Original subtitles

- You care for a drumstick, miss? - No, thank you.

We could've took the train!

I took it all the way to Cheyenne, and believe me, this is much nicer.

Ah, it's more like the old days, and that's for sure.

Pardon my askin',

but what brings a young girl like you out West?

- It's my home. - You don't say.

Well, no offense, but, uh, you sure don't look it,

not in that fancy getup and all.

Mighty "purty" though. Mighty "purty."

No offense.

Well, as a matter of fact, I was born on a ranch just outside of Medicine Bow.

But I've been back East to school.

This is my first time home in five years.

That's what it is then.

You just picked up some highfalutin Eastern ways.

Well, if I did, I'll soon get rid of them.

I love this part of the country.

Oh, my stars!

Down. Everybody down. My stars!

- Peg, welcome home. - Daddy!

Oh!

Ooh!

Send her bags down here.

Hyah! Hyah!

Whoa. Whoa.

Well, soon as I drop this off,

I'll play you that game of pool.

Well, I hate to take your money, but, uh, you're on.

Stage hasn't gone West yet, has it, Happy? We've got mail here for Rawlins.

Hasn't even come in yet, Trampas. Late again, huh?

Mm-mmm. You're gonna have to improve your service. People'll be takin' the train.

They are already. That's the trouble. That's progress, they say.

Old John Halstead was so darn anxious, he drove out of town to meet the stage.

Oh, yeah? Halstead? What's he so anxious about?

Seein' his daughter Margaret, I guess. You mean Peg?

Uh-huh. She comin' home?

Just for a visit. Going to college now, he says.

That little old brat.

You never know, do you, Happy? So long.

What was that I heard about a college girl?

Peg Halstead.

Ugly as a mud fence. Pigtails, freckled face, turned-up nose.

Biggest pest you ever saw.

Used to hang around the Shiloh corral and drive us crazy.

Is that her? Must be.

Well, her nose does turn up a bit, but I have seen uglier.

Hello, Trampas. Remember me?

Peg?

Nah! Why, it can't be.

- Have I changed? - How you've changed.

Oh, it's nice to see you again, Mr. Halstead.

I was wonderin' if you did see me. Hello, Jim.

Sir.

Oh, uh, this is my fellow wage slave, Jim Horn.

- Pleased to meet you, Jim. - It's my pleasure.

Is this that little pest you was telling me about? Yeah, that's her. No!

Can't you see... Can't you see this is a lady?

No, I'm still the little brat that you used to chase out of the corral.

Well, there's, uh, some things ladies are supposed to forget.

I'll never forget that.

All right. Peg, I'm gonna go inside and get us a few little things.

I'll be right back.

Why don't you boys come over and see us sometime? Well, thanks.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if Miss Peg here wasn't just bone dry after that trip.

You wouldn't, huh? I mean, all that road dust and all.

Well, I was just thinkin', maybe she'd like a little liquid refreshment.

Maybe a big, cold glass of... Cup of tea at the hotel dining room, ma'am?

Oh, I'd love to! Thank you, Trampas.

Watch your step.

Well, that settles that.

Yeah, I guess it does.

Boy, she sure is pretty.

Ain't she though?

Now, there he was, see, with this beautiful girl. She was somethin' special.

Trampas was struttin' down that street, puffed out like a pouter pigeon.

She was hangin' on his arm, and the whole town was starin' at 'em pop eyed.

Well, I mean, he couldn't have been prouder.

Little freckle-faced Peg Halstead? Yeah.

Well, girls do grow up, you know.

That so? Well, this one sure did.

Boy, she's the prettiest thing to hit Medicine Bow in a month of Sundays.

Well, present company excepted.

Well, thank you.

Hey, Liz. Guess who's back in town.

Yes, I've heard.

What'd I do?

Looks like you bought somebody a cup of tea. Oh.

No woman likes to hear another woman called beautiful, you know.

You know what? You're wasting your time at this ranch.

You oughta get a job at the newspaper in town.

Is she that pretty? Oh.

She's got a face like an angel...

and everything else to go with it.

Hardly worth a second glance.

Now. Whoa.

Whoa. Whoa, son.

Whoa. What's the matter with you? Whoa. Hey! Whoa.

Whoa. Hey. What's... What's the matter with you?

Whoa.

All right. If that's the way it's gonna be.

Ho... Hold it now. I'm gonna have to rope you.

Now. Whoa. Come here!

What's gotten into you? Whoa!

Uh-huh! So, it was you.

What are you doin' throwin' rocks at my horse?

Trampas, can I come and help you, huh? No, you pesky brat.

I ain't afraid of the horse kickin' me.

If you get kicked, it won't be by my horse. Yeah?

Yeah! And that's when I'd get chased.

I don't wonder.

But, Liz, I could never catch her. She was too fast.

What are you doing here at Shiloh? I just had to see it again.

- Hasn't changed much, has it? - That's the best of it.

It's just as I remember it.

Elizabeth's been showing me around.

Or trying to. I'm having a hard time keeping up with her.

Oh, there's so much to see and remember.

Say, Trampas? Whatever became of that horse I used to beg you to let me ride?

Ragtail... That was his name.

- Oh, yeah. - Boy, he was fearsome.

A huge, nearly wild stallion, remember?

