Lyddie receives several letters in the book, but the one that changes the plans that she and Charlie have is the letter they receive at the end of chapter 1. In chapter 1, Lyddie and Charlie are living by themselves on the family farm after their mother and the two little sisters have moved to Uncle Judah's home. Lyddie decided not to go with her mother; she feels it is necessary to stay on the farm in case their father should return. Lyddie feels that she and Charlie can make a go of the farm. After one more year and one more harvest, they feel they will be "experienced old farmer and sugarers." This plan of theirs is probably quite unrealistic. The children have barely had enough to eat during the winter, surviving only on rabbit and peeled bark for soup plus their scant provisions. Having milk and maple syrup...
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makes their diet a little better in the spring, but harvest is several months away, and many things can go wrong for a farmer.
At any rate, the letter they receive from their mother puts an end to their plans to live in the cabin and farm their land. They learn that their mother has let the land out to Mr. Wescott and has transferred the cow and horse to him, all to pay their debts. Since they no longer have control of the pasture and fields, farming is impossible. Not only that, but their mother has in essence "let" them out as well in order to pay debts. Charlie has been hired out to Baker's Mill, and Lyddie has been hired out to Cutler's Tavern. The letter says that Charlie and Lyddie must leave their home at once to serve their new employers.
Although this changes their immediate plans, Lyddie refuses to give up her hopes that they will some day be able to come back as a family and live on the farm again. She determines she will earn enough money so she can pay off the debts the family owes and reunite the four children and their mother. She also continues to hope that her father will return.