Jo's husband, Friedrich Bhaer, has died, and everyone expects Jo to close the school. When she hires sailor Nick Riley as caretaker for the grounds, things begin to change.
Dan is overjoyed but Nat is skeptical when a young "old friend" from Boston appears at Plumfield with talk of going west for high adventures. Jo struggles as students are withdrawn from Plumfield for lack of an experienced teacher.
When Nat finds a poor black family camping in the school woods, Jo takes them into the house while trying to find employment for them, but unexpectedly discovers that prejudice can take many forms.
Nic and the boys go to get a Christmas tree but bring back a severely beaten woman. Preparations for an annual Christmas pageant are further complicated by emotional issues of some facing a first Christmas without cherished loved ones.