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Questions and Answers
Ma was too weak and Laura was too tired and they were too sad to care very much about the untidy house.
True
The Nelsons across the creek had not been affected by the scarlet fever.
False
Mary had cried when she could no longer see even the brightest light.
False
Mary's blue eyes were still beautiful, but she could no longer see through them.
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Ma lifts Grace and holds Carrie's hand to guide them to the train platform
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The family watches the approaching train, unsure how to get their belongings on board
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The train's engine and smokestack appear massive and loud, causing a commotion
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A man helps Ma onto the train with Grace and Carrie, and then assists with their satchels
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The family enters a brightly lit train car with red velvet seats and large windows
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Ma arranges the family in their seats, and Laura and Mary marvel at the luxurious interior
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The train starts moving, and the family experiences the sensation of speed and the changing scenery
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The conductor collects tickets, and Ma mentions that Carrie and Grace ride for free
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Laura describes the conductor's uniform and the fast movement of the telegraph poles outside
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Laura fulfills her promise to be Mary's eyes and describes the train's interior to her
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Mary happily experiences the train journey through Laura's descriptions
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The text showcases the family's journey and the sensory experiences of traveling by train
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Laura notices their old dog, Jack, is too old and sick to make the trip
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Jack has been neglected while the family cared for sick members
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Laura makes Jack's bed and bids him a gentle goodbye
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Jack, too tired to move, passes away during the night
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Jack had been with the family through many adventures
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Jack had been her companion and protector
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The family's journey is marked by the loss of their beloved dog
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Jack's passing signifies the end of a chapter for Laura
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Laura's fond memories of Jack and their time together reflect a deep bond
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Laura recalls how Jack had always been there for her
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Laura had always felt safe with Jack around
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The family is preparing for a journey to Dakota Territory
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Pa buried Jack, the family dog, on the low slope above the wheatfield, creating a mound and smoothing the grass over it.
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Laura realizes she is no longer a little girl, as Pa and Jack have left, and she must take care of herself and her family.
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The family leaves Plum Creek, their home, and embarks on a train journey to the west.
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The family is dressed up and waiting at the train station, with Ma carefully counting money for the tickets.
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Laura's thoughts on the train ride are filled with excitement and apprehension, as she contemplates the speed and potential dangers of train travel.
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The family's attire and appearance are described in detail, emphasizing their sense of anticipation and the formality of the occasion.
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Laura's interactions with her sisters, Mary and Carrie, reflect the dynamics of their relationships and their individual personalities.
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Carrie expresses fear about the train journey and worries about Pa meeting them at their destination.
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Ma reassures Carrie and the girls as they wait anxiously for the train's arrival.
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Laura and Carrie pass the time by imagining their new homestead and eagerly awaiting Pa's arrival.
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The family's anticipation builds as they listen for the approaching train, with Laura's heart racing with excitement.
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The text captures the mix of emotions and uncertainties as the family prepares to leave their home and embark on a new chapter in their lives.
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Laura's family is struggling to find enough food and money to survive in their settled country.
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Aunt Docia offers Pa a job as a storekeeper, bookkeeper, and timekeeper for $50 a month in the west where the new railroad is being built.
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Ma is determined to go west for a better future.
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The family plans for Ma and the girls to stay back until Mary is well enough to travel.
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The family will travel on a wagon, which is a new and exciting prospect for them.
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Aunt Docia shares news about their relatives back in Wisconsin.
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The family's cat, Black Susan, is still living in their old log house, which is now a corncrib.
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The decision to move west brings a mix of excitement and apprehension for the family.
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The family is doubtful about a better future in the west, despite the uncertainties.
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The text conveys the family's struggle for survival and the difficult decision to uproot their lives for a chance at a better future.
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The story captures the family's transition from their unsettled life to the uncertainties of the west as they prepare to embark on a new journey.
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Pa and the family travel on a wagon going west, and Laura prefers the wagon over the train for this one day's trip.
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The whole sky was overhead and the prairie stretched away on all sides with farms scattered over it.
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The family travels on the train, experiencing the rich and swift journey, and Laura prefers the train over the wagon.
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The family arrives at their new homestead in Dakota Territory at the end of the text.
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Pa leads the horses to drink from the creek during the wagon ride
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Laura, Carrie, and Mary sit on a comfortable cushion in the wagon
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Aunt Docia is upset because Uncle Hi has nothing to show for his hard work
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Lena, who is a year older than Laura, invites her to ride horseback with her the next day
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Laura struggles to stay awake during supper because she is feeling sleepy
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Uncle Hi is described as skinny, serious, and uptight
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The family is welcomed into a cold, dark room where the smell of supper is in the air
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Laura and Lena plan a horseback ride for the next day without seeking permission
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The family arrives at a camp where Aunt Docia, Uncle Hi, Lena, and Jean are waiting for them
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Aunt Docia talks very slowly and is happy about their financial situation
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Pa and his family are traveling slowly eastward to a new camp
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The family is tired and sleepy after the long journey and a warm supper
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Laura and Lena wake up in the morning and go to help with the washing
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Aunt Docia scolds Laura and Lena for being late to breakfast
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A homesteader's wife lives three miles away and they are hiring out the washing for the first time
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Laura has driven Pa's horses before and is experienced in handling them
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The ponies start running away while Laura and Lena are driving the buggy
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Lena sings a song about preferring a farmer over a railroad man
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The ponies run as fast as they can, and the girls are terrified during the ride
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Laura and Lena are responsible for washing dishes for 46 men three times a day
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Aunt Docia is the one driving the buggy to pick up the washing
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The shanties are large and the black ponies are grazing far away
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Laura and Lena sleep in a comfortable bed indoors
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A homesteader's wife lives 30 miles away and they are hiring out the washing for the first time
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During the pony ride, Laura falls off twice, but doesn't let go of the mane.
