Pa Finds "Wheat in the Wall"

I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There were tiresome days, empty bags of wheat, and quarreling parents.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

This adorable print of a young Laura can be bought on Etsy - CarrotTopPaperShop.  

Chapter 23 - "The Wheat in the Wall"

The chapter begins with Laura asking Ma what month it is.  Ma tells Laura it is mid-February.  (My daughter also asks me what month it is; I tell her to look at the calendar.  Good heavens, the girl is going into fifth grade.  Ma could teach me about motherly patience.)  

Laura begins complaining about the family's limited menu of brown bread.  She is swiftly corrected by Ma.  "Never complain of what you have.  Always remember you are fortunate to have it."  I have been keeping a gratitude journal ever since Oprah suggested it as a daily practice in 1996. The list illuminates how rich my life is, but I wouldn't say "No" to a pair of well fitting jeans and a pedicure.    

Laura notices the bag of wheat is almost empty.  She stuffs down her fear, remembering Pa's instructions to never be afraid.  (My boys ate 3 pounds of tortilla chips in 3 days.  It is a good thing the Ingalls didn't have teenage boys in the house.)  Laura asks Ma if they are going to starve.  Ma explains that Pa will kill Ellen, the cow, and her heifer calf if need be. Laura becomes unglued and cries, "On no!  No!"  Ma's well of patience has run dry.  She says, "Be quiet, Laura." 

THIS is where Mr. Foster belongs.  

Pa returns from his pre-supper sojourn to Fuller's hardware.  A rumor is circulating about a settler who has has 300 pounds of wheat.  The supposed settler lives within 20 miles of DeSmet.  Ma asks who started the rumor.  Pa reckons it started with Mr. Foster.  What?!  Who?  Why is anyone listening to that man?  Shouldn't he have been run out of town after the antelope incident?  Perhaps Mr. Foster is the Nellie Olsen of The Long Winter - a character you love to hate.    

You can only push Ma Ingalls so far.

Pa starts slyly hinting how he'd like to fetch the wheat for the town.  That was a big mistake on Pa's part.  LIW writes, Ma was quiet, but terrible.  "Your hauling hay is bad enough," Ma told him.  "You don't go hunting for that wheat!"   The thought of Pa dying in a sudden blizzard and being abandoned with four daughters and a free loading family isn't appealing to Ma.  Pa backs down and tells Ma she is right.  Again, Pa's adventurous spirit is more important than providing security for his family.  He shouldn't have even considered going to find the wheat.     

Pa notices the empty wheat sack.  Ma tells him they have wheat for one more baking and there are still six remaining potatoes.  Pa mysteriously asks for the milk pail and leaves the house.

Pa carries the pail to Royal Wilder's feed store.  Of course, he finds Royal and Almanzo eating stacks of pancakes.  Pa asks to buy some wheat and Royal says he has no wheat to sell.  

Pa isn't taking no for an answer.  He takes a saddle off the wall, removes the plug, and fills his pail with wheat.  Amanzo is flummoxed and asks how Pa knew wheat was hidden in the wall.  "The inside of this room doesn't fit the outside," said Pa.  "It's a good foot short, allowing for two by four studding besides.  Gives you a 16 inch space there.  Any man with an eye can see it."  

After arguing and negotiating with Almanzo, Pa pays 25 cents for the wheat.  He then accepts an invitation to eat a stack of hot, syrupy pancakes with a side of hickory-smoked ham.  Pa doesn't pilfer a bite of ham or pancake for his girls.  Once more, I hate the image of Pa stuffing himself while Ma is home boiling six sad potatoes.  

Pa returns home with the wheat just before the next blizzard strikes.  Ma is relieved.  "Oh Charles,  I might have known you'd provide for us, but wherever did you get it."  Pa doesn't reveal his source.  Laura falls asleep to the sound of the mill grinding wheat.

WWLD:

• Complain and then immediately feel guilty for complaining.
• Pretend to be brave.

See you soon for Chapter 24 - "Not Really Hungry."  (I wish I had this problem.)

Prairie Eydie