DAN:

Did you talk to him.

NAN:

Yeah, he said he wasn't looking for any help right now.

DAN:

Did you talk to Mr. Gerson.

NAN:

Yeah, he said we could deliver groceries for five cents a delivery.

DAN:

Five cents? Is that it? We might as well forget about it.

NAN:

No, we can't.

DAN:

Nan, you saw the price in the catalogue. We'll never be able to buy that thing.

NAN:

Yes, we will. We just gotta think of some other way.

DAN:

We better think fast. There's not much time.

AMY:

You have to come, Jo. It's a family wedding.

JO:

For a cousin we've met, what, once?

MEG:

Well, twice actually.

AMY:

That doesn't matter. What matters is the whole family's going to be there. Marmee and Father are going. Laurie's going.

LAURIE:

I'll be there. I have some business to attend to first.

AMY:

Selling grapes to some physician.

LAURIE:

He's a friend of one of my clients. He's looking to buy Concord grapes, as many as he can get his hands on, and I promised to introduce him to a few local growers.

NAN:

[To Dan.] You've got grapes in that plot in the garden.

AMY:

Two weeks in New York, Jo, and your birthday's coming up. We could celebrate it there.

JO:

I have a school to run, remember? I can't just cancel class for two weeks.

MEG:

Well, maybe you can find someone to fill in for you.

AMY:

Yes, maybe you can find someone to fill in for you.

JO:

And I have Mr. Jennings' book to finish. It's due at the publisher's on Thursday. That's five days from now and I still have the last chapter to write. I would love to come to New York. I really would. It's going to be fun, but I just can't right now.

MEG:

We understand. [To Amy.] Don't we?

AMY:

Of course we do.

JO:

[To Dan and Nan.] All right, you two. [She exits.]

AMY:

She can't keep going on like this. I don't know why she just doesn't hire a new teacher.

MEG:

Well, maybe she can't afford one yet. I mean, Franz did practically work for free, and besides, she loves teaching those children.

DAN:

[To Jo.] Ready to go?

AMY:

[To Meg.] She loves writing, too. Look at her. Does she look happy to you?

ASIA:

I don't think it's anything serious, but I sent him straight to bed just to make sure it doesn't get any worse.

JO:

How are you feeling, sweetheart?

ROB:

All right.

JO:

He doesn't have a fever. [To Rob.] But I think it's best that you stay in bed until you feel better.

ROB:

But I was going to go fishing with Nat.

JO:

Well, I'll tell you what. You and I haven't been fishing together in a long time. As soon as you're well, I'll take you fishing. How's that?

ROB:

Promise?

JO:

I promise. All right, now. Are you warm enough? I have to get back to class. You try to get some sleep. That's good. Close your eyes.

TOMMY:

Why would a doctor want to buy grapes?

DAN:

Who cares as long as he pays for them.

NAN:

Yeah, and with all that money we make, we could buy that -

JO:

[Jo enters, silencing the children's conversation.] Well, I assume that you've all finished reading the chapter and that you're all well acquainted with the settlement of the Jamestown colony. So, let's review, shall we. Who can tell me the names of the ships that brought the settlers to the New World? [Beat.] I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, this chapter was so exciting, we would love to read it again.

DAN:

Yeah.

JO:

All right, this time, though, let's read it out loud so we can all share in the excitement. Nan, why don't you start.

LAURIE:

Dr. Welch, I'm -

WELCH:

Theodore Laurence! My conduit to the illustrious Concord grape. I can't thank you enough for all your kind services.

LAURIE:

Oh, it's my pleasure. There are many people in Concord who are anxious to meet you.

WELCH:

[Noticing Dan and Nan.] I see. Two of them are spying on us at this very moment. [Dan and Nan duck behind the building.]

LAURIE:

Dan, Nan, why don't you both come here and I'll introduce you. Dr. Thomas Welch, this is Dan and Nan.

