50 Minutes of High Drama on the Prairie | Little House On The Prairie

Laura! Betcha and Nickel are back in camp having lunch right now. Probably. It's a nice day for a walk anyway. Yeah. Nellie! Laura! What you got, Jack? It's Laura's leaf bag. I wonder where they could have got to. Laura! Nellie! They must be too far off to hear us. Probably went downstream. You don't think they could have fallen in the river? Come on, Nells. Don't start chasing shadows. Let's just find the girls. Told you that. Could you just give them to me? Because you say that your mother doesn't like dogs. They make a mess sometimes. She likes this one. And Miss Farnsworth likes them. And she's going to have a puppy in her fine home. My ma says that's good enough for her. What are you talking about? What puppy? The one you gave Alicia. She's going to let her keep it when they go to Minneapolis. Miss Farnsworth's going to adopt the Sanderson's? No, silly. Just Alicia. I heard her and mother talking. They'll be leaving end of the week. Please let me have the puppy. I'll give you a piece of licorice every day. Laura! Hi, Mary. Mary, I said hi. Nellie told us about Alicia. Trashing the pup. You told me what happened. Two. Besides, I'm in a hurry. I'm taking the pup to town. You found a home for him, huh? Sure did. I'm taking him to Nellie. I thought you didn't want Nellie to have him. I changed my mind. I'm just like Alicia will. I wonder if he's happy, just so he's got a home. Any home. You were going to take the pup and give it to Nellie? I'm just resting a spell. Oh, you should be happy at the Olsons. No, he won't. Then why are you doing it? Same reason my pa's doing what he's doing. That's not true. You're giving the pup to Nellie out of anger. That's not the same thing at all. You know, Laura, there are a lot of decisions we have to make in this life that we wish we didn't have to. Your pa has made one of those decisions. But it's not right. It's easy to say when the problem isn't left up to you. Your pa made a promise to a dear friend. He didn't have to. He could have left that responsibility to somebody else. But he didn't. He counts friendship too dear for that. Do you need any help? No, ma'am. Everything's fine. Mr. Edwards, have I done anything to offend you? No, ma'am. Well, I'm sure it was nothing we said to each other. You haven't spoken a word to me the entire day. I'm just not much of a one for talking, that's all. It's Alicia, isn't it? You don't like the idea of my adopting her. I didn't say that, ma'am. I think you did, by your silence. I just think there's things more important to a child than a big house and a lot of money, that's all. Mr. Edwards. Yes, ma'am. It may come as a surprise to you, but even rich people can love. What'd you think of Miss Farnsworth? It's hard to say. I just met her. Alicia sure has taken a liking to her. Must have. She let her hold the pup. What do you expect me to do? I don't expect you to do nothing. You got your mind made up. And you think I'm wrong, huh? Yeah, I do. I do. I think you're wrong. You've always had a family. You don't know what it's like to be alone. I do. I lost my wife and daughter. This part of me died, too. And that part of me ain't never gonna come back to life again. Oh, I know. I'm sorry. Happy-go-lucky, Mr. Edwards, to all you folks. Just, uh, having fun, laughing all the time. Just like that young'un's laughing right now. Let me tell you something. It's different when you're alone. When you lie in bed at night and listen to the silence. But pray to God you could hear the sound of a loved one sleeping. You made your choice. Just don't expect me to tell you it's right. And don't expect me to tell you you're right. You made your choice. You want to be alone. Mr. Ingalls, for the picnic and the ride home. You're very welcome. I would like to adopt Alicia. I see. I promised Harriet I'd spend Thanksgiving with them. Alicia and I could leave the next day. I think it would be wise if I took the child after church services on Thursday. That way she could spend an evening with me before the trip back. We would have a little more time to talk and know each other. What do you think? You'll make the arrangements then? Miss Farnsworth Yes. You will love her. I will. Don't worry about Henry anymore. I'm going to do just like you asked. Stop it, Willie I know what you mean when you act that way. Sorry, but Willie ate all the pear butter sandwiches. I had some brown sugar and cinnamon, like if you'd like some. Sit. You sure you wouldn't like some brown sugar and cinnamon? Thanks, and I got my own bacon sandwiches inside. Wasn't very hungry anyway. Guess it really worked that time. He sure does look mad. If he's not, I am. No reason to be. If he don't take you to the dance, I will. But you still gotta pay me my marbles. Let's go. For heaven's sakes, you better get to sleep. How do you expect me to sleep if tomorrow's my