spirit. Not like the kids here.

JO:

What are you saying? That Bess should attend Plumfield?

LAURIE:

It's crazy, isn't it?

JO:

Yes, it is. It's also a great idea.

AMY:

[Enters.] What is?

JO:

Um, well, the idea of sending Bess to Plumfield.

AMY:

[Shocked.] I see.

JO:

You don't have to make a decision right now.

LAURIE:

[Quickly.] No, of course not.

AMY:

But she just started with a new tutor.

LAURIE:

She hates that tutor, Amy.

AMY:

Still, I think now's not the time to shake up her life.

LAURIE:

Shake up her life? But we just got back from London and Paris. What about that? Her life's been one shake up after another. Plumfield brings some stability, makes her fell like -

AMY:

Stability? Here? We don't even know if the school will be around next month!

JO:

[Angrily.] I can assure you, this school will be around next month. And the month after that.

AMY:

Don't be so defensive, Jo. It's not that I doubt your abilities -

JO:

No? Then what is it? Is it the children?

AMY:

I don't want to fight with you.

JO:

If you don't want to send your daughter to this school, just say it.

LAURIE:

Why wouldn't she want to send Bess here? It's the best school in Concord. Amy said so herself. Any parent who wouldn't want to send their child here would be a fool.

AMY:

If it means that much to you, Jo, then fine.

JO:

This isn't about me. I'm only thinking about Bess.

AMY:

[Coldly.] Of course you are.

LAURIE:

It's settled then. We'll move her in tomorrow.

NAN:

[Waves.] She's here! She's here! She's here!

AMY:

Remember what we said, sweetheart. It's just a trial run. If you don't like it, you don't have to stay.

LAURIE:

But you must give it a good try, Bess. I'm sure once you get settled, you'll be having so much fun you'll be begging us to let you stay.

NAN:

[Runs out of the house.] Hey, Bess! Guess what? You're gonna stay in my room!

BESS:

Your room?

NAN:

I guess I should call it "our" room, right? [Grabs Bess's hand and hauls her into the house.]

NAN:

What do ya think?

JO:

[Enters.] Nan, I thought you were going to clean this room.

NAN:

I did clean it this morning, but then I wanted to show Bess my lucky rabbit's foot. I finally found it under my bed. [Produces the rabbit's foot and holds it up in front of Bess.] Wanna touch it?

BESS:

[Looks at the rabbit's foot in disgust.] No, thank you.

LAURIE:

I'll get the rest of the bags.

NAN:

[Picks up a wooden box from her desk.] My mother gave me this music box before she died. [Opens it.] It still works. See? [Picks up a mounted frog skeleton and shows it to Bess.] I found this dead frog by the river. Did you know that if you boil it, the skin comes right off? Did you know that?

NICK:

Hey, fellas. When did you boys start wearin' Sunday clothes to school?

DAN:

Since Bess showed up.

EMIL:

My other clothes were dirty.

DAN:

That never stopped you from wearin' 'em before.

NAT:

Guys?

EMIL:

[To Nick.] We were thinkin' about what you said, about why you're leavin', and we just wanted you to know that… well, we're happy for ya. We hope that wherever you go, you have lots of great adventures.

DAN:

And we got somethin' for ya. Somethin' for you to remember us by. [Holds up a white quartz rock.] Tommy found this out by the corral. Jack polished it, and… well, we'd like you to have it.

NICK:

Thanks, guys. I'll keep it with me always.

NAT:

And maybe when you talk to other people about us, we can be one of your adventures. [School bell rings.]

NICK:

You better get goin'. [They hesitate.] Go on. Git.

JO:

What are you doing? Nan was going to clean this room.

AMY:

Yes, well, we saw how well she did the last time she cleaned it.

JO:

Amy, cleaning up after her isn't going to teach her anything. She has to learn how to do things for herself.

AMY:

Is that part of the Plumfield philosophy.

JO:

Yes, it is. It's a very important part. I want these children to be self-reliant, not to expect to have everything handed to them.

