Original subtitles

Found it. I'm sorry, Horst.

You've been asking after it every day this week. It must be important.

Well, the American Medical Society recently voted to accept women doctors.

They published the latest in medical research from all the most renowned

physicians in the country.

No, please, please, you look.

Dr. Michaela Quinn, you've been accepted.

Look at him over there, sitting and moping like he's been doing for months.

He ought to be spending time with people his own age.

You mean a young lady his own age. That would be a good idea, don't you think

so, Reverend?

Well, no, I don't see how that could hurt.

He won't thank you for butting in.

Butting in? Who's butting in? I'm not butting in.

I just want him to be happy.

Talk to him.

Just go on, Lauren. Talk to him.

Say Matthew.

The widow Brown and her daughter Melanie, they was in the store the other

and Melanie was speaking very highly of you.

Well, I was wondering, what would you think about a nice little Sunday stroll

with us?

Thanks, Lauren, but... A Sunday stroll with a pretty girl, now that is a fine

way to spend an afternoon.

Don't you think, Robert E.? Oh, I wouldn't say no to a pretty lady.

Well, if I wasn't already married.

And happily married, too.

What do you say, Matthew?

Don't go forcing him if he don't want to go.

I appreciate the invitation.

Well, see, the thing is, I already kind of sort of told them you'd come.

Told them I'd come?

They're really looking forward to seeing you.

I ain't ready for courting. Courting?

Who said anything about courting? I ain't talking about courting.

I'm talking about strolling. Two completely different subjects.

It's up to you, Matthew.

You already told him yes?

I'm afraid so.

All right, I guess.

It's one.

apple my favorite he ought to be thrown in jail nobody's going to jail he stole

my pie i'm sure there's an explanation

What's your name?

Anthony.

Anthony, where are your parents?

Stealing pies.

Probably hungry.

No excuse for stealing.

I believe Robert, he's right.

Grace, would you bring us a serving of your meatballs?

We ought to check over at Channingtown. There's new people moving in all the

time. Maybe somebody knows who he is.

Yeah, I'd like to go along with you. I'd like to know who this young fella

belongs to.

It's all right.

Nothing to be afraid of.

Where have you been, boy?

Go on, get in the house.

Are you Anthony's mother?

No, ma 'am, I ain't his ma.

What's he done?

His ma up and died a few months back. I've been watching out after him. I hope

he ain't been bothering you.

No, no, we were just concerned.

Boy's a handful, but he ain't got nobody else.

Me and Grace got plenty of room. We'll take the boy.

That is, if it's all right with you, Anthony.

That boy barely knows us. He ain't gonna feel a whole thing.

Folks at Shantytown's got enough to handle. Past few months, he's mostly

looking after himself.

Exactly.

He needs looking after. As busy as you and I are, we just don't have time to be

looking after a boy.

What, you found time to take care of Cheyenne, baby?

The baby was like my own.

Different. How?

It just was.

Look at him, Grace.

He's all alone.

Just for a few days until Dr.

Mike and me can find a family boy.

Just for a few days.

Oh, Matthew.

There you are.

Here. Oh, Melanie Brown.

Pleased to meet you, Matthew Cooper.

Oh, it sure is sweet of you to come out with me today.

Why don't you young folks start out on the head, and the beautiful Widow Brown

and I will catch up to you. Uh -huh. We'll see you later, Mama. Mr. Bright.

So have you lived in Colorado Springs all your life?

Mama and I just moved here from St. Louis.

Well, you know, after Daddy died, Mama thought that the mountain air would be

good for us. Have you ever been to a big city like St. Louis?

Oh, I want to see all the big cities.

New York.

San Francisco.

Maybe even take a ship to London or Paris.

Well, I wouldn't go till after I was married, of course.

I was on an adventure once.

I was at the St. Louis Fair.

I got separated from my mama and daddy, and I was all alone for almost an hour

before they found me.

Mr. Bray, I've got to go to work.

Well, can we count on you next week for the Sunday picnic?

You know, the Reverend's asked me to do a little beach on St. Louis.

You've just got to come. I'm sorry, I'm going to have to be in Soda Spring all

day. It's nice meeting you.

was your strolling widow brown's daughter well now she is a lovely young

you're cordon widow brown's daughter no not cordon strolling oh well that's good

because i was hoping um that is um my cousin sophilia's arriving for a visit

i'd be very grateful if you discord her while she's here you'd be doing us a big

favor we promised her she'd have a wonderful time while she was here oh you

promised her

They promise.

I thought you were going to help Robert E. this afternoon.

I can help you.

