All language subtitles for Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman S03e17 Cooper Vs. Quinn

Mater est in tablino. No, mater est in
traclinio. That's right.

Your Latin's getting very good.

Hey! Oops, sorry.

What are you doing?

I'm trying to figure out how a catapult
works.

We're having a contest at school for
Roman Day.

Roman Day?

We've been studying about Rome. We're
going to spend a whole day doing things

like the Romans did.

We're going to make speeches in Latin
and even more tokens.

And build catapults!

Whoever makes a catapult that can shoot
a rock the farthest gets a laurel

wreath. Well, there's a book in the
library about the Roman Empire.

It might be drawn as a catapult. Does it
have chariots?

Probably.

Are you going to ask, Tully?

Brian.

Ask me what?

There's a father -daughter chariot race.

The fathers pull the chariots and the
girls drive them.

Sounds like fun.

Well, since my pa's not around.

I'd be glad to.

Sully's like our pa anyway.

Dr. Mike and I have been talking about
that.

When we get married, I wanted to know if
you'd like it if we'd go ahead and

adopt you, make it legal, so that I'd be
your pa and Dr. Mike would be your ma

in everybody's eyes.

That'd be great.

Could you do that?

We'd have to look into it, but...

I'm sure there's a way.

I'm of age, but I think that's a good
idea.

It

says

here if the child's been left and the
mom and pa's still living, then you've

to get his or her consent.

But we don't even know where he is.

San Francisco.

I can't be sure of that.

He never sent us a letter.

It was more than two years ago. No
telling where he might be now.

But you've got to show you made a...
What do they call it?

A bona fide effort to find him.

Well, then we'll put an ad in the San
Francisco Chronicle.

It says you've got to put notices in at
least two places.

Then we'll advertise in Denver as well.
How long have we got to wait?

Well, after you file the papers, the
parent's got three months.

To answer, if they don't, then you get
the kids.

Perfect. You're just in time for our
wedding.

What if our posture's no?

He doesn't care about that.

Chances are he won't even see the nose.

What if he does?

Well, I'm sure he'll give his consent.

He knows we're your family now. We just
want to make it legal.

We'll all work out.

Let's play the jazz up again.

Good idea.

Tully, why don't you start?

All right, uh, Mississippi.

Um, England.

No, Brian, come on. England begins with
an E.

Matthew, look at that.

You need something that begins with an
I.

Uh, any.

Well, I'm going to say Africa.

That sure is a fancy carriage.

What do you think that belongs to?

Your turn, Matthew.

Nobody from around here Hello

Colleen,

oh my gosh, why aren't you a vision?

A vision I've been longing to see.

Come here, son.

Well,

children, Dr.

Quinn, Mr. Sully, I'd like you to meet
my wife, Lillian, your new stepmother.

Stepmother, I'm pleased to meet you.

Ethan's told me so much about you, but
you didn't tell me how beautiful Colleen

is or that Matthew's not a child, he's a
young man.

Yes, you are, son.

Ryan, my, you're getting big.

Big enough to have your own horse, I
reckon.

I'll tell you what.

I'm going to buy you one, teach you how
to ride.

I already got a horse.

Taffy.

Mr. Cooper, I take it you saw... Yes.

Lillian and I were on our way to St.
Louis on business when we saw your

in the Denver newspaper, so we thought
we'd stop by and visit you.

How come you never wrote to us? Yeah,
Pa.

I sent you presents last Christmas.

What presents?

I sent you a chess set. And, uh,
Colleen, I sent you a silk shawl.

Never got nothing.

Well, the stagecoach must have been held
up.

The stagecoach wasn't out last
Christmas.

Well, something must have happened.

I was wondering why you never wrote
back.

I better go.

I'll be seeing you.

At your will, son.

Lillian and I are going to be staying
here for a couple of weeks.

What for?

Well, to see you all, of course.

It's all right, isn't it, Paul?

What's that, son?

That Ma and Sully adopted.

Well, I think that's something that
we're going to have to talk about.

Well, we'll have lots of opportunities
to visit with each other now.

Mr. Bray tells me that the Hogan place
may be for rent, so we're going to be

here for a while.

I'll take you over there.

Well, it's a little rustic for Lillian.

She's used to servants and clean white
linens, but I think she'll adjust.

I'll tell her it's a western adventure.

What are you doing here, Ethan?

Sully, I have a different life now.

Meeting Lillian has inspired me to set
off on a new foot.

They're right.

By the way...

Just so I'll know.

What exactly did you tell the children
about my departure?

Well, they were real upset.

We read them your letter.

My letter.

You said you were sorry that you
couldn't take them with you to San

But you knew they were in good hands.

They are, Ethan.

I can see that.

And I'm very grateful to you for looking
after them so well.

It's wonderful to have you with us
again, Ethan.

And I want to thank you for that
generous contribution.

Very welcome. My father always says the
soundest investment you can make is in

the spiritual life of a community.

He sounds very wise.

Wise indeed.

Afternoon, Reverend.

Can we, Molly?

All right.

Thanks.

All right, fine.

Look, look at that.

Where'd you get this bridge?

Got it made special.

Awful fancy.

Only one of its kind.

It was a wedding gift from my father.

Colleen, Brian, let's go for a ride.

I gotta get home.

All right?