WELCH:

A pleasure indeed. A great pleasure. [Notices Nan looking at the crate bottles he has brought with him.] Ah, what is that, you're wondering. Wine! Have some. [Opens a bottle and hands it to Nan.]

NAN:

I'm not allowed to drink wine.

WELCH:

I'm very glad to hear that, my dear, but this wine is special. It's unfermented.

NAN:

What?

WELCH:

No alcohol. Go ahead. Try it.

NAN:

[Drinks.] Mm, yeah. [Tries to hand the bottle back.]

WELCH:

No, no. Keep it. Share it with Danny.

LAURIE:

Doctor, I've arranged a few meetings this afternoon so I'm sure you'd like to freshen up after such a long journey.

WELCH:

Oh, nonsense! I'm ready now. Let's go! [He marches off.]

LAURIE:

Oh, all right. Well, why don't we go the hotel and drop of some of your luggage and we'll be on our way. [Chases after the doctor.] Dr. Welch!

NAN:

Where are you going?

DAN:

To get the grapes. We've got to sell them to Dr. Welch before he meets with -

NAN:

Dan, he's starting a grape juice business.

DAN:

So? Is there a problem with that?

NAN:

No, not a problem, an opportunity.

EMIL:

Grape juice?

DAN:

Sure, we've already got the grapes. All we've got to do is make the juice, bottle it and sell it ourselves.

NAN:

Yeah, you can make a lot more money making juice than selling grapes.

DAN:

And we're gonna need to move fast, so we're gonna need everybody's help. So, I'm gonna pick the grapes and tend to the vines, and Nan's gonna make the juice.

EMIL:

I can manage the finances.

DAN:

And we're gonna need a name for the juice.

NAT:

And a slogan. I'll work on that.

BESS:

I can do the artwork for the labels.

TOMMY:

What can I do?

NAN:

You? [Beat.] You can, um… um… You can help.

TOMMY:

Yeah.

NAN:

There. All finished. Who's gonna try it. [Takes a glass and fills it with juice.]

TOMMY:

It's… kind of lumpy.

NAN:

That's all right. It's just the pulp and stuff. It's good for you. All right, who wants to try it? Tommy? [Hands the glass to Tommy.] Come on, try it. [Tommy tastes the juice and spits it back into the basin.] Tommy! We've gotta sell that stuff.

TOMMY:

It's terrible. Too chewy.

NAN:

Well, that's just the first batch. The second batch'll be great. You'll see.

TOMMY:

Make sure to take all the lumps out too.

NICK:

Working on Mr. Jennings' book?

JO:

Homework. There are far too many mistakes here. It's as though the children rushed through these assignments without any thought at all.

NICK:

The same as all their chores today.

ASIA:

[Arriving with tea.] Sorry this took so long. The kids got grape stains all over my tea strainer.

JO:

Grape stains?

ASIA:

They were making grape juice. Nan said they were hoping to make some money by selling the juice in town. I see you haven't got to your birthday resolutions yet.

JO:

No. The homework pile never seems to end.

NICK:

Birthday resolutions?

ASIA:

Jo always writes a little something down in her journal just before her birthday, what she's expecting from the upcoming year.

JO:

I've been doing it every since I was a child, although this year I haven't had much time to think about it.

ASIA:

Well, that's because you've been working too hard. You need a day off every now and then. [Asia exits.]

NICK:

She's right, you know. Think about it: a whole day away from all of this, say, maybe Saturday? We could take a ride up to the river, have ourselves a nice little picnic in the woods?

JO:

That sounds wonderful.

NICK:

It's a date!

DAN:

I'll pass.

BESS:

No, thanks.

NAN:

Tommy?

TOMMY:

Do I have to?

NAN:

You said you wanted to help, so help. [Tommy drinks.] Well?

TOMMY:

It's great!

DAN:

All right!

JO:

[Awakens.] What? Asia…

ASIA:

You fell asleep. How's he doing?

JO:

Well, he's still sneezing a bit, but I think he's on the mend. What time is it?

