Original subtitles

Hard to believe a month has already passed.

I still hear his voice.

I know.

Even to this day, I can hear John's voice.

Especially in the quiet of the evening.

You're holding up well, Joe.

And in so doing, Sisyphus offended Zeus.

Zeus punished Sisyphus by forcing him to roll an enormous boulder to the top of

a very steep mountain.

The problem was made worse in that every time the boulder neared the top of the

mountain, it would roll back down, forcing Sisyphus to start all over

again.

Somebody didn't fix the rail on the pig pen like they were supposed to.

Got

it.

I got it.

I got it. Just do the chores you're asked.

And I wouldn't have to be chasing animals all over the place.

It wasn't my fault. Shall we return to our seats?

Yeah, it was so your fault.

It was not.

Whoa!

Miss Jo, two things.

First, Mr. Leonard has come for his boy, and second, you have got to do

something about the chore.

The gate on the pig pen was supposed to be... Mr.

Leonard, is something wrong?

Nothing wrong, Mrs. Bear. I've simply decided to remove my son from your

Jeremy, are you unhappy?

He's fine.

I've merely had second thoughts.

Second thoughts.

I understand, because my husband is no longer here.

I'm very sorry about the passing of your husband, Mrs. Fair. But I'm not the

only parent to have doubts about this school.

I recently learned that you've taken delinquents from the street.

My husband and I founded this school to provide an education for any boy.

Whether or not he has money has nothing to do with his ability to learn. And you

still have yet to hire a permanent teacher.

Yes.

But Franz, our student teacher... He's a student teacher.

He may be adequate, but...

My son requires a man of much sounder reputation to teach him.

Well, we have been interviewing teachers.

I just want to be sure that he's the right teacher for my boy. And there's no

caretaker on the ground. When I arrived, there were pigs running around freely.

Well, we've been interviewing caretakers as well.

Our last caretaker had to leave suddenly. It's been very difficult

replacement, but we will find one.

And I will find a new teacher, but you've got to give me some time.

It's only been a month since my husband's passing.

In the meantime, I promise you that this school will continue to function as

well as it ever has.

Everything is under control.

What are you going to do for dough? Boys, can we please settle this later?

you some manners is what I'll do.

Yeah, you teach him a little. Yeah, teach me.

Everything's under control

Well, looks like your corn is nearly ripe, Emil.

Yes, ma 'am.

Six days and nine hours, then I'll be ready for the harvest.

That sounds beautiful, Nat.

Thanks.

You know, I think you're right.

It does help the plants grow.

Well, then keep on playing.

You'll have the biggest pumpkin patch in all of Concord.

Tommy?

What are you doing?

I heard you could use the sun.

Start a fire with a ring glass.

A fire?

You mean from the sun's heat?

Yep.

Like this summer when we went to Walden Pond for that picnic?

The sun burned your skin so badly?

Yeah. I suppose so.

Yeah.

Boy, I remember that.

You were in so much pain.

You looked like a lobster.

And Asia and I had to make that special poultice from aloe to cool your skin.

I remember.

You wouldn't happen to have any of that Ella right now, would you?

No.

But you could grow some.

Yeah.

Asia has some seeds for you in the kitchen. Go on. Go on.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

Morning. Good morning.

May I help you?

Nope. Almost done here.

I'm sorry.

That's not what I meant.

Who are you?

Name's Nick Riley.

I'm Joe. Joe Bear. I know.

Heard in town you needed some help out here.

I'm Dan.

Pleased to meet you, Dan.

This is my son, Rob.

Hello, Rob.

Hello.

Listen, I can only help you for about a week.

After that, I'm boarding a ship out of Boston Harbor.

What kind of ship?

Merchant Marine, headed back to South America.

You know, my uncle was a captain in the Navy.

I'm going to get in the Navy, too. Good for you.

He sunk two ships, killed over 100 men.

Emil, you ever been to Africa?

A couple times.

Really? Did you fight any pirates?

Once.

Off the Florida Keys, but you don't want to hear about that.

Sure we do.

I love sailing on a ship. Dan, boys, sailing around the world will have to

until after you've finished your schooling.

I don't know. You ask me to get a better schooling from seeing the world than

just reading about it.

But if you learn about it first, it'll be that much more memorable when you

actually see it.

I suppose, as long as you do actually get out and see it.

But we're not here to talk about schooling.

No, we're not.

