Original subtitles

Lars: JA, I TOLD HIM, I SAID, "MR. SPRAGUE,

I'M GOING TO BUILD YOUR BANK JUST LIKE IT WAS MY OWN HOUSE."

AND HE SAID TO ME,

HE SAID--HA HA HA'.

"IT'S GOT TO BE BETTER THAN THAT'."

HA HA'.

EBENEZER SPRAGUE-- EVEN SOUNDS LIKE A BANKER.

AH, WELL, HE'S NOT GOING TO BE

AN EASY MAN TO GET ALONG WITH, YOU KNOW?

BUT WE'RE NOT INTERESTED IN HIS SOCIAL GRACES.

WELL, NOT AS LONG AS HE CAN HELP US GET TO THE NEXT HARVEST.

YEAH, I TOLD HIM THAT. I SAID, "MR. SPRAGUE,

"THE FARMERS AROUND HERE HAD A VERY, VERY BAD YEAR.

THEY'RE GONNA NEED MONEY FOR SEED AND FOR NEW EQUIPMENT."

AND NOT TO MENTION FIXING UP OLD EQUIPMENT.

YEAH, I TOLD HIM THAT, TOO.

I SAID, "MR. SPRAGUE,

YOU ARE GOING TO BE A WELCOME BLESSING IN WALNUT GROVE."

WHAT DID HE SAY? HE SAID,

"I AM NOT A BLESSING. I'M A BANKER."

HEH HEH HEH HEH'.

THEN HE SAID SOMETHING ELSE, TOO.

HE SAID THAT THE BUILDING HAD TO BE FINISHED IN 21 DAYS.

THAT'S WHEN HE GETS HERE.

IF WE ARE NOT READY,

THEN I HAVE TO PAY A PENALTY FOR EVERY DAY WE ARE LATE.

WE'LL HAVE IT READY.

Lars: YOU BET YOU.

HE BETTER BE READY, TOO.

WHEN THIS BANK IS FINISHED,

IT'S GONNA BE THE BUSIEST SPOT IN WALNUT GROVE.

LAURA, HAVE YOU FINISHED YOUR HOMEWORK?

Laura: ALMOST, MA.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

WELL, MAKING DOUGH BALLS OUT OF THE LEFTOVER BREAD

FOR FISHING BAIT.

THAT'S VERY FRUGAL OF YOU, LAURA,

BUT I THINK YOU'LL BE NEEDING THE HOMEWORK

BEFORE YOU NEED THE BAIT.

I'M ALREADY ON PROBLEM 3.

YOU BETTER HURRY SO WE CAN TURN THE PAGE AT THE SAME TIME.

WELL, I THINK I CAN DO IT.

Caroline: DO WHAT, CHARLES?

FARM 40 MORE ACRES.

WHERE ARE YOU GONNA GET 40 MORE ACRES?

I'M GONNA BUY THEM.

YOU'RE SITTING THERE THIS VERY MINUTE

TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GONNA HOLD ON TO THE LAND WE HAVE NOW.

HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU GONNA BUY 40 MORE ACRES?

I THOUGHT I'D TAKE A LOAN FROM THE BANK.

I THOUGHT YOU SAID YOU NEVER WANTED TO BE OWING TO ANYBODY AGAIN, EVER.

I KNOW WHAT I SAID, CAROLINE,

BUT MANKATO'S GROWING ALL THE TIME.

THAT POPULATION HAS DOUBLED. I DON'T THINK IT'S GONNA STOP.

AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO NEED FOOD.

I CAN SELL EVERYTHING I CAN HARVEST.

WELL, YOU'LL SAVE SOME FOR US TO EAT, WON'T YOU, PA?

HEY, DON'T WORRY. MY FAMILY GETS PICK OF THE CROP.

AND I THINK EVERY FARMER AROUND HERE IS GONNA EXPAND.

I DON'T WANT TO BE LEFT OUT.

MR. SPRAGUE COMES INTO TOWN, HE AND I ARE GONNA TALK A LITTLE BUSINESS.

Laura: PA SURE LEFT THE HOUSE EARLY THIS MORNING.

Mary: HE AND MR. HANSON HAVE TO FINISH THE BANK TODAY.

I HOPE THE BANK GIVES PA A LOAN.

HOW DO BANKS MAKE MONEY

IF THEY JUST GIVE IT TO OTHER FOLKS?

INTEREST.

SURE, I'M INTERESTED. THAT'S WHY I ASKED.

