All language subtitles for S05E28 - Lady of the House

[ theme music playing ]

♪♪

Mrs. Miles.

Please sit down.

Thank you.

I don't mind telling you,
Mr. Grainger,
I'm close to fainting.

May I help you?I'm all right.

I was upstairs sewing
some new curtains,

and Stacey crashed
open my door and said
you wanted to see me

in front of
your desk at once.

Stacey likes to
kick up dust.

It's not Stacey
I'm afraid of.

My one desire
is to please you.

Then you can
rest assured.

Then you didn't call
me down to dismiss me?

Exactly the opposite.

I just want to tell you
that your first week here
has been a big success.

Are you sure?

The family is fine.
The house never looked better.

I just hope you're
not working too hard.

Elizabeth is helping me.

What about Stacey?

Stacey's a man.

I don't think
I ought to ask Stacey
to help with housework.

Well, if you do need him,

feel free to use him
for the hard labor.

Is there anything
I can do for you?

Yes, there is.

You can promise me
you'll stay on.

Are you sure that
one week is enough time?

I've seen enough
to convince me that
we need you here.

Take Stacey, for instance.

He's smooth as silk
out there on a horse,

but he's pretty rough-shod
here in the house.

And Elizabeth?

It's just not right
that she should grow up
like a ranch hand.

Do I have your permission to
pose a delicate question?

Now's the time.

Have you ever thought of
remarrying, Mr. Grainger?

I think you and I
are very much alike

on that score, Mrs. Miles.

Could anyone ever take
the place of Captain Miles?

No.

It would not
be possible.

And yet we can't just
retire from life, can we?

I've done my best
to bring up
these youngsters,

and so far, so good.

But I'm a rancher.

I'm not exactly
schooled in manners.

They need the fine points,
the finishing touches

that make the difference.

And I'm asking you
to help, to take charge.

I'm not a professional
governess.

I'm offering you more
than just a position,
Mrs. Miles.

More like a place
in the family.

The lady of the house.

Will you stay?

Yes.

♪♪

Hold it right here
for me.

Did he tell you
that Mrs. Miles
is gonna stay on?

Stacey, do you think
he's in love with her?

Huh?

Well, you saw the way
he greeted her

and the way they talked
about old times.

Talking doesn't
mean that much.

But you can't forget
how long they've
known each other--

since way back
before the war,

before she married
Captain Miles.

Sure.
They're old friends.

Well, she told me
they used to go dancing.

Granddad?

Picnics and moonlight rides
on paddleboats.

Granddad.

Wouldn't it be
something, Stacey?
Just something?

You saying she might be
our new grandma?

Just think--
childhood sweethearts,

after all these years.

Like a valentine.

Elizabeth Grainger,
you are an incurable romantic.

But he'd be happy, Stacey,
for the rest of his life.

Mm-hmm.

Well, I kind of think
you're reading into it,

but if that's what
he wants, I'm for it.

Me too.

♪♪

Put these in the cooler?

Maybe they'll want one
for supper.

Where's the new
house lady?Probably upstairs.

Store the potatoes,

but don't put the fresh
vegetables away.

All right.

Ah, smooth as glass.Don't touch it!

That's what it's for--
to hold on to.I want Mrs. Miles to see it.

Where is she?She's upstairs,

making sachets
for the cupboards.

Lavender
and lemon verbena.

When you store
dry goods, you've
got to add aromatics

or they get musty.

Live and learn.

♪♪

[ knock at door ]

Yes?

Sorry to bother you, ma'am.
We just hauled in
a wagon load of supplies.

I picked out some choice
poultry, slabs of bacon,
greenstuffs...

Would you like to
come down and pick out
your poultry?

As I get to it.Uh, yes, ma'am.

Did you come
through the house?I used the scraper.

Does Mr. Grainger
encourage the hired men
to come in the house?

On business.

I am asking you
if Mr. Grainger allows

the people who work for him
free run of the house.

"Free run"?

I would expect
a house servant

to have access to
the living rooms and
use the front stairs.

There's only one
set of stairs,

and Mr. Grainger doesn't
keep house servants.

I don't intend to insist
upon strict formality,

but I must admit that
I am not accustomed to

receiving the work foreman
in my room.

I thought I ought
to come tell you.

I'll wait down
in the kitchen for you
to make your selections.

The kitchen is very
important to me.

Captain Miles used to
call it my headquarters.

I want you to know that
you are always welcome.

In the kitchen.

And I would appreciate it
if you would emphasize
its importance

by not encouraging
the other men to visit.

The men don't visit
unless Mr. Grainger
tells them to.

Of course not.

If Mr. Grainger invites them,
they are welcome.

You're from Virginia,
aren't you?

Yes, ma'am.

I come from Maryland.

Anne Arundel County.

Maryland and Virginia have
always been good neighbors.

I hope we may carry on
that tradition.

No reason not to.

Mr. Grainger has asked me

to extend my stay
indefinitely.

He has asked me
to consider myself
a member of the family

and to regulate the house
as if it were my own.

You make yourself right at home.
If you need anything,
just holler.

♪♪

Here, let me
give you a hand.

Thanks.

She's got enough clothes
to start a store.

Hat boxes,
three trunks.

She's moving in.

Lock, stock and barrel.

