Original subtitles

[NICKERS]

MA! MR. TINKER'S HERE!

[RATTLING]

HI, TINKER.

GOOD MORNING.

HOW ARE YOU, MR. JONES?

Charles: OH, YOU GOT IT, HUH?

Caroline: JUST BEAUTIFUL.

[PATS BACK] Charles: TINKER.

HOW ARE YOU? GOOD TO SEE YOU.

REAL CRAFTSMAN.

Charles: REAL CRAFTSMAN.

SO SHINY.

YOU CAN USE IT FOR A MIRROR.

HA HA HA! HA HA HA!

HA HA HA!

IT'S REALLY VERY SPECIAL.

WE THANK YOU.

HOW MUCH DO I OWE YOU?

IT'S LESS THAN THE MERCANTILE.

AND SO MUCH NICER.

LOOK AT THOSE.

OH!

ISN'T IT PRETTY?

MINE'S PRETTIER'N YOURS.

Mary: THANK YOU, TINKER.

Laura: THANKS.

Charles: OH, FOR CARRIE.

LOOK AT THAT.

ISN'T THAT PRETTY?

MINE!

TINKER?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FROM ALL OF US.

YOU'RE REALLY VERY KIND.

KIND.

THANK YOU!

IT'S TIME TO PUT THOSE AWAY.

YES. IT'S ALMOST TIME FOR SUPPER.

IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO WASH YOUR HANDS.

[CHUCKLES]

THERE WE GO.

WHERE DOES TINKER COME FROM?

I DON'T REALLY KNOW, HALF-PINT.

WHERE'S HIS FAMILY?

WELL, I DON'T REALLY THINK HE HAS ONE.

THAT MUST BE AWFUL, NOT TO HAVE ANYONE TO LOVE HIM

LIKE WE HAVE YOU AND MA.

WELL, HALF-PINT,

I WOULDN'T FEEL SORRY FOR TINKER.

HE GETS A LOT OF PLEASURE OUT OF MAKING THOSE TOYS

FOR ALL THE BOYS AND GIRLS.

YOU KNOW, IN A WAY IT'S LIKE YOU'RE ALL HIS CHILDREN.

THE KIDS ARE HIS FAMILY.

THAT'S RIGHT.

I WISH TINKER COULD TALK,

SO WE COULD KNOW FOR SURE IF HE WAS HAPPY.

I'M SURE HE IS.

NOW, GO ON. TAKE THOSE TOYS UPSTAIRS.

You FORGOT To [INDISTINCT].

I DID?

WELL, WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT RIGHT NOW.

ALMIGHTY GOD...

WHO HAS BLESSED THE LAND THAT IT SHOULD BE FRUITFUL...

[SNORING]

AND BRING FORTH WHATSOEVER IS NEEDFUL FOR THE LIFE OF MAN.

AND HAS COMMANDED US THAT WE WORK WITH QUIETNESS...

AND EAT OUR OWN BREAD...

EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE SINNED.

BLESS THE LABORS OF THE HUSBANDMAN...

AND GRANT US SUCH SEASONAL WEATHER

AS WE MAY GATHER IN THE FRUITS OF THE EARTH.

AND EVER REJOICE IN THY GOODNESS...

TO THE PRAISE OF THY HOLY NAME.

AMEN.

All: AMEN.

THUS ENDETH THE PRAYER

AND THE SERVICE FOR TODAY.

NOW IF THE CHILDREN WOULD FOLLOW MRS. KENNEDY OUTSIDE FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL,

I SHOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOU BRIEFLY

ABOUT A SUBJECT THAT IS VERY NEAR TO MY HEART.

IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK HERE IN WALNUT GROVE...

AMONG MY FRIENDS,

WHOM I'VE REALLY COME TO CHERISH

DURING THESE MONTHLY VISITS.

MY, HOW THIS COMMUNITY'S GROWN.

YOU SHOULD ALL BE VERY PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

YOU KNOW, RECENTLY I...

I SPOKE WITH MY SUPERIOR IN MANKATO ABOUT MY EXPERIENCES HERE.

I TOLD HIM THAT...

THE ONLY THING THAT I FELT WAS MISSING...