Let's grab tea.

We gotta eat lunch.

Oh, do you like deviled eggs?

Yeah. Oh, because I have picked a lovely
back pit. We could go on a picnic.

We wouldn't want to interfere with any
of Dr. Quinn's plans, of course.

I don't have any special plans.

It's up to the children if you want to.

Well, of course they do.

Come on, Colleen.

Look at this.

The cushions are made of velvet.

You can't let them go off with him.

But he's their father. Your father.

And I don't trust him. I know what
you're feeling, Matthew.

It's important we get those adoption
papers signed.

That's meant to start any trouble.

Bye, Mom.

How long will he be?

More dark, I reckon.

Have a lovely time.

You sing this song, doo -dah, doo -dah.

Camptown race, five miles long. Oh, the
doo -dah day.

Gonna run all night.

Gonna run all day.

Bet my money on the bumpkin.

Myra.

Myra, she's hungry.

I just fed her an owl.

She won't go to sleep.

Check her diaper.

It's dry.

She's hungry, I know it. Come here,
sweetheart.

You want some milk?

She is not hungry.

Then why is she fussing?

I don't know.

Wait, I got an idea.

This will make her smile.

Dorothy brought her over from the store.

Oh, that was nice of Dorothy. Okay, here
we go.

Look, look, look, look, look, look.

It

still

takes too soon to be worried.

She should have been back hours ago.

We should never have let them go. Maybe
they had trouble with the carriage.

Someone may be hurt.

We'll keep going.

Listen.

Where have you been?

Drove out to Manitou. We were having
such a fine time, we decided to have

something. We're in the hotel dining
room, Ma.

They had an ice cream bar. You could eat
all you wanted.

There were violin players and singers.

How about me still try?

We've been worried.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to alarm you. We honestly
didn't think you'd mind.

Well, we wouldn't have minded if we'd
known.

We were frightened.

Of what?

Surely you knew they were in safe hands.

It's late.

Yeah.

Thanks, Pa.

Thanks, Mr. Williams.

We had a wonderful time.

I always knew you'd come back.

Good night, son.

adopt us, then you'll be my pa, right?

Yep.

Do you still want us to adopt you?

Of course I do.

What about Colleen?

She does too.

We don't want to leave you.

Ever.

Then you won't have to.

What about my other pa?

Well, he'll still be your other pa.

Good morning, son.

Miss Sully?

Hey, Pa.

I'm Miss Lillian.

What are you building?

A catapult for Roman Day.

I believe that arm needs to be a little
longer, Brian.

You're going to need a counterweight if
you want that stone to go flying. I got

a different plan.

I'm going to use a bed spring.

Push down and lock it.

And when I let go, the arm will shoot
out.

Well, it'll shoot a lot further with the
counterweights, then.

Brian wants to do it this way.

Bye.

Bye. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, would you like
some tea or coffee?

Thank you, but we've had our breakfast.

We've come to talk about the adoption.

It got with the children, and they seem
to be comfortable and happy here.

My wife and I see no reason they
shouldn't stay.

Does that mean you'll find the paper?

Yes.

I'll go get it.

Mr. Cooper, thank you.

You see, it's different now.

We appreciate this.

I know it can't have been an easy
decision.

You'll still be my pa, right?

Sure, I will.

We'd still like you to come visit us, if
Dr. Mike can send.

I insist, if you're kind enough to have
them.

And you're always welcome to visit us,
too.

Here. Thanks, Ethan.

This helps everybody.

I got Tupac now.

I'm lucky.

I believe you are.

This mantle's coming along very nicely.

She cries all night and hardly ever
sleeps.

Maybe she's not getting enough milk.

I can't tell how much she's drinking.
Maybe I ain't got enough for her.

She's getting all she needs so she
wouldn't be gaining weight.

Last night, I hardly got no sleep at
all.

I had to keep walking her back and forth
in the telegraph office. Her little

eyes are closed, but the minute I'd
stop, she'd pop awake and start bawling

again.

All babies need to cry to exercise their
lungs.

And all babies are different.

Some sleep very little and others sleep
all the time.

Those parents come to me and say they're
worried because their babies are so

lethargic and do nothing but sleep.

How do you get one of those babies?

Horace, don't say that. She can hear
you.

She don't understand.

Well, how do you know that?

I think your baby's alert and
intelligent.

You're just new parents, that's all.

And new parents are often a little
nervous.

Why didn't you just relax?

She's healthy and normal.

Everything's going to be fine.

What

kind

of land do you want to look at?

Oh, we can park along the line with that
railroad coming.

You're not planning on living there, are
you?

No, it's an investment.

Once the railroad's built, that land is
going to soar in value.

Chance to make a killing out here.

If you got the funds.

Once Lillian and I have children, we're
going to come into a substantial

fortune.

How's that?

Lillian's an only child.

Her mother passed away when she was
young.

Lillian's father has left his entire
estate in trust for Lillian's children.

We're the executors.

That means you'll be handling the money?

Until the children are grown.

So if you had that kind of capital to
invest, Mr. Sully, what land would you

purchase? Nothing around here.

I'd buy where there aren't any people.

Where the railroad wasn't coming
through.

Well, that's a romantic notion, Mr.
Sully.

But it's a poor investment.

So he signed the paper?

