Josephine (Jo) Bhaer and her husband Fritz have run a boarding school for boys for several years. Now that Fritz has died everyone assumes that Jo will close the school. When Nick, a sailor home from the sea, hires on as handyman, Jo sees that there is a chance to keep the school open.

A dangerous measles epidemic breaks out at the school.

As Thanksgiving nears Amy decides that doesn't want her daughter in school with boys. Nick decides to return to the sea.

An old friend of Dan turns up at the school and asks Dan to leave with him.

Nick and the children discover a battered pregnant woman in the forest.

Jo finds out that Nick can't read. The students are tasked with doing a good deed in order to learn the meaning of the word Philanthropy.

Nan plagiarizes one of Nat's essays. Laurie joins a poker game.

Meg is attracted to a friend of Laurie's. Dan and Bess are paired on a science project.

After Jo's carriage overturns, Nick searches for her; Dan is left in charge of the children.

Asia's estranged father attempts a reconciliation; another woman pursues Nick.

When Nat wants to enter a father son ski race with Nick as his surrogate fathers, Jo must teach Nick to ski.

Amy moves to Plumfield. Dan befriends a native american and goes on a vision quest of his own.