when carrie was sixteen

Christmas presents were hardly to be thought of, the way the crops had turned out, but Manly made handsleds for Laura's little sisters, and they would buy Christmas candy for all. -The First Four Years, "The First Year"

This is an example of a time that the manuscript shouldn't have been edited. The original says that Almanzo made a handsled for Laura's little sister, but apparently MacBride didn't want to slight anyone, so he let Carrie get one also. When Laura was sixteen, she was teaching school. When Carrie is sixteen, she's playing with handsleds. Must be all that spoon-banging that slowed her development...

Aw look. Little sleds with Carrie and Grace's names on them! Another rosebunting find.
- posted by pioneergirl at 7:22 PM