WAS THE SOUND OF A CHURCH BELL

CALLING THE FAITHFUL TO WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY MORNING.

[PEOPLE MUMBLING]

NOW, ISN'T THAT WHAT WE NEED--

A BELL FOR OUR CHURCH HERE IN WALNUT GROVE?

YES. YES, IT IS.

OOH! I THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA!

Man: So Do I.

WELL, I PROPOSE A SPECIAL COLLECTION.

I THINK WE SHOULD ALL SEARCH OUR HEARTS AND...

AND OUR POCKETBOOKS

AND GIVE WHAT WE CAN.

WE CAN CHOOSE THE BELL AFTER WE SEE WHAT WE CAN AFFORD.

UH, REVEREND?

MAY I SPEAK?

WELL, CERTAINLY, MRS. OLESON.

THANK YOU.

I, UH...

I THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A VERY LARGE BELL

LIKE THEY HAVE IN THE CHURCHES IN ST. PAUL.

MRS. OLESON, THAT'S A WONDERFUL DREAM,

BUT WALNUT GROVE DOESN'T HAVE...

WELL, NOR CAN WE COMPETE WITH A CITY THE SIZE OF ST. PAUL.

AND A BELL THAT SIZE, UH, WE COULDN'T AFFORD.

AH!

WELL, MY HUSBAND AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONTRIBUTE THE BELL.

Reverend: WELL, THAT'S VERY GENEROUS.

WE WILL CONTRIBUTE THE BELL AND THE PLAQUE.

WHAT...PLAQUE?

[SIGHS] DEDICATING IT IN OUR NAMES.

AFTER ALL...HEH,

WE ARE PAYING FOR IT.

UH, REVEREND, MAY I SPEAK?

Reverend: WELL, CERTAINLY, MR. KENNEDY.

NOW, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE REST OF YOU,

BUT...l FEEL THIS IS GOD'S HOUSE,

AND WE BUILT IT WITH OUR OWN HANDS,

AND I DON'T THINK THE LORD'S GOING TO LIKE IT MUCH WE PUT SOMEBODY ELSE'S NAME ON IT.

WHY, THAT'S THE MOST UNGRATEFUL THING THAT I--

NOW, HOLD IT A MINUTE.

MRS. OLESON HAS BEEN KIND ENOUGH TO MAKE THE OFFER,

AND I THINK WE OUGHT TO ACCEPT IT.

NOW, WHAT COULD YOU GIVE, KENNEDY?

50 CENTS? A DOLLAR?

AS MUCH AS I COULD,

WHICH IS MORE THAN YOU'D GIVE.

YOU SIT THERE SNORING ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE SERVICE.

YOU NEVER HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD.

AT LEAST I COME TO CHURCH EVERY SUNDAY.

PLEASE.

LET'S NOT FORGET WE'RE IN A CHURCH.

WE'LL CONTINUE THE STORY NEXT WEEK, CHILDREN.

YOU CAN RUN ALONG NOW.

[CHILDREN TALKING EXCITEDLY]

WE NEED THAT BELL, REVEREND.

Reverend: THANK YOU.

ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU, TINKER.

YOU NEVER MISS A SERVICE.

THANK YOU, REVEREND.

DON'T WORRY. WE'LL HAVE OUR BELL.

THANK YOU, MISS BEADLE.

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU VERY SOON, MR. ALDEN. THANK YOU.

I MEANT WHAT I SAID, DORFLER.

YOU GIVE THAT WOMAN A PLAQUE,

SHE GOING TO CHANGE EVERYTHING.

IF SHE GIVES US A BELL, KENNEDY,

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES A LITTLE PLAQUE MAKE?

WE DON'T EVEN HAVE TO LOOK AT IT.

OH, THE NEXT THING YOU KNOW,

SHE'S GONNA CHANGE THE NAME OF THIS TOWN TO OLESONVILLE.

YOU ARE A STUBBORN MAN.

WELL, THAT MAY BE TRUE, BUT OLESON'S NOT GOING TO RUN MY RELIGION.

I TELL YOU. THAT WON'T HAPPEN HERE.

WELL, IT JUST MIGHT.