NO, SILLY. I SAID INTEREST.

YOU HAVE TO PAY BACK MORE THAN YOU BORROW.

REALLY?

YEP.

MARY, DO YOU HAVE ANY MONEY?

NO. WHY?

I WAS THINKING I MIGHT LOAN YOU A PENNY.

[HAMMERING]

DON'T UNLOAD YET.

BUT I HAVE TO GET ON BACK.

JUST WAIT HERE.

[HAMMERING]

HELLO, MR. SPRAGUE'.

PRACTICALLY SANDED IT TO A SHINE.

TOOK THE WHOLE MORNING. HA HA HA'.

OH, THAT IS SOLID AS A ROCK.

IT'LL STAND AS LONG AS THE BANK. HA HA HA'.

[STOMPS FOOT]

[STOMPS FOOT]

THE BEAMS ARE 12 INCHES APART. HA'.

A REAL BARRELFUL OF LAUGHS, ISN'T HE?

YEAH.

I'LL, UH, HAVE TO TAKE OFF ONE DAY FOR NONCOMPLETION.

MR. SPRAGUE, YOU SAID 21 DAYS.

THE 22nd DAY OF THE MONTH, AND TODAY IS THE 22nd.

THE CONTRACT CLEARLY STATES THE BUILDING

WILL BE COMPLETED AT 12 NOON ON THE 22nd.

IT IS NOW EXACTLY...

12:48. YOU ARE 48 MINUTES LATE.

THE CONTRACT ALSO STATES THAT THE WAGON OUTSIDE WILL BE UNLOADED BY YOU.

YOUR PAYMENT IS DUE AT 12 NOON TOMORROW.

THE MONEY WILL BE READY AND WAITING.

OVER THERE.

OVER HERE.

THAT'S THE LOT OF IT.

GOOD.

SOMETHING, MR. INGALLS?

WELL, IT'S JUST THAT I KNOW YOU HAD A LONG TRIP,

AND THIS BEING YOUR FIRST NIGHT IN TOWN,

I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE TIRED AND LIKE A HOME-COOKED MEAL.

I'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO MY PLACE FOR SUPPER.

WHY?

PARDON ME?

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO INVITE ME FOR SUPPER?

WELL, IT'S LIKE I SAID. YOU HAD A LONG TRIP, I FIGURED YOU WERE TIRED--

MR. INGALLS,

I'VE BEEN TAKING CARE OF MYSELF FOR A GREAT MANY YEARS JUST FINE.

TONIGHT WILL BE NO DIFFERENT. GOOD DAY.

HAVE A NICE EVENING.

AH, THE SMELL OF INK AND MONEY HAS SOURED THE MAN,

BUT A BANK IS A BANK,

AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.

WE NEED IT.

YEAH, SO WE TAKE THE BAD ALONG WITH THE GOOD.

Caroline: MISS BEADLE SAYS THAT EVERY CHILD,

NO MATTER HOW POOR, SHOULD HAVE A TEXTBOOK.

I THINK SHE'S PERFECTLY RIGHT.

YOU TAKE MARY AND LAURA, FOR EXAMPLE.

MARY'S ALWAYS HAVING TO HOLD HERSELF BACK.

AND LAURA, SHE RUSHES SO MUCH,

SHE DOESN'T GET THE MOST OUT OF THE LESSONS.

AND THEY'RE THE LUCKY ONES.

I'D LIKE TO HELP MISS BEADLE.

I'M TRYING TO THINK WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.

CHARLES...

ARE YOU STILL STEWING OVER THAT MR. SPRAGUE?

YEAH, I GUESS I AM.

IMAGINE THAT MAN THINKING I INVITED HIM TO DINNER

JUST SO I COULD GET SOMETHING FROM HIM.

WELL, YOU KNOW YOU DIDN'T INVITE HIM OVER

JUST TO GET ON HIS GOOD SIDE,

NO MATTER WHAT HE THINKS.

THAT'S TRUE.

YOU INVITED HIM OVER FOR DINNER

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE DO FOR NEW NEIGHBORS.

SOME NEW NEIGHBOR.

BET HE DOESN'T HAVE MANY FRIENDS.

HE PROBABLY DOESN'T EVEN HAVE ONE.

COURSE, MAYBE WE'RE BEING TOO HARD WITH HIM.

MAYBE IT'S JUST 'CAUSE HE'S NEW IN TOWN.

OH, I HOPE SO.

I WOULDN'T LIKE HIM TO ACT THAT WAY ALL THE TIME.