You don't look too happy.

Well, sir, I guess
I need to be set straight.

What's the trouble?

It's hard to come up
on the right side of it.

I don't want to
make a whole lot
out of nothing.

You say what
you have to say.

We've always been able
to straighten out
things between us.

What I need
to know is...

Well, sir,
it's the lady.

Mrs. Miles?Yes, sir.

Well, I've asked her
to stay on here
and run the house.

Yes, sir,
I know that.

But she's...

Well, you might say
she's closed the doors.How do you mean?

Well, the way
I understood it,

none of the hands are to
set foot inside the house.

Well, I don't think
she meant it

quite so hard and fast.

Not set foot?

She made herself
pretty clear.

The way I understood it,
I'm to be an exception.

I'm to be allowed
in the kitchen.

That's quite an exception.

You say the word, I'll wait
out by the horse trough.

The house is open.

You know that.

You come in
anytime you want to.

You can even sit in my chair
if I'm not there first.

Uh, what about
the men?

The doors are open,
same as always.

Of course, that doesn't mean
that the whole outfit can troop
in here and put their boots up.

I'll do my best
to head 'em off.

Mrs. Miles means
a lot to me.

Her husband was one
of my best friends
back before the war.

I wanted him to
join my regiment,

but he was from an old
Maryland family, and he
joined up with General Lee.

He died in the wilderness

trying to save his men
from the brush fires.

But an enemy.

But I respected him
as a man,

and I hold his widow high.

She'll fit in.
You give her a chance.

Just ease your way
around her.

That set you straight?

Yes, sir, it does.
I'll wait out
in the kitchen.

I like the kitchen.

♪♪

[ knock at door ]

MR. GRAINGER:
Mrs. Miles, can
you spare a minute?

Oh, Mr. Grainger.

I thought you were
the work foreman.

Yes, he told me
you had a talk.

I tried to make
myself clear to him,

but I'm afraid we don't
speak the same language.

He seems to be under
the impression he's not
welcome in the house.

But I said it
so carefully--

"You are always welcome."

He got the idea you meant
just in the kitchen.

That's entirely up
to you, Mr. Grainger.

He is welcome
wherever you want him.

All I said was
that the kitchen
was my headquarters.

I consider it
the heart of the house.

He certainly came away
with the wrong idea.

I think I know why.

I'm sure he sensed
my disapproval.

Disapproval? Why?

You and I are conducting
our conversation

here in the hallway,

where it is
fitting and proper.

You would not expect to
come into my private room.

Now, I know that
the work foreman
is apt to be

rough and ready,
certainly not
a cultivated gentleman,

but I would not expect
anyone to come upstairs

and march into my
private quarters.

Fortunately,
I was not unpacking.

I was sewing,
so it didn't matter.

but I had to make it
clear to him that
I'm not accustomed to

receiving in
an improper manner.

Well, it's not
entirely his fault.

I've always kept things here
on an informal basis.

Mr. Grainger, I don't
mean to be critical,

but Elizabeth is in
her formative years.

Her sensitivities
are delicate,

fine-textured.

Informality is
not the problem.

Life should be like
a fresh summer breeze.

But along with informality

we must encourage
a sense of propriety.

All it amounts to
is good manners.

And I'm all for that,
Mrs. Miles.

Misunderstandings are
bound to happen at first.

I know the foreman is
a decent, forthright man,

and I want you to know
that I respect him
for what he is.

Well, I'll let you
get back to your work.

Is there
anything you need?I am most content.

Good.

Liz, you should try
a cut of this cheese.

It's made by
an Italian family
up in Riverdale.

Will it keep fresh?It's sealed in wax.

Last chance to
pick a partridge.

I'm headed for
the cookhouse.

These two...All right.

and this one.

Elizabeth,

I hope you're not
satisfied with upstairs.

I used linseed oil.The banister is fine,

but I was disappointed
with the picture frames.

Scrollwork collects dust.

Take another look.
You'll see what I mean.

She knows how
to pick birds.

Very pretty,

but you ought to
tell her not to
go by the plumage.

This one's plump enough,
but not these two.

It takes experience.

Do you mind if we have
a word in private?

Wait outside
by the horse trough.

Yes, sir.

I wish to apologize.What for?

For offending you.No offense.

I was hoping we could
work out our differences
without troubling Mr. Grainger.

He made it
quite clear to me
that you are

very important to him

and that you are free to
go and come as you please.

I won't be coming in
very often.

Do you intend to bring
your men into the kitchen
anymore today?

The men won't get
in your way.

I'm really
very sorry.

You see,
this morning,

when Mr. Grainger
extended my stay,

I felt sure of myself
for the first time
in a long while.

I allowed myself
to feel happy.

I can't tell you
how shocked I was

to be reprimanded
within the hour.

I'm sorry
it got to that.

It cast a shadow,
to say the least.

Mrs. Miles, I didn't mean
to get you reprimanded

or cast a shadow.

I work here,
and I went to the head man
to find out where I stood.

He told me,
and I'm satisfied.

I stand right where
I'm supposed to, and I don't
intend to feel bad about it.

Do you think I want you
to feel bad?

I don't know what you want.

All I know is that
you and I come from
opposite ends of the woods.

You've got your place
here in the house.