Uh-huh. I remember old Ragtail.

Poor little old gray mare.

Oh!

At least I got his name right.

- What do you call this one? - This is Buck's half brother.

I call him Half Brother.

Could I ride him sometime?

I don't know. After throwing rocks at him, he may just buck you off.

Oh, Elizabeth, you're so lucky to be a part of all this.

I almost feel cheated.

I was so happy living on the ranch...

before I was packed off like a side of beef.

I never wanted to go out East.

I used to cry myself to sleep nights in school, just thinking about it...

A special sunset or a particular bend in the river.

Oh, it's all so wonderful here. It really is.

Peg, not all of it, and not all of the time.

Hmph. Why, there's boiling summers...

and... freezing winters...

and not to mention...

rattlesnakes and other natural disasters.

Well, you see, it's not paradise.

Oh, it is, or it's the nearest thing to it.

You've never had to live in a crowded city.

You don't know how awful it can be.

I think we've pestered Trampas enough for one day.

Oh, you're not going?

She's coming up to the house for a cup of tea.

Well, you will be back?

Of course. Sometime.

- Bye. - So long.

Oh, I just remembered.

I'll need something to wear to the dance in town Saturday night.

Good, you're going. Uh-huh.

A boy from the next ranch asked me. Bill Sawyer.

Aren't you going? Oh, yes. I wouldn't miss it.

Bill Sawyer? Hmph.

Would you taste some spice cake, John?

I'd love to, but I don't know where I'd put it after the pie, Holly.

Thank you. Clay?

Thank you, dear. Well, then if you will excuse me...

Now, please don't get up.

I have some very urgent business in the kitchen.

My churn is calling me.

Quite a thing, isn't it, having your daughter back after five years?

Yeah. Of course, it's only a two-week visit.

She'll be goin' right back to finish her schoolin'.

Well, I must say, I've admired what you've done for her, John.

Must have been quite a sacrifice.

Well, it's taken the best part of my beef profits for years.

Course, I don't run as big an operation as you do, Clay,

but it's been worth every cent of it.

Well, I was thinking more of your sacrificing...

the companionship of your only child for all those years.

Well,

it has been lonely, but I don't complain of that.

I'm so glad to have her out of here and back East, where she belongs,

where she can have a decent life.

Well, Wyoming's not all that bad.

Some of us even like it here.

Not for women though, Clay.

Well, I mean, not for her kind of woman.

She's like her mother... Kind of sensitive and delicate.

Just got no toleration for hardship.

Oh, that's strange.

Peg never impressed me that way. Oh, she is though.

When I got her out of here years ago, I made up my mind...

I wouldn't even let her come back here for a visit.

Just that she wanted to so bad,

and...

I did want to see her one time before I...

Before what?

Well, I guess I can trust you, Clay, not to say anything, especially to her.

Old Doc Spaulding give me the word.

Heart.

Well, can't anything be done?

No, I don't think so.

I had an attack a little while back was pretty bad.

I guess the next one will probably be it, and that can happen anytime.

Well.

Well, I'm sure sorry to hear that, John. I had no idea.

Well, you see, that's why I'm so anxious to have Peg taken care of.

Get her married and settled, I hope,

back East where she can have a good life.

- Doesn't she know? - Oh, no. And she's not to.

- Might change things. - Oh, no! I don't want things changed.

I want her to go back not knowing.

If she knows, she might want to stay here.

- Would that be so bad? - That's worse than bad.

I don't want anything to keep her here.

That's why I haven't told her.

I'd rather die alone than have that happen.

♪♪

Then turn in a circle round.

Now, sweep her arms around and around.

Now, you all join hands and form a ring.

Circle on the right.

Come to a rip and snort.

Round that center and you come out short.

Join hands, form a ring.

Rip and snort, down that center and you cut 'em all short.

Now, get back and swing that pole.

Round and round you go.

Now, hand over hand go down the ring.

♪♪

Ah. As usual, we got a little mixed up.

As usual, so did everybody else.

Thank you, sir. It was my pleasure, ma'am.

Boy, she's not only pretty. She's some dancer.

Yeah. Well, she's sure gettin' a chance to prove it, isn't she?

I wonder which one she's gonna pick next.

I don't think Peg's enjoying all that attention.

Looks to me like she needs rescuing.

That's how it looks to you, huh?

Well, here you are, Trampas.

Hello, Peg. I was just comin' for you, but I had to stop and talk to somebody first.

Hello, cowboy. What are you doin' off the ranch?

Mr. Sawyer, it's this way.

I heard that Peg was getting all black and blue from some other cowboy...

stompin' on her feet with his big boots.

So I just thought I'd ride over and...

Bill, this is the fella I promised the next dance to. Pardon us, please?

Peg, you came with me. Now, you just wait a minute!

Bill Sawyer.

Aren't you ever gonna ask me to dance? Huh?

Oh, uh, sure!

Some punch, Miss Grainger? Thank you.

I didn't know he was gonna be so persistent.

If he bothers you again, just send up a signal.

You'd fight for me?

Sure, unless a fella's too tall.

Oh, that's very romantic.

I'd forgotten how strenuous dancing can be.

Well, when you've danced every dance the way you have.

- Would you like a cool drink? - No, thank you.

But it is warm in here. Is there anyplace that we can get a breath of air?