ME NEITHER. I HAVE TO GO IN THE BANK TOMORROW AND ASK HIM FOR THE LOAN.

I KNOW.

OH, WELL. GET SOME SLEEP.

CAROLINE, YOU KNOW WHAT'S REALLY BOTHERING ME?

YES.

YOU'RE AFRAID YOU DID INVITE HIM OVER JUST TO GET ON HIS GOOD SIDE.

HA'.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I THINK YOU'RE ONLY HUMAN.

SEE YOU IN THE MORNING.

MMM.

I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG I'M GONNA BE.

IF YOU GET THROUGH HERE, WHY DON'T YOU MEET ME OVER AT THE BANK?

ALL RIGHT.

COURSE, IF YOU'D RATHER WHILE AWAY THE TIME WITH MRS. OLESON...

I DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH TO SAY TO MRS. OLESON.

I'LL MEET YOU AT THE BANK.

ALL RIGHT.

OH, IT MUST BE SO DIFFICULT

FOR A MAN LIKE MR. SPRAGUE, A MAN OF HIS QUALITY,

TO HAVE TO LIVE SIDE BY SIDE WITH COUNTRY FOLKS.

LORD KNOWS HOW HARD IT IS ON ME.

NO MATTER HOW LONG I LIVE HERE,

I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER GET USED TO IT.

COURSE, WHEN QUALITY IS INBORN...HA HA'.

THAT WAS 3 DOZEN, WASN'T IT, MRS. OLESON?

HMM? OH, YES. YES. 3 DOZEN EXACTLY. IS THAT CREDIT OR CASH?

CASH, PLEASE. ALL RIGHT.

I THINK I SHOULD INVITE MR. SPRAGUE FOR DINNER.

I THINK HE WOULD APPRECIATE A NICE HOME-COOKED MEAL...

AND PARTICULARLY WITH HIS OWN KIND.

IF YOU WOULD JUST PAY ME, MRS. OLESON, PLEASE,

MY HUSBAND'S WAITING FOR ME AT THE BANK. THANK YOU.

OH'.? OH, WELL, UH, I'LL WALK OVER THERE WITH YOU.

AH, HA'. IF YOU CAN JUST WAIT ONE MINUTE FOR ME NOW.

I WAS PLANNING ON GOING OVER A LITTLE LATER,

SO I BROUGHT SOME OF MY THINGS DOWN, BECAUSE AFTER ALL,

YOU KNOW I REALLY CAN'T GO OVER LOOKING LIKE A SHOPKEEPER.

I MEAN, EVEN THOUGH I AM ONE, IT REALLY DOESN'T--I MEAN,

IT ISN'T--YOU KNOW, FOR A MAN WHO IS SO IMPORTANT

AS MR. SPRAGUE IS.

NOW, I'VE GOT EVERYTHING...YES, YES.

ALL RIGHT, NOW, WELL COME ALONG, MRS.INGALLS.

WE MUSTN'T KEEP MR. SPRAGUE WAITING.

THIS IS, UH,

REALLY NOT VERY MUCH LAND, MR. INGALLS,

NOT ENOUGH FOR COLLATERAL.

WELL, IT'S NOT JUST THE LAND, MR. SPRAGUE,

IT'S WHAT I'VE DONE WITH IT. I'VE GOT A CROP COMING UP.

I HEARD LAST YEAR'S WASN'T VERY GOOD.

WELL, WE HAD A BAD WINTER LAST YEAR,

BUT NEXT YEAR IT'S GONNA BE DIFFERENT.

I CANNOT USE NEXT YEAR FOR COLLATERAL, MR. INGALLS.

WELL, MR. SPRAGUE, I'M A HARDWORKING MAN.

I'VE GOT A GOOD NAME IN THIS TOWN. YOU CAN ASK ANYBODY.

NOR CAN I PUT YOUR GOOD NAME IN MY SAFE, SIR.

WELL, I'M NOT ASKING FOR CHARITY, I'M ASKING FOR A LOAN.

Mrs. Oleson: HELLO'.

WELCOME TO WALNUT GROVE, MR. SPRAGUE.

I'M MRS. OLESON OF OLESON'S MERCANTILE COMPANY,

JUST ACROSS THE WAY.

HOW DO YOU DO, MRS. OLESON? I'M RIGHT--

I WANTED TO MEET YOU BEFORE YOU GOT THE NOTION

THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOBODY LIKE YOU IN THE TOWN.

LIKE ME?