last chance? You could go to the dance with Willie. I'd rather be a wallflower than go to the dance with Willie. Where are you going? I have to talk to Mom. You know, what are you doing up so late? You're not feeling sick, are you? No, Pa. But I wish I was. Then I'd have an excuse not to go to the spring dance. What's this all about? I thought you liked dancing. I do. It's fun when you have the right partner. There's going to be a lot of boys there. You have lots of partners. A special one. Well, you got me. I love you, Pa, but it's just not like having a boy ask you out to the dance. Well, there's still tomorrow. Maybe somebody will invite you tomorrow. Maybe, but I don't know what to do. I try what you said. What I said? About making him jealous like you did to Pa. Like you told Mrs. Snyder. It worked with Pa, but I must be doing something wrong because it just isn't working with Henry. Stay up the whole night worrying about it. You get some sleep. Everything always looks brighter in the morning. Yes, sir. Night, Ma. Sweet dreams. Good night, darling. We should have known something was wrong when she started taking up with Willie Olsen. She must have overheard what I said to Grace and applied it to her home situation. From what I understand, it's not working out too well for Grace, either. No, it isn't. I wish I'd kept out of the whole thing. Carolyn, you know, it's impossible for a woman not to give advice on how to snare a man, even if it's wrong. Well, at least it was sound advice. It worked on you. Well, it sure did. Up to a point, I got angry. Just as angry as Edwards. Why don't you remember that? Oh. I had forgotten. You also forgot you were the one who ended up asking me to the dance. You do remember that? Yes. Carolyn, when all else fails, tell the truth. The whole truth. Nothing but the truth. It's a capricious thing. And sometimes, people remember the same thing a little differently. I mean, as the years go by. Sometimes we forget the little details. Especially some of the small setbacks. Last night, Charles reminded me of the missing ingredient in the recipe I gave you. What to do if things didn't work out. But Pa was jealous. He said he was. Yes. He was also very angry and too proud to let on. And so I had to track him down, confess my deception, and ask him to the dance. But the girls aren't supposed to do the asking. Dr. Baker, come in. Julia Sanderson. She collapsed early this afternoon. Oh, no. Reverend Alton's with her now. She's asked to see you and Carolyn. All right. Be heard, Ma. Keep an eye on Carrie while we go on. Yes, Ma. Is this it? Yes. I hope you won't take offense, Reverend. But if you'd just read that and say a simple prayer, I'd be obliged. Whatever you want, Julia. You're a fine Reverend, but you do tend to go on a bit long at these kind of things. Brevity was never one of my strong points. They're here, Julia? I'll be outside if you need me. Thank you, Reverend. Oh, Reverend. Yes, Judy. When you read that, be sure not to mumble. Read it loud and clear so everybody can hear. Loud and clear. Come sit by me. There never is enough time to get everything done. Excuse me. You made me a promise the other day, Charles. Remember, it'll be up to you now to make the choice. Grace will take care of the children until you make your decision. It'll be hard for them to accept it first. You'll have to be firm with them. Be a good crop this year. Children in now, will you? God bless you both. Your chores so much? Chores. I can't go fishing unless I get them done. The whole book fund, it's got more money than anybody. You mean he's the banker? Of course, that's me, Mr. Sprague. I've been waiting for you. They're really biting today, look at the size of that one. Why didn't you tell me who you were, Mr. Sprague? I didn't think it mattered. Well, it did. I was talking to you and you didn't even tell me it was you. And that isn't fair. Well, I didn't get your name either. Laura Ingalls. But I wasn't keeping it a secret. You knew very well who I was. I didn't. Everyone knows who I am. Well, I didn't. All I knew is that you were my friend. You were mine because you wanted something from me. Your pa thought you could sweet-talk me into giving him a loan. That's not true. Yes, it is. No one talks to me unless they want something from me. All right, all right. I did want something from you. I wanted a best friend who wanted to go fishing, as much as I did. But I don't anymore. I'd rather go fishing alone for the rest of my life. What to say? The worst about being hurt. What do you mean? If you never love someone, about that person hurting you, who is the one to give you joy and sorrow? I'm really afraid of sorrow, but he won't ever have any joy either. The truth is life being afraid to love. There just isn't any reason for living. Closing your eyes and... One. It's all right, Laura, never mind. My mother said your pa took you to Mankato to