We can step outside and get a breath of fresh air.

Oh, please, let's.

I don't think I could dance another step anyway.

You think they'll miss us? We'll be back before it's time to go home.

Come on. Let's take a walk.

♪♪

Oh, isn't this beautiful?

What? This. All of it.

Well, I never exactly thought of Medicine Bow being beautiful.

Oh, I know it's rough, and it's dirty, too, but I don't care.

I love it all... the roughness along with the beauty.

Just can't get enough of it.

Trampas? Mm-hmm?

If I'd been the age I am now...

five years ago,

Yeah. Only I would have caught you. You never did.

Well, that's because you could run pretty fast in those days,

and maybe I wasn't trying too hard.

500 pounds?

I bet I could still beat you.

Not a chance.

Double dare you.

Oh!

Now I got ya.

Oh! See?

You're not as fast as you used to be. Maybe I didn't wanna be.

Whoa now. Whoa.

♪♪ Here we are.

Watch your step. Whoop!

Bye-bye. Bye.

Bye.

♪♪

Well, now, I was beginnin' to wonder.

Oh, Daddy.

You mustn't worry about me. I'm not a little girl anymore, remember?

Besides, it's not so late. Did you have a good time?

Oh, it was marvelous!

I'd forgotten how much fun square dancing can be.

And it was just wonderful seeing everyone again.

Well, I'm glad to see you enjoying yourself.

I was beginning to be afraid, with nothin' to do,

you'd be bored before your two weeks was up.

You keep talking about two weeks. Are you anxious to get rid of me?

Oh, now, you know better than that.

It's just that we always talked about a couple of weeks.

Well, you did. I might just stay a while.

Well, fine now, but now, won't your Aunt Harriet be expecting you?

Well, Aunt Harriet can get along fine without me. She has a cook and a maid.

But still, you've got to get ready to go back to college, you know.

That's another thing I want to talk to you about, Daddy.

I'm not sure that I want to go back to college.

Not sure? Why, most girls'd give their eyeteeth.

Well, that's just it. I appreciate the chance you're giving me.

I'm not sure it's just not a total waste.

I'm just not interested in getting a degree.

Well,

maybe you're more interested in getting yourself a husband.

Well, of course, eventually, but...

Now, don't tell me there wasn't nobody back East to interest you.

Nobody I cared that much about.

Well, now, you've got to give yourself a chance.

When you go back to finish your schoolin',

I'm sure somethin' will turn up.

Daddy, I'm not sure I want to go back there at all.

Well, I'm sorry. I... I know your heart's set on it.

Well,

only because I think it's best for you.

But I like it here.

This is where I belong.

Oh, you don't know how all those years back there...

I longed to be here... At home with you.

Longed just to see it again.

And ride a horse.

Feel the wind come sweeping down the mountain.

Now... Now, those are...

Those are fine-soundin' things, Peg.

They're... They're romantic things,

and... and it sure ain't that I wouldn't...

like to have you near me to talk to and to be with.

But there's more important things back there.

There's a kind of life that you just can't get here.

Now, think on that, Peg. I have thought about it.

A lot.

That's why I had to come back to see it again... to make sure.

Yes, but you haven't seen all of it, honey.

You've just seen the good things. You don't know what it's like here.

Now, just don't let your head be turned by things that don't matter.

Think on that. Daddy...

Now, don't make up your mind too quick. Promise me that.

All right.

All right. I'll... think on it.

Oh, I'm going riding tomorrow with Trampas.

It's his day off.

Good night.

Well.

You can nearly see Shiloh from here.

Almost clear to Cheyenne.

It's fun to ride again.

Fun? Riding a horse is fun?

Well, when you haven't ridden for as long as I haven't, it is.

How am I doing, Half Brother?

Oh, you're doing just fine. Isn't she, Half Brother?

Come on.

Oh! There you go.

Oh.

How long do you think it'll take before I get my seat back?

I didn't know you'd lost it. Well, I have.

Oh! It's sore.

Well, ridin' is like breathin'.

Once you learn, it comes natural.

Ma'am?

Oh, Trampas, it's good to be here.

Well, it's good to have you here.

How long, Peg?

I don't know.

Uh, your father says two weeks.

Well, that's because his heart's set on me going back to school.

Not yours? No.

No, my heart's here.

You're not sorry about last night?

About kissing me?

Sorry?

No, I'm not sorry.

I just, uh...

I just don't wanna make more of it than it was.

And what do you think it was?

Oh, I don't know. I'm not, uh, used to girls like you.

Girls like me? Mm-hmm.

From, uh, Eastern finishing schools and all that.

So you think it was just a cowboy romance, huh?

Maybe more like, uh, unfinished business.

The old childhood sweetheart thing?

Well, I told you I hadn't changed much.

Well, I... I feel partly it was your feeling of being home...

and your memories of when you were a kid here.

Well, is that so terrible?

I loved it here.

And I loved you.

Desperately.

Well, I'm not complaining.

Well, then why don't we just leave it at that...

and let time tell us?

You've been at Shiloh a long time.

Huh? Oh, yeah.

Well, it's a good ranch. Nice people to work for.

Well, you can't stay there forever.

Maybe not.

You ever think of having a place of your own someday?

Well, I guess every man's thought of that.