I've got mine--
all outdoors.

So let's draw
a nice, clean line.

No bad feelings,
no apologies,

no problems.

No one has ever spoken
to me like that in my life.

I try to speak my mind.

Before you go,
will you please
take those down?

They look foreign to me
and make me uncomfortable.

It's your kitchen.

♪♪

♪♪

What are you working
on that again for?

I missed some dust.

Who looks in
the curlicues?

Attention to detail
makes the difference.

Is that you talking
or her?

It's her. And she's
absolutely right.

I've been slopping
around here, playing
at keeping house.

It makes me mad.

She's really
got you jumping.

She's got me ashamed
of being slipshod.

Before she came,
I had stains on my apron,

I didn't know needlepoint
from a whip-stitch,

and my eyebrows
were growing together.

Well, let's
take a look.

There's nothing to see.
She showed me how
to pluck them.

I can't say she isn't
doing some good,

but, uh, but she sure is
a stickler about it,
isn't she?

Stacey.

Are you still on
the frames?

This is the last.
Stacey's been helping me.

Well, that's very
considerate of you, Stacey.

Have you brought in
the wood?

Right here
on my work list.

May we expect it
this evening?

Oh, yes, ma'am.
We got some kindling,

front logs
and back logs

and three feeders
in the wood box
all ready to burn.

Question?

Shoot.

What's your definition
of a gentleman?

I guess what it sounds like--
a man that's gentle.

Isn't that
kind of soft?

You don't need to be
soft to be gentle.

Take the Virginian,
for instance.

He's as hard
as a rail hammer,

and yet he's gentle
with horses, people.

You call him a gentleman?

Absolutely.
He's a born gentleman.

There are two kinds--
natural and trained.

You mean like a horse?Educated.

Mrs. Miles would call it
"cultivated."

Ooh. Well, then,
you wouldn't object

if I turn out to
be a natural-type
gentleman, would you?

Certainly not.
It's built in.

Or it isn't.

But it does no harm to
give nature an assist,
add to your education.

I read.

Yes, I know.
I've seen your library.

Let's see.
"The Firearms Manual,"

"Stockman's Catalogue,"

and I think there's
one there called

"Timely Cures for
Hoof and Mouth."

All right,
you want me
to dress up?

Put on a tie
for dinner.

Sure.

Put a little pomade
in my hair

and a little rosebud
in my lapel.

You can poke fun
all you like, Stacey.

But when you come across
the real thing,
it's not so funny.

How about giving me
a for-instance?

You know, somebody
that I know about.

All right. I'll give you
an educated gentleman--

cultured,

polished to his fingertips,

and I don't know a man alive
who didn't look up to him.

Who's that?Robert E. Lee.

Grant won the war,
Granddad.

I didn't say
there was profit in it.

All it earns
is respect.

Well, whatever you say.

And I'll give you
another one.

He died in the field
with highest honors.

Captain Miles.

Gentleman.

♪♪

I asked you not to prepare
supper this evening.

Are you going to cook?

I unpacked my file
of recipes.

Granddad likes
plain cooking.

All men like
fine food.

I mean he doesn't care
for high seasonings.

These are hardly
high seasonings.

Marjoram, rosemary,
sweet basil.

I've already started
frying the steaks.

We're through
frying steaks.

From now on,

we broil them...

and brush them with
spiced butter.

Will I be allowed
to cook breakfast?

Not at first.

There's more to it
than cracking eggs in lard.

I don't crack eggs
in lard!

Have I hurt
your feelings?

No. I guess I'm tired.

You see?

You can't attend
to everything.

You've got to step back

and unlearn
a lot of habits.

I don't say
they're bad habits,
just ordinary habits.

Cooking is an art,
a very high art,

and you can't expect
to master it before you've
served your apprenticeship.

May I be excused, Mrs. Miles?
I have a headache.

Why don't you go up
to your room?

I'll serve supper,

and we'll start
our lessons at breakfast.

I'll teach you
how to shirr eggs.

Granddad likes
his eggs fried.

Have you ever served them
any other way?

No. No, I haven't.

You don't know how,
do you?

[ sobs ]
No, I don't know how.
Excuse me.

♪♪

Thank you.You're welcome.

I must say I'm flattered
to see you eating so much.

It's good.

I'm sorry Elizabeth
isn't feeling well.

She ought to be here
to share in the triumph.

She's trying her hand
at fine herbs.

She was afraid
you might not like it.

I do prefer my food
plain as a rule.

I won't let her
get carried away.

What's in the butter?

Savories.

Outstanding.

I'll teach her
how to make it.

You think Liz can learn
fancy cooking?

I don't think cooking
ought to be fancy.

I prefer simplicity
with special touches.

That's what I mean.
You think she can handle it?

She's done wonders,
considering.

But can she excel?

She has innate ability,
and I think she has patience.

All she needs is
the will to succeed.

I promise to help all I can,
and if you'll do your part
here at the table,

she might well become
the finest cook in the land.

I'll do my part.

You can count on me.

♪♪

I brought you some
cinnamon toast.

You can pour
hot milk over it.

Mrs. Miles, I'm sorry
I've been so crabby.

A sick headache brings out
the worst in any of us.

Where did we get those
dish covers? I've never
seen them before.

