Original subtitles

YOU WANT TO TRY, CARRIE?

COME ON.

THERE YOU GO.

COME RIGHT DOWN HERE BY PA.

PUT YOUR HAND RIGHT THERE.

THERE YOU GO.

OH'. WHAT WE GETTING?

Charles: WELL...

BET YOU CAN'T GUESS WHAT CARRIE JUST DID.

Laura: WHAT DID SHE DO, PA?

Charles: GO AHEAD. TELL THEM.

Carrie: I GOT TO MILK THE COW'.

WOW'.

Charles: REAL FINE JOB, TOO.

SHE'S GETTING TO BE A BIG GIRL.

SHE'LL BE HELPING WITH ALL THE CHORES SOON. YOU'LL SEE.

YEAH. WANT ME TO TEACH YOU HOW TO CLEAN OUT THE CHICKEN COOP?

NO'.

I THOUGHT YOU'D SAY THAT.

Charles: I OUGHT TO FINISH CUTTING THAT BIG ORDER TODAY

AND HAVE THE REST OF IT SHIPPED BY TOMORROW.

WILL YOU HAVE TO FREIGHT IT INTO MANKATO?

YEAH. AFRAID SO.

WELL, AT LEAST THAT'S THE END OF IT.

WELL, YOU THINK YOU'RE HAPPY,

YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW HANSON FEELS.

HE HASN'T HAD A PENNY COMING IN FOR 2 MONTHS NOW.

I'M SURPRISED HE'D MAKE A DEAL LIKE THAT.

IT'S LIKE I TOLD YOU, IT'S A BIG COMPANY.

THEY PAY WHEN THE ORDER'S COMPLETE AND NOT BEFORE.

IT'S EITHER THAT OR THEY GIVE THE CONTRACT TO SOMEBODY ELSE.

I'M GOING TO HAVE 2 MONTHS' WAGES BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

WE'LL BE RICH, PA.

WELL, KIND OF. JUST UNTIL I GET TO OLESON'S MERCANTILE

AND PAY BACK ALL THE MONEY I OWE.

MMM, I'LL BE GLAD WHEN YOU DO.

EVERY TIME I GO IN WITH THE EGGS,

MRS. OLESON SPENDS ALL OF HER TIME

REMINDING ME HOW MUCH WE OWE.

MA, I NEED ANOTHER PAPER TABLET,

AND MY PENCIL'S DOWN TO WHERE I CAN HARDLY HOLD IT.

WELL, YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT, DEAR.

WE CAN'T CHARGE ANYTHING UNTIL THAT BILL IS PAID.

IT WILL JUST BE A FEW MORE DAYS, DARLING.

MY TABLET'S ONLY HALFWAY USED,

AND MY PENCIL'S PLENTY LONG.

WELL, IT WOULDN'T BE IF YOU DID AS MUCH HOMEWORK AS YOUR SISTER.

NOW, GO ON. FINISH YOUR BREAKFAST.

WE'LL RIDE INTO TOWN TOGETHER.

[BARKING]

Caroline: GOOD MORNING.

GOOD MORNING, MRS. INGALLS.

Caroline: HOW ARE YOU TODAY, MRS. OLESON?

OH, MY BACK IS KILLING ME AGAIN.

[MUTTERING] AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

DID YOU SAY SOMETHING, NELS?

OH, NO. NO, DEAR.

I WAS, UH... JUST, UH, CHECKING THESE SHOE SIZES.

AND A 10 AND A 10.

Nels: OVERSIGHT.

2 DOZEN TODAY.

JUST CREDIT IT TO OUR ACCOUNT.

AT THIS RATE, I'LL BE DEAD AND BURIED

BY THE TIME THIS IS PAID FOR.

OH, MY HUSBAND SAYS THAT--

YOU MUST REALIZE, OF COURSE, MRS. INGALLS,

THAT EVERYTHING THAT YOU PURCHASE HERE

HAS ALREADY BEEN PAID FOR BY US... MONTHS AGO.

I UNDERSTAND THAT.

WELL, NOW, NO ONE EXTENDS CREDIT TO US, MRS. INGALLS.

IT'S CASH... HARD CASH.

THAT'S THE WAY WE OPERATE.

I KNOW.

WE'RE NOT RUNNING A CHARITY HERE.

I KNOW. MY HUSBAND SAID TO--

I DON'T THINK IT'S VERY FAIR OF YOU

TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A FRIENDSHIP.

I COULD HARDLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOMETHING

THAT DOESN'T EXIST.

[GASP]

WELL'. THAT'S GRATITUDE FOR YOU'.

NO'. THAT'S TRUE'.

NO, YOU LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, MRS. INGALLS'.

Caroline: NO, LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING, MRS. OLESON.

MY HUSBAND WILL BE IN TO PAY THE BILL IN FULL BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

WELL--

GOOD DAY, MRS. OLESON.

COME ON, CARRIE.

BUT--

[HAMMERING]

CHARLES?

YEAH?

LETTER FROM THE BANK IN MANKATO.

BANK'S CONSTRUCTION COMPANY IS BANKRUPT.

WHAT?

SEE FOR YOURSELF.

BUT ALL THAT WORK, ALL THE LUMBER WE SHIPPED--

THEY GOT TO PAY US SOMETHING.