That someday is a long ways off.

Maybe not.

Do you have any particular place in mind?

For what?

Settling down, you know.

Oh.

Well, yeah.

I can think of a lot of nice places round here.

Let's see.

Well, there's, uh...

There's Dove Canyon. That's nice country.

Very nice.

And there's, uh, Falling Rock Creek.

That's nice. And, uh...

Oh, I like Dove Canyon better.

You've been there? No.

No, it just sounds better.

Well, you can't always go by that.

I know a place called Nightingale's Rest.

Oh, that's pretty.

And quiet. It's a graveyard.

Oh! Will you take me there, please?

Hey, that was you all along.

Where? To Nightingale's Rest? No. No, to Dove Canyon.

On your next day off. Oh, please?

Well, my next day off may not be for a couple of weeks,

and you wouldn't be here.

I'll be here.

Howdy, Mr. Halstead. Trampas.

Oh, we had a marvelous ride,

but I think I'll need a pillow on my chair at dinner.

Ah, you'll be fine next time.

Uh, Peg, um,

I got a little business I want to talk over with Trampas, if you don't mind.

All right.

Thanks, Trampas. Now, remember your promise about Dove Canyon.

You'll be hearing from me. Bye, Half Brother.

Isn't he beautiful?

Oh. You said, uh, we had some business, Mr. Halstead?

Yes, Trampas.

Trampas I've got nothing against you.

You're a decent sort. I always liked you.

But I got to tell you, stay away from my daughter.

Is that an order?

Yes, it is. I don't want you to trifle with her.

Trifle? Mr. Halstead, I'm not trifling.

That's so much the worse. I don't want you to try to turn her head neither.

She's gonna go back East pretty soon where she belongs.

Belongs? But this is her home.

This ain't no place for her, and she don't figure to marry no cowhand neither.

Mr. Halstead, I'm not thinkin' about getting married. I...

I like Peg. She's a nice girl, but, well, that's all.

And she likes you. And I see where it's leading.

Now, after all I've done, I don't intend to stand aside and see it wasted now.

Now, hold on a minute. I'm telling you, it's not that serious.

And I'm telling you, stay away from her. She's not for you.

Now, I hope you can understand that.

Yes, sir. I understand.

But maybe you'd better tell her.

Whoa.

Hey now!

Hyah!

Hyah!

Hyah! Get in there!

Get up there!

You made supper? Chili beans.

I just about got 'em right too... the way you like 'em.

That'll be something new and different.

Hot enough for ya?

They'll do.

Trampas, what are you doing here?

I'm thinkin'. Is that all right?

Yeah, it's all right.

Kind of unusual in the bunkhouse.

- Weren't you, uh, taking the day off? - I am.

Oh.

- And I'd like another one tomorrow. - Tomorrow?

Yeah. That's what I said.

I'd like another day off tomorrow. I've been working hard.

I've been riding that rough stray all week, and I've been bucked off four times.

- That mare bucked me off four times. - Four times?

That's right. Now, do I get that extra day off, or not?

- That means you'll lose a Saturday. - All right then. I'll lose it.

What about tomorrow?

It's all right with me. Going somewhere?

Yeah, if it's any of your business.

You all right?

I'm feeling fine.

Thought maybe your lumbago was acting up.

Me? Lumbago?

Yeah, your boots are too tight or somethin'.

I'm feelin' fine.

All right.

Come right in.

Uh...

About tomorrow... You see, I... I want to ride up to Dove Canyon.

Dove Canyon? What's up there?

Oh, uh... A lot of grass.

Oh, yeah? Yeah.

It's belly high this time of the year. Hmm.

You know, a man could, uh, raise a lot of beef up there, if he had a mind to.

Maybe four, five head to an acre.

Maybe.

Yeah.

Well, that's why I wanted a day off.

To ride up to Dove Canyon.

Yeah. All by yourself.

Well, no.

Thought I'd ride up with Peg Halstead.

Oh. Well.

She'll be nice company for you.

Not that it's any of my business.

No. Uh... I don't know. I've been edgy.

Yeah.

Well.

There is something else.

You know, her, uh... her pa ordered me to stay away from her?

He said, uh...

Well, what he said was, uh, "Cowhand isn't good enough for her."

Hmm.

So you're, uh, riding up to Dove Canyon with her...

to pick out a nice piece of land.

Well, what would you do? Oh, I might consider staying away from her.

Hey, are you sayin' I'm not good enough for her too?

No. But she's not a freckle-faced kid sittin' on a corral fence...

makin' eyes at you anymore.

It's different now for both of you.

I know what you're sayin'. No, you don't.

Freckle-faced kid might have been good for you.

I'm not so sure about that girl from the finishin' school back East.

What I'm tryin' to say is just be careful.

All right. I will.

If it's any of your business.

Hmph. Dove Canyon?

You're not going that far all alone. No, I'm not.

Trampas is taking me. Trampas? I told...

Well,

I just won't let you go up there.

You won't let me? I'm not a child.

Well, you're not so all-fired old that you can go traipsin' off with a man...

to that far, lonely place.

- I see you don't trust me. - Oh, Peg. It ain't that.

But Trampas ain't the kind of man you ought to be wastin' your time on.

And what kind of a man should I be wasting my time on?

One that can give you a better life, at least, something you can't get around here.