WELL, MAYBE NOT AS BIG AS THE BELLS IN ST. PAUL,

BUT AT LEAST A LOT BIGGER THAN THE ONES IN MANKATO OR SLEEPY EYE.

THAT WILL CERTAINLY SHOW THEM.

WELL, THERE...

THERE SEEM TO BE A FEW WHO OPPOSE OUR GENEROSITY.

BUT, WELL, I'M SURE THAT...THEY'LL COME AROUND.

HOW DO YOU FEEL, UH, MR. HANSON?

I APPROVE OF THE BELL.

MISS BEADLE?

I THINK IT'S A WONDERFUL IDEA.

AND WE NEED THE BELL FOR THE SCHOOL AS WELL AS THE CHURCH.

OH! GOOD GRACIOUS! NO!

WHY, THAT WOULD CLEARLY BE SACRILEGIOUS.

WHY, A CHURCH BELL IS ONLY FOR THE CHURCH AND NOTHING ELSE.

[SCOFFS] COME ALONG, NELS.

Miss Beadle: MRS. OLESON, THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

WELL, WE USE THE SAME BUILDING.

WHY CAN'T WE USE THE SAME BELL?

Dorfler: WE MAY HAVE NEITHER CHURCH NOR SCHOOL.

WHY?

FROM THE SIZE BELL THAT SHE WANTS,

IT WOULD TIP THAT BUILDING OVER.

WE WOULD HAVE NOTHING BUT A MESS OF KINDLING.

HA HA HA!

EXCUSE ME, MISS.

Caroline: SEEMED LIKE SUCH A NICE IDEA.

YEAH. THE CHURCH COULD USE A BELL.

BUT MRS. OLESON WANTING TO DO IT ALL BY HERSELF--

I THINK THAT'S A LITTLE TOO MUCH.

WELL, THEY CAN AFFORD IT.

I DON'T SEE WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT.

IT WAS THE WAY SHE DID IT.

[SIGHS]

AND THAT PLAQUE.

WELL, IT'S GOING TO GET A LOT WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER.

I THINK THE REVEREND ALDEN'S GOT A WAR ON HIS HANDS.

I NOW HAVE THE FEELING I SHOULD HAVE COME TO YOU FIRST, CHARLES,

BUT I DIDN'T.

I WENT TO THE OLESONS AND THE NELSONS AND...

I MET MR. TYLER, MR. DORFLER,

AND MR. KENNEDY AT THE BLACKSMITH SHOP.

I THOUGHT I COULD PREVAIL ON MRS. OLESON

TO LET OTHERS CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE BELL,

BUT SHE REFUSED.

WE ACCEPT THE BELL AS OFFERED,

OR THE OLESON FAMILY WILL ATTEND CHURCH IN SPRINGFIELD.

SPRINGFIELD? THAT'S A 50-MILE ROUND TRIP.

I MENTIONED THAT...

BUT SHE WAS ADAMANT.

BUT SO ARE MR. KENNEDY AND MR. TYLER.

NOW THEY WANT NO PART OF MRS. OLESON'S BELL AND PLAQUE.

[DEEP INHALATION OF BREATH]

THEY SAID THAT--

OH, WE CAN IMAGINE WHAT THEY SAID.

WELL, IT'S JUST AS WELL BECAUSE...

SOME OF THE WORDS USED

WOULDN'T BEAR REPEATING WITH A LADY PRESENT.

AND ONE THING I DID FIND OUT--

THE...ANGERS ARE SPREADING.

PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING SIDES.

IF I ACCEPT THE OLESONS' OFFER,

WE LOSE HALF THE CONGREGATION.

AND IF I DON'T, WE LOSE THE OTHER HALF.

[SIGHS]

REVEREND, THESE STORMS COME UP,

AND THEN THEY BLOW OVER.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS HERE.

THANK YOU.

I'VE TAKEN UP ENOUGH OF YOUR TIME.

I'LL SEE YOU OUT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HOSPITALITY.

GOOD NIGHT, REVEREND.

REVEREND, I DON'T KNOW IF lT'LL MAKE YOU FEEL ANY BETTER,

BUT IN YOUR ABSENCE, THE ELDERS ALL GIVE A SERMON.

THEY TAKE THEIR TURNS.