OH, YEAH, SURE,

BUT THEY'VE GOT TO PAY THEIR OTHER CREDITORS, TOO.

THAT TAKES TIME, AND THEN YOU GET ONLY PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR.

I'M SORRY.

SO AM I. THEY WON'T PAY ME, AND I CAN'T PAY YOU.

I WAS COUNTING ON THAT MONEY, SAME AS YOU WERE.

I WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO,

BUT TILL THIS IS SETTLED,

I GOT TO CLOSE DOWN THE MILL.

I DIDN'T EXPECT YOU SO EARLY.

I REALLY HAD IT OUT WITH MRS. OLESON TODAY.

SHE JUST KEPT GOING ON AND ON ABOUT THE BILL.

SHE WOULDN'T LET ME GET A WORD IN EDGEWISE.

YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE LOOK ON HER FACE WHEN I TOLD HER...

STAY HERE, CARRIE.

[PLAYING SOMBER TUNE]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

BITING OFF A HANGNAIL.

WERE YOU ASLEEP?

NO.

I CAN'T SLEEP.

NEITHER CAN I.

PA LOOKED SO SAD TONIGHT.

I KNOW.

IT'S JUST NOT FAIR--

WORKING SO HARD, AND THEN THIS HAPPENS.

I CAN ALWAYS TELL WHEN PA IS SAD BY THE WAY HE PLAYS THE FIDDLE.

IT ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE THE FIDDLE'S CRYING.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE SADNESS COMES RIGHT OUT OF HIS FINGERS

ONTO THE STRINGS.

THERE MUST BE SOME WAY WE CAN HELP.

BUT HOW?

I DON'T KNOW.

WELL, MAYBE WHEN WE'RE ASLEEP,

AN IDEA WILL CREEP INTO OUR HEADS.

MAYBE. GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

MARY?

IF AN IDEA CREEPS INTO YOUR HEAD TONIGHT,

WILL YOU WAKE ME UP AND TELL ME?

I WON'T BE ABLE TO.

WHY NOT?

BECAUSE I'LL BE ASLEEP.

OH, YEAH.

SEE YOU IN THE MORNING.

YOU CAN'T SLEEP?

NO.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO HEAT SOME MILK?

HMM. NO.

EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

WE'VE BEEN THROUGH WORSE THAN THIS.

I KNOW THAT. IT'S...

JUST THAT YOU PLAN ON SOMETHING,

TWO MONTHS' WAGES, AND THEN NOTHING.

I CAN'T PAY OLESON,

FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I COULDN'T MEET A DEBT.

ISN'T YOUR FAULT.

WELL, IT IS IN THE FACT THAT I RAN UP THE DEBT.

I WAS JUST SO SURE OF THAT MONEY.

SOMETIMES I THINK WE WERE BETTER OFF ALONE ON THE PRAIRIE.

WE JUST HAD TO DEPEND ON OURSELVES,

NOBODY ELSE.

MAYBE IT'S GOD'S WAY OF PUNISHING ME FOR WANTING TOO MUCH.

OH, OR HIS WAY OF TESTING YOU

TO SEE IF YOU'RE WORTHY OF HIS LOVE.

I JUST HOPE I'M WORTHY OF YOURS.

OH...

I'LL FIND WORK TOMORROW. YOU WAIT AND SEE.

I WASN'T WORRIED.

NOW, HOW ABOUT THAT MILK?

I'D LOVE SOME.

TOMORROW.

Caroline: ALL READY WHEN YOU ARE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU DON'T LET ME TAKE THE EGGS

INTO TOWN FOR YOU, SAVE YOU THAT WALK BACK.

CARRIE AND I LIKE THE WALK, ESPECIALLY ON A BEAUTIFUL DAY.

I HAVE TO STOP IN OLESON'S,

TELL THEM I CAN'T PAY THE BILL I OWE.

I THOUGHT YOU WOULD.

Charles: AFTER WHAT YOU SAID TO MRS. OLESON THE OTHER DAY,

I JUST THOUGHT--

I KNOW WHAT YOU THOUGHT.

WHY PUT OFF TILL TOMORROW

WHAT'S BOUND TO COME SOONER OR LATER?

WELL, SHE'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY ON YOU, YOU KNOW.

I HOPE SHE ISN'T.

IF SHE WERE NICE ABOUT IT, I'D HAVE TO LIKE HER,

AND THAT WOULD RUIN MY WHOLE DAY.

HYAH'.

[BELL ON DOOR RINGS]

Nels: GOOD MORNING, CHARLES, MRS. INGALLS.

Charles: GOOD MORNING, NELS, MRS. OLESON.

GOOD MORNING, MR. INGALLS, MRS. INGALLS.

2 DOZEN.

YOU'RE 2 DAYS EARLY.

WE WEREN'T EXPECTING YOU UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK, MR. INGALLS.

HARRIET.

WELL...

I'M ONLY REPEATING WHAT I WAS TOLD.

ISN'T THAT CORRECT, MRS. INGALLS?

IT IS CORRECT.

WELL, WE RAN INTO HANSON THIS MORNING. HE TOLD US WHAT HAPPENED.

LOOK, NELS, I'M SORRY.