MM-HMM. UH, EDUCATED PEOPLE OF QUALITY, AND, UH...

[GIGGLES] SUBSTANCE.

I, UH, COME FROM A CITY ALSO, MR. SPRAGUE,

AS I'M SURE THAT YOU DO.

MRS. OLESON, I QUIT SCHOOL WHEN I WAS IN THIRD GRADE.

MY FATHER WAS A FARMER. I NEVER SAW A CITY TILL I WAS 17,

AND THEN I DIDN'T LIKE IT.

NOW, IF YOU HAVE SOME BUSINESS TO TRANSACT,

I'LL BE WITH YOU IN JUST A MOMENT

AS SOON AS I'M THROUGH WITH MR. INGALLS.

OH, NO.

NO, I JUST WANTED TO INV--

WELCOME A NEW NEIGHBOR.

I, UH...

OH'.

I SEE THAT YOU'RE BUSY.

WELL, GOOD DAY.

I'LL, UH...

WHAT ABOUT THE LOAN, MR. SPRAGUE?

YES, WELL, UH, I'LL HAVE TO HAVE SOME TIME TO THINK IT OVER.

WHY DON'T YOU CHECK BACK WITH ME IN A FEW DAYS?

THANK YOU.

Caroline: HE'S THE RUDEST MAN I HAVE EVER MET IN MY ENTIRE LIFE.

Charles: I WARNED YOU ABOUT HIM.

YES. BUT I DIDN'T BELIEVE HE COULD BE SO--

HA'. I MUST SAY, THOUGH, I ALMOST LIKED IT WHEN HE TOLD MRS. OLESON OFF.

HA HA HA HA'.

HA HA'. THE WAY SHE SCURRIED OUT OF THAT BANK...

OH, I'M AFRAID NOBODY'S GONNA GET ANYTHING OUT OF THAT MAN,

NOT MRS. OLESON AND NOT US.

CHARLES, HE DIDN'T SAY NO.

NO, BUT I THINK HE WILL.

MAYBE THERE'S ANOTHER WAY.

MAYBE.

IF NOT, WE'VE MANAGED SO FAR.

WE'LL KEEP RIGHT ON DOING IT.

OF COURSE WE WILL.

HA HA HA'.

IT WAS WORTH IT TO LOOK AT MRS. OLESON.

[CHIMING]

MR. SPRAGUE--

WE'RE CLOSED.

OH, NOW COME ON.

WHICH NIGHT IS MR. SPRAGUE COMING TO DINNER?

WELL...

I WOULDN'T INVITE THAT IGNORANT FARMER

TO DINE AT MY TABLE.

I THOUGHT-- WELL, DON'T.

FINISH THE SWEEPING.

WHAT DID I DO NOW?

I THOUGHT HE WAS COMING TO DINNER.

HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW?

[COUGHING]

LAURA'.

WELL, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SWEEP.

[WHIMPERS]

LAURA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

I'M ALL FINISHED, MA.

DID YOU FINISH YOUR CHORES? YES, MA'AM.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR HOMEWORK?

I DID THAT RIGHT AFTER I CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL.

YOU WANT TO GO FISHING, MARY?

NO. I'M GONNA DO THOSE EXTRA PROBLEMS MISS BEADLE GAVE US.

OK.

Caroline: DID YOU DO THOSE PROBLEMS, LAURA?

Laura: NO, WE DON'T HAVE TO.

MISS BEADLE SAID IT WAS OP--

OP--

OPTIONAL? Laura: OPTIONAL.

IT MEANS ONLY IF WE WANT TO,

AND I DON'T WANT TO. I WANT TO GO FISHING.

DO YOU KNOW WHY MISS BEADLE GIVES OPTIONAL WORK?

YEAH, SO WE CAN LEARN

MORE THINGS AND BE SMARTER.

DON'T YOU WANT TO BE SMARTER?

PA SAYS FISH ARE BRAIN FOOD,

AND I'M GETTING A WHOLE BUNCH OF FISH

SO I CAN BE SMARTER THAN ANYBODY. BYE, MA.

[BARKING]

Laura: JACK, STOP IT'. COME BACK HERE'.

GET AWAY FROM ME, DOG. GET AWAY'.

[BARKING] [NEIGHING]

GET AWAY FROM THERE'.

STOP IT, JACK'.

WHOA'. GET AWAY FROM HERE, DOG.

GET AWAY'.

WHOA'.

Mr. Sprague: WHOA, HORSE'. WHOA'.