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Aunt Docia and Ma comment on Laura's wild appearance after the pony ride.
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The family encounters a dried-up Big Sioux River during their journey westward.
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Laura describes the vast prairie as an enormous meadow, feeling small and insignificant within it.
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The family feels as though they might go on forever in the changeless place during their journey westward.
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They stop to feed the horses and have a picnic lunch after riding all morning.
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Laura experiences a smooth rippling motion and enjoys the pony ride.
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Lena advises Laura to make the pony gallop by yelling, leading to a fun afternoon.
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The family plans to settle in Silver Lake after leaving the camp.
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The family encounters a dried-up Little Sioux River during their journey westward.
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The family plans to settle in Silver Creek after leaving the camp.
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The family encounters a dried-up Big Sioux River during their journey westward.
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Mary and Laura go for a buggy ride and Laura gets to drive the ponies on the way back.
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The worn-out mother they meet at the homesteader's claim shanty has a 13-year-old daughter who just got married.
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Laura is urged to ride Jean's pony, and despite her fear, she is eventually persuaded to try.
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The text captures the theme of youthful adventure and the fear of growing up.
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The passage highlights the girls' desire for freedom and their reluctance to embrace the responsibilities of adulthood.
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Laura's apprehension about riding the pony illustrates her internal struggle with maturity and responsibility.
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The narrative evokes a sense of nostalgia and innocence, portraying the girls' carefree escapades in the prairie.
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The girls reflect on the responsibilities and limitations of marriage and growing up.
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Laura mounts the pony with Lena's help, feeling scared but determined.
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Lena and Jean race in circles on the ponies, with Laura watching in awe.
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They return to camp with a basket of clean washing and are questioned about their activities by Aunt Docia.
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The girls, along with Jean, have an exciting afternoon riding the ponies in the prairie.
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Mary does not like mud on her feet.
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Laura turns back with Mary and Carrie to the hard, higher prairie.
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The girls gather long branching stems of purple buffalo bean pods.
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The family arrives at their new homestead in Dakota Territory at the end of the text.
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Ma wants Laura to stay away from the rough men in the railroad camp.
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Laura is fascinated by the construction of the railroad and wants to see it being built.
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The work on the prairie is overseen by Fred to ensure the grade is even, straight, and level.
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There are 30 teams and 30 scrapers, all moving in time and working like the works of a clock.
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Laura is captivated by the construction and the coordination of the workers.
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The text describes the meticulous and coordinated work of building the railroad in the rough and wild prairie.
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The narrative captures the pioneering spirit and the fascination with the construction of the railroad in the untamed land.
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Laura's father takes her to see how they make a cut and a fill farther west.
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Laura is urged to ride Jean's pony, and despite her fear, she is eventually persuaded to try.
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Laura and Lena plan a horseback ride for the next day without seeking permission.
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The family arrives at their new homestead in Dakota Territory at the end of the text.
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The family encounters a dried-up Big Sioux River during their journey westward.
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Mary learns to sew despite her blindness.
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The camp is noisy during meal times but quiet when the men are working.
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Laura and Lena take care of the cows, leading them to drink and milking them while singing.
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Lena expresses a desire to see the men working, but they cannot go without the ponies.
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Ma advises Laura on proper behavior and manners before the visit to the work site.
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Aunt Docia moves into the camp with two cows, including a cow named Ellen for Pa.
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Laura surprises Pa by inviting him to see the men working at the store and promises to take him.
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The girls hardly meet except during milking time as they are busy with chores.
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Laura helps with household chores and sewing.
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The men are not working on the railroad at Silver Lake camp.
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Laura and Pa are living at Silver Lake camp where the men are working on the railroad.
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Pa surprises Laura by inviting her to see the men working at the store and promises to take her.
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Ma expresses distrust for half-Indians, while Pa defends Big Jerry's character.
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Old Johnny, the water boss, is described as a cheerful and hardworking old man.
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The family brings Ma armfuls of tiger lilies and purple bean pods.
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The lake is populated by flocks of wild ducks and geese at sunset.
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The family lives in a community affected by potential horse theft and relies on each other for support.
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The text depicts the daily life and interactions of the family in the prairie.
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They see other shanties, a store, a stable, and a boarding-house by the lake.
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Laura and Mary return to their shanty by Silver Lake, where they live with their family.
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They spot a house on the northern shore, and wonder about its inhabitants.
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Big Jerry seeks help from Ma for Old Johnny's sickness.
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The family encounters a dried-up Little Sioux River during their journey westward.
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Ma provides Old Johnny with a generous meal.