I DON'T KNOW WHEN I'M GOING TO BE ABLE TO PAY THE BILL.

IT WILL BE AS QUICK AS I CAN.

AW, I KNOW THAT.

BUT NOT BY THE END OF THE WEEK, I TAKE IT.

NO, I'M AFRAID NOT, MRS. OLESON.

NELS, I'D APPRECIATE IT

IF I COULD JUST KEEP MY ACCOUNT OPEN HERE.

I WON'T BE CHARGING MUCH, JUST NECESSITIES.

CERTAINLY.

Harriet: NOW, JUST A MOMENT.

YOU ALREADY OWE US A TIDY SUM,

AND NOW YOU WANT TO CHARGE MORE?

HARRIET'.

WELL, I AM SPEAKING, NELS'.

NOW, YOU ARE NOT THE ONE WHO WAS INSULTED BY MRS. INGALLS HERE.

IF YOU EXPECT CHARITY FROM US

AND WANT TO KEEP YOUR ACCOUNT OPEN,

THEN I EXPECT A FULL APOLOGY FROM YOUR WIFE HERE

FOR THE REMARKS THAT SHE MADE TO ME YESTERDAY.

HARRIET, PLEASE.

I AM WAITING, MRS. INGALLS.

WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LONG WAIT, MRS. OLESON.

I'LL PAY THAT BILL AS SOON AS I CAN, NELS.

OH, I KNOW THAT, CHARLES. I'M SORRY.

I UNDERSTAND.

COME ON, CAROLINE.

"PRIDE COMETH BEFORE DESTRUCTION

AND A HAUGHTY SPIRIT BEFORE A FALL"--

PROVERBS 16:18.

CORRECTION: IT IS "PRIDE GOETH BEFORE DESTRUCTION,"

MRS. OLESON, AND AS FOR THE REST OF IT,

I'D FALL IN THE GRAND CANYON

BEFORE I'D LET MY WIFE GO BEGGING TO YOU.

[METAL CLANGING]

AH, I LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING THE STABLES CLEAN

AND THE HORSES CARED FOR.

I JUST CAN'T AFFORD THE LUXURY OF PAYING SOMEBODY TO DO IT.

IT WOULD GIVE YOU A LOT OF FREE TIME FOR OTHER THINGS.

AH, TRUE ENOUGH, BUT...

AW, DAD BURN IT, CHARLES, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH,

THE MONEY I COULD OFFER IS SO SMALL

THAT, WELL, I'M JUST TOO EMBARRASSED TO EVEN MENTION IT.

TRY ME, HANS. I NEED THE WORK.

HOW LONG DO YOU FIGURE IT WOULD TAKE YOU

TO CLEAN AND CURRY EACH DAY?

I'D SAY 2, 3 HOURS AT THE MOST.

25 CENTS A DAY, AND I WISH IT WAS MORE.

DON'T APOLOGIZE FOR GIVING ME A JOB. I'LL START TOMORROW.

GOOD ENOUGH.

YOU DON'T KNOW ANYBODY ELSE NEEDS ANY WORK DONE AT THEIR PLACE, DO YOU?

NO, NOT OFFHAND, BUT IF I HEAR OF ANYTHING, I'LL LET YOU KNOW.

THANK YOU. SAY HELLO TO THE MISSUS.

YEAH. YOU DO THE SAME.

HEY, CHARLES'.

MAKAY'.

HOW ARE YOU?

HEY'. TELL ME WHAT BRINGS YOU OUT THIS WAY.

WELL, I WAS HOPING I COULD GET A LITTLE WORK

WITH YOU ON THE PUG MILL

NOW THAT YOUR BOY'S GOING TO SCHOOL FULL-TIME,

AND I SEE YOU GOT A PROBLEM.

YEAH. WELL, IT MUST BE AN UNDERGROUND SPRING OR SOMETHING.

I DON'T KNOW. IT JUST SEEMED TO HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

I'LL HAVE TO BUILD ME A NEW PUG MILL.

I'D BE MUCH OBLIGED IF I COULD HELP YOU BUILD IT.

I NEED A JOB.

WHY, SURE. I COULDN'T FIND A BETTER MAN.

I'LL LET YOU KNOW AS SOON AS I GET STARTED.

WHEN DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE?

IT WILL HAVE TO BE AFTER WINTER.

I COULDN'T GET ANYTHING DONE BEFORE THE SNOW FLIES,

SO I'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT IT OUT.

WELL, LET ME KNOW WHEN YOU WANT TO GET STARTED.

SURE. HEY, LISTEN, COME IN THE HOUSE AND HAVE A BIT OF CIDER.

NO. I'VE GOT A LOT TO DO. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. I'LL SEE YOU.

WELL, I SEE YOU'VE CHANGED YOUR MIND ABOUT THE CIDER.

NO, NO. I DIDN'T. I JUST WANTED TO FIND OUT--

WHAT'S IT GOING TO COST YOU TO BUILD THAT NEW PUG MILL?

OH, I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY, BUT LIKE I SAID,

I'M NOT GOING TO START TILL AFTER WINTER.

I KNOW THAT, BUT WHAT IF YOU COULD USE THE OLD ONE?