I'm so relieved. I feel like
celebrating.

Hello,

Miss Cooper.

How are you today?

Very well, thank you.

Did you enjoy Manitou?

I enjoyed being with the children.

They're wonderful young people.

You've done a fine job of raising them.

Thank you.

I hope I do as well when Ethan and I
have our own.

Well, I guess I'd best be getting back
to the Gazette.

Bye, Miss Cooper.

Are you planning on having children
soon?

Oh, yes. I've always wanted a nursery
full of children.

My mother died when I was young, so I
never had a real family.

And I want to give Ethan a chance to do
it again. He wants it so.

Does he?

He can never forgive himself for leaving
Charlotte with the little ones.

He broke down and cried when I showed
him your notice in the paper.

You mean it was you who saw the notice?

Yes. I didn't even know Ethan had
children.

He told me he kept it from me because he
was afraid I wouldn't love him if I

knew he had a family.

But I assured him that wasn't so. And I
told him we must come and see his

children. And now that we have, it's
only deepened our desire to have our

I see.

It's just...

Well, I was thinking, you being a
physician and a lady.

Yes.

Well, Ethan and I have been married a
year and we haven't been...

blessed.

And I was wondering if there was any
way, anything, you know, that might

Have you seen a doctor?

Oh, yes.

Did he examine you?

No, he said we should simply be patient.

Well, I would need to examine you.

I've never had that done.

It won't be painful.

Why don't you come to the clinic with
me?

Right now?

It would help me answer your questions.

We're all finished.

I'm just going to press down gently
here.

Does that hurt?

No.

Lillian, about your menstrual cycle.

Oh, I've never had a monthly.

Have you told your doctor about this?

No.

My aunt always said it's because I'm
delicate.

Is that why I'm not in a family way?

Let me help you up.

Lillian, the reason you haven't been
able to come pregnant is because you

rare condition called uterine eugenesis.

You don't have a uterus.

I beg your pardon.

The uterus is the sac that the baby
grows in.

Well, you were born without one.

And that's why you don't have a
menstrual cycle.

But what does this mean?

I've heard it means you won't be able to
bear children.

Isn't there something that you could do?

An operation?

I'm afraid not.

What are you telling me? I'm deformed?

No, no, no. You're perfectly fine in
every other way. And you have excellent

health.

I'll never have children.

May I have a word with you?

Certainly.

How's the leave doing?

She couldn't sleep last night.

Having children meant more to her than
anything.

I know it pained me to have to tell her.

I could give you something to help her
sleep.

You did what you had to do.

But now I'm afraid I must do something
that pains me.

What's that?

I've changed my mind about the adoption.

I can't allow it to go through.

Why? Because of Lillian? She's very
disappointed, but that's not the reason.

I'd forgotten what a joy the children
are.

And now it appears they're the only
children I'm ever going to have.

I'm taking them to San Francisco next
Friday.

You won't have to.

He signed those papers. How can he take
that back? I say he can't.

What about my friend?

School?

Matthew?

He can't take us away from our own
brother, can he? He's not going to do

swear he ain't. Now, let's not get
alarmed.

Your father said those things in a rash
mood. He'd just received some bad news.

In a few days, when he's had a chance to
think things over, he'll change his

mind.

So, let's get ready for bed now.

I'll read you King Arthur's Tales.

We won't have to go?

You won't, I promise.

I wish we had never started this
adoption business.

Nathan wouldn't be here.

I can't understand why you're doing
this.

Money.

What do you mean?

He needs the kids to get his wife's
inheritance.

How do you know this?

Told me when we were out scouting for
land.

Said his wife's father's fortune's in
trust for their kids.

If they don't have any kids, no money.

Ethan can't be so low to take them away
for that.

fast runner.

I bet he can't beat Sully. Then he can.

Colleen, what's going on here?

We're just getting ready for Roman day.

We're going to wear togas and have a
chariot race.

Oh, how lovely.

We had a Latin pageant at my school.

Toga makes you feel so stately and
gracious.

I imagine you looked beautiful in a
toga.

Colleen, we've come to take you
shopping.

I've got to finish this.

We want to get you a few things for the
trip.

I don't want to go.

All right, I guess we can do it another
day.

I mean, I don't want to go live with
you.

Colleen, I know this is going to take
some getting used to.

How come you keep changing your mind?

First you run off and leave us, and then
you come back and you just leave us

again. She just disappeared. You don't
even say goodbye.

Wrote you a letter?

What's going to happen when we get to
San Francisco?

Are you just going to leave us again?

Colleen, I have made some mistakes. I
regret them.

I know it's late, but I'm here now.

If you'd just give me a chance.

No.

I'm all grown up now.

I did fine without you, so don't think
you can come back here and pick up right

where you left off.

I don't need you anymore.

Colleen, you always need your father.

What's wrong?

Colleen, what is it?

Something happen in school?

One of your friends?

Please tell us. We can help you.

What are you doing? I want to talk to
Colleen. I don't want to see him.

Go away. Matthew, stop.

I want to talk to Colleen. I tried to
pick her up from school.

You tried to force me to go with him and
Lillian.

I don't want to. You said I wouldn't
have to.

Mr. Cooper, I'd like a word with you.

Get in the wagon. Matthew, drive home.
I'll join you later.