ASIA:

It's too late for us to start talking. You should try to get some sleep.

JO:

I will soon. I have to do some more work on my book. Don't worry. I'll be finished with it tomorrow. I have no choice.

ASIA:

[Noticing Jo's open journals.] Your old journals.

JO:

Yes. You know, I had forgotten about my birthday resolutions until you reminded me earlier, so I thought I'd look back at my old journals and see what I wrote when I was younger. Look at this one, just before my eighteenth birthday. I was going to be a famous writer, travelling the world, relating my adventures to a faithful legion of readers.

ASIA:

It looks like you succeeded. You did become a famous writer.

JO:

Asia, I've written one book.

ASIA:

And got married, and started this wonderful school with your husband. But you didn't know you were gonna be left alone, Jo. Yet, here you are running this school, teaching the classes, being a mother, and not just to this sweet child here, but to all the kids. And even after all of that, you're still managing to write your second book. Now, if you ask me, that's something to be mighty proud of.

NICK:

Done already?

DAN:

All brushed up and ready to go.

NICK:

Did you pick the hooves?

DAN:

I, uh, forgot.

NICK:

Come on, Dan, you know better than that. [Dan heads back out.]

LAURIE:

Nick, do you know where Jo is?

NICK:

She had to go into town to send a telegram. She got a letter today from some businessman lookin' to donate money to the school.

LAURIE:

That's great. I know she's been waiting to hear from him. God knows she's made enough inquiries.

NICK:

Yeah, he wants to meet her in Boston in a couple of days. She's just wiring him back to confirm it.

LAURIE:

I take it she's not coming to New York with me then.

NICK:

I'd say that's a safe bet.

LAURIE:

Will you tell Jo I had to go?

NICK:

Sure.

NAN:

There you are. Ready to go?

DAN:

Yeah, where's the juice?

NAN:

Tommy's getting it.

TOMMY:

[Drinks.] Ugh!

NAN:

Tommy, what are you doing? We've got to get that to Mr. Gerson.

TOMMY:

The juice tastes funny.

DAN:

What do you mean it tastes funny? [Drinks.] Ugh! Tastes spoiled.

EMIL:

It was fine yesterday.

BESS:

What do you think happened?

WELCH:

It's simple. It fermented. The key to my wine is that it is unfermented.

NAN:

Which means no alcohol, right?

WELCH:

Absolutely.

NAN:

Well, how would you make it unfermented?

WELCH:

Why do you want to know that?

NAN:

Well… because… I'm very interested in science, and I thought I'd like to maybe write a paper on how a brilliant physician like yourself -

WELCH:

Physician, yes; brilliant, no. That distinction belongs to Louis Pasteur.

NAN:

Who's he?

WELCH:

That, young lady, you will find in a book, along with the method of making unfermented wine.

NAN:

Louis Pasteur was the French chemist who developed the process called pasteurization to prevent fermentation. The way he did this was to heat milk to one hundred and forty five degrees Fahrenheit for thirty minutes.

BESS:

So, we just put the juice in a pot and boil it.

NAN:

Yeah, we put it in bottles first and then we heat it. We better do it the same way. All right, we'll make another batch tonight and give it to Mr. Gerson first thing in the morning.

TOMMY:

[Who has been standing watch by the window.] Here she comes!

JO:

[Enters.] Sorry, I'm late. I had to finish my book. I guess I lost track of time. I finished grading your geography lessons last night. [Handing back the papers.] Unfortunately, there were a lot of failing marks, and I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the grape juice business that Asia's been telling me about.

DAN:

Yeah, um, we were making the juice that night, so I guess we got kind of distracted.

JO:

I appreciate your interest in outside activities, but not when they start to affect what is happening in this classroom.

NAN:

Look who's talking.

JO:

It's important that you learn this material, but unfortunately, we can't take time out of our regular class schedule to go over it again because we're already behind. So, I think it's best that we go over the geography lesson again tonight.