get glasses, but I never thought you'd have the nerve to wear them. What do you mean, Nellie? Oh, nothing. Just I would never wear the ugly things. Miss Beadle wears glasses and she's not ugly. She doesn't have a husband either. And Mary's going to be an old spinster, just like Miss Beadle, because no one ever marries a four-eyed. Well, no one will ever marry you because you say such nasty things. Come on, Laura, let's go inside. Queen Isabella furnished money for Columbus to discover the new world. Very good, Nellie. My mother says Queen Isabella's more important than Columbus. Well, I think that depends on how you look at it, Nellie. Uh, Mary, would you like to take the next one? Yes, ma'am. Now, I think that will be enough of that. Mary, I hope you find your glasses to be as much of a comfort as I do my own. Yes, ma'am. Now, would you like to take the next one? Magellan, Ferdinand, the first explorer to circum... Circumnavigate. The first man to sail all the way around the world. That's very good. You seem to have caught up on your studies. Yes, ma'am. I read a lot on the way back from Mankato. I hope this means that you'll take part in the history competition. Thank you, Miss Beadle. While we're on the subject, you all might do well to review the dates you were given last semester. You'll be responsible for all the material we've covered. Now use the next few minutes before recess for a study period. I just need a couple more minutes, then I'll be finished. your work has improved a great deal Just about caught up. I'm so proud of you. My school work hadn't gotten better with my glasses. Would you and Pa be ashamed of me? We'd love you, but you're a fine student. Guess who? Yes, we all do an imitation of someone we know and have to guess who it is. Willie's turn. Guess who I... You must be so proud of him. Yes, I am. But you must be equally proud of Jebediah. Charles tells me he's going to make all of Walnut Grove proud on Sunday. Not to mention a good deal richer. That is, for those of us who had the courage to back our confidence with our money. I don't understand. Jebediah isn't playing for money. No, no, I'm speaking of the wagers. It's as good as money in the bank, thanks to your husband. People are betting because Jebediah is pitching? Well, Walnut Grove has a good chance of winning with Jebediah pitching. Then I'm afraid they'll have to lose. I can't wait to see that slick McBurney's face when Jebediah... What did you just say? I will not allow Jebediah to take part in any game that encourages gambling. But the bets have already been made. sad lesson. Jebediah will not be part of it. Now, Margaret, you know I feel the same way about gambling that you do. Good. I'm glad someone does. Margaret, you don't understand. I myself have a great... It's you who doesn't understand. Jebediah will not play. I will not allow it. Please credit the eggs to my account. I have to speak to my husband. Trust I'll see you ladies at the Women's League on Saturday. Good day. Good day. Mm-hmm. A little early for lunch, isn't it? Well, this ain't lunch. I built myself a mitten. Doc says I ought to have one after hurting my hand the other day. I didn't know you hurt it. Yeah. Pulled up like a mule or something on that for catching baseballs the other day. Well, that looks pretty good. That smells pretty bad. I'm going to put a side of jerky in there, take a sting out. It'll work pretty good, too. I'll wait here, Jebediah. You go tell them. Yes, Margaret. Morning, Jebediah. Wish it was. What's the matter? I'd rather take a beating and say what I've got to say. I ain't going to be able to pitch Sunday. Why? Would you hurt yourself? No, Margaret won't let me play. Why not? Well, your wife Carolyn and Mrs. Olsen told her about that gambling. She's plumb set against those things. There must be something we can do. Maybe if I just go over there and have a little talk with her. Well, you're welcome to try. Jebediah, come along. On second thought, you're probably right. Wouldn't have done it good. Sorry, fellas. Didn't mean to let you down. Where's the bottle? In a day's wages. Two days' wages. What do you mean, two days' wages? You told me to put you down for two. Now, did I say that? Yes. Now, what are you doing listening to me? I won't anymore. I will just eat my mitten. All right. Well, you know, Charles, maybe Margaret is right. If they lose, it'll teach everybody to stop gambling. Pretty expensive lesson. Well, then why don't you just call off the game? We couldn't do that, and that was Sleepy Eye. You'll never hear the end of it. I don't see why. Everybody knows they have a better baseball team than we have anyway. Carolyn, you certainly have a way of putting her. Come on, Matt, tell the truth. Aren't you tired of losing? Well, sure we are. It's just the point. If we could have beaten Sleepy Eye this year, the men could have quit winners. We could have held our