Go on.

Can't we discuss this?

There's nothing to discuss.

I believe there is.

Colleen's very upset, and so is Brian.

They'll get over that.

I wish you could consider what they're
going through.

You've been gone for quite some time,
and...

We've made a home together.

If you take them away, you're breaking
up the only family they've had since

their mother died. What about the home
they had before?

You've been with them for two years.

I was with them for ten.

I'm their real father. You're not their
mother. But they call me their mother.

And they'll learn to do the same with
Lillian just as they did you in two

years.

What do you want?

I've told you. I mean, what's your
price?

I'll sell the clinic. I'll give you
everything in cash.

And if that's not enough, I'll wire my
mother for more. Just... Take the money

and leave us alone.

I don't want your money.

Lillian's father owns half the Oregon
territory.

You can't give me a fraction of what he
makes an interest every day. But you

won't get his money unless you have the
children.

That's true, isn't it?

Do you know how odious that is?

Odious?

You just offered me money. You tried to
buy him back.

But I'm doing it for their welfare.

So am I.

The children will be rich.

In what?

Which in things but not in love. Who
says I don't love them? I do.

And you're not taking them away.

You don't have a choice.

I have the law, Mr. Cooper.

This court is now in session.

I'll rise for his honor, Marvin
Davidson, District Court Judge of the

Territory. There ain't going to be no
talking out of turn, no smoking, and no

swearing in the court. You can all sit
down now.

In the matter of Cooper versus Quinn, I
understand both parties are going to

represent themselves. Is that correct?

Your Honor, Mr.

Cooper signed a legal agreement to allow
me and Baron Sully to adopt the two

children.

It's a binding contract, and he has no
right to break it.

I move that this lawsuit be dismissed.

Your Honor, this lady asked me to sign
away my own kin.

Whom you abandoned twice.

And I reluctantly agreed.

However, I believe I have the right to
reconsider.

It was not reluctant.

Your motion is denied.

Mr. Cooper, you may speak first.

Thank you.

Your Honor, the question here is simple.

Who is the children's rightful father?

And that's not something you can change
by writing your name on a piece of

paper.

I'm very grateful to Dr. Quinn for
looking after my children at a time when

wasn't able.

But I am able now to give them a home.

A beautiful home.

And a lovely wife.

Who's willing to devote herself to
looking after them full time and

them with the finest education that you
can find any place in this country.

Now, what right does Dr.

Quinn have to tell me that I cannot take
my children home?

And I intend to show the court that they
belong with me.

Mr. Bray, isn't it true that my son,
Brian Cooper, jumped out of a tree and

almost died while he was in the care of
Dr.

Quinn and Mr. Sully? All boys do foolish
things. You can't keep them from

climbing trees. Yes, but why did he
jump?

I don't know. Maybe Sully was telling
him some kind of a story. I think it was

about a Cheyenne who could fly.

So Sully encouraged him.

That's not what I said.

But Sully was filling the boy's head
full of this Indian mumbo jumbo. No, he

wasn't.

Didn't you say that Sully told him a
story?

Well, if I told you a story about a
flying carpet, you wouldn't go out and

to fly one, would you?

Well, why didn't Sully stop Brian from
jumping out of the tree?

He wasn't watching him.

Thank you, Mr. Bray.

Miss Jennings, did you write in your
gazette that Dr. Quinn was engaged to

Reverend Johnson?

Yes, but that was a misunderstanding.

And a few months later, did you also
write that she became engaged to Mr.

Yes. And was she not also engaged at the
same time to a Dr. David Lewis of

Boston? She thought he was dead.

Was he dead?

No. So she was promised to two men.

Well, for a time. So Dr. Quinn was
engaged to...

Three men in one year?

Now, what does that tell us about her
moral character?

You're twisting everything around.

Michaela's got the finest moral
character of anybody I know. Does she?

Has Mr. Sully ever spent the night at
her home?

He's making it sound like something it
wasn't.

Just answer the question, please.

Has Mr.

Sully ever spent the night at her home
without the benefit of marriage?

If there was a problem or an emergency,
he stayed at the homestead, but not with

her.

Reverend Johnson, has Dr.

Quinn tried to adopt children before?

There was a half -breed baby that we
couldn't find a home for, and Dr.

Quinn offered to take in the baby, but
the father returned to claim it.

Were there others that she tried to
adopt?

Well, there was an orphan train that
came through here, and she and I talked

about adopting the orphans.

How many?

Eight. So she's trying to adopt nine
children.

And now she wants my tip?

Where's it going to end?

Is she going to try to adopt every stray
that passes through town?

Does she have some strange need to keep
adopting children?

Like the old woman who lived in a shoe?

That is not fair!

Thank you, Revit.

She's a good mother.

She looks after us, teaches us things.

She'd do anything for us.

But is she there when you need her?

Of course.

She's there.

Is she home when Brian and Colleen
return from school?

No, but... To cook supper?

Colleen does that. She likes to.

Did she leave you alone for a week when
there was an epidemic in a nearby town?

Sully looked after us.

Well, who looked after you when she and
Sully went to collect water samples from

the mine?

Grace stopped in.

And when she ran for mayor, did you tell
her that was too much?

No. Did you want her to run?

I was against it. But she ran anyway,
neglecting the children?