Oh, careful, careful.

I can do it myself.

Sorry I stole your pie.

It was just a pie.

You can bake another.

Why don't you go run along and play?

Go on. See you later.

What you doing?

You're sure funny with that pie.

My ma's still trying to get her dress cleaned.

She's not mad or nothing.

Hey, you wanna ride my bicycle?

It's really Sully's, but he won't mind.

Come on.

Miss Grace might not like it.

Are Grace and Robert E. your new ma and pa?

I don't think Miss Grace likes me much.

Try picking her some flowers.

Soy says ladies always like getting flowers.

Flowers? Yeah.

Flowers.

Hey, you sure you don't want to try?

Don't know how.

Come on.

You get on, and I'll push you.

Maybe I should get my ma. She's a doctor.

No. This grace will make me go away for sure if she finds out I'm broken.

Broken? Promise you won't tell.

All right.

I promise.

Great. That's a match.

How are things going with Anthony?

Fine.

Everything's fine, except I...

Got a special order for two of my lemon surprise cakes, and I've got to get them

done by this evening.

I'm glad to hear everything's going so well.

Sometimes it'll always take getting used to.

Just getting used to the idea of me and Robert E. alone.

It was a surprise for me, too, when the children came into my life.

The first week we were together, Brian broke a candy jar from Lauren's store.

He refused to sleep at the homestead, and then he ran away to live with the

Cheyenne.

This morning, I found the boy trying to hide his bedsheets.

He, uh, wet them.

Oh, it's new for him, as well as for you and Robert E.

In the beginning, I was so unsure of myself, I even wrote to my mother

for advice.

Well, thank you, Dr. Mike, but I won't be needing advice because I am sure that

you and Robert E will find a home for him soon.

Look at this man.

I'm going to have to start all over. Dr.

Mike.

I can't be talking if I'm going to fill this audit together.

You don't want to learn?

You're happy to teach him.

Robert E can make just about anything.

Hold the blade facing away from you.

Take your time.

Hold it nice and steady.

There you go.

Got a natural talent for woodworking, don't you think?

Sure does.

So what are you going to make first?

can make a bicycle?

I don't know.

Carving a whole bicycle, that's a pretty tall order for a beginner.

Not a real one.

This big.

Well, with help, I bet you can.

Hey, sonny, Robert E. Did you get a chance to grease the axle on my surrey

I sure did. Here's the write -up for you.

Come help me bring it around.

Byron and I are going to take Matthew.

My cousin's to feel you for a Surrey ride.

Does Matthew know about that?

Oh, he promised he'd be there.

Two bits.

Thank you, Robert E.

See you, Stubby. And, uh, Anthony.

Anthony.

I gotta go, too, Robert E.

Thanks. Here's a knife.

Bye, Anthony.

I'm not colored anymore.

Am I?

What are you talking about?

I'm living with you now. And you ain't colored.

People treat you special. Well, Anthony, listen.

You got it all wrong.

Just because I live in town, I run a business.

That don't mean I'm different than I've always been.

And you understand what I'm saying. It don't matter where we live or what we

We're always going to be colored.

Since I've been living with you, people treat you better than just colored.

Matthew, I'd like you to meet my cousin, Sophia.

Nice to meet you.

Go on, say hello.

She'll warm up once we get on our way.

How did he tell you to do this?

Ladies like getting flowers.

They do, huh?

You ever bake a pie?

I could use some help.

Yes, ma 'am.

First, we're going to chop these apples into small pieces

like this.

Now, you try.

Something wrong?

No, I'm all right.

I'll do the chopping.

You come over here and sit.

And take this cup.

We're going to measure the flour for the pie crust.

Robert E.

Oh, howdy, Reverend.

What can I do for you?

Do you still want me to contact the orphanage in Denver?

Oh, that's good.

That's very good.

No, not just yet, Reverend.

Might not be needing help at all.

Oh, that's fine.

I'm glad to see things are working out so well.

Yes.

A little luck, they're going to work out just fine.

Talk to Mike.

In today's Gazette, I see where that fancy medical society let you in. And

first woman, too.

Dorothy said she wouldn't make a fuck.

That must have been a slow news week.

Used to be those Boston doctors wouldn't even listen to you. Now they're

inviting you to join them.

I suppose you'll be raising your prices now.

Of course not.

I'm going to frame this.

I'm going to hang it on the clinic wall.

Well, I'll be there in a minute. I'm going to stop off and see Grace.

All right.

I thought she didn't know it all before this.

Anthony, it's beautiful.

We need the stars.

Uh -uh.

The whole time.