Oh, I have six of them.

I managed to save
a few pieces of silver.
See?

Captain Miles'
family crest.

You say
you saved them?

We lost everything when
our house was burned.

A company of raiders
crossed behind the lines

and set fire to the fields,
the barns, everything.

Where was Captain Miles?

That same day,
they told me he died

at the Battle
of the Wilderness.

They sent me his medals.

There's a stone marker

near the arsenal
at Brook Hill.

But, you know,

the first name
is misspelled.

"Sanford," without a "D."

My husband's name
is Sandford.

Sandford.

After his mother's
side of the family.

Did you write to anyone?

Oh, yes.

The Department of
Graves Registration
assured me

it was my husband,

but they refused to
let me identify him.

Why?

They said he was...
beyond recognition

They must have records.
They must know.

But if they're wrong...

Mrs. Miles, it's late,
and I've kept you up.

I'll bring the tray down
in the morning,

bright and early,
when you teach me
how to shirr eggs.

I do feel weary,

all of a sudden,

to the bone.

Good night.

Good night.

♪♪

[ weeping ]

[ weeping continues ]

[ weeping continues ]

Mrs. Miles?

It's me, Stacey.
Are you all right?

You frightened me.

I thought
I heard something.

The wind woke me up.

Can I get you anything?

I had a dream.
A very bad dream.

There was a man
standing down at
the end of the hallway.

He had a branch
in his hand--

a flaming branch
like a torch--

and he set fire
to the curtains.

I've... I've dreamt
of him before.

Many times.

And I've seen him,

long ago, in the war.

A raiding party crossed
behind the lines.

I guess those things
come back to haunt you.

And sometimes at night,

I think I hear gunfire

and I feel the house shake

and the windows
rattle.

It leaves its mark.

Granddad says
it seems like it ended
a couple of months ago.

The years don't make
any difference.

No.

The years don't make
any difference.

But it's over and done.

Yes.

Yes, we're safe at last.

Well, I'll say
good night now.

Good night.

♪♪

And I want you to know
I appreciate your kindness.

[ explosions ]

When I hear

the guns at night,

I am afraid.

But day by day,

my plan

is progressing.

♪♪

♪♪

Mr. Grainger.Belden.

Mrs. Miles said to
put this in your study
out of direct sunlight.

Put it.Well, there's
four corners.

Take your pick.

She's got greens in the hall,
she's got greens
along the stairway.

Place is starting to
look like a hothouse.

You see the sack of
flower bulbs she had
sent out from Chicago?

She's got lily bushes,
gladiolas, a few
crimson creepers...

I helped her
select them.

Is it your idea to turn me
into a gentleman farmer?

She's got me
rooting out there
with a yardstick.

She wants 900 holes
eight inches deep,
seven by six.

A spade full of this,
a shovel full of that.

Seems to me she has you
working out just fine.

Oh, yeah. She's got herself
a pack horse, all right.

She's got me moving
this furniture around--
half of it up in the attic,

the other half down
in the cellar, and then
moving it all back again.

I'm beginning to wonder
about you, Stacey.

Are you complaining
about the work,

or do you resent
taking orders?

Neither one. It's just
that I've got some work
outside to do, that's all.

Ranch hands are
a drag on the market.

I think it's high time
you began to think of
higher standards for yourself.

Maybe there isn't
any time.

Would you care
for some shortbread?

No, thank you.

What's wrong with me,
Mrs. Miles?

I can handle men,

I know how to raise
10,000 head of beef,

and yet I don't
know how to bring up
my own flesh and blood.

You're doing your best.

What is "best"?

What you're doing.

They're not your children,
Mr. Grainger.

They're your grandchildren.

There's a distance
of years to be bridged.

And no matter how hard
you reach out to them

or how hard they
reach out to you,

there are bound to be
times when you can't touch.

What can I do?

I'm a woman, Mr. Grainger.

I can only offer
my humble opinion.

I'm asking you.

If you really want to
do right by them,

you must try to strengthen them
where they need it most.

This may hurt, Mr. Grainger,
but someone's got to say it.

They're not educated.

I don't mean
they're ignorant.

They've been taught
reading, writing,

ciphering.

But their education
is not high.

They don't know literature,
music, architecture, languages.

And they don't
write one word
of their own accord.

No letters, no essays,
no poems, nothing.

No. No, they don't.

I ask you to compare Stacey
to a young man of his age

at an Eastern college.

Could he hold his own
against a master of science,
a bachelor of arts?

I know what you mean.

Then you can guess how
it would be for Elizabeth--

to compete with
young ladies

from the finer
finishing schools.

She'd be tongue-tied,
a country cousin.

There's not much call
for higher education here.

I ask you to imagine
Stacey at West Point.

He'd be a laughingstock.

Think about it,
Mr. Grainger.
Think about it.

♪♪

The seed

is planted.

Every day

I cultivate

my garden

of revenge.

♪♪

[ knock at door ]Come in.

Well, come on.

She's waiting for us.
You're gonna be late.

I don't feel
up to it.

What are you
looking at?Birds.

They building a nest?Under the eaves.

They're very
reassuring.

They make lots of mistakes,
and nobody says anything.

Well, come on.
You've been hiding out
here in your room all week.