AMY:

[Defensively.] I was wondering how long it would take for you to criticize the way I'm raising Bess.

JO:

It wasn't a criticism of you.

AMY:

Of course it was. It always is. I see the way you watch her every time we come to visit.

JO:

That's only because I want her to play with the other children and have some fun.

AMY:

Bess is not like the other children.

JO:

No, she isn't because she's been surrounded by adults her entire life.

AMY:

Well, now she's surrounded by children. We'll see how well she benefits from that. [Walks away from Jo and towards the desk. She pulls out a porcelain figurine.]

JO:

Amy, I believe in my heart that she'll grow to like it here, and I'm grateful to you for giving her the chance. It's a beautiful figurine.

AMY:

It's Bess's favourite.

JO:

It's lovely.

AMY:

Just keep that Nan away from it. I don't want it getting broken.

JO:

It won't.

NAN:

Hey, Bess! Whatcha doin'? Ya paintin'?

BESS:

[Coldly.] Yes.

NAN:

I'm just headin' over to feed the pigs. Wanna come. It's a lot of fun.

BESS:

No. Thank you.

NAN:

[Looks at the canvas.] That's a nice paintin'. Hey, you know what it's missin'? [Jumps into Bess's view and poses.] Me!

BESS:

It's a landscape.

NAN:

It's just a bunch of trees. It needs people. Can I try?

BESS:

I don't have any more brushes.

NAN:

There's some in the schoolroom.

BESS:

I don't have any more paint.

NAN:

[Deflated.] Oh… 'Kay. I guess I'll see ya later. [Walks away.]

JACK:

[Approaches.] Ah, she can be a real pest sometimes. Yeah, but she doesn't mean any harm. So, um, I was wondering… when you're done painting, if we could, you know, perhaps engage in a friendly game of horseshoes…

BESS:

No. Thank you.

JACK:

Well, perhaps you'd like to take a walk. You know -

BESS:

[Impatiently.] No! How many times do I have to tell you people? I don't want to play horseshoes, I don't want to feed the pigs, and I DO NOT want to crack nuts on my head! I don't want to have to do anything with any of you, so just leave me alone!

JO:

Bess? What is it? What's wrong?

BESS:

[In tears.] A snake.

NAN:

It was just a garden snake. It wasn't like it was poisonous or anythin'.

JO:

How could you ever do such a thing?

NAN:

[Defensively.] She was being rude! Ask Jack. She had it comin'.

JO:

That's no excuse. [Beat.] We'll deal with your punishment tomorrow. Off to bed with you.

NICK:

I heard about the snake.

JO:

Ah! Yes, well, it's still slithering around in there somewhere.

NICK:

[Leans against a post and watches Jo.] I'm sure it'll turn up.

JO:

You can count on that. The question is where.

NICK:

Let me guess. They've pulled this kind of prank before.

JO:

We've seen snakes, spiders… One time, Tommy brought home a bullfrog that he found down at the river. Of course, it gets loose in the house. We searched for hours. We finally gave up and went to bed. Fritz had just closed his eyes when from behind the pillow comes the frog! [Laughs.] Landed right on his head! You should have seen his face. [Suddenly becomes aware of Nick's gaze.] I'll never forget it.

AMY:

Jo?

JO:

I was just on my way to see you. About the snake, I can assure you that -

AMY:

This is what I was talking about. Bess is not like those children. They're undisciplined, unrefined, and -

JO:

They're children. Sometimes children play pranks.

MEG:

Demi and Daisy play pranks on one another all the time.

AMY:

Pranks? This was a malicious assault.

MEG:

[Tries to laugh off the accusation.] Oh.

JO:

It was a harmless garden snake.

AMY:

Don't try to diminish this, Jo. Bess was terrified. It was cruel and unprovoked, and I will not have my daughter treated in such a manner. [Marches off.]

JO:

[Follows.] It was not unprovoked.