That's not true. Did she spend more time
campaigning and working in the clinic

than she spent with you children?

You must answer the question.

Thank you.

I underestimated Ethan.

How did he learn all those things?

He's been hanging around the saloon.

Asking questions, getting folks to talk.

He's turned this around. Now I'm the one
on trial.

We've got to turn it back on him.

We've got to tell how we caught him
running off with the church money.

But, Sally, we agreed to keep that quiet
for the children.

We've got to tell them about the
inheritance, too. You want the children

that their father's a thief?

And only wants them for the money that
he doesn't love them?

They'll have to live with that knowledge
for the rest of their lives.

It's better than going off to live with
them.

They won't.

Weren't you listening in there?

the judge's face, we've got to use
everything we've got.

We can't prove anything.

It's our word against Ethan.

If we tell what really happened at the
church, we'll have to tell how we wrote

that by -letter and signed Ethan's name.

How we lied to the children and everyone
else.

How would that get out? No one would
believe a word we say.

We've got to take that chance.

I won't get married.

I haven't had my turn to speak.

I know I can make a convincing case.

We're going to prevail.

Dr. Quinn, you may now present your
case.

Mr. Cooper, did you leave your wife
Charlotte alone on a farm with three

children? I left to pursue opportunity.

I was following the time -honored
tradition where the father goes ahead

forges the way, no matter how long it
takes.

This is how the West was civilized.

Was it civilized, Mr. Cooper, to take
your wife's money socks?

And all of her savings, leaving her and
the children with nothing? I left her

the farm.

Which she lost.

Did you send any money?

No. Did you ever write to her or the
children?

No. Not even once?

I came back as soon as I could.

And when was that?

Five years later.

I see.

And what was the purpose?

in coming back.

I'd gotten word that Charlotte had died,
and I wanted to bring the children back

to San Francisco with me.

Did you?

No.

So you deserted them two times?

My business was in trouble. A ship of
mine had sunk in the Pacific, Your

There was no ship, Mr. Cooper.

What are you getting at, Dr. Quinn?

Why did you run away without even saying
goodbye? I told you, my business was in

trouble. That was not the reason you
rode off in the dead of night.

Do you have proof of this, Dr. Quinn?

Do you have concrete proof that I did
something wrong?

That I'm not fit to be the father of my
own children?

Dr. Quinn?

Now.

I got proof.

Sully's been the best car we ever had.

Sit down, miss. You're out of order. But
I want to talk.

Children are not allowed to testify.

But you've got to listen to us.

We want to stay with Ma and Sully. If
you don't keep quiet, I'll be forced to

have you removed.

We love them.

They're our real Ma and Pa now.

Mr. Slicker?

Take those children out of here.

I'm giving you an order, or I'll hold
you in contempt of court.

Your Honor, we all have strong emotions
and opinions on this matter.

But let's keep our sights on the most
important question.

What is going to be best for the
children, Colleen and Brian Cooper?

Is it best to keep them with the people
they call their family?

Their older brother?

The town they feel a part of?

Their friends of all ages?

Who love them and whom they love?

Or would it be better to send them off
to a city they've never seen?

With a man who has demonstrated again
and again that he will not be around

they need him.

Where were you, Mr. Cooper, when your
wife lay dying and she asked with her

breath, who will take care of my
children?

Where were you when Brian fell down a
cliff and no one could find him?

No one but Sully.

Where were you when Colleen almost
locked her hands to frostbite?

Sully brought her home in time.

Where were you when Matthew was trapped
in a cave -in at the mine?

And Sully risked his life to free him.

And where were you for the happy times?

For the spring concert?

The pie -baking contest?

Times when children long to have a
parent watch them shine?

You were not there, Mr. Cooper.

But we were.

Because we are the children's family
now.

What makes a family is not merely blood.

It's the days, the hours, the weeks we
spend together through thick and thin.

Before I had these children, I thought
that being a doctor was the most

important thing.

They've shown me that there is one thing
more important than all else.

That's your family.

When Charlotte Cooper was dying, she did
not send for Ethan.

She asked me to take care of them.

And I'm asking you to honor her wishes.

To make that same choice today.

The choice...

That Charlotte decided it would be best
for her children.

A choice that allowed her to reckon.

You've done great. I've been proud.

I think you really got through to him.

Tell him what the judge will do, though.

He'll make the right decision, I'm sure
of it.

Quiet!

Quiet now!

I've considered the matter carefully.

Dr. Quinn, you and Mr. Sully have done a
great deal for these children, and it's

clear they hold you in affection.

Mr. Cooper, I find you've neglected your
children.

And inflicted hardship on them.

Repeatedly.

Nevertheless, you are their father.

And it is not for the court to determine
who makes a good father.

For who deserves to be the father of any
child.

That's up to the Almighty.

Therefore, the children are to be
delivered to Mr. Cooper and remain in

custody. Quiet now, quiet. I will have
quiet in this court.

Don't worry, we'll see you tomorrow.

It'll only be for a short while, I
promise you.

Why can't we just stay here?

It's only the judge who says we gotta
go.

He represents the law.

When we're going to appeal, I've already
wired my father's lawyer.

He's one of the finest in Boston. He
taught at Harvard.

He'll come here and we'll have the
ruling reversed.

How long will it take?