EMIL:

Tonight?

JO:

Yes. After dinner, I'd like everyone to meet back here.

NAN:

But we can't. We've got to make -

JO:

I'm sorry, but you don't have a choice!

NAN:

But that's not fair. We sit in class all day, and now you -

JO:

And I teach all day, spending hours on a lesson only to receive incomplete and sloppy assignments from my students. You're right, Nan. It isn't fair. Now, let's begin today's lesson. Open your history books to chapter seven. [The children hesitate.] Please.

NAN:

That's long enough.

DAN:

I'll take this to Mr. Gerson, and you guys finish cleaning up.

NAT:

Be back before school, though.

GERSON:

Is it supposed to be warm?

DAN:

We didn't have time to cool it.

GERSON:

Well, it's pretty good.

NAN:

[Summons a woman who is standing nearby.] Ma'am, would you like to try some?

EMIL:

So, will you sell it in your store?

WOMAN:

This is delicious.

GERSON:

Of course I'll sell it in my store. How about we split the receipts sixty/forty.

EMIL:

But you give Mrs. Oxley a fifty/fify split for her eggs. And you give the same deal to Mrs. Young for her quilts.

GERSON:

All right. Fifty/fifty. Now, when can I get my first delivery.

NAN:

Well, I think we can maybe give you a few more jars by tomorrow.

GERSON:

Oh, I'll need more than a few jars.

EMIL:

Oh, that's just a start up delivery. How about we get you a hundred quarts by Monday.

GERSON:

A hundred quarts? Good. Done. [Dan, Nan and Emil head out the door.]

EMIL:

We'd better get back to school.

NAN:

That only gives us three days. How are we going to make a hundred quarts.

DAN:

And where are we gonna get that many grapes?

EMIL:

Not my department.

JO:

Well, I hope you're all ready for your test.

DAN:

Test?

JO:

Yes, the science test. I reminded you about it last night.

DAN:

Well, I guess we sort of forgot.

JO:

I take it you haven't studied then. [Beat.] Well, we'll just have to see how you do.

EMIL:

You're still going to make us take it?

JO:

Why wouldn't I?

NAN:

We won't pass.

JO:

Well, then I'll have to make you take it over again until you do.

NAT:

Okay, what is the movement of molecules during temperature variation called?

BESS:

Convection.

NAT:

Hey, that's right.

BESS:

Don't get too excited. It's about the only answer I didn't miss on the test.

DAN:

I can't believe we all failed the test.

NAN:

These aren't done.

EMIL:

They've been in for over half an hour.

NAN:

Those ones have been in for over half an hour. Those ones I just put in.

NAT:

Now, when the temperature of a liquid or gas in a sealed tube is raised, the pressure from increased convection results in…

DAN:

Come on, Tommy. You have to keep up with me here.

TOMMY:

I'm goin' as fast as I can. I'm tired.

EMIL:

We're all tired, Tommy.

DAN:

Look, the faster we work, the sooner we can get to bed.

NAT:

Is someone going to answer the question because we're all going to fail the test again if we don't start studying.

BESS:

He's right. We should really concentrate.

NAT:

Now, what happens to the pressure in a sealed tube if you raise the temperature?

DAN:

Are you sure somethin' happens?

NAT:

Yes, I have the answer right here.

NAN:

When molecules get hot, they move faster.

BESS:

Convection.

NAN:

We already know that.

DAN:

So, then the molecules start moving faster, but if the tube is sealed, they got nowhere to go, right?

EMIL:

Then the pressure would… increase?

NAT:

Right. Until what happens? [Suddenly, jars start exploding, spraying grape juice everywhere.]

NAN:

It blows up.

DAN:

Nan, you sealed the bottles too tight.

NAN:

I did not.

JO:

[Enters with Asia.] What happened?

NAT:

The grape juice blew up.

JO:

Is anyone hurt?

DAN:

No.

ASIA:

What have you done to my kitchen?