HAVE YOU FIGURED OUT A WAY FOR ME MULE TO WORK UNDERWATER?

NO, BUT I THINK I CAN GET IT DRAINED.

OH, I DON'T KNOW.

THAT...

THAT WOULD BE A TOUGHER JOB

THAN BUILDING A NEW PUG MILL.

I NEED THE WORK NOW.

WHY, I DON'T KNOW.

LOOK, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT. I'LL NOT ONLY DRAIN THE PUG MILL,

I'LL DIG YOU IRRIGATION DITCHES

SO YOU CAN PLANT THAT FIELD NEXT TO IT WITH ANY CROP YOU WANT.

YOU THINK YOU CAN DO THAT?

I'D SURE LIKE TO GIVE IT A TRY.

YOU KNOW, IF IT DON'T WORK OUT,

I CAN'T PAY YOU ANYTHING.

THAT'S FAIR ENOUGH.

HMM.

ALL RIGHT. COME IN THE HOUSE.

WE'LL FIGURE THE COST OF THE NEW MILL, AND I'LL SEE WHAT I CAN PAY.

WELL...

IF EVERYTHING GOES ALL RIGHT AT MAKAY'S,

IT'S GOING TO TAKE ME 3 MONTHS

TO PAY THE OLESON BILL,

AND THAT'S DOING WITHOUT.

WELL, MR. OLESON SAID THAT HE WAS WILLING TO EXTEND A LITTLE CREDIT.

NO, AND NOT ON YOUR LIFE,

NOT AFTER WHAT THAT WOMAN HAD TO SAY.

I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE.

ONCE WE PAY THE BILL AT THE OLESON'S,

FROM NOW ON, ANYTHING WE PURCHASE THERE

IS GOING TO BE CASH ON THE BARREL. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?

IT'S NOT ONLY UNDERSTOOD,

IT'S WHAT WE HOPED YOU'D SAY.

NOW WE HAVE SOMETHING WE WANT TO SAY TO YOU.

PA, I TALKED TO MRS. WHIPPLE TODAY.

SHE'S GETTING OLDER, AND...

WELL, HER FINGERS JUST DON'T DO

EVERYTHING THEY USED TO WITH A NEEDLE AND THREAD.

ANYWAY, I ASKED IF SHE COULD USE ME

FULL-TIME FOR A WHILE INSTEAD OF JUST PART-TIME,

AND SHE SAID SHE SURE COULD.

WHAT ARE YOU TELLING ME, YOUNG LADY? THAT YOU WANT TO QUIT SCHOOL AND GO TO WORK?

IT'S ONLY FOR A LITTLE WHILE, UNTIL WE CATCH UP.

LAURA CAN BRING MY HOMEWORK HOME.

AND I CAN DO MARY'S CHORES.

AND MA AND I COULD SELL THE VEGETABLES.

AND WE CAN PLANT A DOUBLE-SIZE POTATO CROP FOR WINTER STORE.

AND I CAN MILK THE COW.

WE CAN DO IT, PA. WE CAN HELP.

PLEASE LET US HELP, PA.

WHAT A FAMILY.

IT DOES MAKE A MAN PROUD.

THEN YOU'LL LET US?

I COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU.

Reverend: THANK YOU, CHARLES.

REVEREND, I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T SEE YOU STANDING THERE.

HOW ARE YOU?

FINE. I HEARD YOU WERE WORKING OUT HERE,

AND I WAS MAKING A FEW VISITS OUT THIS WAY.

I THOUGHT I'D STOP AND SAY HELLO.

WELL, I'M GLAD YOU DID.

GIVE ME AN EXCUSE TO SIT DOWN FOR A MINUTE.

YOU GOT A THIRST? IT'S COLD.

NO. NO, THANK YOU.

CHARLES, EVERY PLACE I STOP, I'M OBLIGED TO HAVE A CUP OF TEA,

AND BY THE TIME THE DAY'S OVER,

I'M SLOSHING AROUND LIKE A WATER TROUGH.

[BOTH LAUGH]

CHARLES, I SPOKE TO NELS OLESON THIS MORNING.

OH.

HE'S THE REAL REASON I'M OUT HERE.

HE WANTED TO COME BY HIMSELF,

BUT HE JUST COULDN'T BRING HIMSELF TO DO IT.

I UNDERSTAND.

HE FEELS VERY BAD ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. HE ASKED ME TO TELL YOU THAT.

WELL, WHAT HAPPENED HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH NELS.

I DON'T HAVE ANY GRUDGE AGAINST HIM.

GOOD. I'LL TELL HIM THAT.

AND, CHARLES, TRY NOT TO THINK TOO UNKINDLY OF HIS WIFE.

THERE'S GOOD IN ALL PEOPLE.

JUST A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO FIND IN SOME.

I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN, REVEREND.

AND WE'RE DOING FINE.

I THINK THE GOOD LORD GIVES US HARD TIMES NOW AND THEN

JUST SO WE CAN APPRECIATE THE GOOD ONES.

SOMETIMES I THINK YOU MISSED YOUR CALLING, CHARLES.

YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN A MINISTER.

COULDN'T HANDLE IT, REVEREND. I DON'T LIKE TEA.

[BOTH LAUGH]

WELL, I'LL LET YOU GET BACK TO WORK.