"My room"?
Look at it.

Mrs. Miles helped me
change it around.

She didn't like the bed
by the west wall.

She gave me
a new bedspread,
new curtains...

She ordered a desk
from Chicago.Change it back.

I can't.
She made this spread.
She made the curtains.

Don't you like 'em?

Well, it's
a beautiful spread.

It belongs on
the bed of a princess.

Well, Liz, you've got
to live with it.

Oh, Stacey, I don't know
what's wrong with me.[ music box plays ]

I feel so mean
and ungrateful.

[ music box continues ]

Better go.
We can't keep her waiting.

Oh, Stacey,
I don't know what to do.

I'm no use in the kitchen.
I've fallen down
on my housework.

I just don't
belong anywhere.

Why don't you
talk to Granddad?
It's your room.

you've got a right to
fix it up or tear it apart
any way you want to.

I'm not sure
I even want it.

But I am sure
I don't want to tell him.

He'd have to take sides,
and you know how he
feels about her.

Yeah, I know.

He thinks she's
just about perfect.

[ music box continues ]

Oh, she is
perfect for him.

And we can't let
pretty things like
curtains and bedspreads

wreck his chance
for happiness.

Stacey, do you ever
wish you could just
break loose and run?

Just go and go
way, way away?

Mm-hmm.
I know how you feel.

It's all I can do
to keep myself from
cutting loose sometimes.

[ music stops ]

Here we are.

Please sit down.

Of all the attainments,
social dancing is
the most revealing

of personal background.

Square dances and
other country steps
are more lively,

but they're simply
not acceptable in
cosmopolitan surroundings.

Also, we must
pay attention to

the formalities
of ballroom dancing.

Your dance card
lists the program of
musical selections.

We'll start off
with a formal waltz,

which I'm sure
you know.

Very well.
I'll show you.

[ waltz plays ]

One two three,
one two three,

One two three,
one two three,

Stacey, try it.

One two three.
Elizabeth, over here
beside me.

One, two, three,
one, two, three,

one, two, three,
one, two, three.

Now, count
the measures with me.

ALL:
One, two, three,
one, two, three.

One two three.
Now facing each other.

One two three.
Watch the steps, Stacey.

One, two, three,
one, two, three.

One, two, three,
one, two, three.

One, two, three,
one, two, three.

One, two, three,
one, two, three.

One, two, three,
one, two, three.

Now, just drift
with the music.

One, two...
Now, place
your hand lightly.

Here.

No. No.

This one. That's right.
That's right.
That's better.

No, here, here, here.

[ chuckles ]
There. That's good.

That's fine.

One, two, three.
Don't watch your feet.

Now turn.

Easily, easily.

One, two, three,
one, two, three.

Just flow
with the music.
Good.

One, two, three,

one, two, three...

Keep it up, Stace.
Don't stop.
You're doing fine.

I think I've had
enough for one day.

I'm afraid Stacey
isn't too interested
in formal dancing.

I'm here, aren't I?

The least
you can do is try
for Elizabeth's sake.

It's not my fault
that I can't keep count.

Perhaps you're right,
Stacey.

That will be all
for today.

[ music off ]

Elizabeth,
will you help me
with the candling?

I'm sorry, Mr. Grainger.
It doesn't seem to be
working out too well.

It takes time.

Wait for me in
the kitchen, Elizabeth.

I forgot my shawl.

Sometimes I wonder what
Mrs. Miles expects.

A fair try?I'm trying.

What's the matter,
Stacey?

Aren't you and Mrs. Miles
getting along?

Oh, yes, sir.
Just fine. Just fine.

You act as though you're
holding something back.

Maybe I am.

No need to.

It's none of my business.

Elizabeth?

She likes Mrs. Miles
too much to say anything.

She's afraid she'll
hurt her feelings.

I'm sure we can
straighten it out.
What is it?

Mrs. Miles changed
her room around.

Her draperies,
her bedspread,
everything.

Did she tell Mrs. Miles?How can she tell her
she hates it?

I'm sorry.
I came to get my shawl,

and I couldn't
help overhearing.

I had no idea Elizabeth was
dissatisfied with my gifts.

Perhaps we should
talk to Elizabeth.

No. Please don't.

She told me she
liked the curtains
and the bedspread.

She can't say she hates it.
She is too kindhearted.

Stacey could be wrong.

Mr. Grainger,
if he is right,

it's a matter for me to
take up with Elizabeth.

If he's wrong,
it doesn't make
any difference.

A young girl's room
is a highly personal concern.

It's a woman's problem,

and I think the women
should solve it.

♪♪

She's right.

We should stay
out of it.

Yes, sir.
She's right.

♪♪

Elizabeth?

♪♪

What's going on?

Repairing the damage.

I don't think Liz
is gonna understand.

Why not?
She told you
I ruined it.

"She hates it."
Those were your words.

Very well.
I stand corrected.
I'm correcting the injury.

I didn't mean it that way.

It's just that I think
she'd like it better the way
she had it, that's all.

What do you want
me to do?

You condemn me if I give her
things; you condemn me
if I take them away.

I don't condemn you.

Not out in the open.

But you oppose me
and undermine me
every step of the way.

Why would I want
to undermine you?

Because I see you
for what you are--

coddled, protected,

catered to.

