Part Two

     They ended up riding the horses, since Nick thought it would take too long to fix the wagon wheel or get a new one.  There weren’t enough horses for everyone, but Asia stayed home and some of them rode double.  They used one of the horses to pack the baskets and bags on.
     Bess had made a fuss at having to ride with Nan.  Bess thought Nan would make the horse skittish.
     “You’re the one who’ll make the horse skittish,” Dan wisecracked.
     Bess made a face.
     Now, as they were at Walden Pond, things were going more smoothly.  They had finished eating lunch, and the boys were off playing tag in the fields with Nick, and the girls were sitting at the edge of the pond staring at something and talking.
     Jo was sprawled under a big oak tree on a blanket and she sighed in relaxation as she looked at the serene blue sky.  “It’s so beautiful out here!  And it’s good to get a rest from teaching.  I told them tomorrow would be free, too.”
     Meg listened with a smile, but didn’t comment.
     The day was, indeed, beautiful.  The air was cool but the sun was shining, the birds were scattered and happy, the trees’ leaves were just turning gold since fall was coming on, the fresh smell of pine and flowers drifted across, and the excited shrieks of the children told Jo they were enjoying the day as much as she was.
     Meg was hesitant to start a conversation, but it had been a long time since she had talked to her sister and she wondered if Jo would have any advice for her.  She usually did.
     “Jo, what do you honestly think of Edward?”
     Jo raised her eyebrows briefly and shrugged.  “I don’t think he’s deserving of you.  He has good points.  He’s polite and refined.  But I don’t see that he’s very considerate of your feelings.  Look at the way he wanted to waft you off to New York like you were a piece of luggage!”
     “I don’t think he meant to be rude to me,” Meg protested unconvincingly.
     “Even so . . .”  Jo shook her head.  “Anyway, it’s what you think of him that matters.”
     Meg looked down and studied her fingers.  “I do like him.  But I wish he had thought about me, more, and what I wanted.”
     Jo silently agreed, but she couldn't say that to Meg when the wedding was coming up so soon.
     Just then, Nick walked up with all the children.  The children were giggling and whispering.
     “These kids think we should have a tug-of-war across the pond,” Nick stated, his eyes twinkling.
     “They do, do they?” Jo exclaimed, putting her hands on her hips in mock indignation.  A grin broke out on her face.  “Well, what are we waiting for!” 

     Meg looked up with alarm.  “Tug-of-war,” she mumbled.
     The rest were already hurrying to get the rope from off the horse.
     “Come on, Meg!” Nick called with a grin.
     “You can do it, Meg!” Nat assured.
     Jo smiled in encouragement.
     Meg looked down at her dress.  She felt her heart pumping as she stood up and said to Jo, “In my good dress?”
     Jo rolled her eyes good-naturedly.  “You’re sounding like Amy!  You probably won’t get a drop on you, and even if you do, the dress can be washed!”
     “Jo!” she moaned.
     Jo sighed.  “Here.  I brought another dress in case I wanted to go hiking.  You can wear it and I won’t care a bit it if gets wet!”
     Meg took the offered garment.  Why do I get myself into these messes? she thought.  But even while she was objecting, she rather looked forward to the adventure of it.
     Meg changed in the woods while the others got set up.
     When Meg came back to the group, they were choosing sides and lining up.
     “Meg, you go in the front,” Nick ordered.
     “In the front!” she protested.
     “It’s easier,” Nick promised.  “People don’t get in your way an’ step on your toes.”
     Meg swallowed and went to the head of the line.
     Nick was on one side with Nat, Nan, and Emil, and Meg was on the other side with Jo, Bess, Dan, and Tommy.
     Meg looked out on the rippling water that looked so innocent and benign.
     “Aw’right.  Get ready . . . get set . . . GO!” Nick shouted.
     Meg pulled for all she was worth.  The rope dug into her palms and she struggled to keep away from the pond, grunting in exertion.
     “Pull!” Jo cried from behind Meg.
     “I’m pulling!” Meg insisted.
     The pond seemed to be getting closer every second.  Meg yanked on the rope.  Her eyes were wide in concentration and suspense.
     In a moment, Meg hardly comprehending what was happening, she was flying through the air.  She landed with a large SPLASH into icy cold water.
     She came to the surface in astonishment, coughing and wiping the hair out of her eyes.
     She heard laughing and hoots from the group.  Jo, who had fallen in the water as well, took Meg’s hand and helped her out.
     While the two came to the shore dripping wet and bedraggled, they all became aware of a man standing aside.
     Meg’s mouth went limp.  Harrison!
     Mr. Bridger was grinning in amusement.  “I wanted to talk to Meg, but perhaps this isn’t the best time?”

     Meg nervously brushed at her hair with her hands as she walked beside Mr. Bridger.  They stopped and stood under the big oak tree.
     The kids, Jo, and Nick, were walking away into a field, the boys throwing sticks far into the sky, their shouts and laughter fading away as they went farther on.
     Mr. Bridger cleared his throat.  “Well, my friends are having a party and wondered if I knew any talented musicians.  I’ve heard your singing in church, and I was very impressed.”  He paused.
     “Thank you,” Meg murmured.
     “The party is this Saturday.  Would you honor us by coming and singing?”
     Meg smiled.  “Of course!”
     Mr. Bridger grinned.  “No need to step on my foot this time!”
     Meg laughed and tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear.
     Mr. Bridger looked out at the children who were playing in the field.
     “Mr. Bridger, would you join us at Plumfield this evening for dinner?” Meg invited.
     He looked surprised.  “Well, I . . . if it’s all right with everyone—I'd be glad to!”

Part 3

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