SAY HELLO TO THE FAMILY FOR ME.

I WILL. SEE YOU SUNDAY.

ALL DONE, HANS.

Hans: OH, THANK YOU, CHARLES.

HOW'S IT GOING OVER AT MAKAY'S?

I'M HEADING BACK THERE NOW.

I WOULDN'T WANT TO TRADE YOU JOBS.

I DON'T BLAME YOU.

AAH'.

GOOD DAY, MRS. OLESON.

CAROLINE, SUPPER WAS DELICIOUS.

I HOPE YOU'VE GOT ROOM FOR BERRIES.

I PICKED A WHOLE MESS OF THEM.

I'VE ALWAYS GOT ROOM FOR BERRIES.

I WANT SUGAR ON MINE.

NOT TONIGHT, DEAR.

OH, LET HER HAVE A LITTLE SUGAR. IT WON'T HURT HER.

THERE ISN'T ANY MORE.

[SIGHS]

NO TEA, NO SUGAR.

IT'S NOTHING WE CAN'T DO WITHOUT.

IT'S NOT THE DOING WITHOUT THAT BOTHERS ME.

IT'S HAVING TO-- I MEAN, AFTER ALL WE'VE WORKED.

EVERYTHING YOU'VE GONE THROUGH,

I CAN'T EVEN GIVE YOU A LITTLE TEA AND SUGAR.

IT WON'T BE FOR LONG.

BESIDES, YOU ALWAYS SAID SUGAR WAS BAD FOR YOUR TEETH, PA.

WELL, IF YOU'RE ALL NOT COMPLAINING, I GUESS I SHOULDN'T.

OK, WE'LL HAVE SOME BERRIES AND A CUP OF COFFEE.

HOW ABOUT JUST SOME BERRIES?

THAT WAS THE LAST OF THE COFFEE THIS MORNING.

YOU ALWAYS SAID TOO MUCH COFFEE

MAKES IT HARD FOR YOU TO SLEEP.

IT'S TRUE. YOU DID SAY THAT, PA.

I DID SAY THAT.

WELL, IF THE GOOD LORD PROVIDED US WITH BERRIES AND LAURA PICKED THEM,

I THINK WE OUGHT TO EAT THEM.

BOWLS, PLEASE.

[CHILDREN SHOUTING]

LAURA.

YES, MISS BEADLE?

LAURA, YOU DIDN'T TURN IN

YOUR ASSIGNMENT AGAIN TODAY.

NOW, THAT'S 2 IN A ROW.

I KNOW.

BUT THAT'S NOT LIKE YOU.

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

IT--IT'S NOTHING.

SIT DOWN, LAURA.

NOW, WE'RE FRIENDS, AREN'T WE?

YEAH.

WELL, WHEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM,

YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TELL A FRIEND, SHOULDN'T YOU?

YES, MA'AM.

WELL, WHAT IS IT?

WELL, I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE TABLET PAPER LEFT.

I WOULD HAVE DONE THE ASSIGNMENTS, HONEST,

BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WRITE THEM ON.

I SEE. WELL, I'LL TELL YOU.

I WAS JUST ON MY WAY OVER

TO OLESON'S MERCANTILE

TO GET SOME MORE TABLETS FOR SCHOOL.

WHY DON'T I JUST PICK UP

2 EXTRA FOR YOU AND MARY?

OH, NO, MA'AM. I COULDN'T LET YOU DO THAT.

NOW, WAIT A MINUTE. I WASN'T THROUGH.

IF I GET YOU THE TABLETS,

YOU HAVE TO PROMISE ME

YOU'LL GET ME SOME CHALK...

SOMEDAY WHEN I NEED IT.

PROMISE?

I PROMISE.

THAT'S TOO HARD.

IT WILL BE HARDER NEXT TIME.

OH, YEAH?

HEY.

LOOK WHO'S COMING.

MISS BEADLE?

YES, LAURA?

I'D JUST AS SOON WAIT OUTSIDE,

IF YOU DON'T MIND.

OF COURSE NOT.

Both: HI, MISS BEADLE.

HELLO.

I WONDER WHY LAURA INGALLS

DOESN'T COME IN THE STORE ANYMORE.

BECAUSE SHE'S TOO POOR TO BUY ANYTHING.

THAT'S WHY.

SO'S HER FATHER.

HE CAN'T EVEN PAY WHAT HE OWES IN THE STORE.

YEAH.

CAN'T GET A DECENT JOB, EITHER.

ALL HE DOES IS DIG IN THE MUD AND CLEAN UP AFTER HORSES.

MY PA WORKS HARD'.

SO DOES A MULE.

YOU TAKE THAT BACK.

Nellie: I WILL NOT.

MY MOTHER SAYS SHE'S GLAD YOUR FATHER DOESN'T COME IN THE STORE ANYMORE

BECAUSE HE SMELLS BAD.

HE SMELLS LIKE A DIRTY STABLE.

THAT'S ALL HE'S GOOD FOR--CLEANING UP AFTER HORSES.

LAURA'.

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH LAURA?

I DON'T KNOW, MISS BEADLE.

WE JUST SAID HELLO, AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW,

SHE JUST UP AND RAN OFF. ISN'T THAT RIGHT, WILLIE?