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Big Jerry took care of Old Johnny all night, even giving him his blanket to keep warm.
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Pa worries about Big Jerry's safety as some men with loaded guns are lying in wait around the stable.
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Laura recalls seeing Big Jerry on his white horse, always wearing a bright red shirt, and his horse never wore a strap.
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The night is dark, with a little starshine on Silver Lake, and the prairie is flat under the velvet-dark sky sparkling with stars.
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Laura hears a sharp cry in the dark and wants to go out and find Pa, but Ma tells her to be quiet and let Pa take care of himself.
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The text highlights the tension and fear surrounding Big Jerry's safety and the uncertainty of the situation.
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Laura and Ma listen for the sound of shooting and watch the stars move as time passes.
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Pa returns to the camp, assuring Ma that everything is alright and that Big Jerry won't be coming into camp that night.
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Pa's laugh rings out, and he tells them to get some sleep before sunrise.
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Ma reminisces about her long hair when she and Pa were married and softly strokes Laura's hair.
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The atmosphere is vividly described, with details of the dark night, the sounds, and the movements of the stars.
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The teams walked side by side, pulling the loaded scrapers out of the cut and up to the top of the dump.
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The wagons in the text had wagon-boxes made of heavy planks.
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Every wagon waited until three scraper-loads had poured down into it, then it moved on and the wagon behind it moved under the hole and waited.
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The family arrives at their new homestead in Dakota Territory at the end of the text.
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Over three hundred and fifty men at the camp were demanding their full pay, leading to threats and violence when they were only paid up to the fifteenth.
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Laura expressed shock and disapproval at the paymaster's actions, questioning where he got the additional money to pay the men.
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The lake becomes a resting place for a variety of birds, including geese, brant, ducks, herons, pelicans, cranes, mudhens, and hell-divers.
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The birds are on a long journey from south to north, driven by the approaching winter.
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Laura expresses a strong desire to leave the area, preferring the open prairie to Plum Creek.
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The passage highlights the natural migration of birds and the impact of the changing seasons on their behavior.
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The family then discussed the significance of the paymaster's decision, with Ma expressing thankfulness that the paymaster was sensible and emphasizing the importance of discretion.
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The paymaster at Stebbins' camp kept the money in a lean-to office at the back of the store, paying the men through a small opening beside the door.
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The crowd became increasingly unruly, with some demanding to hang the paymaster, but ultimately, the paymaster paid every man what he claimed was due.
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The chapter transitions to the weather getting colder and the sky filling with migrating birds flying over Silver Lake.
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The text captures the mix of emotions and uncertainties as the family prepares to leave their home and embark on a new chapter in their lives.
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Laura and Lena plan a horseback ride for the next day without seeking permission.
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Pa pays the men at the camp from his store immediately after their demand
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Big Jerry convinces the men at the camp to wait until the next day before opening the store
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The men from the camp leave quietly with Big Jerry, causing a sense of relief
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The men from the camp cause trouble at another camp, resulting in a riot
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Laura and Mary show excitement and joy at the return of the men to the camp
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The men from the camp harm the paymaster and another man, causing distress to Ma
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Pa reassures Ma that the camps will soon close and they will settle on their homestead the following summer
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Ma shows concern for justice regarding the fate of the men who harmed the paymaster
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Pa plans to pick out their homestead as soon as the camps close
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The conversation between Pa and Ma reflects only their worries about the ongoing conflict
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The text portrays the tension and uncertainty caused by the conflict at the camp and its impact on the characters' lives
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Pa and his family are traveling westward to a new camp
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The railroad was just an idea until the plowmen, scraper-men, and teamsters started working on it
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The surveyors had measured and marked the railroad grade before any physical work began
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Laura envisions the future railroad tracks and trains, even though they are not physically there yet
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The surveyors' house stands on the north shore of the lake and is intermittently occupied by the surveyors
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Pa works on making out the time-checks in his office at the back of the store, marking the end of a two-week period for the workers
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The process of building the railroad grade involved tearing up prairie grass, digging up dirt, and hauling it with wagons
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The grade-stakes guided the graders on how high to build the grade on low ground and how deep to make cuts on high ground
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The process of building the railroad grade was a gradual one, involving several stages, before the rails could be laid
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Pa explains that people thinking of something first is what makes things happen, and hard work is essential for it to materialize
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The family encounters a dried-up Big Sioux River during their journey westward
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Laura recalls seeing Big Jerry on his white horse, always wearing a bright red shirt, and his horse never wore a strap
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Pa deducted the board-bill from the workers' wages to make out their time-checks.
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Laura was unable to help Pa with his work because the railroad company only wanted him to work in the office.
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On payday, the men received their full month's pay and were contented with it.
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Pa had to handle bookwork and address the men's dissatisfaction with the two weeks' pay.
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The men demanded their full pay and pounded on the store's door, calling for Pa to come out.
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The situation de-escalated as the men insisted on getting their pay, creating a tense standoff.
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Laura described the scene outside to Mary and Ma, noticing a large crowd of men gathering around the store.
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The men refused to work that day because it was payday.
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The railroad company allowed Pa to continue working outside the office to resolve the situation.
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Ma concealed the men's pay in a sack of flour for safety.
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The men were discontented with their wages and demanded their full month's pay.