JO:

I want this mess cleaned up, and I want every one of you in bed in a half an hour. I don't want to see another bottle of grape juice in my house again.

EMIL:

But Mr. Gerson was going to pay us a lot of money for this juice.

JO:

I don't care what Mr. Gerson is doing. You were supposed to be studying for a test.

NAN:

We were studying, that's why it happened.

JO:

And if you spent half as much time studying as you have been making juice, then maybe you wouldn't all be failing your tests. [Exits, but is still within earshot.]

NAN:

Well, maybe if we had a better teacher, we wouldn't be failing in the first place.

ASIA:

Nan! …Look at this mess!

NICK:

It's awful cold to be outside. I heard about the grape juice explosion. Wish I'd've been there to see it.

JO:

It wasn't as funny as it sounds.

NICK:

You know, normally, you'd be right in there helpin' the kids make the juice.

JO:

Things haven't been very normal around here lately, now, have they?

NICK:

What's that? Another telegram from that businessman in Boston?

JO:

No, it's from my publisher. I sent in my book and he read it.

NICK:

And what did he have to say about it?

JO:

Well, he says that he finds the subject matter very interesting, but that he finds the writing "lacks inventiveness, suffering from style that feels rushed and inhibited."

NICK:

I'm sorry to hear that. I know you worked hard on that book.

JO:

No, I didn't. It was rushed and inhibited.

NICK:

You're just being hard on yourself.

JO:

No, I'm not. I'm finally starting to see things clearly for the first time. [Beat.] I can't go on like this anymore, Nick. I love running Plumfield and teaching class, and I love being a mother to these children, but I also love writing. And in trying to do all of these things, I find that's I'm doing none of them well. [She rises.] And so I'm left wondering what to do. Should I keep writing and stop teaching, or should I give up writing -

NICK:

I think what you need is a good night's sleep.

JO:

What I need is a sign. Anything.

NICK:

You could just flip a coin. [Jo gives Nick a playful shove in response.]

JO:

Tomorrow?

ASIA:

Weren't you supposed to meet him on Monday?

JO:

Yes, but something's come up. Now the only time he can meet me is tomorrow. He's considering donating a lot of money. I can't say no. I haven't even begun my proposal for him.

ASIA:

Well, you still have the rest of the day.

JO:

I promised Rob I would take him fishing.

ROB:

We could go some other day.

JO:

How about we go on Sunday? We'll go right after church.

ROB:

All right.

JO:

A perfect way to spend my Saturday, riding into Boston to ask for money. Saturday!

ASIA:

What?

JO:

Nick and I are supposed to go on a picnic. Well, I'd better go and tell him.

EMIL:

Hey, I've figured out how to get enough grapes to make a hundred quarts. We could get the local vineyard to sell us their grapes.

DAN:

We don't have any money to buy grapes.

EMIL:

I already though of that. We can give them a cut of our profits.

NAN:

We could ask the Butlers. They have lots of grapes in their vineyard.

EMIL:

Good idea. Let's go.

DAN:

Nan, we have chores to finish here. Look, it's bad enough we're doin' this behind Mrs. Jo's back. The least we can do is make sure all our schoolwork and all our chores are done first. [To Emil.] Now, grab a pitchfork and start helpin'.

NAN:

How much do you think we'll have to give the Butlers?

EMIL:

I don't know, but I do know we need all the grapes we can get to make that much juice.

JO:

[Enters and begins climbing up to the loft.] Nan, Emil, I thought that I said that I didn't want to hear any more talk about making grape juice. This is getting - [As she climbs, her foot slips and she falls from the ladder.]

NAN:

Mrs. Jo.! [Racing down to Jo's side.] Mrs. Jo! Go get Nick. Mrs. Jo, wake up, please.

DR. P.:

Mrs. Bhaer… Mrs. Bhaer.

NICK:

Jo?

DR. P.:

It's Dr. Pierce, Mrs. Bhaer. Can you hear me?

