PART 2
Laurie returned from the office at the usual time, greeting his wife with a kiss and settled himself in an armchair with a book. Amy greeted him cheerfully, and set about to ensure that the dinner preparations were going well. She waited until dinner was served to mention Jo’s request.
“Laurie, I visited Jo today,” she began.
“How is she?” he queried.
“Very well, and Jo wanted me to ask you something,” Amy continued reluctantly.
Laurie saw the conflicting emotions in his wife’s face, and he began to get worried. “There aren’t any problems at Plumfield, are there? I hope that everyone is fine.”
“No, they’re all fine,” Amy replied slowly, “but she needs another male chaperone for an upcoming activity. She’s taking all of the children camping, and all of the boys won’t fit into one tent.”
Laurie began to answer with a smile, and Amy continued rapidly, “Of course, I told her that you may have conflicts with your work schedule.”
“We have had good business lately, but there’s no reason I couldn’t take a day or two off. Bess will be going, won’t she? And I always enjoy spending time with the boys.”
Reluctance changed to concern as Amy considered that her daughter might spend time in the wild under uncertain circumstances. “I hadn’t asked her--Bess usually prefers indoor activities.”
“But didn’t she learn how to fish last summer? I think she really enjoyed that,” insisted Laurie.
“And Jo didn’t say where they would find tents--I know that great-aunt March had nothing like that at Plumfield.”
“I’m sure that Jo is perfectly capable of procuring tents and organizing such an activity. I think I would enjoy going-I haven’t done anything like that since before I was in college.”
Amy’s concern changed to horror as she realized that her husband really intended to go. “But…but…you’ll get so dirty, and the ground is very hard, and won’t you ruin your clothes!”
“Amy, I’ve been out camping before, and I know what it’s like. I’m just lucky that I didn’t have to do it as an army officer--the war ended in time.”
Laurie skillfully dodged Amy’s protests, and turned the tables on her even further. “You know, if you’re so concerned, perhaps you should come along to make sure we’re safe,” he teased. “Perhaps Bess could teach you to fish.”
Amy’s brow furrowed even more in consternation. She attempted to divert this line of questioning, but Laurie was persistent. In the end, Amy found herself agreeing to come along to “safeguard” her husband and daughter.
“You know, Jo always did call you a rascal! She was right!” came the parting shot, as she left the dinner table. Laurie chuckled to himself quietly, and made mental notes to visit Plumfield the next day to set the details.
PART 3