I appreciate your fixing our shutter, Mr. Riley, but I'm afraid we won't be

needing your services here.

All right, fine. No problem.

But you got shingles loose on your house.

If you want to fix them yourself, I suggest you get to it soon.

Hard rain hits, you're going to get soaked.

And your fence posts are rotten.

They need to be replaced before they fall over and your horses run free.

See you, boys.

Mr. Riley, I can't pay much.

Room and board's all I need.

Fine.

Our housekeeper, Asia, will speak to you about your duties. You'll find her in

the kitchen.

And, Mr. Riley, your stories of adventure are enticing, but I think

you'll find Plumfield restless enough without them.

Do me a favor, though, will you?

Call me Nick.

The conscience book.

When I first came here, I'd worry so much about my weekly report.

Well, you never needed to worry.

All your reports were about what a fine young student you were.

And now you're a fine teacher.

Aunt Jo, I received a letter today.

I've been accepted to Harvard.

Oh, Franz.

Uncle Fritz would be so proud.

Yes, I know.

They want me to arrive in six days to begin matriculation.

Six days?

Well, that's very exciting.

If I leave for Harvard and you have no teacher for the boys... Oh, don't worry

about that. I'll teach the boys myself.

You have no time to teach that class yourself with all your other duties.

And Robbie's so young, he needs you. We'll be fine.

What you've accomplished here makes me so proud.

You're the first student from Plumfield to be accepted to a university. And

Harvard at that.

I'm not going to let anything interfere with this incredible opportunity for

you.

Please, Captain Hoffman.

Please, sir. Don't do this.

Emil has really grown to love the school.

And that is why he fights in the classroom.

a fight.

It was merely a minor argument that was settled as quickly as it was started.

If a gentleman had been teaching him instead of a boy, it wouldn't have

at all.

I don't care to discuss it any further.

Do you have everything?

Yes, sir.

Must I leave, uncle? I really like it here. The decision is made, Emil.

Now, thank you not to question it.

Will you make sure my corn is picked on time?

I promise.

Now, Emil.

I know that Emil is your charge, Captain Hoffman, but

with all due respect, sir, I do think you're making a regrettable mistake.

Leaving, huh?

Yes, sir.

Here. The only mistake being made here is keeping this school in operation.

Good day, madam.

You need it for when you join the Navy.

Come along, Emil.

Thank you, sir.

For this food and for each other, we give our thanks.

Amen.

Amen.

Mrs. Joe?

Will the school have to close?

No, Nat.

I'm not selling Plumfield.

What happens, though, if parents keep on pulling kids out?

It's only going to be you and me left, Nat.

Unless Mr. Lloyd stops sponsoring you.

Then there'd be no one left.

My goodness, it's not going to come to that.

I won't let it.

I'll figure something out.

Don't worry.

Big one snapped the mizzenmast clean in half.

Sent the ship crashing out of the rocks.

Well, what'd you do?

Only thing I could do.

Jumped in the water and swam like crazy.

Me and eight other men were the only ones who made it ashore.

Deserted island.

Hot, dry.

Not much food or water.

Come on, buddy. Oh, yeah, kind of like Robinson Crusoe.

Who's that?

Oh, he's a character in a novel.

Gets shipwrecked on an island.

I have that book in the parlor now, if you'd like to read it.

Sure. How long were you stuck on the island?

A couple of months.

Passing ship picked us up.

Ended up finding work in the Arabian Desert.

Where's that?

Near the Sahara.

Africa.

Actually, the Arabian Desert is in Asia Minor.

Africa's a separate continent altogether.

True.

But where I was, working on the Suez Canal, Africa was practically spit and

distance.

You worked on the Suez Canal?

Near about a year.

Didn't care much for the heat, though.

Don't you boys have chores to do?

No,

I'm not looking to tell them stories.

They're the ones who keep asking.

Besides, might just get them to read more.

I did that last time.

Remember when I cut my finger with the knife?

He said I should set the dishes next time.

Why don't you just get the broom? Let's clean this up.

Joe, I need to speak with you.

Meg, I have the most wonderful news I was hoping you'd stop by.

What is it?

I heard a meal was removed from the school.

That's four boys in two weeks?

Don't worry, Meg. Other parents are speaking of removing their children as

In fact, the whole town is talking about the school.

Which brings me to Mr. McBride. Not him. He'd like you to reconsider his offer

to buy Plumfield. I've already told him I'm not selling.