You pretend to be
one of the workmen.

Do you think the foreman
would hire you if you weren't
his employer's grandson?

♪♪

[ waltz plays ]

Stacey was right.

I removed
the offending items.

It's no use
anywhere else.

I tailored it to the inch
to fit her bedstead.

Perhaps you know
a family that might
find some use for it.

It's pure silk,
and I put in quite
a lot of needlework.

Why didn't
she want it?

She doesn't like it.
Why should she?

Her old bedspread
was homespun.

I had hoped to guide her
away from rough materials

towards something
more feminine.

I'd suggest that
you keep it.

You never know.
She might come around
to liking it.

I'm afraid the bloom
is off the rose.

But much worse than that,
I'm afraid I've failed you.

You've done your part
and more.

I've tried.

But results
are what count,

and results seem
sadly lacking.

I wouldn't say that.

We've known from the start that
Stacey had some rough edges.

His idea of dancing
is to whoop and holler
at an old-time hoedown.

It's not the dancing.

It just isn't right
to expect a man,
a young man--

proud, headstrong--

to respond to
a woman's teachings.

What Stacey needs is
another kind of authority.

Not mine, not yours.

He needs
discipline, duties,
orders of the day.

Keep him here under
a woman's half-measures,
and you'll ruin him

♪♪

Come on, Stacey.
Will you tell me
what's eating you?

Nothing.
Not a thing.

"Nothing" make your ears
lay flat like that?

You look like you're
about ready to
turn over the table.

Now, come on.
Tell me what's
eating you.

If I rode in here
looking for a job,
would you hire me?

If I was shorthanded.

If I was a stranger
looking for some work,
would you hire me?

If you're asking if
you're up to the outfit,
I'll let you answer that.

Are you as old
and experienced as
the rest of the hands?

No.

You're a good hand, Stacey.
You try and you learn.

You do your share of
the work. I can't ask
for more than that.

But if I just blew in,

just a man looking for
a job, you wouldn't
hire me, right?

Look, Stacey, when
you're a top hand,
you'll know it.

You won't have to come
and ask me about it.

I'm about ready to
get out of here.

Out of where?

Shiloh.

I don't know where
I stand anymore.

All I know is I've got
to get out from under.

Mrs. Miles
giving you trouble?

There's nothing
you can pin down.

It's like her needlework--
about 10,000 tiny, little jabs.

I don't even know
if I can feel it for sure.

What's your grandfather
have to say about this?

He thinks she's
just about perfect.

He tell you that?

Why else would
he want to marry her?

"Marry her"?

I don't know If they've
set the date yet,

but they've been working
up to it for a long time.

Before the war,
before Captain Miles.

Well, he sure didn't say
anything to me about that.

Well, you know
how he is.

He won't say a word
before he gets in front
of that preacher.

It just doesn't
ring true.

What more could he want?

She's a fine cook.

She sews like a custom
dress-maker.

Likes the same music,
reads the same books.

Even made him
a feather comforter.

Sounds serious.

Liz feels the same
way about it.

He deserves
music and books

and feather comforters.

Besides, it won't be
too long before we're
out on our own anyway.

I'll tell you
this much, Stacey--

maybe I wouldn't hire you,
but now that I'm used to you,

I'd sure hate
to see you go.

♪♪

Thank you.

♪♪

Oh, Stacey!

[ sobbing ]

Where have you been?

Over at
the Hadley Ranch.

Dora-Lee invited me
to come back
and spend the night.

Did you ask permission?

I was going to.

Were you?

Oh, I don't know.

I just wanted
to get away.

Are you angry
because of your room?

No.

I wish you had
told me how you felt.

It would have saved us all
a great deal of trouble
and hurt feelings.

I didn't know
what to say.

And I don't now.

All I know is
I didn't want to
hurt anybody.

Well, you can't
just run away.

And I'm sure
you don't want to
bring any more hurt.

No, no,
I don't want to.

My dear.

I know you are unhappy.
I've known it for
a long time.

I see you do your best,
and I see you fail.

Listen to me, closely.

It's not your fault.

It's not my fault?

You have suffered
the most severe neglect--

neglect of your
feminine nature.

Living here
in a world of men

has coarsened you,
dulled you,

deadened you.

You are starved for
sensitive instruction.

you cry out for
gentle companionship--

not women of my age
but young girls

of refinement,
delicacy and breeding.

You are quite right,
Elizabeth.

You don't belong here.

♪♪

Where do I belong?

In school,

with girls,
companions, friends,

where you can learn
the arts of womanhood.

Where you can make mistakes
and not be criticized.

Look at you.
Bewildered.
Frightened.

Wanting to run away.

If you are serious

about not bringing
any more hurt,

you will go.

but you will
do it properly,

acceptably,

agreeably.

Ask Mr. Grainger to let you
attend an Eastern school.

Ask him to help you select
a suitable academy.

Make it a pleasure for him,
and he'll let you go.

Promise me you'll
do the right thing.
Ask him.

Yes, I'll ask him.

I promise.

[ door shuts ]

♪♪

Mr. Grainger,

may I speak to you
about Elizabeth?

Of course.

She's asked for my advice
about something

far too important for me
to deal with alone.

What is it?