IF YOU'RE EVER IN CHURCH TO HEAR ONE OF THOSE,

YOU'D REALIZE HOW WELCOME YOU REALLY ARE.

WHAT I HAVEN'T TOLD YOU IS THAT, UM...

PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT

HAVE THREATENED TO WRITE MY SUPERIOR

AND ASK TO HAVE ME REPLACED.

WELL, LIKE I SAID, THESE STORMS BLOW OVER.

WHY DON'T YOU LET ME LOOK INTO THAT?

I'D APPRECIATE IT.

YOU MIGHT TELL EVERYBODY CONCERNED...

I ONLY WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR THE CHURCH AND THE CONGREGATION.

I THINK WE ALL KNOW THAT.

THANK YOU AGAIN. GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

LET'S GO, JEHOSHAPHAT, GO.

KENNEDY, HOW YOU DOING?

HELLO, INGALLS. WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?

JUST STOPPED BY.

WANTED YOU TO KNOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE

A MEETING AT THE CHURCH TONIGHT ABOUT 7:00.

OH? WHAT FOR?

DISCUSS THE BELL.

THERE'S NOTHING TO DISCUSS.

THE MATTER'S BEEN SETTLED.

I WASN'T AWARE OF THAT.

WELL, LET ME PUT IT ANOTHER WAY.

IT'S BEEN SETTLED AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.

NOW COME ON, KENNEDY,

GIVE THE REST OF THE CONGREGATION A CHANCE.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HURT YOU TO LISTEN.

ALL RIGHT. I'LL LISTEN.

BUT MY MIND'S MADE UP, INGALLS,

AND WE DON'T WANT NO OLESON BELL,

AND THAT'S FINAL.

[PEOPLE ALL TALKING AT ONCE]

CAN WE HAVE SOME QUIET PLEASE?

THANK YOU.

I THOUGHT WE SHOULD HAVE THIS MEETING

TO DISCUSS THE REVEREND ALDEN'S SUGGESTION.

I THINK WE CAN DISCUSS IT AS FRIENDS, NEIGHBORS,

AND MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION.

I SUGGEST WE THINK IN TERMS OF A COMPROMISE.

THERE'S NO ONE OF US THAT CAN HAVE HIS OR HER WAY ON EVERYTHING.

I PERSONALLY THINK WE NEED A BELL.

WE'VE HAD AN OFFER OF SUCH A BELL FROM THE OLESONS.

AND A PLAQUE.

DON'T FORGET THE PLAQUE.

THE BELL AND THE PLAQUE. THANK YOU, MR. KENNEDY.

NOW, I THINK WE SHOULD HEAR

FROM THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT THAT OFFER

AND THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSED.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO ACCEPT THE GIFT

IN THE MANNER IN WHICH IT WAS INTENDED.

WELL, NOW, THAT'S JUST WHAT I DON'T LIKE.

DON'T YOU REMEMBER HOW HARD WE WORKED?

WE BUILT THIS CHURCH IN HONOR OF THE LORD.

WE DONATED THE BOARDS AND THE JOIST

AND THE BEAMS AND THE RAFTERS TO HIM,

AND WE DIDN'T PUT OUR NAMES ON NONE OF IT.

OH, NOW, REALLY. THAT IS NOT THE POINT.

THAT IS THE POINT.

WAIT! PLEASE!

UH...THIS IS THE HOUSE OF GOD.

NOW LET'S CONDUCT OUR DISCUSSION QUIETLY.

WE TAKE THAT BELL,

IT'S GOING TO BE THE OLESON HOUSE,

BELL, PEW, AND PULPIT.

AND I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE, INGALLS.

SHE'LL BE DOING THE SERMON.

Man: THAT'S SACRILEGIOUS.

NOW, WAIT. UH, I SUGGEST

THAT WE FORGET ABOUT THE OLESONS' BELL,

AND THAT WE START OVER

AND WE TAKE A COLLECTION SO ALL OF US CAN CONTRIBUTE.

OH, WELL, THIS IS THE--

YOU ARE A MEASLY MAN!

NELS, I WILL NOT STAY HERE AND BE INSULTED.

COME ALONG.

NO! WAIT! PLEASE!