And suppose that's what I want.

Want? How do you know what you want?

You can't know at your age what you're gonna want in a few years.

People change, honey. Wants change!

Daddy, I tried what you want for me, and I didn't like it much.

Now I've come back to try again what I know I would like.

And what would that be, a cowhand for a husband?

Maybe.

I'm telling you right now, Peg, no.

You can't tell me! I've got to find out for myself!

Oh, please try to understand.

I want to live,

not just exist the way so many people do...

Day after dull day doing what they're supposed to do,

what other people have told them to do.

Life is for enjoying, and I want to enjoy mine,

do the things I love with the people I love,

make the most of whatever talents I have for whatever things.

Oh, can't you see?

I see more than you think I do. I see things that you don't.

Honey, people can't just live for what they want.

Maybe not, but they can try.

Look at you.

Hardly more than a child, and you think you know everything.

No, not everything,

but I do know I've got to make my own mistakes and live my own life,

the way you did.

But that's just it, honey! I know what can happen.

That's why I'm warnin' you, Peg... stop, now!

Go back East to where you belong.

No.

No, I'm sorry, Daddy.

I'm going to Dove Canyon.

Come on.

Now, if I was going to build a house,

it'd be just about... about here.

And the parlor would be... Be over here,

and the dining room would be, mmm, here,

and the bedroom would be there.

Oughta be on the other side. Why?

Catch the morning light. Be the first room to cool off in the evening.

Of course. Why didn't I think of that?

Well, then the kitchen could be here.

You want the kitchen on the north side.

It'll take the north wind. It's the warmest room in the house.

It's gotta have a cool breeze in the summer.

You're wonderful. I'd never have thought of that.

And the view's better on that side anyway.

And we could have the barn up there on... o-on the hill...

No protection for the animals from the wind.

Gotta have the barn closer to the house.

How close?

Well, you don't wanna walk too far when it's raining or when we're snowed in.

Snowed in? Oh, yeah. I forgot about that.

Sometimes for three or four weeks.

Well, couldn't we spend the winters in town?

Who'd take care of the stock?

Besides...

there's a lot of things to do indoors...

to keep two people pretty busy.

Keep them from getting on each other's nerves? Mm-hmm.

We could have the study here, with a great big window overlooking the valley.

Well, we could have the fireplace about here,

just like the one at Shiloh.

Now just hold on one darned minute.

I'll show you the kind of house I'd build.

The kitchen'd be here, the parlor here,

and the bedroom here too.

Uh, that's all one room?

That's right.

That's the way it'd be. First year, at least.

A line cabin is what it'd be,

until I can get the rest of the things built... corral, shed, fences.

Then maybe later I could build a bigger house.

That's the way it'd be. That's the way it would have to be.

I understand. The stock comes first.

Has to. Without stock, why, there's nothing to ranch.

No way to make a living.

Of course.

But, now after I build the house,

why, I'd build a spring house over there by that stream in the woods.

Hmm.

Maybe a shack up on that hill so you can look down on all of this.

That'd make it some bigger, wouldn't it?

That'd be nice.

It's lovely here, Trampas, just like you said it was.

You should see those trees in the fall, Peg. They're really beautiful.

Oh, I'm sure they're lovely.

You really like it, Peg? I really do.

I think I could be very happy here.

That's good,

'cause I sure use a cook for that kitchen, but I can't afford to pay wages.

Oh! You! Ohh!

Ooh!

You're not as fast as you used to be.

Oh, look, your horse is over there. What?

Hey!

Oh! Ohh! Ooh!

Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! My ankle.

I think I sprained it. Oh, does that hurt. Can I help you?

You'll have to take me on as your unpaid cook.

I wouldn't dream of letting another woman into my kitchen.

Just don't mind the kitchen.

In the summer we often do our baking at night, when it's cooler.

Trampas brought us a visitor, Elizabeth.

Hi, Peg. Hi.

This is wonderful, Elizabeth. Can I watch?

Watch? You can help. How good are you at kneading?

I haven't done it in years. Well, it's about time you did.

Here, you'd better wear this. You don't want to spoil your clothes.

I'll be fine. Just tell me, what do I do?

First you need some flour.

Whoops. Oh... Oh, dear.

Here, I think you'd better wear this.

That bread'll be ready to come out in a minute. All right, I'll take it out.

Oh! I have to get some butter from the spring house.

How long do I have to knead? You've only just started.

Here, you put this in the oven and take out the done loaf. I'll finish that.

Oww! Ooh!

I'll take care of this. You put some lard on that. Never mind.

I'll take out the done loaf before it burns. All right, but use the pad.

Ouch!

Here. How's that? Ohh. Oh.

Look what I've done.

Oh. You've burnt yourself.

I ruined the bread. I ruined everything.

That happens sometimes.

More often than we like to admit.

And when it does, we just start everything all over again.

It's so ridiculous to have to do all of this for a silly loaf of bread.

Why doesn't somebody just start a bakery?

Well, I don't know,

'cept it's a long way into town for a silly loaf of bread.

If you lived out here, you'd get used to baking. You'd have to.

I don't know if I could ever get used to it, or even want to.

But I will. I will, if it kills me.

Ouch.

Good to see you anytime.

You just missed Peg.

Trampas took her home.