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It took time to make out time-checks and bring the money, causing the delay in paying the full month's wages.
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Pa lets Laura run ahead to the surveyors' house because he knows nothing can hurt her
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Laura feels the cold wind as she runs ahead, but also feels her blood warm and pulsing strong
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Everyone has left the prairie, leaving Laura completely alone
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The family plans to settle in Silver Lake after leaving the camp
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True or false: Laura found a large front room, a stove, and three other rooms in the empty house?
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True or false: The family had a feast for supper using the surveyors' dishes and had canned peaches for dessert?
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True or false: The family appreciated the spacious house with glass windows and a board floor?
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True or false: The moving-in process was completed, and the dishes were quickly cleared and washed in the pantry?
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True or false: The family set up a trundle bed for Grace during the house arrangement?
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True or false: Laura explored the empty house alone?
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True or false: The family encountered a dried-up Big Sioux River during their journey westward?
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True or false: Laura expressed a strong desire to leave the area, preferring the open prairie to Plum Creek?
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True or false: The family found a large front room, a stove, and two other rooms in the empty house?
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True or false: The family enjoyed a feast for supper using the surveyors' dishes and had fresh apples for dessert?
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True or false: The moving-in process was completed, and the dishes were left unwashed in the pantry?
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True or false: The family appreciated the cramped house with no windows and a dirt floor?
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Pa expresses concern about potential wolf attacks near the stable
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Mary requests to hear 'Highland Mary' on the fiddle
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Laura and Carrie learn to dance to Pa's fiddle music
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The family prepares for bed with the lantern, feeling the cold from outside
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The family encounters a dried-up Big Sioux River during their journey westward
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The men refused to work that day because it was payday
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Laura fulfills her promise to be Mary's eyes and describes the train's interior to her
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The family plans to settle in Silver Lake after leaving the camp
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Ma shows concern for justice regarding the fate of the men who harmed the paymaster
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The family's attire and appearance are described in detail, emphasizing their sense of anticipation and the formality of the occasion
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The passage highlights the girls' desire for freedom and their reluctance to embrace the responsibilities of adulthood
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A homesteader's wife lives three miles away and they are hiring out the washing for the first time
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Silver Lake froze over and snow fell as the wind blew the ice clean, creating a desolate, silent prairie.
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The family spent cozy afternoons in the warm house, with Ma doing housework, Grace playing, and Mary telling stories to Grace.
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Laura and Carrie went sliding on Silver Lake, enjoying the cold weather, and then returned to the warm house for supper and evening activities.
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Pa made a checkerboard and taught Laura how to play checkers during a stormy day.
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Laura beat Pa in a game of checkers, but they didn't play excessively after that.
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On a moonlit night, Laura and Carrie asked to go slide on the ice, and Ma allowed them to go for a quick run with warm clothing.
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Laura and Carrie wore thick, warm clothing and ran to the lake, avoiding the water hole and enjoying the cold, breathtaking air.
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Mary sewed with Laura's help and Laura sometimes felt restless in the house.
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Pa did chores and walked the trap line, while Mary sewed with Laura's help and Laura sometimes felt restless in the house.
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Pa did chores and walked the trap line, while Mary sewed with Grace's help and Laura sometimes felt restless in the house.
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Pa plays the fiddle, and the family sings songs together as a form of entertainment.
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The family is isolated, with the nearest neighbor being 60 miles away to the east, and 40 miles to the west.
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The old man named Woodworth is determined to stay on the prairie for a cure for his consumption.
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The prairie climate is known for curing consumption, attracting people from all over the world.
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The family's sense of community and willingness to help others is evident in their actions.
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The family enjoys the music, savoring their first evening in the new house on the prairie.
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The stranger, Woodworth, arrives on the same evening when the family is enjoying music.
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The family is unprepared for the winter and struggles to take care of the old man, Woodworth.
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The family encounters a howling wolf outside the window, causing them to panic.
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The stranger, Woodworth, is a young man looking for a place to settle.
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The nearest neighbor to the family is 40 miles away to the east.
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The family's entertainment on the prairie involves playing cards and board games.
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Pa and Mr. Boast sing a Christmas song with Mrs. Boast and the girls before bedtime.
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Ma whispers to Laura about managing presents before the girls go to bed.
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Ma advises the girls to share one bed for one night.
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Mrs. Boast sings 'Light for weary wanderers' downstairs after the girls go to bed.
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True or false: Laura and her family wake up to a warm and cozy house on Christmas morning
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True or false: Ma surprises the family with presents on the breakfast table instead of hanging stockings
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True or false: Laura and her sisters worry about not having presents for their unexpected guests, the Boasts
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True or false: Laura and her sisters secretly place their handmade gifts on the Boasts' plates
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True or false: The family eagerly waits for Pa and the Boasts to arrive, feeling the excitement of Christmas
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True or false: The family exchanges gifts, with Ma receiving a surprising handkerchief and Laura getting an apron
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True or false: Each gift is handmade and filled with love, including bed shoes, wristlets, and mittens
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True or false: The family shares gratitude and admiration for the thoughtful and handmade gifts
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True or false: Ma lovingly dresses Grace in a beautiful blue coat and a swan's-down hood, completing the heartwarming Christmas morning
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True or false: Laura receives an apron made by her family from the same fabric as Ma's, a heartwarming surprise
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True or false: The atmosphere is filled with the comforting aroma of cooking and the golden light from the frost-furred windows
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True or false: The family warmly welcomes Pa and the Boasts, sharing laughter and happiness in their snug house
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Did the Ingalls family and the Boasts celebrate Christmas together?
