 Meigs portrays Bronson Alcott and the oldest daughter, Anna, as being fully committed to the ideals of this new life, but says that Louisa and her mother understand how much hard work would be necessary for a communal farm to succeed.The contrast between idealistic and practical is shown when Bronson and the only other adult leave the area for a conference just as the barley is being harvested.An approaching storm has Abba and the children bringing in the grain alone.