MEG:

Jo…

JO:

If Bess had been a little less rude to the children, this would never have happened.

AMY:

Oh, so this is Bess's fault.

JO:

The children just wanted to be friends with her.

AMY:

Yes, by shoving dead frogs in her face.

MEG:

Amy, Jo, not so loud.

JO:

[Whispers harshly.] Well, at least Nan was trying.

AMY:

There she goes again. It's never your fault that the children lack discipline.

MEG:

Amy, stop!

AMY:

Any time there's a problem, it's always someone else's fault. Never perfect Jo who has all the answers, who knows everything about raising perfect children.

JO:

Well, at least I allow my children to be children, and teach them how to think instead of what to think.

AMY:

Don’t flatter yourself, Jo. You were never very good at tutoring me, remember?

JO:

Well, you can only teach those who want to learn.

AMY:

See? Again. My fault, not hers. Well, listen. I'll spare you the shame of having my "rude" daughter fowl up your perfect school. I'll collect her first thing in the morning.

MEG:

Amy…

JO:

Whoa! [To Nick.] You're going to leave without saying goodbye?

NICK:

I'm not real big on goodbyes.

JO:

[Visibly upset.] Well, then, don't let me hold you up.

NICK:

Thank you… For everything.

JO:

[Beat.] Good luck.

NICK:

You, too.

BARTENDER:

What'll it be.

NICK

Beer, and a room for the night. I'm shippin' out tomorrow.

LEVI:

Well, well, look what drifted up with the sea.

NICK:

Levi Cole?

LEVI:

[Laughs gruffly.] Nick Riley! How are ya?

NICK:

Good! How are you?

LEVI:

Beer? Rum chaser all around.

NICK:

You on the Can-Marie?

LEVI:

Ah, temperamental old lady. Ah, but she's as strong and sturdy a ship as I've ever sailed.

BARTENDER:

You two sailed together before?

LEVI:

Many times. I was aboard the first time Nick ever sailed with the company. It was down Havana way, wasn't it?

NICK:

Portugal, but close enough.

LEVI:

Worst voyage I ever sailed. Howlin' wind for days, and then weeks of dead calm. Halfway there, the meat goes bad so you know you're in for two months of hard tack and warm beer… except for Nicky here. Nicky says he wants to try the meat. He tastes it and he says, "Ain't nothin' wrong with it."

NICK:

Tasted fine to me.

LEVI:

Oh, the smell alone made your skin crawl! But Nick's there chewin' away, happy as a clam 'til the captain sends him up there into the crow's nest for lookout. Now, son, I don't know if you knows it, but when you're up in the crow's nest, it sways ten times more than it does up on the deck. [Coughs.] But, there's Nicky, and he's just a-swayin' back and forth, back and forth, and back and forth… and then ack! Up comes all that beer and meat, and we tried to run for cover but it's no use and we get drenched. Ah ha!

NICK:

I think it was, what, two weeks before I came down from that crow's nest.

LEVI:

It was the most angry crew I ever saw, but at voyage end, Nick here was part of the family and it's been that way ever since. [Raises his glass.] To family!

NICK:

To family.

AMY:

Are you coming?

LAURIE:

No. You made the decision on your own, you can pick her up on your own.

AMY:

Of course. Siding with Jo. You always do.

LAURIE:

We agreed to a one week trial.

AMY:

One week. That didn't include snakes being placed in her bed. Laurie, our daughter is frightened. She doesn't want to be there. She doesn't belong there.

NAN:

Hey, Bess? [Beat.] I just wanted to say I'm sorry about the snake. I don't know really why I did it. It's just that when Mrs. Jo said you were coming, I was so sure we'd be friends. When you didn't want to be my friend, I guess I got kind of mad. I'm really sorry. If there's some way I can make it up to you, do chores for you… I don't know. If you think of something, I'll be fishing with some of the boys.

NAT:

Hey, Dan! Look at the size of this one.

DAN:

Hey, good job, Nat.

NAN:

Bess, hey! You came! Since you're here, do you wanna try fishin'?