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Did Ma apologize for not having butter due to their cow giving little milk?
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During dinner, did Pa mention they used to have wild turkey for Christmas in Indian Territory?
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Did Mrs. Boast compliment the rabbit and gravy, noting Ma's technique of using salt pork?
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Did Ma and Mrs. Boast eat sparingly, while the rest indulge in the feast?
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Did the families share a joyful Christmas dinner together?
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Did the families have a breakfast of golden fried mush, hot biscuits, fried potatoes, codfish gravy, and dried-apple sauce?
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Did Pa and Mr. Boast go to get Mr. Boast's bobsled, while the women prepare dinner?
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Was Mrs. Boast interested in Ma's cooking techniques, particularly sour-dough biscuits?
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During dinner, did the family enjoy second and third helpings of the meal?
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During dinner, was roasted jack rabbit, bread-and-onion stuffing, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, Johnny cake, hot biscuits, and cucumber pickles served?
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Did the Boasts give the Ingalls children Christmas candy?
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Pa, Ma, and Mr. Boast enjoy a hearty Christmas dinner, including dried-apple pie, in a small house in the cold, snowy prairie
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Mrs. Boast surprises them with popcorn, adding a festive touch to their cozy gathering
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The Christmasy feeling lasts as Mrs. Boast continues to spend time with the girls, and the snow melts in six days
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The text depicts the warmth and joy of simple, yet meaningful, holiday celebrations on the prairie
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The narrative captures the atmosphere of the pioneer life, with a focus on the importance of food and communal gatherings
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The descriptions evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth, emphasizing the value of simple pleasures and togetherness during the holiday season
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The text portrays the resilience and adaptability of the characters as they find joy and comfort in their modest surroundings
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Laura and Mrs. Boast help set up the tiny house, with a stove, bed, and makeshift dining area
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The close-knit community and the bonds between the characters are highlighted through their shared experiences and laughter
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Mrs. Boast cooks a New Year's dinner in her small house, with a table in the middle of the room, oyster soup, biscuits with honey, dried-raspberry sauce, and hot popcorn
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Laura describes the oyster soup, oyster crackers, and the fashionable and daintily served New Year's dinner on Mrs. Boast's pretty dishes and brand-new tablecloth
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The characters' resourcefulness and creativity in making the most of their surroundings is evident
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True or false: Pa plans to file a claim on 160 acres of land at the Brookings land office and offers to mail letters from there.
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True or false: The family spends cozy days reading, talking, and learning about whatnots during stormy weather.
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True or false: The text captures the simple joys and resourcefulness of the Ingalls family as they make the best of their life in Dakota.
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True or false: The children play in the snow, make a snowman, and enjoy the sharp, bright cold with Mrs. Boast.
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True or false: The family eagerly anticipate each new part of the continued story, savoring it by reading one part each day.
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True or false: The Ingalls family and the Boasts discuss the finer honey and oysters brought from Iowa and the promise of a better future in Dakota in 1880.
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True or false: During the storm, Pa tends to trap lines, Mr. Boast hauls wood, and Mrs. Boast visits the Ingalls family regularly.
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True or false: The family learns about 'whatnots' from Mrs. Boast, and Pa constructs a whatnot for the home.
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True or false: Mrs. Boast brings Laura a stack of New York Ledgers, and Laura reads a thrilling continued story to the family.
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True or false: Mrs. Boast teaches them to make curtains of pasteboard and fold squares of heavy wrapping paper for the whatnot.
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True or false: The family's interactions with the Boasts and their activities during the stormy weather highlight the sense of community and resourcefulness in their Dakota life.
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True or false: A snowstorm delays Pa's trip to the land office, but he remains determined to secure their homestead.
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Pa overheard a conversation about a piece of land and decided to spend the night at the Land Office to file a claim on it before anyone else.
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The man who was planning to file on the piece of land didn't know Pa wanted it.
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Forty men spent the night at the Land Office waiting to file claims.
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The man who sang out 'Hello, Ingalls' recognized Pa as someone he knew.
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True or false: Laura's family arrives in a new town where Pa's building is already finished
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True or false: Laura feels crowded by strangers outside the building and has a dream of wolves howling
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True or false: The family wakes up to a snowstorm, with snow covering their beds
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True or false: The family marvels at the unexpected blizzard in April
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True or false: The stove provides warmth and comfort in the cold building
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True or false: The text depicts the ease of pioneer life without any challenges
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True or false: The story captures the pioneering spirit and adaptability of the family
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True or false: The family struggles to adapt to their new living conditions
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True or false: The family makes the best of the situation and shows resilience
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True or false: The family's living space is divided by a permanent wall
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True or false: The room and their clothes need to be cleared of snow due to a snowstorm
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True or false: The unexpected blizzard in April does not affect the family's plans
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Pa and the family slept in the bedroom while the boarders occupied the attic.