heads up. This way you'll never get them to quit, not losers. You mean if they win Sunday, they might give up this game? Well, I'm sure of it. I've got a little chance of that now with that jib of a dial. You know Margaret Mumford, when she's made up her mind. Yes, I know. I've got to get back to work. See you at the house. Bye. Hi. Two dozen today. Just credit it to our account. At this rate, I'll be dead and buried by the time this is paid for. Oh, my husband said that... You must realize, of course, Mrs. Ingalls, that everything that you purchase here has already been paid for by us. Months ago. I understand that. Well, now, no one extends credit to us, Mrs. Ingalls. It's cash. Hard cash. That's the way we operate. I know. We're not running a charity here. I know. My husband said... I don't think it's very fair of you to take advantage of a friendship. I could hardly take advantage of something that doesn't exist. Well, that's gratitude for you. No, that's truth. Now, you let me tell you something, Mrs. Ingalls. No, let me tell you something, Mrs. Olsen. My husband will be in to pay the bill in full by the end of the week. Well, good day, Mrs. Olsen. Come on, Carrie. Charles? Yeah? Letter from the bank in Mankato. Payne's Construction Company is bankrupt. What? See for yourself. For all that work, all the lumber we ship. They've got to pay you something. Oh, yeah, sure, but they've got to pay their other creditors, too. That takes time, and then you get down to pennies on the dollar. Sorry. Oh, my, they won't pay me, and I can't pay you. I was counting on that money, same as you were. I wish there was something I could do, but till this is settled, I got to close down the mill. She wouldn't let me get a word in edgewise. You should have seen the look on her face when I... Stay here, Carrie. Are you asleep? I can't sleep. Neither can I. I know. Just not fair. Working so hard, and then this happens. I can always tell when Pa's sad by the way he plays the fiddle. It almost sounds like the fiddle's crying. Seems like the sadness comes right out of his fingers onto the strings. There must be some way we can help. But how? I don't know. Well, maybe when we're asleep an idea will creep into our heads. Maybe. Good night. Good night. Well, this house is looking better. I have to say, there's still a long way to go. We're getting there. Our webs couldn't weigh more in the air, but I bet I've cleared a ton of them out of this room alone. A lot of them, anyway. There, that's finished. Could polish furniture if you had some furniture polish. Use your eyes, child. There's a bottle right there on the table. It's going to be the last day I'll be able to help you for a while. Huh? Dad's gonna take me to Mankato with him. Ah, what about school? Well, Red feels that geography is important. And the best way to learn it is to see it and then write about it when you get back. Have you ever been to Mankato? Lots of times. That's where I met and married Miss Lily. She was in a repertory company. A repper what? Repertory company. It means the same actors and actresses doing different plays. Different play every night. First time I saw her, she was a singer, had a broken heart, a lot of sad songs. Had everybody in the theater crying, a whole ocean of tears. I don't think I'd like that. Yes, you would. Everybody did. Next night, she was a dancer, whirling around the stage. Sparkles in her hair, lighter than a thistle dot. my breath away just to watch her Dressed like that? Yes, child. Artist didn't paint her as she is. Did you see all her plays? Just once. Theater was my court in place. I sat right in the middle of the front row every night where she could see me. After, I went backstage. It was four days before she even said hello. Then it was the wonder and the glory, sunshine and lightning all at the same time. I came here and built this house. Went back and asked her to be my wife. She said yes. I was so happy I was dumbstruck for an hour. Why'd she go away? I'm sorry. There's nothing here but this house. No Walnut Grove, no people. Nothing except the birds singing in the grove down there. She wasn't used to it. Got the lonesome so bad she couldn't stand it. Away for a little, back on the stage again. In Mankato? Places. Mostly Mankato. And around here talking, the spiders will be gaining on me. The cobwebs in here thickened before. Went to the theater in Mankato, didn't you, Pop? Uh-huh. See Miss Lily? No, half mind I have of Miss Lilly still on the stage. It's been a lot of years now. She sure looks young in her picture. I suppose that's why people have their paintings done, so they can remember how they looked years back. You suppose she's as old as Mr. Pike is? Pretty near, I guess. If she knew how much that he loved her, she'd come back. Maybe. I don't forget. A long, long time's gone by. I still think that she'd come back if she knew. Hello. Maybe you're right.