I wasn't looking for her. I know who she's with.

He's my top hand. I'd trust him with my life.

I have, on several occasions.

Well, I didn't come here to talk about that.

I was in town trying to do some business, but

just seems like this is the wrong time of year.

Nobody wants to buy.

What are you selling? My property. House, barn, the whole lot.

Why, that's been your home for 30 years, John.

I'm past caring about it, Clay.

If you're interested in it, it's yours. Price don't matter.

You don't look too well. Sit down. No, I'm all right.

I...

Well, all right. I'll just sit here for a minute, catch my breath.

What about a brandy?

No, I... I just wanna get this thing over with.

Quick sale is what I'm after.

Well, I wouldn't know what to do with that land in the first place.

It's too far from Shiloh.

Besides, I couldn't pay you what it's worth.

I told you, price don't matter.

Doesn't matter?

You have a daughter to make secure, you want to sell her inheritance,

and the price doesn't matter?

Well, it's for her I'm doing it, Clay. You know that.

I got to get her away from here, away from trouble,

away from your top hand.

Oh.

So that's where it is.

Well, I asked him... I told him, stay away from her. I told her, stay clear of him.

You only succeeded in pushing them together.

Well, if it's my fault, I'm willing to pay for it.

By selling cheap and pulling out?

That's right. I got to get her away from the sight of cows and cowhands.

I want to cut the ties and have her shut of this place for good and all.

Now, if you're not interested, I got to find somebody else.

You know I don't have any time to waste, Clay. What's it gonna be?

John, I can't let you do it.

That land of yours is close enough to town to be valuable someday as town lots.

You should hang onto it if only for the investment.

No, sir, my mind's made up.

If it was just the money I'd give it to you, but not for this.

I think you're making another mistake, John.

Let Peg manage her own life.

If you had a daughter, would you be saying the same thing?

I have... Elizabeth. She's like a daughter to me.

Well, when the day comes...

that she chooses a way of life that makes you shrivel up inside,

makes you feel so bad you just near wanna lay down and die,

then you come to me and you tell me let her choose and let it be her doin'.

Right now I got to do it my way.

Bound to be somebody that's willing to buy.

Attagirl.

Whoa. Get over, Buck.

Well, it's a beautiful day.

Well, you don't sound too pleased about it.

I was just thinking...

this is my third beautiful day off in a row.

Well, you said they owed you some.

Yeah, but taking 'em all at once like this means somebody else is doing my work.

Well, it doesn't really matter, does it?

I mean, you won't work there at all after we're married.

I don't know when that's gonna be. Do you?

Soon. Let's make it very soon, Trampas.

Well, that's gonna take a little thinkin' about.

You don't just jump into something like this.

Gonna need some money to get started. Oh, we'll find some.

Where? Under a rock?

Let's talk about something nice.

Us.

You know, I always wondered what it'd be like to fall in love.

Oh? Well, um...

Well, what is it like, exactly?

Well, it's as if...

all my life I'd been groping in the dark,

alone in the dark,

and then I reached out...

and touched your hand...

and suddenly I wasn't alone anymore.

I'll never be alone in the dark again.

I never thought about it, but it is something like that, isn't it?

It's as if nothing could go wrong...

and all my dreams have come true.

Well, I hope you save a few for later. I've got lots of dreams for us.

The ranch, and a family.

I think three. Three?

Two boys and a girl.

And you'll be very successful and we'll be terribly rich.

And when the children go to school we'll probably move into town,

you'll be elected mayor, and then after that, well, probably governor...

What? Governor?

No, I'm just a cattleman, plain and simple.

I know now, but I'm talking about the future. Well, so am I.

Right now, I'm just a hired hand.

That's not gonna be easy.

You're worried about me, aren't you?

Well, uh,

winters are gonna be hard, especially the first one in this cabin.

Gonna be, uh... It's gonna be lonesome.

Won't be a lot of people to talk to.

And none of 'em educated like you are.

I'd be a fool if I said I wasn't scared.

I am. Terribly.

But if you love me enough and I love you enough,

well, we can work it out, can't we?

Do you love me enough?

I think so.

Well, you'd better be darned sure.

Right now I love you more than I've ever loved anyone before.

And that's all I know.

Well,

I guess that'll have to do.

Oh!

What do you want?

Uh, we haven't any food.

No, uh... No sugar. No coffee.

So, uh, why don't you just ride along.

Uh...

I know you, uh... You don't want any trouble.

But you're off your reservation.

And that could bring the bluecoats, huh?

So why don't you just ride on.

Uh...

It's all right.

Well, who were they? Uh, Sioux. Hunting party.

- Will they be through here often? - Probably.

But they won't harm us. They might even become friends.

Drop off a shoulder of venison once in a while.

You still game to try?

It'll take more than Indians to get rid of me.

Oh, good afternoon, Trampas. Come in.

Afternoon. Thank you.

Uh, Mr. Grainger around?

Yes. Oh... Well, no, if he's busy I can come back later.

Well, he's fixing something for me again, and I don't think he's very happy about it.

He might just snap your head off.

Who's gonna snap whose head off?

You see? Hello, Trampas.

Afternoon. Just comin' out.

You were? That sewing machine of yours is all well now.

You can treadle to your heart's content.

Sewing machine? Yeah.