JO:

[Wakes, but here eyes are still closed.] Yes. What happened?

NICK:

You fell off the ladder in the barn. You've been out for over two hours.

ASIA:

You gave us quite a scare.

DR. P.:

I'd like you to follow my finger with your eyes. [Jo's eyes a glazed over slightly. It is obvious she is in some pain, but she is able to follow Dr. Pierce's finger.] That's fine. Well, there doesn't seem to be any injury to your head.

JO:

What time is it? My proposal… [She tries to get up, but Nick gently pushes her back.]

NICK:

It can wait.

DR. P.:

He's right. You need to rest. Now, wiggle your fingers for me, won't you. [Jo complies.] Now your toes? [Beat.] Mrs. Bhaer?

JO:

I can't move them.

NICK:

What?

JO:

I'm trying to move them, but I can't feel them. I can't feel them!

DR. P.:

Mrs. Bhaer, try to remain calm.

ASIA:

Come on. I'll send them outside. Y'all wait outside. Come on, now. [Asia herds the children out the door and closes it behind them.]

DR. P.:

Tell me if you can feel this. [Runs a metal tool along the inside of Jo's foot.]

JO:

No.

DR. P.:

And this? [Tries poking Jo's leg.]

JO:

No.

NICK:

Now, it's all right. It's all right, now.

JO:

I can't feel anything.

DR. P.:

This is not uncommon after a hard fall, but the paralysis may only be temporary.

JO:

Paralysis?

DR. P.:

It may only be temporary. I've known cases where it only lasted a few days.

ASIA:

But she will get better.

DR. P.:

I don't know. It depends on the severity of the injury. Only time will tell.

DAN:

It's all our fault. We just should've done what she told us to instead of getting so caught up in this stupid grape juice business.

TOMMY:

What's gonna happen to the school if Mrs. Jo can't ever walk again?

NAT:

I wish there was something we could do to help.

ASIA:

I brought you some books and your journal. I'm going into town first thing in the morning to send a telegram to your sisters.

JO:

Don't do that.

ASIA:

Jo, they have to know what's happening here.

JO:

Asia, there's nothing they can do anyway. Please, just let them stay at their wedding and have a good time.

ASIA:

Well, I am going to send a telegram to that man in Boston to tell him he's going to have to wait a few days for that meeting. You will walk again, Jo.

JO:

We don't know that for certain yet, Asia.

ASIA:

But I do. And when that day comes, I'm gonna look you right in the eye with a big smile on my face and say I told ya. [Asia exits.]

ROB:

Are you warm enough?

JO:

Yeah. Thank you, honey. You brought your storybook.

ROB:

I wanna read to you.

JO:

Come on up. [Beat.] Rob, I'm sorry that I didn't take you fishing.

ROB:

Is it true that you can't walk?

JO:

Yes. I'm sorry, sweetheart.

ROB:

It's all right. I'll take care of you.

NICK:

You kids are up early.

NAT:

Yeah, well, we've got a lot of work to do with Mrs. Jo bein' sick and all.

NICK:

That wood don't have to be chopped until this afternoon.

DAN:

I know, but I gotta lot of work to do later on.

NAN:

How many eggs do you want for breakfast?

NICK:

Uh, two.

NAN:

All right.

JO:

You really don't have to do this, Asia.

ASIA:

Dr. Pierce said it was important for the muscles and the circulation.

JO:

Yes, but you've got so much work to do around the house, especially with me lying here in bed.

ASIA:

Nope, I haven't got a thing to do. The kids are takin' care of everything.

JO:

They are?

ASIA:

They were up before dawn doin' the chores, making breakfast. I don't know where they came up with all this energy.

JO:

Well, they don't have school to worry about.

ASIA:

Oh, yeah, they're in school all right. They're in there right now.

JO:

Who's teaching?