OH, BE QUIET. I'M NOT GOING TO DISCUSS IT ANY LONGER.

NO INSULT INTENDED.

ALL I WANTED WAS SO WE COULD ALL

CONTRIBUTE TO THE BELL.

GOOD RIDDANCE!

MR. KENNEDY, IF YOU WOULD KEEP A CIVIL TONGUE IN YOUR HEAD,

WE MIGHT JUST GET SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED HERE!

ALL RIGHT, I THINK WE SHOULD TAKE THE VOTE

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF A SPECIAL CONTRIBUTION.

MR. INGALLS, WE'RE A POOR COMMUNITY.

IF WE ACCEPT A GIFT OF THE BELL,

THAT WAY, IT WON'T COST US ANYTHING.

IF WE TAKE THE BELL

AND THEN YOU WILL WANT A NEW CHURCH,

THAT ALSO SHOULD BE FOR FREE?

HANSON, THAT'S NOT TRUE.

WELL, NOT EXACTLY FOR NOTHING, HANSON.

YOU'RE GONNA BE STANDING RIGHT THERE

READY TO SELL THE LUMBER.

MR. KENNEDY. LISTEN.

I CONTRIBUTE AS MUCH AS ANY MAN

IN THIS TOWN, AND I WILL--

I THOUGHT WE CAME HERE TO DISCUSS THE BELL.

WHY DON'T WE FORGET THAT BLEEDING BELL?

WE DONE ALL RIGHT WITHOUT IT UP TO NOW.

SHOW OF HANDS. Hanson: FOR WHAT?

THAT'S IT, INGALLS. THE MEETING'S ADJOURNED.

[ALL TALKING AT ONCE]

Hanson: No, WAIT, COME BACK.

GET--BRING HIM BACK HERE.

KENNEDY, COME HERE.

BRING HIM BACK IN HERE.

HEY, KENNEDY!

[DOOR CLOSES]

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE BELIEVED IT.

START OUT DISCUSSING THE BELL,

NEXT THING YOU KNOW IT'S THE BATTLE OF THE LITTLE BIG HORN.

I CAN'T TELL THE SOLDIERS FROM THE INDIANS.

WELL, DIDN'T THEY LISTEN, PA?

I'M AFRAID NOT, HALF-PINT.

THEY'RE ALL TOO BUSY YELLING, SHOUTING.

I DO DECLARE.

A BUNCH OF GROWNUPS CARRYING ON LIKE CHILDREN.

CHILDREN WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THAT NOISY.

DOES THIS MEAN THERE WON'T BE ANY CHURCH ON SUNDAY?

I WAS BEGINNING TO LIKE SUNDAY SCHOOL

EVEN IF THEY DID REPEAT A LOT OF STORIES MARY AND I ALREADY KNEW.

IF WE HAVE TO,

WE'LL WORSHIP AND HAVE SUNDAY SCHOOL RIGHT HERE.

WE'VE DONE IT BEFORE.

LET'S PLAY UNCLE JOHN.

WE CAN'T.

WHY NOT?

OUR FATHERS WON'T LET US

BECAUSE OF WHAT YOUR FATHER SAID ABOUT THE BELL.

AREN'T WE FRIENDS ANYMORE?

WE CAN'T PLAY WITH THEM EITHER.

Laura: WE CAUGHT A LOT!

HEY, WE GOT PLENTY HERE FOR SUPPER.

UHH!

NICE SIZE ONES, TOO.

I'M WONDERING, WHY IS EVERYBODY MAD AT REVEREND ALDEN?

OH, THEY'RE NOT MAD AT THE REVEREND ALDEN, HALF-PINT.

THEY'RE MAD AT THEMSELVES.

Mary: FIGHTING OVER A BELL.

I THINK THAT'S SILLY.

WELL, MARY, GROWNUPS CAN BE PRETTY SILLY SOMETIMES,

LIKE LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS.

YOU MEAN LIKE MARY AND ME?

THAT'S RIGHT.

AND GROWNUPS CAN BE MORE STUBBORN.

WHY?

THEY'VE HAD A LOT MORE TIME TO PRACTICE.

COME ON, HALF-PINT. LET'S CLEAN THOSE FISH.