You two look like you're having a very productive afternoon.

Miss Grace is teaching me about pie baking.

As a matter of fact, she taught Brian to bake his first pie.

We took the first prize, too.

I made this one myself.

Oh, that looks very festive.

Sorry about the pie.

Don't worry about the pie.

Take it to the clinic.

Where does it hurt? Can you show me?

Grace, would you get Colleen for me, please?

Anthony, there's nothing to be afraid of.

If you'll answer my questions, then I'll be able to help you.

Can you show me exactly where it hurts?

Have you had this pain before?

When did it begin?

My mama said it's because I'm a bad boy.

But I was good today.

You've been a very good boy.

And the pain's because you're ill, not because you're bad.

Why don't you sit here and I'll get you something to relieve the pain.

Can you fix me?

I'm going to try my best.

How is he?

I've given him laudanum.

The pain subsided, and he's resting now.

What's wrong with him?

I can't be certain yet.

He's slightly jaundiced, but these pain attacks are puzzling. I've never seen

anything like them before.

But you can make him better.

I can't be sure.

Right now, I don't know exactly what caused the pain.

I'll observe him closely over the next few days, and I'll wire the members of

the society.

They're the finest medical minds in the country. I'm sure they'll help me come

up with a diagnosis.

Can we see him?

Certainly.

You coming?

One minute.

If you know what's wrong with the boy, I want you to tell me.

Don't hold back.

I'm greatly sorry. I truly don't know.

Right now, Anthony seems fine.

Are you sure?

We'll know more in a few days.

Robert E. is getting more attached to that boy every day.

And I don't want his heart getting broke.

Oh, listen to me. Will you listen to me, Matthew? If you come with us, Melanie

has promised that she'll stop talking long enough for you to get a few words

My cousin, Sophia, was a little nervous yesterday. She really can't talk.

I've heard her. Matthew, if you'll just give her another chance. I know that...

Please, listen.

It's not Melanie's talking or Sophia's not talking, all right?

I appreciate what you're trying to do for me. I do.

But I can't.

Right?

Your matchmaking ain't what he needs.

Oh, and you know what he needs.

Yeah, of course.

What he needs is something with Brown's daughter and cousin Sophia.

I can't even imagine.

You think that solves everything?

I think Matthew would be one to decide that.

Come in.

Yeah.

I'm Emma.

Hank sent me.

Hank? Mm -hmm.

Said you were in need of some cheering up.

I don't think... I'm not supposed to get

no finesse.

Hold on. There's been some kind of mistake.

You said you'd be shy.

Come on.

We've got all night.

I don't think he should be here.

You working on this?

Yeah, it's for my little brother.

What's his name?

Brian.

He as handsome as you?

He, uh, went after me to...

Get this ready for him so he and his horse Taffy could show off at the

Day picnic.

My brother Thomas loves horses, too.

Always begging me to take him riding.

He's still too small for his own horse.

So I take him riding with me.

And I used to.

Yeah.

That's what I used to do with Brian.

He's a knife.

Got a real feel for working with that.

Listen,

I'm sorry.

You should get going.

Why, it's an awful long walk back to town.

Well, I'll take it.

Well, Hank would be mad if I get back too soon.

I'll make sure that Hank's not mad.

What about you?

You ain't mad I came, are you?

No.

I'm not mad.

Come on.

Let's go.

Come on, keep it straight. Keep it straight.

Keep it straight.

Look at me.

I don't love myself.

Careful, not too fast.

Anthony,

are you all right?

I don't understand. He's been fine all week. No symptoms?

Nothing. Anthony, can you move your arms and your legs?

Same thing happened last time he tried to ride the bike.

Fix me.

Can't be broken. Miss Grace will send me away.

Come on.

Colleen, hot compresses might help. I'll get it.

Grace, perhaps it would be better if you wait outside.

No.

I want to help.

Ryan, we're outside.

What can we do?

The pain seems to be localized in the joints.

Perhaps you could massage him like this.

I'm hurting him. You're going to be all right, Anthony. We're right here with

you.

What else can we do?

I'll give him some morphine to ease the pain.

You're going to be all right, Chief.

You're going to be all right.

You're going to be okay.

What did Claudia have to say?

She's never heard anything like this before.

That was Anthony.

I've given him as much morphine as I dare, but he's still in pain.

I've tried willow bark tea, but his fever's still dangerously high.

There's nothing in your book.

I don't know if these attacks are going to get worse or whether he'll be able to

live with them.

Isn't there anything else you can try?

I can try any number of things, but I'd only be experimenting and quite possibly

make things worse than they are now.