BESS:

No, that's okay.

NAN:

Whoa! [Feeling a sudden tug on her line.]

BESS:

What?

NAN:

I got a nibble.

BESS:

A nibble? You mean like from a fish?

NAN:

Gotcha! Oh, it's a big one. I can feel it.

BESS:

[Excited.] You mean there's a fish on the other end of that?

NAN:

Yup. It's a fighter, too.

BESS:

Well, what are you waiting for? Reel him in.

NAN:

It's not that easy, Bess. If you pull too hard, you're gonna snap the line. You gotta play with him a little bit. You know, wear him out. Here try it.

BESS:

I can't.

NAN:

[Hands Bess the fishing rod.] Sure you can.

BESS:

I've never caught a fish before.

NAN:

You're already doin' it. Just hold the pole steady and reel him in.

BESS:

He's strong!

NAT:

Hey, don't let him get away, Bess.

DAN:

Yeah, keep the pressure on him. You don't wanna throw the hook.

BESS:

What do you mean "throw the hook"? [The line suddenly snaps.]

NAN:

Like that.

DAN:

I told you she couldn't do it.

BESS:

[Disappointed.] He's gone. [To Nan.] May I try again?

NAN:

You bet.

NICK:

So, I'm thinkin', what am I gonna do? I don't want these fools shootin' me, but still, I got a full-blown measles epidemic inside. People were dyin'. I gotta get to town. 'Fore I can figure out what to do, there goes Nat runnin' through the gate, drawin' the guards away.

LEVI:

Nat? Nat! The one with the violin.

NICK:

One and the same. So now, with the gate clear, I'm able to ride into town and get the medicine.

BARTENDER:

How did he know that they wouldn't shoot him?

NICK:

He didn't. He just saw somethin' that needed to be done, and he did it.

LEVI:

Oh, that's a brave lad.

NICK:

Yup… He is.

AMY:

Why would Bess be at the river?

JO:

I don't know, but the last time I saw her, she was headed this way.

AMY:

Well, once we get there, I'm taking her back to Plumfield and packing up her things.

JO:

Amy, don't do this.

AMY:

Please don't make it any harder than it is. I don't want to quarrel with you, Jo.

JO:

I don't want to quarrel with you either.

AMY:

Then just accept my decision.

JO:

Have you discussed this with Laurie?

AMY:

Laurie wants our daughter to be happy, as I do. Clearly, at Plumfield, she is not.

BESS:

Gotcha! He's a monster!

NAN:

But you're a bigger monster, so haul him in.

BESS:

Oh, you're not getting away from me this time!

NAN:

Reel him in!

NAT:

Need any help?

BESS:

No, I've got him.

AMY:

Bess, what are you doing?

BESS:

I caught it! I caught it! [Falls from the bridge into the water and screams.]

AMY:

Bess! She can't swim.

NAN:

Bess! [Nan jumps into the river to rescue Bess.] Come on, Bess. Grab onto me.

DAN:

Nan, grab her!

NAT:

Nan, come on!

NAN:

Nat, Dan, help.

NAT:

Nan, bring her to shore. Come on.

JO:

Bess, Nan, are you all right?

AMY:

My dear Bess. My sweet Bess. It's all right. You're all right now.

DAN:

Good job, Nan.

JO:

Nan, would you like some tea to warm you up?

NAN:

No, thanks.

JO:

What's wrong?

NAN:

I shouldn't've asked her to go fishing. I messed everything up.

JO:

No, you didn't. It looked to me like she was having fun.

NAN:

Yeah. We were actually startin' to get along.

JO:

Well, that's good.

NAN:

We're like cats and dogs, but that don't mean we can't be friends.

JO:

That's right, Nan.

JO:

Got some tea.

LAURIE:

Thank you, Jo.

JO:

[Beat.] Amy, I'm so sorry.

AMY:

[Sharply.] Not now, Jo. [To Bess.] Let's go upstairs and start collecting your things.