COME ON, JACK. THERE'LL BE SOME FOR YOU.

Mary: COME ON.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS HOUR OF WORSHIP WITH ME.

AND FOR THIS DEMONSTRATION OF YOUR GENEROSITY.

NOW LET'S ALL STAND AND TURN TO PAGE 47 FOR OUR CONCLUDING HYMN, PLEASE.

♪ RING THE BELLS OF HEAVEN ♪

♪ THERE IS JOY TODAY ♪

♪ FOR A SOUL RETURNING FROM THE WILD ♪

♪ SEE A FATHER MEET HIM OUT UPON THE WAY ♪

♪ WELCOMING HIS WEARY WANDERING CHILD ♪

♪ GLORY, GLORY, HOW THE ANGELS SING ♪

♪ GLORY, GLORY, HOW THE LOUD HARPS RING ♪

♪ 'TIS THE RANSOMED ARMY ♪

♪ LIKE A MIGHTY SEA ♪

♪ PEALING FORTH THE ANTHEM OF THE FREE ♪

YOU MUSTN'T BLAME YOURSELF.

I UNWITTINGLY STARTED THE CONFLICT

WHICH IS TEARING THE CONGREGATION APART,

AND MY EFFORTS FOR PEACE JUST SEEM TO MAKE THINGS WORSE.

I'M AFRAID THERE WON'T BE AN END TO THE FIGHTING

UNLESS I DO LEAVE.

REVEREND, NO.

BUT I THINK IT'S BEST.

I THINK IT'S BEST IF WE HAVE OUR SUNDAY SERVICES

AT HOME FROM NOW ON.

TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY,

I'M GOING TO BE COMING THROUGH WALNUT GROVE ON MY WAY TO MANKATO.

WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I'LL STOP IN AND SHARE YOUR SERVICE.

WE COULD SAY GOOD-BYE THEN.

Charles: YOU'RE ALWAYS WELCOME, REVEREND.

GOOD DAY, REVEREND.

Caroline: CHARLES, WOULD YOU STOP?

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

WOULD YOU MIND?

I'D LIKE TO GO HAVE A TALK WITH MRS. KENNEDY.

YOU REALLY THINK IT'S GOING TO DO ANY GOOD?

I THINK IT'S HIGH TIME THE WOMEN TOOK THIS THING IN HAND.

ALL RIGHT. MAYBE YOU'LL HAVE BETTER LUCK THAN I DID.

CAN WE GO WITH YOU, MA?

YES, MA, MAY WE?

I DON'T SEE ANY REASON WHY NOT.

YOU CAN SAY HELLO TO CHRISTY AND SANDY.

WELL, JUST YOU AND ME.

WELL, I WAS THINKING IF WE COULD GET TOGETHER--

[DOOR OPENING]

MRS. INGALLS.

I, UH...l CAME BY

TO SEE IF WE COULDN'T PUT AN END TO THE HARD FEELINGS.

YOUR HUSBAND SEND YOU?

NO...

BUT HE IS AWARE OF MY VISIT, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU MEAN.

WELL, I WAS JUST WONDERING WHO RULES YOUR ROOST.

HERE, I MAKE THE DECISIONS.

[SIGHS] MR. KENNEDY, DON'T YOU REALIZE

THAT ALL THIS SENSELESS SQUABBLING IS RUINING OUR CHURCH,

HURTING OUR CHILDREN?

YOUR CHILDREN, MAYBE. NOT MINE.

NOW, THE MATTER IS CLOSED,

AND YOU CAN TELL YOUR HUSBAND IT'S GOING TO STAY THAT WAY

UNTIL TALK OF THIS DAMN BELL COMES TO AN END,

AND WE FIND OURSELVES A NEW MINISTER.

I'LL THANK YOU TO WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE.

MY HOUSE. SAY WHAT I LIKE. YOU WOULD...

YOU DON'T CARE THAT YOUR NEIGHBORS AREN'T SPEAKING TO EACH OTHER,

THAT YOUR CHILDREN AND--AND MINE ARE ACHING OVER THIS TERRIBLE FEUD.

I SAID BEFORE, MRS. INGALLS,

THE MATTER IS CLOSED!

EILEEN!