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The cost of supplies had decreased, making it easier for Ma to make a profit.
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The family earned over forty dollars from working for strangers.
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Laura hoped to save money for Mary's college education.
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The girls quarreled over the stuffing for the roast goose, though they had neither sage nor onion.
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The family moved to Pa's finished building in town.
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Laura felt lonely and scared amidst the unfamiliar surroundings of the bustling town.
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The streets were filled with sawdust, shavings, and deep ruts from wagon wheels, signifying the town's rapid development.
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The family's transition to town did not mark a significant change in their lives.
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The transition to town brought about a sense of loneliness and fear in Laura.
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The prairie began to green with new grass as the family moved to town.
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The bustling activity in town contrasted with the quiet prairie life the family was accustomed to.
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Pa made a bet with Uncle Sam, staking $14 against 160 acres of land, that they could live on the claim for five years, and the family vowed to help him win the bet.
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The family surprises Pa with a sack of money containing $15.25, earned while he was away, from selling butter and eggs.
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Seven strangers join them for supper, contributing another $1.75 to their earnings.
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Laura is excited about the money they are making and the bustling town with houses and buildings rapidly being constructed.
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The influx of boarders leads to beds covering the floor of the big room and the lean-to every night.
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Ma remains cautious, reminding Laura not to count chickens before they hatch, despite the apparent success and prosperity.
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Pa starts building a store in town using lumber from railroad shanties, aiming to make money by selling it.
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The family is embracing the challenges and opportunities presented by the building boom, with Pa's return marking a significant shift in their fortunes.
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Mr. Edwards, a wildcat from Tennessee, helped Pa secure his claim and refused to come home with him, as he had filed a claim of his own.
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The house becomes filled with boarders, mainly men building houses in town or on their homestead claims, keeping Ma and Laura busy from dawn until night.
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The family encounters a dried-up Big Sioux River during their journey westward.
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The characters' resourcefulness and creativity in making the most of their surroundings is evident.
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True or false: The family prepares for an unexpected April blizzard by building a partition to keep in the heat around their stove.
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True or false: After the blizzard, the family plans to move to the homestead as more wagons come into town, and the railroad grade is being leveled.
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True or false: Laura feels restless and prefers to be out on the prairie with nature.
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True or false: Laura reluctantly agrees to teach Carrie and her friends, Louizy and Annie, but struggles to make them sit still and study.
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True or false: The murder involves a claim jumper killing Hunter, who used to work on the railroad grade.
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True or false: Pa plans to put up a claim shanty and move the family to the homestead in two days.
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True or false: The text portrays the pioneer family's resilience, their struggle with the harsh weather, and their determination to build a new life on the homestead despite the challenges they face.
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True or false: Laura is relieved to be free from teaching and starts singing while she sweeps the floor.
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True or false: A crowd gathers in front of the hotel, and Pa returns home looking sober, announcing the need to move to the claim right away due to a murder south of town.
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True or false: Ma suggests Laura starts teaching school to keep Carrie at home and be good for all of them.
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True or false: Laura struggles to make Carrie and her friends sit still and study.
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True or false: The girls start coming more reluctantly, and eventually, they stop coming altogether.
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True or false: Pa believes that the country will be covered with trees due to the tree claims on every section of land?
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True or false: Ma expresses a desire to see trees again and mentions the restful nature of shady groves in the summertime?
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True or false: Pa expresses concern about the potential challenges of clearing land for farming due to the spread of trees?
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True or false: The family was too tired for music that night and fell asleep soon after supper?
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True or false: Laura, Ma, and Pa are searching for Grace, who has gone missing on the prairie?
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True or false: Laura finds Grace sitting in a pool of violets in a hidden hollow in the prairie?
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True or false: Ma dismisses the idea of fairies when Laura describes the hidden hollow as a perfectly round place covered in violets?
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True or false: The passage captures the emotions and challenges of pioneer life on the prairie?
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True or false: The family shares gratitude and admiration for the thoughtful and handmade gifts?
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True or false: The family encounters a dried-up Big Sioux River during their journey westward?
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True or false: Laura and Carrie wore thick, warm clothing and ran to the lake, avoiding the water hole and enjoying the cold, breathtaking air?
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True or false: Laura turns back with Mary and Carrie to the hard, higher prairie?
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True or false: The ponies start running away while Laura and Lena are driving the buggy?
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True or false: Laura is urged to ride Jean's pony, and despite her fear, she is eventually persuaded to try?
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True or false: The men demanded their full pay and pounded on the store's door, calling for Pa to come out?
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True or false: The descriptions evoke a sense of nostalgia and warmth, emphasizing the value of simple pleasures and togetherness during the holiday season?
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Pa brought yards of pink mosquito bar from town and strips of lumber to make a frame for a screen door.
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Laura sat near Mary and watched it as she thought how the moonlight would be shining in the fairy ring where the violets grew.
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Laura and Lena take care of the cows, leading them to drink and milking them while singing.
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The family plans to settle in Silver Lake after leaving the camp
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The lake becomes a resting place for a variety of birds, including geese, brant, ducks, herons, pelicans, cranes, mudhens, and hell-divers.
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The prairie climate is known for curing consumption, attracting people from all over the world.