I want you to know
I'm strictly neutral,
but I am pleased.

Let's hear it.She asked me to help her
pick out a school.

I don't understand.

She wants to attend
an academy for young ladies.

It's what we've talked about
so many times, and she's
come to it herself.

Are you telling me
she wants to go
away to school?

I told you she was made
of something special.

And she realizes her own...

oh, not inadequacies,
her limitations,

and she has her heart set
on improving herself.

But she's too young.

You'll have to
tell her that.
I couldn't.

I wish you could have seen
her face when we discussed
the possibilities

of girl companions,
lifetime friendships,

the chance to learn
domestic arts.

But I was careful not to
give her my full endorsement.

I was afraid
if I helped her
pick out a school,

she'd think she had
my full consent.

What did you say?

I told her it was
too big a step,

that she would have to
take it up with you.

I know nothing about
academies for women.

She's your ward,
Mr. Grainger.

Her future rests
in your hands.

I know several schools
by reputation.

I myself went to
the Anne Arundel School
for Young Ladies.

But I'm afraid it's
out of the question.Why?

Eligible girls
are registered

the day they are born,
and even then,
admission is uncertain.

Is that the kind of
a school she wants?

What she wants,
and what the better
schools require,

is something you must
talk about.

Mrs. Miles, I wouldn't know
where to begin.

Let her do the talking.
You'll know what to say.

This is quite a shock.

It never entered my mind
that she'd want
to leave Shiloh.

Never, ever?

Not until she's
ready to marry,

raise a family.

She has her heart set
on going. Now.

♪♪

Boston's a fine city.

You'll like it.

Beautiful parks,
theaters.

Maybe this isn't
the right time to
tell you, but...

there's gonna be
two of us.

What?

With Elizabeth going
away to school,

I got to thinking that
maybe it's time I set out.

Oh, no.
I need you here.

There's plenty of
good hands-- older,

more experienced.

Talking about Boston

has got me thinking
about the big cities,

and, well, I picked out
San Francisco.

For a visit, yes.

Might do you good.
But you wouldn't want
to give up ranching.

I'd like to try my luck.

All right, wait a couple
of years, at least
until you come of age.

How old were you when you
started out on your own?

Times were harder then.
I had no choice.

I don't want to take
the easy way.

You work hard enough.

If I go to school,
will you let me go?

There's a new college
that takes working students.

I can earn my way.

You've got it all
planned out.

Well, with Elizabeth
getting an education,

I don't want her to be
ashamed of me.

It takes a lot
of courage, Stacey.

I'd like to go, Granddad,
with your permission.

I can understand your
wanting to set out,

and I know I had to
make my own way,

but...

hard enough to see
Elizabeth leave.

I don't know
that I'm ready to
see you both go.

You two stay and talk
about San Francisco.

Elizabeth wants to
pick out some dresses

for the first semester.

Come upstairs, dear.You don't have to.

You can stay, Liz.

Stacey's right.
Do you want.

Do you want to
stay or come?

It's bound to hurt.

I know how
you feel, Stace.

Knots me up too.

But her heart's
set on going.

She doesn't
want to go.

She asked me to help her
pick out the best school.

She doesn't belong in Boston.

The question is,

will she benefit by going?

No matter how you
or I feel about it,

will it benefit her?

I can't say it won't.

What about me?

Will college benefit me?

How could I say it won't.

But it won't hurt you
to wait a little while--
till summer, at least.

I don't want to go.

I'll miss Shiloh.

I'll miss you.

But you've got
your own life,

and it's time
I started out on my own.

♪♪

I'm asking you
to let me try,
Granddad.

I'm asking.

You come from
a hard-headed family, Stace.

You set your mind
to it, you'll go--

with or without
my permission.

Elizabeth's needs
are special.

I don't have much
to offer her.

But you could have
a good life here.

I've always intended to hand
Shiloh over to you someday.

I'm not gonna try
to stop you.

But I am asking you to
think about it a while.

And if it's right
for you to go,
we'll both know it.

And you'll go.

Yeah.

♪♪

[ wind gusting ]

♪♪

[ knock at door ]Come in.

Well, come in,
Mr. Grainger

I don't mean
to interrupt.

You can't interrupt
a man doing nothing.
Have a chair.

Thank you.

Tell me,

Has Stacey ever
said anything to you

about Elizabeth
and he leaving Shiloh?

Yes, sir.

I tried to head him off,
but he won't listen.

Well, he's like
the rest of us--

Wants to try his luck
on his own.

I think he likes
Shiloh well enough,

but it seems that he feels
he's living off of me.

Yes, sir. He asked me
if I'd hire him

if he wasn't
a relative of yours.

What'd you tell him?I told him
he was a good hand,

but he still had
some growing to do.

I'd hate to think
I helped to run him off.

I don't think you did.

I think Elizabeth's leaving
has a lot to do with it.

Did she give you
her reason for leaving?

She has her heart set
on a school for
young ladies in Boston.

Well, put it
that way, I guess

there's nothing more
to be said.

You've got something
on your mind.

I wish you'd say it.

Sir, with both of them
leaving that way,

together,

could be they have
some special reason
for going.

Such as?

Maybe they think you'd like
to have the place to yourself.

Why would I want
the place to myself?

You and Mrs. Miles.