No matter how long it takes, we ain't
giving up. And you mustn't give up

all right?

We'll put our minds to it.

We can accomplish anything, trust me.

Don't wait.

Your father?

He never did that before.

Send Lillian, Will.

Colleen's left a history book.

She's equipped tomorrow.

Grant's train.

It's his train.

Hush now, hush.

Keep that baby quiet.

You're scaring her.

What am I doing there?

Well, you're supposed to hold her up
like this.

And she can see everybody.

Know where she's at.

And then you pat her.

See?

Babies like this.

Have you tried to pacify him? She spits
it out.

Give her a hard biscuit to suck on.
She's too young for that.

Maybe you haven't got enough milk.

I got some stuff over at the store,
Nutrilac.

Take a little of that, three days,
you'll have all the milk you need.

Dr. Mike says I already have enough
milk.

I know what's wrong with the baby.

She's crying because she can't move.

Look.

Just like a mommy.

Hank, babies need to be swaddled. It
makes their arms and legs grow straight.

Every baby I ever knew was swaddled.
Yes, my ma did it, and her ma before

Didn't yours break?

Yes, but... Can't agree with Hank.

Oh, Hank, don't know anything about
babies.

Well, it seems like they'd be much more
happy if they could move their little

arms and legs.

No, no, no, no. It makes them agitated
and nervous.

Let's go unwrap the baby.

I'll drop anything.

Miss you, Ma.

We miss you, too.

How are you doing?

So -so.

I thought you were a toga, but... Oh,
Lily made this out of wonderful old

She was putting it on me.

It's beautiful.

I just used some old sheets.

Did she make one for Brian as well?

I'd rather wear yours.

Oh, no.

That's much nicer, really.

It's all right.

One of the other girls might need it.

Good luck in the race.

I'm an angel.

She has a mild rash.

Put this on her.

Try to keep her dry and change her
diaper as often as you can. How long

it's cured?

A few days. She may be a little more
cranky.

I don't know if I can take anymore.

Myra, you're doing fine.

I wanted to have a baby, but I didn't
know it would be like that.

It won't always be this way.

All I do is nurse her and walk her and
nurse her and walk her.

She's still very little. Sometimes I
never get out of my bathrobe.

I'm lucky if I eat.

If I can just sleep, it's a miracle.

You're lucky.

Lucky?

You have a beautiful baby girl and no
one can take her from you.

You'll be her mother always.

You'll be there to watch her grow up,
become a woman, get married and have

children of her own. You should be
grateful.

He's my nurse.

I ain't slept enough.

Please, I didn't mean to say those
things. I really didn't mean them.

No, you didn't.

I'm sorry, too.

I know this is difficult, but it'll
pass.

In a few months, maybe I'll sleep with
an eye to promise.

We have a weak case.

When's he coming out here?

He's not.

What? He's advising us not to appeal.

I was afraid this was going to happen.
Well, he's getting on in years. Perhaps

he's lost his fire.

You know, it seems to me that the eyes
of the law, we ain't got a leg to stand

on. What are you saying? Don't you want
them back?

Did you ask me that? Of course I do.

I'm making sure that we look at this
from all sides.

Children are going to get pulled back
and forth. It's going to take years.

It could still end up to fame.

We might just be giving him false hope.

There's no such thing as always hope.

No matter what we say or do, he's still
their father.

The court protects the father.

Which means he's probably going to win.

We don't know that for sure. No, not for
sure. We don't know until we hear the

last word from the judge.

Until we take it to the highest court in
the land.

I don't care how long this takes or how
much it costs.

I'll spend every penny I have.

But if there's even the smallest chance,
we have to take him.

Don't we?

There are things you should know about
Ethan Cooper.

He's a robber and a swindler. Is that
so? He came through town two years ago

sold me a horse. Remember that?

He was scared of horses. And then he
stole it back from me.

You're saying the man's a horse thief.

Worse. At our founder's day, we were
raising money to build a school.

Ethan snuck into the church and stole
all the money.

Six hundred dollars.

Sully and I caught him. That's why he
disappeared so suddenly.

How come no one else knows about this?

Good question.

We put the money back before anyone
noticed.

We didn't want the children to see their
father thrown into jail. We thought it

was better if he just disappeared.

But then he came back.

Your Honor, this man can't be trusted
with the children. Why didn't you bring

this up at the trial?

We wanted to spare Colleen and Brian.

But it was a mistake. We're filing an
appeal. We need you to grant an

to prevent Ethan from leaving town until
we get a ruling from the appeals court.

Can't do that.

To protect the children.

The appeal could take months, years. If
you win the appeal, you can go get the

kids. Or Ethan will bring them back.

Your Honor, please. My decision stands.

He's free to go. Good day.

I can't sleep.

I had a bad dream.

All right.

You're disturbing your stepmother. She's
feeling poorly. She needs a rest.

Could you read to me?

What's wrong, Ethan?

Mom always reads to me when I can't
sleep.

I'm sorry. My eyes are bothering me.

Here, Brian. I'll read to you.

One lovely spring day, looking after his
writing, I had a small hunting party

with me.

I was just walking the baby.

I wanted to let the horse get some
sleep, but it's freezing outside.

Come on in.

Doesn't she ever stop that?

I just don't know what to do.