YEAH. SHE JUST UP AND RAN OFF.

WELL, WE HAVE TO GET STARTED ON OUR HOMEWORK, MISS BEADLE.

BYE.

Charles: MISS BEADLE.

MR. INGALLS.

I'M SURPRISED YOU RECOGNIZE ME WITH MY DIRT SUIT ON.

IS SOMETHING WRONG?

I HOPE NOT.

IT'S LAURA.

SHE FAILED TO TURN IN HER HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT FOR THE LAST 2 DAYS,

AND WHEN I ASKED HER WHY,

SHE, UH...

WELL, GO AHEAD.

SHE SAID SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY MORE WRITING TABLETS.

WALNUT GROVE IS A SMALL TOWN, MR. INGALLS.

I UNDERSTAND YOUR PROBLEM,

AND I DON'T BLAME YOU A BIT.

THAT'S WHY I OFFERED LAURA SOME TABLET PAPER, BUT...

NOW, IT WAS JUST A LOAN, MIND YOU.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO MISUNDERSTAND.

I DON'T.

THAT'S VERY KIND OF YOU.

WELL, I'M AFRAID IT UPSET LAURA.

SHE RAN AWAY BEFORE I COULD GIVE HER THE PAPER. I...

[SIGHS]

I DIDN'T MEAN TO, BUT I'M AFRAID I HURT HER FEELINGS.

AH, THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE LAURA.

SHE CARES TOO MUCH ABOUT YOU,

AND WE ALL KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT HER.

I'M SURE IT'S SOMETHING ELSE.

I HOPE YOU'RE RIGHT.

I'M SURE I AM. WHY DON'T YOU COME ON DOWN TO THE HOUSE,

HAVE SOME SUPPER WITH US?

OH, THANK YOU, BUT I HAVE A STACK OF PAPERS WAITING FOR ME AT HOME.

GIVE MY BEST TO MRS. INGALLS.

I WILL.

I, UH...

I BROUGHT THE TABLETS WITH ME.

I'LL GIVE THEM TO LAURA.

THANK YOU.

NO. THANK YOU.

WE'RE ALL PRETTY LUCKY HAVING YOU TEACHING OUR CHILDREN.

GIDDY UP, PAP.

[LAURA CRYING SOFTLY]

YOU WANT TO TELL ME ABOUT IT?

NO, SIR.

MISS BEADLE STOPPED BY.

SHE WAS FEELING KIND OF BAD.

SHE WAS AFRAID SHE MIGHT HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO UPSET YOU.

SHE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

WELL, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU SEE A FRIEND RUN OFF LIKE THAT,

IT BOTHERS A PERSON.

YOU GET TO THINKING ALL KINDS OF THINGS.

YOU SURE IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH MISS BEADLE?

I'M SURE.

WELL, SHE'LL BE GLAD TO HEAR THAT.

IT WAS NELLIE AND WILLIE.

THOSE TWO, HUH?

YOU KIND OF SURPRISE ME, HALF-PINT.

I FIGURED YOU'D BE USED TO THEIR TEASING BY NOW.

I AM...

WHEN IT'S ABOUT ME.

AND THIS TIME IT WASN'T?

YOU GOING TO TELL ME WHO IT WAS ABOUT?

NO.

WHEN A PERSON DOESN'T WANT TO TELL ANOTHER PERSON SOMETHING LIKE THAT,

IT GENERALLY MEANS THAT IT WAS ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON.

IT WAS ABOUT ME, WASN'T IT?

THEY SAID AWFUL THINGS,

DUMB THINGS.

THEY SAID THAT YOU COULDN'T GET A DECENT JOB

AND THAT ALL YOU COULD DO WAS CLEAN UP AFTER THE ANIMALS

AND THAT YOU SMELLED BAD.

WELL...

THEY WERE RIGHT 2 OUT OF 3.

AND I DO CLEAN THE STABLES.

WHEN I COME HOME FROM WORKING ALL DAY,

I DON'T EXACTLY SMELL LIKE A BOTTLE OF LEMON VERBENA, NOW, DO I?

WELL, DO I?

NO.

ALL RIGHT, THEN.

AND AS FOR THE DECENT JOB, NOW, THAT'S SOMETHING ELSE.

ANY JOB A MAN CAN DO TO MAKE HIS WAY IN THIS WORLD

IS A DECENT JOB AS LONG AS HE WORKS HARD AT IT AND DOES HIS BEST.

YOU KNOW, GOD DIDN'T PUT SWEAT IN A MAN'S BODY FOR NO REASON.

HE PUT IT THERE SO HE COULD WORK HARD,

CLEANSE HIMSELF, AND FEEL PROUD.

DON'T YOU EVER FORGET THAT.

HARD-WORKING FOLKS ONLY SMELL BAD TO SOME FOLKS

WHO HAVE NOTHING ELSE TO DO BUT STICK THEIR NOSES IN THE AIR.

I THINK YOU AND I KNOW WHO THEY ARE, DON'T WE?

ALL RIGHT.

HERE'S THOSE TABLETS MISS BEADLE WANTED YOU TO HAVE.

YOU MAKE SURE YOU USE THEM, YOUNG LADY.

I WILL.

