The Award 3/5

As the girls walk home from the Mercantile, Laura shares her concern that Mary didn’t tell Miss Beadle that she was withdrawing from the exam. “You know why I didn’t,” Mary states and they rehash the first twenty-seven minutes of this episode. As long as things work out at the job, Mary should have the money to buy a replacement book the day before the test. “Then are you going to tell her what Ma said?” asks Laura. Mary pauses for a moment then responds “That’s a long time away.” Laura wonders what Mary will do if Ma asks as the somber Suite of the Nerd March pipes into the soundtrack. Mary’s adopting the “we’ll see” platform. That strategy is only going to work for you for so long, young Mary. What?

Laura pets the horse when they get back to the homestead. Mary does nothing as she walks by and the horse is all like “bitch, you almost killed me, you could at least say hello.” Laura barges into the house and hugs Ma who reminds Laura yet again to close the door. Laura runs outside to play as Mary just stands in the entryway. Ma greets her as Mary closes the door. Mary takes this moment to tell Ma about the job. Caroline thinks about it for a moment and says it’s okay as long as Mary keeps up her grades and does her chores around the house. Nothing about the exam comes up.

Mrs. Foster is looking at some fabric in the Mercantile. Mary hands her a package and thanks Mrs. Foster for her purchase. Mary returns to the counter to add the transaction to the ledger when Nellie walks in, giving Mary a death glare. Mary returns to the fabric and begins to fold the reams and Nellie follows her. “You should look nicer when you come to work at the store,” she tells Mary. “Maybe your mother will let you wear your Sunday dress,” she snidely suggests. Mary says her Sunday dress is for church, Nellie responds that Mary doesn’t get paid for going to church, and Mary counters that she doesn’t worship in the Mercantile. It would be kind of awesome if Reverend Alden walked in, but instead it’s Miss Beadle who comes through the door.

She is a little surprised to see Mary, but Nellie interjects that the Ingalls girl is working there to cover for Nellie until after the exam. Miss Beadle asks Mary for a pound of sugar. As Mary is scooping, Nellie uses this as an opportunity to brag about all of the resources she has access to. Miss Beadle politely smiles and nods, but when Nellie won’t shut up the teacher tells her to start studying. After Nellie leaves the room, Miss Beadle asks Mary how her studying is going. Mary pauses for a moment then says “fine, just fine.” She has a panicked look in her eyes as this bland conversation continues. Miss Beadle asks when Mary has time to study and the girl fumbles around for an answer, claiming that she can read the books in the store when she isn’t busy. This works for Miss Beadle and she leaves. The Jeopardy Meditation of the Nerd March starts to play as Mary pulls a book from the shelf and starts to read.