NAT:

How old is Aunt Ethel? Let's just figure it out. [Turns to the blackboard.] Aunt Ethel, good old Aunt Ethel. So, um, one twentieth of her life was before school, three twentieth of her life during school, and she worked for one tenth of her life. She was married for two fifths of her life. Her husband died after seven tenths of her life, and she's been a widow for twenty-four years. Okay, how old is Aunt Ethel? [Beat.] Okay, let's just start at the beginning.

DAN:

You have different fractions. Maybe you should try to find the least common denominator.

NAT:

Right. Good, Dan. So that would be twenty. So all we have to -

EMIL:

Wrong.

NAT:

Twenty is wrong?

EMIL:

No, I mean you're starting from the wrong place. You should start at the end, after her being a widow for twenty-four years.

BESS:

He's right. If her husband died after seven tenths of her life, she's only been a widow for three tenths.

EMIL:

And we know it's twenty-four years.

TOMMY:

Yeah, twenty-four.

NAN:

And if three tenths equals twenty-four, then one tenth equals eight years.

EMIL:

So that leaves seven tenths of her life, so all you have to do is multiply eight by seven and you have the answer.

DAN:

Fifty-six.

BESS:

Right. Then add that to the twenty-four years she's been a widow, and you have yourself an answer.

NAN:

Eighty. She's eighty years old.

NAT:

[Checks the answers in the back.] Right. Eighty's right. Eighty years old. Any questions?

NAT:

And then, after that, we started the Second Battle of Bullrun.

JO:

Really?

NAT:

Yeah, and we talked about the book reports. Now, I need your advice on something. Do you mind if we start reading The Three Musketeers next?

JO:

That's a pretty thick book, Nat.

NAT:

I know, but I'll give them plenty of time to read it. And I was thinking maybe we could start French history at the same time. The book takes place during the reign of Louis, the Thirteenth. It's in our history books and we haven't even covered it yet. I thought it would be neat if we worked the two subjects together - history and literature - like you always do.

JO:

Well, that sounds good to me. You can find the book in the - Ah!

ASIA:

What did you say?

JO:

[Jo laughs at the pain.] Ow!

DR. P.:

And how about this?

JO:

Ah! I felt something.

DR. P.:

Well, Mrs. Bhaer, it looks like you're going to pull through this just fine, but you have to keep exercising those legs. It'll probably hurt at first, but keep at it. And you should start putting some weight on them right away, and in a day or two, try walking… with help, of course.

NICK:

Don't worry. We'll get her up and runnin'.

ASIA:

All right, everybody, it's getting late and we better let Mrs. Jo get some rest. Now, everybody out. Come on.

NAT:

Take care, Mrs. Jo. [As everyone leaves, JO gives a final wink and a smile to NICK.]

ASIA:

Thank you, Doctor. [Coming back to Jo.] See? I told ya.

NICK:

Ready for another try at walkin'?

JO:

Again?

NICK:

Yup, practice makes perfect. Come on.

JO:

My legs are still sore from this morning.

NICK:

The more you do it, the easier it's gonna get. Ready? [He helps Jo stand.]

JO:

Do I have a choice?

NICK:

Nope.

JO:

I guess I'm ready.

NICK:

All right, let's walk. There you go. Good. You're doin' real goo.

JO:

Where are you going?

NICK:

Can you go a little further?

JO:

How much further?

NICK:

Just to the door, that's all.

JO:

What's all this?

NICK:

A picnic. Ain't quite the same as bein' out in the woods, but the view's nice. [He helps Jo sit down.] Don't worry. I didn't make it. Asia did.

JO:

Thank you, Nick.

NICK:

Ah, I couldn't leave you all cooped up in the house on a nice day like this. Not too much longer and you'll be ready to chase those kids around again. [Beat.] Jo, what's wrong.

JO:

Nothing.

NICK:

Jo, it's gonna be all right. Dr. Pierce said it might just take some time. That's all.

JO:

It's not that. Do you remember the other night on the porch, I was trying to figure out whether I should stop writing or teaching, and I said that maybe God would give me a sign.

NICK:

You don't think that you getting hurt was a sign from God, do you?