NOW, YOU KNOW THEY SAY CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS,

SO WHILE I'M DOWN AT THE CREEK GETTING A LITTLE CLOSER TO GOD,

WHY DON'T YOU GO IN THE HOUSE AND HELP MA WITH SUPPER?

I WILL.

ALL RIGHT.

PA?

YEAH?

I JUST LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

I'M SURE GLAD IT'S FRIDAY.

WELL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO TO SCHOOL ANYHOW.

I'M THE ONE WHO OUGHT TO BE GLAD IT'S FRIDAY.

FRIDAY'S THE DAY I GET PAID. THAT'S WHY.

HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK MRS. WHIPPLE WILL GIVE YOU?

I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE. SHE PAYS ME BY HOW MUCH WORK I GET DONE,

BUT IT SHOULD BE A LOT. I SEWED FAST THE WHOLE WEEK.

THINK SHE'LL GIVE YOU A DOLLAR?

MAYBE MORE.

I WISH I COULD WORK LIKE YOU.

I COULDN'T DO IT IF YOU WEREN'T DOING MY CHORES

AND GETTING ALL MY HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS FOR ME.

IN A WAY, HALF THE MONEY I EARN IS YOURS, REALLY.

DO YOU MEAN THAT?

SURE, I DO.

SEE YOU AFTER WORK.

SEE YOU.

HEY, MARY'.

Mary: YEAH?

CAN I PUT HALF THE MONEY IN THE MONEY JAR

SO'S PA COULD SEE?

SURE.

THANKS. SEE YOU.

Mary: AND DON'T LET NELLIE MAKE YOU UPSET.

I WON'T'.

LET'S PLAY A NEW GAME.

WHAT FOR? THIS IS A FUN GAME.

YEAH. AND I'M WINNING.

BE QUIET, WILLIE.

I'VE GOT A BETTER GAME.

Willie: WHAT?

WE CAN PLAY HORSEY

AND RIDE AROUND THE SCHOOLYARD.

Girl: THAT'S DUMB. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A HORSE.

MAYBE WE CAN GET ONE.

WHERE IS YOUR PA, LAURA?

HE SMELLS LIKE A HORSE.

WE COULD PRETEND AND RIDE HIM.

TAKE IT BACK, NELLIE.

I WON'T TAKE IT BACK.

YOU CAN GO CRYING TO MISS BEADLE, AND I WON'T TAKE IT BACK.

YEAH. WE WON'T TAKE IT BACK.

[SIGHS]

I'M NOT CRYING ANYMORE, NELLIE,

AND YOU BETTER TAKE IT BACK.

I WON'T TAKE IT BACK BECAUSE IT'S TRUE.

YOUR PA SMELLS LIKE A DUMB OLD HORSE.

I TAKE IT BACK.

HARD-WORKING FOLKS ONLY SMELL BAD TO FOLKS

THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO BUT STICK THEIR NOSES IN THE AIR.

WELL, WHENEVER YOU STICK YOUR NOSE IN THE AIR WITH ME, NELLIE,

IT'S GOING TO GET PUNCHED.

MISS BEADLE.

YES, LAURA?

I WANT TO THANK YOU ABOUT THE TABLETS.

OH, WELL, YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

AND ABOUT YESTERDAY, IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU.

AND DON'T WORRY. IT WON'T EVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

[LAUGHS QUIETLY]

[RINGING BELL]

INGALLS.

OH, MAKAY.

IT'S COMING ALONG.

YEAH. I CAN SEE THAT. HOW ABOUT A LITTLE CIDER?

NO, THANK YOU. I WANT TO KEEP MOVING AS FAST AS I CAN.

WELL, I...

I DON'T THINK IT'S FAST ENOUGH.

YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU FIRST CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA,

I DIDN'T THINK YOU COULD MAKE IT WORK.

THAT'S WHY I KIND OF SAT BACK AND WAITED.

YEAH, WELL, I CAN DO IT. BELIEVE ME.

OH, I DO. I BELIEVE THAT.

BUT I THINK IF WE... IF WE WORK TOGETHER,

WE COULD GET IT DONE A LOT FASTER. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I THINK WE OUGHT TO BOTH HAVE A SIP OF CIDER AND GO TO WORK.

ALL FINISHED WITH MRS. CARTER'S SKIRT.

I DECLARE, CHILD'.

I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH A FAST WORKER.

OH'. AND PERFECT WORK, TOO'.

MA SAYS DO YOUR BEST WORK,

AND THE TIME WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF.

WELL, YOU'VE CERTAINLY LEARNED THAT LESSON WELL.

I'LL START ON THE DRESS.

NOW, HOLD ON. JUST A MINUTE.

YOU KNOW, YOU WEREN'T EVEN SUPPOSED TO FINISH THIS TODAY,

MUCH LESS START ANOTHER GARMENT.

I KNOW, BUT--

THERE ARE NO BUTS ABOUT IT.

IT'S 4:00. SCHOOL IS JUST GETTING OUT.

NOW, WHY DON'T YOU GO AND WALK HOME

WITH LAURA FOR A CHANGE?

I CAN GET THE DRESS STARTED.

MARY, YOU MUSTN'T ARGUE WITH OLD PEOPLE. IT'S NOT GOOD FOR THEM.