If only I could find someone who'd seen this before.

Don't those fancy doctors know anything about what's making him sick?

I wired the members of the medical society directly.

So far, nothing.

I'm trying, Grace.

Every time I treat a symptom, he develops another one.

Anthony's body seems to be fighting him.

I don't know how or why, but it is.

I got another, uh, present for you.

Even prettier than the last one.

Thanks, Hank, but, uh, I'm not going to be needing any more presents.

You know where to find me. You can change your mind.

Thank you.

Hank, uh, sent one of his girls out to the homestead.

Yeah? How about him?

Straight back down, though.

She was nice and all, but then he started thinking about Ingrid.

Yeah.

It ain't right. He spent time with another woman.

First time I kissed your ma, it felt right.

Then I thought about Abigail.

Mom says I made her.

What'd you do?

I lied to myself.

Told myself I wasn't feeling anything special for your mom.

This is better when you don't feel nothing.

Feeling something for a woman is part of being alive.

Right woman comes along.

I don't know if you got a choice.

Robert, he said he'd be back in a few minutes.

I'm sure he won't be long.

I know you like him sitting with you.

I like you, too.

Yeah?

Morning, Miss Grace.

Ma said I could come visit.

Is it all right?

Yes, Brian. Come on in. I'm sure Anthony would like that.

I'll just see what's keeping Robert.

I brought you something.

It's about a sailor named Robinson Crusoe.

I'm thinking about being a sailor when I grow up.

What do you want to be?

Never thought about it.

You've got to have thought about it.

Everybody does.

No.

Never?

Never.

How's he doing?

He's weak and his fever's still high.

I asked around. She ain't too talented.

Nobody even knew the boy was sick.

You must have heard it.

The doctors from the medical society are useless.

I've never seen such a unique collection of symptoms. I am, however, most

anxious to read your paper recounting the case in the next journal.

He's just a kid to them.

I got you.

I got plans for that boy, Dr. Mike. If you can get him well, Grace and Miguel,

take him home and adopt him. Legal.

Adopt him?

Oh, Robert, you stop fooling yourself.

Grace. Tell him, Dr. Mike.

Tell him that that boy don't have no future.

Grace, we don't know that.

No.

You don't know.

All your education and your books.

nothing.

You don't know if that boy is going to live or die.

But I know.

I know that Anthony is going to be taken away from me just like that giant baby.

Mark, I'm quick!

How long has it been like this?

I was reading to him and he just started moaning.

Brian, please forget Colleen. Sure.

His spleen is dangerously enlarged.

Can you do anything?

I can remove it.

And he can live without a spleen. No, you can't.

You said yourself you're not sure what's wrong.

It could kill him. What if you don't operate?

No, Robin, no!

I'll try.

There's the plane.

Nearly twice the size it should be.

Wait. What are you

working

on?

Don't worry.

Get a chance to be that boy's pa.

I want to believe that, Sally.

How's his respiration?

Sallow but steady.

Hold the clamp tightly.

A little longer.

Good.

Learn to ride a bicycle faster than anybody I ever saw.

Barely got through the first chapter in Robin Crusoe.

No one thinks he's going to like it.

A lot.

I'm sure he will.

He made it through.

Can I see him?

He's very weak.

With Chris?

How do you feel, son?

I'm with Grace.

She'll be here soon.

Sorry. Nothing to be sorry for.

The only thing that matters is getting you better.

Oh, I brought you something.

When you get well, you're going to send to Chicago for a real one.

And you'll be riding through town in no time.

That's right, you rest now.

As soon as that bicycle gets here, you're going to be busy.

And you won't have time to rest.

He survived the operation.

Will he be all right now?

How much do we know?

You've done your best.

Anthony needs your grace.

Oh, Dr. Mack.

I want to be there for him.

I do.

You remember when Brian fell from the tree?

He stood beside me when I had to operate.

We didn't even know if he would survive.

I was terrified.

For a moment, just for a second.

I wished I wasn't his mother. I wished that he had never come into my life.

Too much.

Pain, worry.

Loving him was too difficult.

But it was loving him.

Just like you love Anthony.

Dr. Mike's going to write an article about you.

So other doctors can help us figure out what's wrong and help make you better.

Make it you well.

Then you're going to come home with me and Grace.

Miss Grace don't love me.

You let me be the judge of that.

dreamed of having a little boy of my very own.

Will you... Will you be my little boy?

Good.

Good.

Lucky ain't big fives without you.

Sickle cell anemia was first reported in medical literature in 1910.

Today, most patients survive into adulthood.

However, there is still no cure.