I took off my swaddling, Casey.

Matthew, I want to talk to you.

What are you going to do?

I'm going to call us over to the school
for Brian.

What about Pop?

Can't let him take them away.

Well, you know we're going for the
appeal.

That could take years.

We got to wait. We can't wait.

Who knows where they could be by then?

What could happen to them?

I can't believe that you're just going
to stand back and let him take them out

of town. We got to do this right,
Matthew.

What's the matter, Sully?

You scared of him?

It's all crazy.

Why don't you fight him? We are.

With the law. Forget the law.

We got to get him out of here and make
sure that he never comes back to bother

us again.

And if you won't do it, then I will.

And there are plenty of guys in town who
are going to help me.

Guys who are cowards.

This ain't about being a coward.

Sometimes being brave means not doing
what every muscle in you wants to do.

think I don't want to grab Mason by the
throat and strangle him until he's got

no more breath left?

I do.

But it's not the way, Matthew.

It won't fix things.

It's not going to solve a thing.

It's my sister.

My little brother.

I swore when my ma died, I swore myself

that I was going to look after them.

That I was going to keep us together as
a family.

He's done that.

I'm losing him.

It's not over.

All right. Begin the perception.

Careful. Good.

All right, boys and girls, gather
around.

We want to welcome you all.

The children have been working very hard
to bring you our Roman Day Festival.

The first event is going to be the
father -daughter chariot race.

So girls, get to your chariots. We'll
bring the fathers up.

What we'll do, we'll race down the
meadow to the pylon, and you'll turn

and come back.

The first one to make it back is the
winner.

Get ready.

Uh, hold on a moment. The reverend said
this is the fathers.

Tony and I have been practicing since
before you got here.

Well, I'm sure he won't mind if I step
in.

Then I won't be in the race.

Carry it to the starting line.

What's Ethan doing?

I thought Sally was running.

You're supposed to.

Oh, it just ain't right.

to win for you.

You're about that.

Our next event is the catapult contest.

Let's watch it.

Everyone gather around for the next
contest.

The Romans didn't have guns or rockets.
They did have very ingenious weapons,

catapults. These boys have designed and
built their own catapults, and we'll see

who can shoot theirs the farthest.

If you'd used a counterweight, it
wouldn't have snapped.

Son, you just can't go out there and try
anything.

You're wrong, Mr. Cooper. That's what
science is all about.

Trying anything.

That's how you make discoveries.

Not by having someone else tell you what
to do.

Everybody's laughing at me. The whole
town.

People always laugh at those who try new
things.

Well, they laughed at Galileo.

And at Columbus when he said that the
world was round.

I'm proud of you, Brian. You did this
all by yourself.

It's enough. Maybe we should go.

Perhaps we should.

I promised that you could stay for your
events. They're over.

We leave for San Francisco in the
morning.

Ma! Don't let him take us, Ma!

Mr. Cooper, please.

Lillian, you lost your own mother.

These children have already lost a
mother once. Do you really want to force

into doing that again?

Children, come along. Now.

We have to get them out of there
tonight.

How? How?

We've done far more dangerous things.
Surely we can get our children out of

Ethan's cabin.

This ain't like you.

We'll ride to Manitou. We'll catch the
early stage.

Ollie, please, go get the horses ready.
Where are we going on the stage?

Boston. My family. And when Ethan finds
us there? We'll hire a battery of

lawyers. We'll get the adoption
approved.

You think so?

How's it going to look? Us kidnapping
the kids from their father and dragging

them across the country. We're
protecting them from a thief.

Nobody is going to believe us. We've got
no proof.

Well, then we won't stay in Boston.
We'll find a quiet town where we can

And we'll spend the rest of our lives
living like criminals.

Where are they?

What are you talking about? I know
you're hiding them.

They ran away.

We put them to bed, and after a walk
when I came back, they were gone.

They're not here.

If anything happens to them, I'm holding
you responsible.

Well, I'm going to town for help.

Let them go.

We'll do better on our own.

I'll get the horses.

It'll be warmer now.

Let's go back to Sully's lean -to.

We can't go there. That's the first
place they're going to look.

Where then?

We'll find a spot.

How long do you think we've got to hide?

A few days, maybe a week.

Pa's bound to give up looking.

Then we can go home tomorrow.

What's that?

Just an animal.

Come on.

I thought for sure they'd be at the
reservation or here at the lean -to.

else would they go?

Maybe to the new homestead you're
building.

Or mine.

All right, we ought to split up now.

Matthew, we run on back to town, ask
around quietly to see if they've been

there. We'll go out to the new homestead
and check.

We'll follow Wolf. Come on, boy.

scared, boy?

It's me, Mr. Bray.

They ain't here.

Well, if they're planning on hiding,
they're going to want to stay near the

water. We've been looking for them all
night. I'd say we go back to town. No.

Let's go on upstream.

Come on.

There's a thicket about a mile ahead.

Mr. Bray and I stayed at once.

Is that fire?

No, they'll see the smoke.

I can't stop shivering.

My clothes ain't dry.

Let's go back to what we've been to.

There's skins and blankets.

We can get you warm.

They'll find us.

I bet they looked there already and went
away.

What if they go back?

We won't stay long.

Just till you feel better.

Come on.

Drink this.