ANYWAY, YOU CAN'T WIN. SO RUN ALONG,

AND I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW.

ALL RIGHT.

MRS. WHIPPLE?

MRS. WHIPPLE?

MRS. WHIPPLE?'.

I TOLD YOU, DEAR. NO ARGUMENT.

I WASN'T GOING TO, MA'AM. I...

I...

WELL, WHAT IS IT, DEAR?

WHAT'S WRONG?

SPEAK UP.

IT'S FRIDAY, AND I THOUGHT THAT ON FRIDAY--

FRI-- OH, LAND'S SAKE.

AND I HAVEN'T PAID YOU FOR THE WEEK.

YES, MA'AM.

SEE, THAT'S ANOTHER THING THAT'S WRONG WITH OLD PEOPLE.

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE,

YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP REMINDING THEM OF THINGS.

OH, I'M SO SORRY, DEAR.

HERE. HOLD OUT YOUR HAND.

HERE'S A DOLLAR.

HERE'S 45 CENTS

AND 25 CENTS EXTRA FOR THE EXCELLENCE OF YOUR WORK.

MMM'. MMM'.

A DOLLAR AND 70 CENTS'.

OH, THANK YOU, MRS. WHIPPLE'.

MMM'.

MMM'. MMM'.

Mary: LAURA'. A DOLLAR AND 70 CENTS'.

A DOLLAR AND 70 CENTS'.

GOOD DAY, MRS. INGALLS.

OH, CHARLES'. YOU'RE BACK.

I LOST TRACK OF THE TIME.

THERE'S NOT MUCH DAYLIGHT LEFT.

LOOK AT YOU.

I MUST BE A SIGHT.

YOU ARE.

YOUR FACE IS DIRTY, YOUR HAIR IS ALL ASKEW,

AND YOU'RE STILL THE PRETTIEST WOMAN

A MAN EVER SET HIS EYES ON.

OH.

THE ONLY THING I REGRET ABOUT BEING MARRIED TO YOU

IS THAT I WON'T HAVE THE JOY OF ASKING YOU TO BE MY WIFE AGAIN.

ENOUGH TO PAY THE BILL AT THE OLESON'S WITH SOME TO SPARE.

ENOUGH FOR SOME COFFEE, SOME TEA,

AND A LITTLE WHITE SUGAR...

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.

NOW, BRUSH YOUR HAIR AND PUT ON YOUR SUNDAY DRESSES.

WE'RE GOING TO TOWN.

THIS FAMILY EARNED THAT MONEY TOGETHER.

WE'RE GOING TO PAY THE BILL TOGETHER. OFF YOU GO.

I'M GOING TO GO BATHE IN THE CREEK.

I MIGHT EVEN PUT ON SOME LEMON VERBENA.

[BELL RINGS]

Charles: NELS.

CHARLES'. MRS. INGALLS.

IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU.

IT'S NICE TO SEE YOU, MR. OLESON.

WE'VE COME TO PAY THE BILL, NELS.

JUST A MINUTE.

HARRIET'.

Harriet: YES?

CUSTOMERS OUT HERE'.

Harriet: UH, COMING.

MY WIFE WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS.

GOT SOME WORK TO DO IN THE STOREROOM.

YES?

HERE'S THE MONEY WE OWE ON THE BILL.

OH'.

WELL, I...

I DIDN'T EXPECT YOU TO BE ABLE TO PAY QUITE SO SOON.

THE WHOLE FAMILY WORKED TOGETHER.

YES.

OH, I HAD HEARD THAT MARY WAS OUT OF SCHOOL.

I HOPE THAT SHE DIDN'T FALL TOO FAR BEHIND IN HER WORK.

ON THE CONTRARY.

MARY DID QUITE NICELY WITH HER STUDIES.

WELL...

ISN'T THAT WONDERFUL?

YOU'RE WELCOME TO COUNT IT. IT'S ALL THERE.

OH, NO'. I--NO.

NO, I--WE'RE-- WE'RE OLD FRIENDS.

WELL, THERE ARE A FEW THINGS WE NEED:

TOBACCO AND SOME STICK MATCHES.

A WRITING TABLET AND A LEAD PENCIL, PLEASE.

AND SOME CHALK.

I WANT SOME WHITE SUGAR.

[LAUGHS]

AND THAT WILL BE CASH.

WELL, CERTAINLY.

[BELL RINGS]

Nels: MISS.

Nels: CHARLES...

I HOPE WE'LL BE SEEING YOU

AROUND THE STORE AGAIN REGULAR.

YOU WILL.

IT'S KIND OF, UH... HARD TO CHANGE PEOPLE, YOU KNOW.

WHY, SHE SAYS THINGS, BUT, UH...

I UNDERSTAND.

THAT'S QUITE A FAMILY YOU GOT.

I'D LIKE TO THINK MY YOUNG ONES WOULD ALL PULL TOGETHER

LIKE YOURS IF THINGS GOT BAD,

BUT LIKE I ALWAYS SAY,

WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN LUCKY WHEN IT CAME TO MONEY.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, CHARLES...

I THINK YOU'RE THE RICHEST MAN IN WALNUT GROVE.

NELS, I KNOW I AM. I'LL SEE YOU.