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The characters' resourcefulness and creativity in making the most of their surroundings is evident.
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The passage highlights the girls' desire for freedom and their reluctance to embrace the responsibilities of adulthood.
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Pa hangs a rifle, shotgun, and a bright, new horseshoe over the door
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Laura helps Pa build a stable for the horses
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The mosquitoes from the Big Slough become a torment for the family
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Pa expresses optimism about their future on the homestead
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Laura carries the dishpan away from the back door and flings the water over the grass
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Pa acknowledges that the situation with the mosquitoes is unacceptable
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Pa finishes planting the windbreak and Ma drives the nail for the bracket
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Laura reflects on the absence of buffalo and the family's new life as homesteaders
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Pa plays the fiddle and sings a song about the horseshoe bringing good luck
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Pa talks about their plans to build more rooms, have a driving team and buggy, and focus on raising hay and cattle
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Laura and her family settle on their homestead claim
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Pa notes the need for shelter in case of bad storms and Laura helps him with the construction
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True or false: Laura's family is living in a shanty on the prairie?
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True or false: Laura feels guilty for not helping her mother and goes back to the shanty?
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True or false: Laura's family plants little cottonwood trees around the shanty for a windbreak?
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True or false: Each family member, including the youngest Grace, gets a tree to plant?
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True or false: The scene portrays the family's efforts to settle and make their shanty a home on the prairie?
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True or false: The family unpacks their belongings including a clock, glass boxes, and other decorative items in the shanty?
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True or false: Laura's father arrives with little cottonwood trees for planting?
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True or false: The trees are from seeds of a giant tree they saw on their way to Lake Henry?
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True or false: The family works together to plant the trees and water them?
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True or false: The family is living in a modern house with all amenities on the prairie?
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True or false: The family is unpacking their belongings in a modern house on the prairie?
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True or false: Laura's family is not making any effort to settle and make their shanty a home on the prairie?
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Study Notes
The Decision to Move West
- Laura's family is struggling to find enough food and money to survive in their settled country.
- Aunt Docia arrives to offer Pa a job as a storekeeper, bookkeeper, and timekeeper for $50 a month, in the west where the new railroad is being built.
- Pa is excited about the job offer and the prospect of a homestead in the west.
- Ma is hesitant about leaving their settled life, but Pa is determined to go west for a better future.
- Pa decides to sell their farm for $200, and plans for Ma and the girls to stay back until Mary is well enough to travel.
- The family will travel on a train, which is a new and exciting prospect for them.
- Aunt Docia shares news about their relatives back in Wisconsin.
- The family's cat, Black Susan, is still living in their old log house, which is now a corncrib.
- The decision to move west brings a mix of excitement and apprehension for the family.
- The family is hopeful for a better future in the west, despite the uncertainties.
- The text conveys the family's struggle for survival and the difficult decision to uproot their lives for a chance at a better future.
- The story captures the family's transition from their settled life to the uncertainties of the west, as they prepare to embark on a new journey.
Coming of Age in the Prairie
- Laura and Lena go for a buggy ride, and Lena lets Laura drive the ponies on the way back.
- They visit a homesteader's claim shanty, where they meet a worn-out mother whose 13-year-old daughter just got married.
- The girls reflect on the responsibilities and limitations of marriage and growing up.
- They return to camp with a basket of clean washing and are questioned about their activities by Aunt Docia.
- The girls, along with Jean, have an exciting afternoon riding the ponies in the prairie.
- Lena and Jean race in circles on the ponies, with Laura watching in awe.
- Laura is urged to ride Jean's pony, and despite her fear, she is eventually persuaded to try.
- Laura mounts the pony with Lena's help, feeling scared but determined.
- The text captures the theme of youthful adventure and the fear of growing up.
- Laura's apprehension about riding the pony illustrates her internal struggle with maturity and responsibility.
- The passage highlights the girls' desire for freedom and their reluctance to embrace the responsibilities of adulthood.
- The narrative evokes a sense of nostalgia and innocence, portraying the girls' carefree escapades in the prairie.
The Camp on Silver Lake
- Big Jerry took care of Old Johnny all night, even giving him his blanket to keep warm.
- Pa worries about Big Jerry's safety as some men with loaded guns are lying in wait around the stable.
- Laura recalls seeing Big Jerry on his white horse, always wearing a bright red shirt, and his horse never wore a strap.
- The night is dark, with a little starshine on Silver Lake, and the prairie is flat under the velvet-dark sky sparkling with stars.
- Pa leaves in the dark, and Ma and Laura sit in the dark, listening.
- Laura hears a sharp cry in the dark and wants to go out and find Pa, but Ma tells her to be quiet and let Pa take care of himself.
- Ma reminisces about her long hair when she and Pa were married and softly strokes Laura's hair.
- Laura and Ma listen for the sound of shooting and watch the stars move as time passes.
- Pa returns to the camp, assuring Ma that everything is alright and that Big Jerry won't be coming into camp that night.
- Pa's laugh rings out, and he tells them to get some sleep before sunrise.
- The text highlights the tension and fear surrounding Big Jerry's safety and the uncertainty of the situation.
- The atmosphere is vividly described, with details of the dark night, the sounds, and the movements of the stars.