I'm good on windmills too.

Somethin' I can do for ya?

Oh, yeah. Uh, well, I'd like to talk to you for a minute, if you can.

Come on in.

Sit down. Thanks.

Uh...

Mr. Grainger, if it's all the same to you I think I'd rather stand.

Suit yourself.

What can I do for ya?

Well, uh,

the thing is, I...

I'm gonna need some money in a hurry.

Hmph. You too?

What do you need it for? Well, I'm gonna have to buy a few things.

Can't you wait till payday?

Well, no, I'm afraid, uh, payday won't cover it.

You see, uh...

Well, if it's all right with you, Mr. Grainger, I'd like to, uh, um...

Well, I'd like to...

make a loan.

Um, see, I'm gonna need about, uh...

Whew.

$5,000.

Five thousand?

Uh, yes, sir. But I-I...

Not all in cash. I could use about $2,000 in stock.

What are you going to do, go into competition with me?

No, sir, I... I wasn't planning on that.

See, uh, well, I'm gonna need my own ranch.

Not a big ranch, just a small one.

And I was thinking of... I was thinking about

Dove Canyon, up there by the upper lakes.

Yes, I'm familiar with Dove Canyon.

But why do you need a ranch in it?

Oh.

Well, I guess I did forget to mention that, uh...

That I'm gettin' married.

To Peg?

Yes, sir.

If you don't mind, I think I'll sit down now. Yes.

Uh, see, that's why I wanted that big a loan...

Because I don't wanna live in a line shack.

Have you talked to Peg's father about this?

No, sir. I thought I'd get everything set first.

He might not take it so well, you know.

No, he's, uh, made that pretty clear.

He doesn't like cowhands,

and I don't know how he'd feel about his daughter being married to a rancher.

Might be quite a shock to him.

Yeah. Well, he's a big man. I reckon he can take the shock.

I just hope you know what you're doing.

Yeah.

So do I.

When did you ask Peg to marry you?

Well, th-that's a funny thing.

You see, I...

I didn't exactly ask her.

One minute I'm a bachelor of the bunkhouse,

and the next thing you know I'm thinking about...

pink-flowered wallpaper in a bedroom.

- Wallpaper? - Yes. She likes wallpaper.

White picket fence and green shutters.

Are you sure you're not going in over your head?

I don't know, I...

Is anybody ever sure?

The only thing I am sure of is that, uh...

well, I...

I do love Peg, and, uh,

I wanna marry her.

Uh, now...

'bout that loan.

All right, Trampas.

Whatever you want.

I'm going to town in a few days. I'll make arrangements with the bank.

Well, that sure takes a load off my mind.

What does? Starting a marriage by going into debt?

Well, is there any other way to start?

No, I guess not.

Well, Trampas, things'll probably work out one way or another.

Mr. Grainger,

you're beginning to sound like Mr. Halstead.

You think I'm not right for Peg too?

Well, you're as right as anyone, I guess. Nothing wrong with you.

Then what is?

I mean, uh, I didn't exactly expect you to throw rice or anything, but,

well, you must admit you're not giving me much encouragement.

I'd like to know what's wrong.

Maybe nothing.

But something is wrong.

Well, let's hope not.

Oh. Congratulations.

Thank you.

Daddy? Wh-What are you doing?

Packing. We're getting out.

Tomorrow. I bought the tickets.

What are you talking about? Leaving. I sold the house.

We're going back East. You and me.

You wouldn't go by yourself.

Well, I'm taking you.

Won't be nothin'... Nothin' to come back to.

Not ever.

Trampas is gettin' married! Trampas is gettin' married!

Trampas is gettin' married! Trampas is gettin' married!

Quit bangin' on that thing! Congratulations!

- You're really gonna do it. - How did you know about it before I did?

Mr. Grainger told Elizabeth, and she spread the good word.

Sure can't keep a secret around here, now, can ya?

What are you so touchy about? Cheer up. Every man has a right to make one mistake.

Thanks a heap. Are you gonna invite us to the wedding?

Sure, you're invited. Yahoo!

Oh, now, hold on a minute, Harper!

I tell you one thing. You're invited, but I don't want you tearing that church down.

It's gonna be a sober wedding.

Then after we're married, well, I think we'll all need a drink.

You're not gonna change your mind, are ya?

No, I'm not gonna change my mind.

She's a nice... lovely, sweet girl, and we're gonna be very happy together.

And if any of you don't think so, step up right now and give your reason.

You hear me? Huh?

I wanna wish you all the best. Do me a favor, will ya?

- Name the first one after me. - Harper?

It's better than Trampas.

Thanks. Harper?

Well, I think it is.

Peg, you've got to see it my way. Please try.

I can't let the same thing happen to you that happened to your mother.

- Let what happen? - I can't let you throw your life away.

I can't let you wither and die the way your mother did,

in a place she hated and a life she couldn't stand.

But I'm not her.

I like it here.

But don't you see? She did too.

It was like a big adventure to her.

Something new, something to experience for the first time.

But it killed her.

Don't you see that, honey?

It killed her.

Your mother'd be alive today if she'd just had proper medicine...

or a good doctor when she needed one,

if she'd just stayed in a place where a

woman didn't have to die of a broken heart...

for want of a pretty dress or a friend to talk to.