I can't stop coughing.

You're burning hot.

He must have been here.

We checked last night.

We missed him.

Probably stopped here, rested, and
headed off towards those mountains.

Let's go.

Whoa!

Thank God we found you. What

happened? I don't... The creek and I
couldn't get dry till night.

I'll go get your bag.

Why did you run away like this?

We had to get away.

This is the only way we could make up.

We'll take care of you now.

In the woods?

Colleen is very sick.

You two shouldn't have run off like
that. Now let's go home.

Didn't you hear? She's sick.

And I'm taking her home to bed. She has
pneumonia. She needs to stay at the

clinic. You heard the judge. She goes
with her father.

You may be her father, but I'm her
doctor, and I'm telling you, her

serious.

Colleen! Colleen!

Ron, you're coming with me, too. The boy
isn't sick. I want to stay with

Colleen. No, you're coming home with me
right now. We'll be back for Colleen.

Matthew!

hands of the brother.

Stay out of this, Matthew.

Let him go.

Get a hold of yourself.

Let him go.

Father got you right.

Spread to both lungs.

There's very little we can do except try
to get her fever down and keep her

comfortable. Are you serious?

Next few days will be critical.

She's going to make it.

Many people recover completely.

Some don't.

Dr. Mike?

How's Colleen?

She has a very high fever.

I've given her some willow bark tea. I'm
using quinine now.

The appeal's been denied.

But we never got a hearing.

The court won't reopen our case.

Why?

They agree with the district court's
ruling, Stan.

Then we go somewhere else and appeal it.

There's nowhere else.

You're saying there's nothing we can do?

Nothing. It's over.

Over?

Promise to...

I gave him my word, and I've always kept
my word. There was nothing he could do.

You're right.

For the first time in my life, I can't
keep my promise. Why?

Because of him.

I can't stand the thought of him, the
sight of him. I hate him.

Hating him isn't going to hurt him a
bit.

It is going to hurt you.

Right now, Colleen's up there.

She needs her medicine.

If you do everything you can do, you're
gonna get it well.

It's hot.

Please try.

Just a swallow.

It'll help you get better.

I don't want you to get better.

So many people love you.

It's amazing.

Please, God.

I better get through this.

I don't care what else happens.

As long as she's well.

Ma?

Colleen?

Ma?

The fever's broken.

How long was I sleeping?

I don't know, a few days.

Can I go home with you now?

Colleen.

You're gonna be alright.

If he was broken, she's going to be
fine.

Miss here?

We almost lost her.

I know.

Oh, it's funny.

We'll let her go now.

She'll come back.

I still don't understand.

You said you'd never give up. I
promised.

I know I promised you, but I was wrong
to do that.

Because if there's one thing that's
beyond my power,

the courts have made the final ruling.
Your father has custody.

Then let's run away. All of us. To
Grandma.

I thought about that, Brian.

I was packing my bag.

So he brought me to my senses.

It just follows to Boston.

We could hide.

We just keep running, taking on secret
names, having to lie and sneak around in

the middle of the night.

You might get hurt again.

If we got caught, Sally and I would be
thrown into jail.

I'd rather go to jail than live with
them.

I'd go to jail without complaint,
Colleen.

But if we went to jail, we'd be apart
for 20 years.

Perhaps our entire lives.

If you go with your father now, it'll
just be a few years and you can be

together with him.

You even said you'd come and visit us
once a year.

We'll come and visit you.

Then when you come of age, you can...

Decide for yourselves where you want to
live.

And you can come home.

I don't want to wait that long. Me
neither.

I know.

It seems very hard, but... Think of it
as a long voyage.

A trip around the world.

You'll be able to go to the opera.

See the clipper ships and the Pacific
Ocean.

Meet new people, try new things.

Just be for a few years.

Come on, let's climb aboard.

Wait a minute.

I got something clean.

Here are some books.

I thought you might like them for the
trip.

And... Brian?

I got one of them new yoyos for you.

Thanks, Mr. Bray.

going to send you copies of the Gazette,
so you'll know what's going on here.

And you'll be sure to write us.

Fixed a favorite.

Fried chicken.

It's great.

That's very kind.

If you ever want to send a telegram to
us, just send it to COD.

We'll take care of the charges here.

We're going to miss you both.

Come back and be with me.

I promise.

Right?

There is one thing I need to ask, Mr.
Cooper.

What's that?

Colleen has a heartbed on going to
medical college. She's been studying and

planning. I want you to make sure she
goes to school. It'll prepare her.

I have no objection.

Colleen's of an age where she needs a
woman to talk to.

Could you reassure her?

Help her with special questions.

I'll do my best.

And Brian needs help with his spelling.

He'll say that he doesn't, but he does.

I have a very fine dictionary.

He might be frightened at night.

I know the surprise, but right now, he's
awakened by his dreams.

It would really help if you could read.

Dr. Quinn, I wouldn't worry. Once we're
on the road, I'm sure everything will be

just fine.

Come along now.

Mom.

You know how you always tell us.

If you put your mind to something, you
can do anything.

Yes.

Well, I'm going to be thinking about
you.

If you think about me real hard, it'll
be almost like we're talking.

I'll be thinking about you and talking
to you all the time.

Move! Ethan!

We can't do this.

He should be able to stay, Mom.