The family is a warm, strong unit in this story of early Kansas. Phoebe and Hartley Dawson, standing in the windmill, don't know what exciting adventure that speck on the prairie horizon is bringing them. Father has gone for supplies with the wagon train, and now that Mother must respond to a call for help, they are to be left alone in the sod house. The little ones are to be cared for, the animals fed, all the dangers faced. Well, Hartley isn't going to take orders from any old girl like Phoebe! As for her, she never saw before how much work Mother must accomplish.

It isn't easy, yet Hartley acts as wise as Father when things get too much, an Phoebe manages somehow. There is the fun of candy making, an impromptu party. Little sister Tessie takes a long step forward in helping Phoebe. They tend the animals and are strong even when the blizzard strikes. But as the *** reaches of the starry night, a knock sounds on the door. The children are afraid.

Long, long afterward when the new wooden horse is up an Phoebe is facing brandnew problems, such as giving ***, Indians come riding. They are bringing a surprise for youngsters who bravely regard **

From the dust jacket (partial)