Tracie Savage

Laura makes friends with a local fisherman, unaware he is also the new town banker with the reputation of being mean.

Laura becomes enamoured by a new student, but he expresses more interest in Mary, which breaks her heart.

Laura and Mary are concerned that other students won't accept them on their first day of school, which is reaffirmed when Nellie Oleson snubs them for their homespun dresses.

Laura becomes friends with Olga, a lonely girl who has a shorter leg and is sheltered by her father. Charles helps Olga to walk normally but finds resistance from her father.

Substitute-teacher Caroline tries to help a shy, older boy who gets ridiculed about his limited literacy skills.

Mary gifts Laura a baby raccoon when her doll breaks. However, it bites her and the dog, Charles and Caroline discover it is rabid.