LAURIE:

Amy, would you just wait -

AMY:

Laurie, please! [To Bess.] It's all right. Come on.

AMY:

Bess…!

NAN:

Sorry. I guess the glue's still wet.

BESS:

Well, maybe if we tie some string around it, it will hold while it dries.

NAN:

Good idea.

AMY:

I'll buy you a new figurine, Bess. That one's ruined. Get your things packed. It's getting late.

BESS

I don't want to go mother.

BESS:

Father said I should give it a good try, and I don't think I have.

AMY:

[Beat.] Bess, you don’t have to stay here.

BESS:

I want to. …Please.

NICK:

Almost there.

NICK:

Ellie. Whatever happened to her?

LEVI:

Who?

NICK:

Ellie. You were gonna marry her. Remember?

LEVI:

I was gonna marry a lot of ladies, Nick Riley. [Coughs again.]

NICK:

That's a bad cough, Levi.

LEVI:

I'll be fine once I get to warmer waters, calm sea. A followin' wind, that's all I need. Nothin' like standin' on the deck of a ship, watchin' the stars. Makes you feel… like… home again. [Falls asleep.]

AMY:

I've been thinking about our dear sister, Beth, and wondering what she would have to say about all of this if she were still with us.

JO:

She always did have a way of bridging the gap between us, didn't she? I know what she'd say. She'd say, "Amy, Jo, you two are as different as cats and dogs, but that doesn't mean you can't be friends."

AMY:

I think a lot about our childhood. The four of us growing up in that old house. The time I fell through the ice…

JO:

Oh, you gave me quite a scare.

AMY:

There you were to pull me out. I was always looking to you for help. I still am. [Beat.] Try as I do, I just can't seem to get things right.

JO:

That's not true, Amy. You have a wonderful home and husband, and you've raised a wonderful daughter who loves you more than anything in this world. Continue to be her mother. She will always look to you for love and guidance. No one will take that role from you, Amy. No one ever could.

AMY:

Are you warm enough?

BESS:

Yes.

AMY:

You do realize that I'm going to come out here every day to check on you.

BESS:

I want you to.

AMY:

Good.

BESS:

I love you.

AMY:

I love you, too. [Kisses Bess.] Sleep tight, sweetheart.

MEG:

Marmee!

FATHER:

Delighted to be here, my dear!

MARMEE:

Just look at you!

AMY:

Billy, what are you doing with that dish?

JO:

We didn't have anything to put the cranberries in.

AMY:

[Takes the dish from Jo.] I told you! It's Austrian crystal. It's not meant to be used.

JO:

[Takes it back.] Then what would we put the cranberries in?

AMY:

Anything but this. [Takes the bowl back.]

JO:

[To the snake.] There you are. I've been looking for you.

JO:

I thought you had a boat to catch.

NICK:

I make it a rule to finish what I start. Figure I'm not finished here yet. Lots of things still need mendin': the barn door, paddock -

JO:

Chicken coop?

NICK:

[Turns to Jo.] Exactly.

JO:

Well, with all that work to do, it looks like you may have to stay awhile.

NICK:

Suppose so.

JO:

Well, since you're here, would you like to come in for Thanksgiving dinner? [Nick hesitates.] I insist.

NICK:

All right.

JO:

Good.

NAN:

Nick's back.

JO:

Marmee, Father, I'd like you to meet Nick Riley, our new caretaker.

FATHER:

Delighted.

MARMEE:

Pleased to meet you.

DAN:

Hey, Nick. Come on, sit right here.

JO:

Shall we join hands?

JO:

Dear Lord, this has been a year of great change for us at Plumfield. We've suffered the loss of loved ones we've held so dear. [Beat.] But we've also seen new faces at our table, and we welcome them, and hope that they will be as happy here as we are to have them. We face many challenges that have tested our strength, and our courage, but through it all, we've had each other, and that is something for which we are truly, truly thankful. Amen.

ALL:

Amen.

JO:

Let's eat.