HOW'D YOU MAKE OUT?

ALL RIGHT, GIRLS, UPSTAIRS.

GET OUT OF YOUR SUNDAY CLOTHES.

Both: YES, MA'AM. RIGHT AWAY.

UPSY-DAISY.

HOW'D IT GO?

Caroline: STUBBORN, SELFISH MAN.

HE WON'T LISTEN TO REASON.

HE JUST WANTS EVERYTHING HIS OWN WAY.

WELL, I THOUGHT YOU WENT TO TALK TO MRS. KENNEDY.

I DID, AND SHE WAS VERY NICE,

THEN HE CAME IN,

AND HE WOULDN'T LET HER SAY A WORD

WHEN HE WAS IN THE ROOM.

WELL, HE DOES LIKE TO HEAR THE SOUND OF HIS OWN VOICE.

HONESTLY , CHARLES ,

I WOULD HAVE GLADLY GIVEN UP THE WHOLE NOTION OF THE BELL

IF ONLY TO GET EVERYBODY BACK TOGETHER,

BUT AFTER TALKING TO HIM, OR, RATHER,

AFTER BEING TALKED AT BY HIM,

I REALLY THINK WE NEED A BELL.

AMEN.

[LAUGHS]

YOU'RE TERRIBLE.

YOU SHOULD NOT WEAR YOUR HAT IN THE HOUSE.

AMEN.

Christy: HEY!

HI! HI!

ARE YOU SURE IT'S ALL RIGHT?

WHY NOT? NOBODY SAID WE COULDN'T VISIT TINKER JONES.

AND WE ALL HAPPENED BY AT THE SAME TIME.

COME ON.

OOH! IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

I HAVE ONE AT HOME JUST LIKE IT.

I WISH I DID.

I WISH I DID.

FOR ME?

OH, THANK YOU, TINKER!

HEY, LET'S GO OUT IN THE MEADOW AND PLAY RUN, SHEEP, RUN.

Nellie: WE CAN'T. SOMEONE MIGHT SEE US.

NELLIE'S RIGHT.

IT'S ALL YOUR FATHER'S FAULT, LAURA INGALLS.

IT IS NOT.

IT IS TOO! IF IT WEREN'T FOR HIM,

THERE WOULDN'T BE NO MORE TALK ABOUT THE BELL.

WILLIE'S RIGHT.

MY PA SAYS THERE AIN'T GONNA BE NO BELL ANYWAY.

WELL, MY MA SAYS THAT YOUR PA IS STUBBORN AND SELFISH.

YOU TAKE THAT BACK, LAURA.

I WON'T.

YOU OUGHT TO HEAR WHAT MY PA SAYS ABOUT YOUR PA.

YOU SAY ONE WORD ABOUT MY PA,

AND I'LL SLAP YOUR FACE!

YOU DO, AND YOU'LL BE SORRY.

WHAT HE'S TELLING US, I THINK...

WE'RE ACTING JUST LIKE OUR PARENTS.

I'M SORRY, CHRISTY.

SO AM I, LAURA.

WELL, WHAT'S HE TRYING TO TELL US?

HE'S GOING TO MAKE A BELL.

[CHILDREN CHEER]

CAN WE HELP, TINKER?

WAIT TILL I TELL MY MOTHER.

NO.

HE WANTS IT TO BE OUR SECRET.

WELL!

YOU TELL YOUR MOTHER,

AND YOU WON'T HAVE ANYBODY TO PLAY WITH.

OR ANYBODY TO BE MEAN TO.

SHE'S RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT. I'LL HELP.

WE'LL ALL HELP.

[CHILDREN CHEER]

Laura: lT'LL BE FUN.

Laura: IT WAS SATURDAY WHEN TINKER DECIDED To MAKE THE BELL.

SUNDAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME I COULD REMEMBER,

THERE WAS NO CHURCH SERVICE IN WALNUT GROVE,

BUT ALL THE NEXT WEEK,

WE COULDN'T WAIT TO GET AWAY FROM SCHOOL AND HELP TINKER.

THERE WAS SO VERY MUCH TO DO.