Pa's Payday Trouble
- Pa calculated the wages and board-bill of the workers, then deducted the board-bill from the wages to make out their time-checks.
- Laura had always helped Pa with his work, but now she couldn't because the railroad company only wanted him to work in the office.
- Laura saw a fast team arrive at the store, a man in fine clothes quickly entered, and two others waited in the buggy, appearing afraid.
- Pa, the paymaster, brought a heavy canvas bag with the men's pay, and Ma concealed it in a sack of flour for safety.
- On payday, the men gathered around the store, received their wages for two weeks, and were discontented, wanting their full month's pay.
- Pa explained to Laura that it took time to make out time-checks and bring the money, causing the delay in paying the full month's wages.
- The men refused to work that day because it was payday.
- Pa had to return to the office to handle bookwork and address the men's dissatisfaction with the two weeks' pay.
- Laura described the scene outside to Mary and Ma, noticing a large crowd of men gathering around the store.
- The men demanded their full pay and pounded on the store's door, calling for Pa to come out.
- Pa calmly confronted the crowd, asking them what they wanted, as they demanded their full pay.
- The situation escalated as the men insisted on getting their pay, creating a tense standoff.
Life on the Prairie
- The family is settling in their new house on the prairie for the winter.
- They are isolated, with the nearest neighbor being 60 miles away to the east, and 40 miles to the west.
- Pa plays the fiddle, and the family sings songs together as a form of entertainment.
- They are well-prepared for the winter, with provisions for the cow and the team.
- The family enjoys the music, savoring their first evening in the new house on the prairie.
- They are interrupted by a howling wolf outside the window, but Pa reassures them.
- The next morning, a stranger arrives, an old man named Woodworth, who is sick and alone.
- The man is determined to stay on the prairie for a cure for his consumption.
- Pa and a teamster persuade the old man to leave with them for his own safety.
- The prairie climate is known for curing consumption, attracting people from all over the world.
- The family helps the old man and his belongings into their wagon to take him to safety.
- The family's sense of community and willingness to help others is evident in their actions.
Life in Dakota
- The Ingalls family and the Boasts discuss the finer honey and oysters brought from Iowa and the promise of a better future in Dakota in 1880.
- Pa plans to file a claim on 160 acres of land at the Brookings land office and offers to mail letters from there.
- A snowstorm delays Pa's trip to the land office, but he remains determined to secure their homestead.
- During the storm, Pa tends to trap lines, Mr. Boast hauls wood, and Mrs. Boast visits the Ingalls family regularly.
- The children play in the snow, make a snowman, and enjoy the sharp, bright cold with Mrs. Boast.
- Mrs. Boast brings Laura a stack of New York Ledgers, and Laura reads a thrilling continued story to the family.
- The family learns about "whatnots" from Mrs. Boast, and Pa constructs a whatnot for the home.
- Mrs. Boast teaches them to make curtains of pasteboard and fold squares of heavy wrapping paper for the whatnot.
- The family spends cozy days reading, talking, and learning about whatnots during stormy weather.
- They eagerly anticipate each new part of the continued story, savoring it by reading one part each day.
- The family's interactions with the Boasts and their activities during the stormy weather highlight the sense of community and resourcefulness in their Dakota life.
- The text captures the simple joys and resourcefulness of the Ingalls family as they make the best of their life in Dakota.
Pioneer Family Prepares for an April Blizzard and Plans to Move to the Homestead
- The family prepares for an unexpected April blizzard by building a partition to keep in the heat around their stove.
- Pa believes in building and not waiting for things to suit them before they start.
- After the blizzard, the family plans to move to the homestead as more wagons come into town, and the railroad grade is being leveled.
- Carrie enjoys the town, but Laura feels restless and prefers to be out on the prairie with nature.
- Ma suggests Laura starts teaching school to keep Carrie at home and be good for all of them.
- Laura reluctantly agrees to teach Carrie and her friends, Louizy and Annie, but struggles to make them sit still and study.
- The girls start coming more reluctantly, and eventually, they stop coming altogether.
- Laura is relieved to be free from teaching and starts singing while she sweeps the floor.
- A crowd gathers in front of the hotel, and Pa returns home looking sober, announcing the need to move to the claim right away due to a murder south of town.
- The murder involves a claim jumper killing Hunter, who used to work on the railroad grade.
- Pa plans to put up a claim shanty and move the family to the homestead in two days.
- The text portrays the pioneer family's resilience, their struggle with the harsh weather, and their determination to build a new life on the homestead despite the challenges they face.
Laura and her family are living in a shanty on the prairie
- Laura is picking wildflowers and enjoying the prairie landscape
- She feels guilty for not helping her mother and goes back to the shanty
- The family is unpacking their belongings in the shanty
- They have a clock, glass boxes, and other decorative items
- Laura's mother is baking bread and preparing dinner
- Laura's father arrives with little cottonwood trees for planting
- The trees are from seeds of a giant tree they saw on their way to Lake Henry
- The family plants the trees to create a windbreak around the shanty
- Each family member, including the youngest, Grace, gets a tree to plant
- The family works together to plant the trees and water them
- The scene portrays the family's efforts to settle and make their shanty a home on the prairie
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