Now, I just stood by and let that happen.

But I won't let that happen to you.

Never.

That's why we're leaving.

And we're leaving now.

But I'm not my mother. I'm not like her at all.

You're just like your mother.

More than you know.

She wanted to live too. She wanted all the good things.

She didn't get 'em, but you can... back East, where you belong.

No. No, I-I-I can't go. I've got to stay here.

Oh, can't you understand?

You think I was never young, don't you?

You think I don't know how sweet it is to...

just let yourself go.

But there comes a day when you wake up, Peg.

You wake up and find yourself in a life that

you can't stand, that you wasn't made for.

Then it's too late. Then there ain't nothing

to do but just stay there and suffer!

Well, it's too late now anyway.

What do you mean? What happened at Dove Canyon?

I've fallen in love with Trampas,

and I've promised to marry him,

and there's nothing you can do about it now.

Oh, I'm sorry, Daddy.

I don't want to hurt you.

But you loved my mother. I know you did.

And she must have loved you very much...

Enough to come here with you.

Well, I love Trampas the same way.

And I'm going to stay here with him,

and I don't care how.

We'll see.

We'll just see about that.

Yes, sir, Mr. Halstead? Where's Trampas?

- What do you want with him? - That's between him and me. Fetch him.

Trampas? You got company.

You wanted to see me, Mr. Halstead?

- I guess she's told you. - She did.

Well, I wanted to see you first chance I got...

to ask your permission, but...

Did you think I'd give it?

No. But I thought I'd ask, for her sake.

You'd like to have a spread of your own, wouldn't you?

It's what every cowhand dreams about.

All right.

That's $2,000. You take it.

It's not exactly a wedding present, is it?

- It's more like a going-away present. - That's what I thought.

I'm the one that's going away, and Peg is going with me.

Don't try to follow or get in touch with her.

It's your money. It's all I can afford.

Take it.

Why are you... Why are you trying to shame me like this?

Because Peg is in love with me, and you don't wanna let her go?

Oh, Lord. You look at her, but you can't see her.

She's a pretty girl. That's all you know or care about.

Her mother was a pretty girl, and she died young.

I don't understand. Is it because of her mother? Is that why?

Because of what happened to her. If I would have taken her back East!

I won't let that happen to Peg, believe me!

You think you won't, but you're keeping her right here!

The West... That's what killed her mother!

This... This prairie here.

These spaces between houses, between people.

And trying to make something out of nothing...

trying to make a home, trying to make a life!

Well, that's gone now. It's all gone!

Stay away from her! Do you understand me?

Mr. Halstead! Wait a minute. This is no place to talk.

Why don't we find Peg and let her have her say?

I'll say it for her!

She's not cut out for this life! Why don't you listen to me? Why don't you believe me?

Don't you walk away from me.

Now get up here and fight. Get up!

No.

No, I'm not gettin' up...

because if I get up, I'm gonna hit you,

and I don't wanna do that.

Get up, you coward! Get up! Get up here!

Get up and fight! Can't you see he doesn't wanna fight ya?

What kind of a man is he? Come back here and fight!

Trampas! Trampas!

Oh.

What is it?

What?

Jim? Run for Doc Spaulding right away!

What happened?

What? What happened?

Whoa. Whoa.

Whoa.

Thank you, Trampas.

- I think I'd like to be alone now. - Sure.

Peg.

I...

I guess there's nothing left to say.

I'll see you tomorrow after you've gotten some rest.

Trampas. It won't work.

What? Daddy was right.

Peg, I don't think this is a time for...

No, it... it has to be said now.

Later, I... I might weaken.

Oh, he knew me, Trampas.

He knew me better than I knew myself.

I'm my mother's daughter, all right.

He blamed himself for her death,

and he was just trying to make it up to me...

by seeing that it didn't happen again.

Oh, Trampas, I... I wouldn't want to put you through anything like that.

It doesn't have to be that way.

Oh, but you know there'd be problems.

Some.

And you know that I rushed you into this...

before you even had a chance to think about it.

Maybe I wanted to be rushed.

But it didn't matter what you wanted.

It was me. It was what I wanted.

The West I grew up in, and good times I remembered.

A schoolgirl notion of how grand it was...

and how fine and romantic.

I just didn't want to see it any other way.

Oh, sure, I... I took all the hard facts...

The dirt and the sweat and the backbreaking work...

But I put it in the back of my mind somewhere, and...

I... I wouldn't listen to Daddy,

and I wouldn't listen to you.

I don't know who was right or wrong. It doesn't matter.

Oh, but it does. It does.

We'd both have regrets till the end of our days, and...

And love couldn't survive that.

I love you, Trampas,

now, but...

I never loved anybody more.

I don't see how I could.

I'm going back East,

where I belong.

I can't lie to myself.

Peg.

Maybe if we... Maybe if we gave it more of a chance.

Maybe if we didn't rush it this time.

Maybe someday I'll come riding through on the stage,

and... and you can meet me...

and buy me a cup of tea,

just as if none of this ever happened.

Not even Dove Canyon?

Oh, I... I can't forget that.

Dove Canyon will always be...

the loveliest memory of my life.

One brief, perfect moment.

And if we never know love again,

well, at least we will both have had...

that moment,

a touch of hands in the dark.

Good-bye.