[CHILDREN YELLING]

Laura: WE WORKED EVERY DAY BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL,

AND SUDDENLY IT WAS FRIDAY,

THE DAY TINKER WAS GOING TO POUR THE BELL.

TINKER, THERE'S NO MORE.

THERE'S NO MORE!

Laura: TINKER, No! DON'T Do IT!

YOU NEED MY HORSE?

AND MINE?

YOU NEED ALL OUR TOYS.

HE NEEDS TIN, TOO.

WE'LL GET MORE TIN.

A WHOLE WAGONLOAD.

EVEN IF WE HAVE TO

TURN WALNUT GROVE UPSIDE DOWN AND SHAKE IT,

WE'LL GET A LOT.

TOMORROW MORNING, WE'LL HAVE IT HERE.

[CHILDREN CHEER]

Laura: MARY, HELP ME.

OH, YEAH.

ALL FINISHED. CAN WE GO NOW?

ARE YOU SURE HE ASKED YOU?

YES, MA'AM. HE REALLY DID.

HE DREW A PICTURE OF A CLOCK ON HIS SLATE TO TELL US TO BE SURE TO BE EARLY.

ALL RIGHT.

Caroline: AND REMEMBER To--

THAT WAS QUICK.

SANDY!

SHH!

HELP ME.

Christy: WAIT A MINUTE. WHAT'S PA GONNA SAY?

I EXPECT I'LL FIND OUT.

COME ON.

GONNA TAKE THE BUFFALO?

THE FIRE ENGINE?

YES.

GONNA TAKE THE INDIAN?

WILLIE!

OK. GO.

Nellie: MA SAID WE COULD HAVE IT.

SHE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT BRINGING THEM BACK.

PA DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING.

[LIQUID METAL GURGLING]

[CHILDREN EXCLAIM]

Girl: IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

PRETTY.

MMM. THAT BREAD SMELLS GOOD.

I JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE A KNIFE READY.

NO. YOU HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT COOLS.

THE BREAD'S BETTER WHEN IT COMES RIGHT OUT OF THE OVEN.

ONE LITTLE PIECE FOR A HARDWORKING MAN.

YOU'RE WORSE THAN THE GIRLS.

WHERE ARE THEY?

AND MAKE IT A BIG PIECE.

VISITING TINKER JONES.

I WAS OUT IN THE BARN.

I WAS LOOKING FOR SOME COAL OIL CANS I HAD OUT THERE.

I COULDN'T FIND THEM. DID YOU USE THEM FOR ANYTHING?

OF COURSE NOT.

WHAT WOULD I DO WITH OLD COAL OIL CANS?

THAT'S WHAT I WAS WONDERING.

SOMEBODY TOOK THEM. MMM. IT'S HOT.

LET ME GET YOU SOME BUTTER.

MMM-MM. DELICIOUS THE WAY IT IS,

AND I'VE GOT MORE WORK TO DO.

I LOVE YOU.

IT'S GETTING AWFUL LATE.

WE'RE GONNA STAY AND SEE IT.

[CHILDREN EXCLAIM]

[BELL RINGING]

WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THAT?

DON'T KNOW.

WHY DON'T YOU GET THE GIRLS READY.

WE'RE GOING TO TOWN.

LET'S GO, JEHOSHAPHAT.

[BELL RINGING]

WHOA.

CHRISTY!

Mr. Kennedy: WILL YOU STOP RINGING THAT BELL?

NOW, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?

WHO PAID FOR IT?

I THINK IT'S GLORIOUS.

Mrs. Oleson: DID SOMEONE TAKE UP A COLLECTION BEHIND MY BACK?

Mr. Kennedy: I THINK THE REVEREND OWES US AN EXPLANATION.

I ASSURE YOU, MR. KENNEDY, I'M JUST AS SURPRISED AS YOU ARE.

PA, IT WASN'T THE REVEREND.

IT WAS TINKER JONES' IDEA.

TINKER MADE THE BELL.

HE DID IT SO WE--

SO WE WOULD ALL STOP FIGHTING'N BECOME FRIENDS.

AND HAVE CHURCH HERE...

LIKE WE USED TO.

REVEREND...

DON'T YOU THINK IT'S TIME TO LEAD US INTO SUNDAY SERVICE?

[BELL RINGING]