JO:

I don't know. Maybe it was. Maybe it was His way of saying you're doing too much.

NICK:

Or maybe it was His way of tellin' you you could do both.

JO:

Both?

NICK:

Look at what's been happenin' since you got hurt. The kids are still in school, the chores are getting done. Everything's being taken care of. You don't have to carry the whole load yourself, Jo. You can let others carry some of it for you.

GERSON:

Forty-eight dollars and sixty-two cents.

DAN:

We never thought we'd make that much.

GERSON:

What are you kids gonna do with all that money?

NAN:

We have plans.

NICK:

You gonna sleep all day, or are you comin' downstairs to open your presents?

JO:

Did you say presents?

NICK:

Happy birthday. They're downstairs.

JO:

Downstairs…

NICK:

Come on, Jo, you can do it. You can't stay up here forever.

NICK:

Almost there. Two more. There, that wasn't so hard, was it?

DAN:

Just a few more steps to go. [Hands Jo a pair of crutches.]

JO:

Thanks.

DAN:

Your presents are in the parlour.

ASIA:

[Asia answers a knock at the door.] Can I help you?

WELCH:

Oh, I certainly hope so. My name is Dr. Thomas Welch. I'm looking for - [He sees Nan.] Nan! I thought it was you that I saw in the store. [To Jo.] You must be their teacher.

JO:

Yes. I'm Jo Bhaer.

WELCH:

Well, Mrs. Bhaer, you have quite a group of entrepreneurs here. That grape juice of yours that you're selling is delicious.

JO:

[To Nan.] You're still selling grape juice?

DAN:

It's not just her, Mrs. Jo. It was all of us.

WELCH:

Well, let me congratulate you, each and everyone of you, for an outstanding effort.

NAN:

You mean, you're not mad?

WELCH:

Mad? Why would I be mad?

NAN:

Well, we kind of took your idea. … The grape juice business?

WELCH:

Oh, I had no intention of selling my grape juice to the public.

DAN:

You don't.

WELCH:

No, I developed that as a communion drink for use in church services.

DAN:

Then why did you need so many grapes?

WELCH:

Because I'm expecting so many orders from churches all over the company.

EMIL:

So you're not going to sell it in stores.

WELCH:

No. No, I never considered it.

NAN:

Maybe you ought to start considering it.

WELCH:

Perhaps I should. However, I shall stay away from Concord. I have no intention of competing with your fine product.

DAN:

We're not gonna be making grape juice anymore.

EMIL:

It interferes with our schoolwork.

NAN:

And we only did it so we could make enough money to buy Mrs. Jo's birthday present.

DAN:

It's in there, Mrs. Jo.

NICK:

What is it?

JO:

[Overwhelmed.] It's a typewriter. It's a new invention. I read about them, but I never thought… You were selling the juice to buy me the typewriter.

DAN:

Yeah. We know how much you wanna write, and we know you don't have much time. The ad said the typewriter makes it easier and faster to write.

JO:

I don't know what to say.

WELCH:

What an extraordinary group of students you have, Mrs. Bhaer. You must be a wonderful teacher.

JO:

I have a lot of help, Dr. Welch.

NAN:

And you always will. [Jo hugs her students.]

NAT:

Happy birthday, Mrs. Jo.

ALL:

Happy birthday.

JO:

Thank you.

ASIA:

Well, who wants cake?

JO:

Would you like to join us, Dr. Welch.

WELCH:

I'd be delighted. [To Nan.] So, you think that I should sell my grape juice in stores, do you?

NAN:

Oh, yeah, and then there's lots of other stuff you can make with grapes, too, like jams, jellies -

WELCH:

Grape jelly. What a splendid idea.

NICK:

What're ya writin'?

JO:

My resolutions: Laugh more, worry less. Learn as I teach. Write without inhibition. Go fishing. Have more picnics. Do my best. Do not get discouraged if I lose my way. All I have to do is follow the signs.