Please think about it. I don't have to think about it. You're losing students

with no new prospects on the horizon. How will you generate revenue? That's

I wanted to tell you.

I've already found a solution to the problem.

Nan, would you come out here, please?

She just arrived this morning.

Nan, I'd like you to meet my sister, Meg.

Meg?

Meet Miss Anthea Harding, the first girl to be admitted to the Plumfield School

for Boys.

Make a point. Open our doors to anyone. Why shouldn't girls be included too?

This will pave the way for more girls to come, which will increase revenue.

What will the other parents think?

Oh, I'm sure they won't mind.

And if they do, who cares?

Her mother died recently. She's had a very difficult time since.

She's had a few tutors, but the only subject she seems to excel in is running

away from home.

Sounds like a very unhappy child.

He said his wits end with her.

When I suggested sending her here, he couldn't write the check past enough.

Joe, if this doesn't work... It will work, Meg.

Don't be such a naysayer.

I get enough of that from the people back in town. I don't need it from my

sister.

You are a puzzle, Joe.

Life is a puzzle, Meg.

And we must never stop searching for the pieces.

Billy, you're cleaning windows.

Jack? and stuffy you're filling the water troughs and mucking out the stall

you and tommy unload the grain matt matt right right here you're helping me

fetch wood what about me man uh

you can work in the house help with the dusting but i want to work out here well

there's there's not really much for you to do she can help us unload the grain

Dan, I don't think we're quite ready to help you boys unload all those sacks of

grain.

I can do it.

I can

do

it.

Would you look at that, Matt? She's stronger than you.

She is not.

Why don't you try go picking a fight with her? Shut up, Jack.

What are you getting so upset about, huh?

What, just because a girl is stronger than you? You're always teasing the

guys, huh, Jack?

You're never messing with the boys your own size.

Why is that?

Easy, Dan.

Save your strength for your chores.

Now go on.

You're going to be running into guys like that the rest of your life.

That's just your norm.

It's not that. It's just I wish Dan wouldn't always jump in all the time.

He's just trying to defend you against the bigger boy.

It almost always ends up in a fight, which then gets him into trouble.

You get the rules, huh?

Yeah.

Miss Joseph, there's never any call for fighting.

I don't know about that.

Sometimes you just can't help yourself, especially when you're standing up for

something you feel is right.

A party for Franz? Tomorrow night.

Franz leaves for Hartford in a couple of days.

I think we should give him a proper send -off. We'll have music, a special

dinner. Oh, and berry pie for dessert. You know, it's Franz's favorite.

Oh, that's a great idea, Jack.

But we have to collect the berries this afternoon.

I won't be able to take you. I've got to interview another teacher.

I'll take him.

Yeah, Nick will take us. Yeah, come on, please, Mrs. Joe.

You know, Franz really does love berry pie.

Really? I'm not so sure.

I'm back by sundown.

Before sundown.

Let's get the others.

Pillow fights?

Yep. Every Saturday night for 15 minutes.

Still, let's just have it out.

Yeah. Sometimes she even joins in.

Never heard of a school that allowed pillow fighting.

Nick, Nick, stop the cart. We're here.

All right.

Whoever picks the most berries doesn't have to do chores tomorrow.

Don't wander off.

Stay within the sound of my voice.

Pretty fast.

Faster than you.

There's a gray bush on the other side of that clearing.

What

took you

so long?

My pail's heavier than yours.

It's got more berries in it.

You see that stump way up there in the woods?

I'll race you to it.

But, uh, let's leave our pills here.

Fine. I don't want you having no excuses.

Ready?

Go.

What's your excuse now?

See that little stream over there?

First one to cross it wins.

Well, you have very impressive credentials, Mr. Negley.

I should hope so.

How do you feel about teaching girls?

You permit girls in this school?

Well, girls deserve an education as much as boys.

We are equal, are we not?

In my lengthy experience, madam, I've come to realize that the delicate nature

of girls leaves them poorly equipped to compete in this man's world.

Yeah. And you can walk on it?

Of course I can walk.

Ow.

Probably broke it.

Stay here. Let me get help.

Which way is the pasture?

I don't know.

Lovely.

Who are we missing?

Jack, Tommy, Dan, and Nan.

I told them to stay close.

Yeah, well, sometimes they end up picking berries all the way home.

You know what? They're probably already there waiting for us.