Are you telling me that
Stacey and Elizabeth think
there's something between us?

It's possible.

Stacey mentioned
that you and she

had known one another
before the war,

before Captain Miles.

No one around here
likes to gossip,

so it tends to
stay in the dark.

I see.

I appreciate your
respect for privacy.

You don't come up to the house
as often as you used to.

I'd like to see
more of you.

I'll be up to
see you, Mr. Grainger.
You can count on it.

Thanks for
setting me straight.

Elizabeth?

[ wind gusting ]

Mrs. Miles?

Mrs. Miles?Come in.

We're selecting
a wardrobe.

Will you come
downstairs, please?

I'd like to discuss
something with you.

Yes.Elizabeth.

Fold the cape,

and I'll show you how
to fix the ruffles.

The draft must've
caught your door.

It was open.
I closed it.Thank you.

I don't think you ought
to leave candles burning.

I'm sorry.
I'll put them out.

I'll wait for you
downstairs.

♪♪

[ thunder crashing ]

Mrs. Miles.

Please come in.

I'm sorry
about the candles.

I'd have put them out,
but I saw your remembrance

to Captain Miles
and thought you'd prefer
to do it yourself.

Did you remove the picture
from the diary?

The picture
was on the floor.

The draft must've
turned the pages.

You closed it?

I assumed
it was private.Thank you.

Sit down, please.

Mrs. Miles,

I'm afraid
I've made a mistake.

A mistake?

There are certain
things I value--

my ranch, my house,

and above all,
my grandchildren.

I want what's best for them,

but perhaps I've been
trying too hard.

Trying to change them away
from what's natural to them.

You've brought out
the best in them,

inspired them to
improve themselves.

What good that's come of it
is thanks to you.

You've been most generous.

You've taught them
a world of things,
and I'm very grateful.

Then where's the mistake?

It's not yours, it's mine.

In spite of
the good you've done,
it's wrong for the family.

I don't see
anything wrong.

It's wrong for them
to go away.

I'm sorry.

I have to
disagree with you.

Mrs. Miles,

Stacey and Elizabeth
belong here at Shiloh,

and they're
going to stay.

I owe it to you,
Mr. Grainger,

to try to
open your eyes.

You're not thinking
of your grandchildren.
You're thinking of yourself

I'm thinking of
my family, together.

Oh, yes. You want to
keep them tied to you.

Why would I want that?Out of fear.

"Fear"? Of what?

You know what you're
afraid of, Mr. Grainger,
alone at night.

No, I don't know,
Mrs. Miles.

But I do know that
things have gone too far.

We've changed things
around too much.

We've allowed it
to get too formal.

Silk covers
and lace curtains

are very well for
a mansion in Maryland...

Everything I've done!

Shiloh is a working ranch.

It's built of timber
and solid stone.

Elizabeth was right.
What it needs is homespun.

She's never forgiven me.

Forgiven you?

For changing
her bedspread.

I'm trying my best to
save her from coarseness.

Mrs. Miles,

I want it changed back
the way it was.

You were perfectly
satisfied

until I left you alone
this evening with Stacey.

Stacey has nothing
to do with it.

You don't have to
protect him,
Mr. Grainger.

No, I don't.He's done a good job.

I know how
he feels about me.

He knows
I see through him.

He thinks he can
turn you against me,

whispering his poisonous
little lies in your ear.Mrs. Miles!

It's no use
talking to you!

You're on their side!
You've always been
on their side!

We gave you
every opportunity
to come with us!

Captain Miles offered you
a commission in his regiment,
and you turned against him!

He was your friend,
and you fought him!

That was 20 years ago.

He was your friend,
and you fought him in
the Battle of the Wilderness!

You! You!

There were seven regiments,
20,000 men.

You knew he was there.

You knew the bullets
from your gun would
tear open his flesh.

You shot at him!
You cut him down!

You set fire to the trees
and burned him
beyond recognition!

You took my loved one
away from me!

You murderer!

♪♪

Stacey. Stacey!

What's the matter?

Send Belden
for the doctor.

Mrs. Miles.

Belden!

Elizabeth.

They're outside
in the hall.

[ screams ]

Mrs. Miles!

Open this door,
I say!

What happened?Elizabeth's in there.

Open the door!
Please let them in!

[ pounding on door ]

Force it.

She's set fire
to the curtains!
It's on fire!

There's someone
in here.

[ pounding continues ]

There! Holding
the burning branch!

He's set fire
to the house!
Stop him! Stop him!

♪♪

The carriage is outside.
Mrs. Hadley says she'll
stay with her

till she gets to
the hospital in Chicago.Good.

It's hard to figure.

Why would she want
to burn the house?

She's lost herself
in the past.

She tried to make
this her house,

just like hers
back in Maryland.

Raiders burned it.
She saw it happen.

She saw it again last night.

You think she knows
what she did?

Well, it goes pretty deep.

She blamed me
for her husband's death,

and she tried to tear
my family apart
out of revenge.

She's coming down now.

♪♪

Be sure to
thank the gardener
for the flowers.

I'll write to you.

And as soon as the new house
is finished, we want you
to come and see us.

Captain Miles wants you
to join his regiment.

He considers you
his closest friend.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

♪♪

[ theme music playing ]