The boys will be in a minute. They're just putting the horse and wagon away.

Okay. Four of the kids had to walk home.

Four?

Well, Jack and Tommy returned a short while ago. They said the rest were with

you.

Dan and Nan are still out there.

I'm sure they're fine.

Tell the boys to wash up. Asia's got dinner ready. I'm going with her.

No need.

They were my responsibility. I'm going with you. You've done enough already.

They're picking berries over there.

They're both new to Plumfield. They don't know the area.

And Nan has a history of running away.

You could have told me that earlier.

And you could have kept a better eye on them.

We better check the woods.

They were picking berries.

They wouldn't go into the woods.

It won't be long now and I'll have a nice fire going.

I don't want a fire.

I want you to get help.

The best thing to do when you're lost is to stay where you are.

Let them find you.

I should know. I've been lost plenty of times.

You know, if it's broke, they're going to have to set the bone.

A friend of my father's is a doctor.

He told me about it once.

Does this hurt?

Hey, what are you doing?

How about this?

Stop that.

I was trying to help.

Well, don't.

Just don't do anything.

I might even have to amputate. And don't talk either.

Just sit there and shut up.

Did you hear that?

Yeah.

They're gonna be all right, Joe.

I know it.

Look, I've never really been around kids much, but these kids, they're handling

themselves better than most of the adults I know.

Someone obviously taught them well.

That's how I know they're gonna be all right.

All we gotta do is find them.

Look.

Let's go. Come on.

It's a bear.

It's moving away.

What are you doing?

I'm going to wrap your ankle good and tight.

I told you, I don't want you... We've got to get out of here before that bear

comes back.

I've never seen a real bear before.

You?

No. I saw a stuffed one at my grandfather's.

Not as scary as a real one, though.

The tree lived on the streets of Boston?

Mm -hmm.

Have you been in jail?

Where are your parents?

They're dead.

Yeah, my mother's dead, too.

She got the fever.

What'd your parents die of?

I don't know.

I was too young.

My mother was very pretty.

He was always sick.

My father doesn't really like me, so they talk too much.

What a surprise.

Think you can walk on it?

That's Nick.

We're over here!

What happened?

I landed hard on my ankle.

I don't think it's broken.

Just twisted it.

Is it her bad?

He hardly made a sound.

Don't you ever run away like that again.

Do you hear me?

How's that?

It's okay.

It's feeling a little better.

What kind of a punishment are you going to give me?

The pain you're feeling is punishment enough.

Are you going to whip me?

No.

We don't do that here.

But you will be punished.

I don't see what all the fuss is about.

All kids run away one time or another.

No, that's not true. Not all kids.

You never ran away?

Well...

Tell me about it.

There was this one time.

I had just gotten a new pair of shoes, and I wanted to show them.

Though I was told not to leave the garden.

I wandered about the city all day long.

I played with a little Irish beggar girl in the park.

I sailed boats in the Black Bay with strange boys.

And I was finally found on a doorstep asleep with my arms around this large,

filthy sheepdog.

That sounds wonderful.

Well, it wasn't wonderful the next day.

Did your mother whip you?

No.

No, actually, she asked me what I thought my punishment should be.

She asked you?

Yes. And I told her that I'd learn my lesson and I promised never to do it

again. That sounds fair.

Well... It didn't sound fair to my mother.

She sat me down, and she asked me how I would treat a bad little puppy dog who

kept running away from home.

You think she's tied up?

That's what I said.

And that is exactly what she did to me.

With a long string to the bedpost.

And there I stayed.

All day long.

But I'm not so sure that same punishment's gonna work with you.

Sure it would.

It's a lot better than a whipping.

Well, if you think so.

Tie this around your waist, and I will give you enough slack to move about the

room.

You can read, you can sew, and you can sleep.

I'll have your meals brought up to you, and I'll return at the end of the day to

untie you.

wait until tomorrow, but I can sentai it right now.

Because by waiting until tomorrow, you will have proven yourself an honorable

young girl.

Therefore, you will have earned my trust.

Whether or not you desire that, it's entirely up to you.

How's Dan doing?

He's better.

Look, I'm sorry.

I told you I'd watch the kids, and I didn't.

It's a difficult job.

One that requires a great deal of responsibility.

They're good children, but sometimes they let their curiosity get the best of

them, especially when they're being told stories of adventure.

Like I said before, I...

I'm not used to being around kids.

My ship's sailing in a few days.

Probably best I get going.

I'll finish the fence in the morning, then I'll be on my way.

You can't blame yourself, Joe. These things happen.

Especially when you have so many children under your care.

Ritz would have never let this happen.

I'm fooling myself, Meg.

Thinking I can do this without him.

Perhaps I should take Mr. McBride's offer to buy Plumfield.

Hey, Nick, why are you leaving?

Did Mrs. Joe fire you?

Nah. I was only going to stay a few days anyway. Remember?

I got a ship to catch.

Be good now.

Jack, don't be teasing the smaller kids.

And Tommy, try not to burn the house down.

Emil? What happened? I need to see Mrs. Joe.

Emil!

Oh, my goodness, what happened to you?

Jack, tell me Emil's back.

Uncle wants to send me to military school in Pennsylvania.

I told him I didn't want to go.

He did this to you.

Put me on a train.

I jumped off halfway there.

You had to find your way home.

The compass Nick gave me.

I want to stay here, Mrs. Joe.

I know it was wrong to run away, but...

Don't make me go back.

We don't have to go anywhere.

Pine? Yes.

The others are in school. You can join them.

After you finish cleaning up this room.

I was winning.

When Dad twisted his ankle, we were racing.

And I was winning.

Not that anyone cares.

So that's why you got lost.

You challenged Dan to a race in the woods.

He challenged me.

I couldn't back down.

It's not easy being a young woman in a man's world, is it?

I do all right.

Yes, you do.

And so do I.

Sometimes... Sometimes even I need a little help.

Someone to tell my troubles to, share my secrets with.

Someone who understands exactly how I'm feeling.

Maybe you could be that someone for me.

Sure.

Or maybe I could be that someone for you.

Yes? Where's my nephew?

Captain Hoffman, may I help you?

I knew it.

Emil, come here.

Captain Hoffman. Not a word from you. Come on, son, we're going.

This school is finished.

Did you think I wouldn't know where to find you?

I want to stay here, Uncle.

You didn't tell us that you beat him. He disobeyed me.

The behavior he no doubt learned at this school.

Discipline is one of the aspects they neglect to teach. We'll measure the

discipline at this school over any other school of its kind. There's still no

permanent teacher.

I know, but there will be soon. I promise.

Until then, I will continue teaching the class.

I sent a letter to Harvard telling them I will be delaying my education until a

permanent teacher can be found here.

Fine. Keep your school.

But Emil will not be attending. Uncle, please. Don't make me go.

You disobeyed my orders. Come along.

Boy doesn't want to go. Get your hands off me, sir. I will when you get your

hands off him.

Move, sir.

We better get the deputy to handle this.

How dare you strike me? Just showing you how your nephew feels. That's enough.

You're coming with me.

I want to stay here, uncle.

Please don't make me go.

At least give the school a chance to prove itself.

And when Emil finishes his education, if you're not completely satisfied, I'll

gladly refund his entire tuition.

One month.

If the school is not running properly by then, I will remove Emil.

Some law.

The crime to hit a man but not a boy.

Makes a lot of sense.

You didn't have to hit him to get what you wanted.

I wasn't going to take that chance.

I guess we'll be needing to find a new caretaker.

You gonna tell me what's going on here?

Ask Mrs. Barrett.

I heard you pled guilty.

Yeah, well, I figured my case was weak, seeing as there was a room full of

witnesses.

Mind telling me what this is all about?

The judge is a close friend of my father's.

I've arranged for you to be released into my custody for the rest of your

sentence. Your custody?

I guess I need to be missing you.

Wouldn't be the first time.

Probably not.

I've done some checking.

Seems this isn't the first time you've seen the inside of a jail cell.

Robbery? That was a mistake. That pocket watch belonged to me.

Assault? On three occasions?

I won't turn my back on my friends.

Mr. Riley, I do need a caretaker.

But I expect you to conduct yourself in a civil manner, especially upon the

children. If you don't, you'll find yourself right back inside that chancel.

Do you understand?

You and I will probably never see eye to eye.

We find ourselves at odds on nearly every issue.

Except one.

You put the needs of the kids before your own, and you'd be hard -pressed to

find fault with that.

You know, we don't have to be at odds.

Who knows?

We could even be friends.

I doubt that's possible, Mr. Perry.

Nick.

My name is Nick.

Nick. There.

Wasn't so hard, was it?

We're already off to a good start.