OH, NO'.

WHOA, NOW'. WHOA'.

[BARKING]

JACK'.

WHOA, HORSE'.

WHOA, THERE'.

JACK'.

COME BACK HERE'.

WHOA, HORSE'.

HO, NOW, HO'.

WHOA, NOW'. WHOA'.

WHOA BACK HERE'.

WHOA, HORSE'.

[CRASH]

[BARKING]

THAT'S ENOUGH, JACK.

IS THAT YOUR DOG, YOUNG LADY?

YES, AND I'M SORRY.

WELL, IT'S A LITTLE LATE TO BE SORRY.

I'M JUST GONNA HAVE TO REPORT THIS TO THE SHERIFF AT WALNUT GROVE.

WELL, YOU CAN'T.

AND WHY NOT?

BECAUSE THERE ISN'T ANY SHERIFF IN WALNUT GROVE.

OH.

Laura: I REALLY AM SORRY.

YOU GOING FISHING?

NO. I JUST CARRY THIS FISHING ROD AROUND TO BEAT OFF WILD ANIMALS.

NOW, IF YOU'LL HOLD THAT DOG OF YOURS TILL I'M OUT OF SIGHT...

YES, SIR'.

TCH, TCH, TCH. GIDDYAP.

JACK'.

YOU BETTER WAIT HERE. YOU'RE IN ENOUGH TROUBLE ALREADY.

ANY LUCK?

YOUNG LADY, THIS IS A VERY LARGE POND.

I'M SURE WE'LL BOTH BE MORE COMFORTABLE IF YOU FIND SOME OTHER SPOT.

[WHIMPERING]

NOW...

[SPLASH]

[BARKING]

YOU WANT TO TRY MY BAIT?

I DO NOT NEED YOUR HELP.

[WHIMPERS]

[SPLASH]

[BARKING]

WELL, I'M GOING NOW.

I HAVE SOME EXTRA DOUGH BALLS IF YOU WANT TO TRY SOME.

YOUNG LADY, I HAVE BEEN FISHING FOR MORE YEARS THAN YOU HAVE BEEN ALIVE.

MY LURE IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT FOR THESE WATERS,

AND I HAVE READ MANY, MANY BOOKS ON THE SUBJECT

THAT WILL PROVE THAT IT IS CORRECT.

WELL, MAYBE THE PROBLEM IS

THAT THE FISH JUST HAVEN'T READ THE BOOKS.

NOISY CHILDREN, BARKING DOGS,

IT'S NO WONDER THE FISH AREN'T BITING.

GOOD LUCK.

COME ON, JACK.

THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN...

IS THE CONCERN OF THEIR PARENTS.

NOW, IF SOME PARENTS PREFER TO SQUANDER THEIR MONEY ON THINGS OTHER THAN BOOKS,

WELL, THE SCHOOL CANNOT TAKE OVER THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES.

[CLAPPING]

UH'.

I'M AFRAID I DISAGREE WITH MRS. OLESON.

THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN IS THE FUTURE OF AMERICA.

IT MUST BE THE CONCERN OF ALL OF US.

WE CAN'T PUNISH A FEW CHILDREN BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY BOOKS.

SHALL WE DO WHAT WE DID LAST YEAR FOR THE BLACKBOARDS?

WE CAN COLLECT FROM THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD IT.

[WOMEN TALKING ALL AT ONCE]

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL WE NEED, MISS BEADLE?

UH, WELL, I HAVE THAT ALREADY WORKED OUT.

LET'S SEE, UH...

WE NEED "THE McGUFFEY READER,"

AND WE NEED THE GENERAL STUDY BOOKS.

IT ALL COMES TO $27.50.

[WOMEN GASP]

OH'. SO HIGH'.

OH, THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY.

SHALL WE TAKE THE SAME AREAS THAT WE DID LAST YEAR, MISS BEADLE?

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I STILL HAVE THE ASSIGNMENT SHEET.

UH, MRS. OLESON, YOU'LL TAKE THE TOWN.

MRS. INGALLS, YOU'LL TAKE THE AREA EAST OF PLUM CREEK,

AND, MRS. FOSTER, YOU TAKE THE AREA WEST OF PLUM CREEK.

IT WOULD BE SO NICE IF NEXT YEAR WE COULD GET SOME ENGLISH HISTORY

OR--OR ART HISTORY.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE GONNA TURN OUR LITTLE SCHOOLHOUSE

INTO A UNIVERSITY BEFORE LONG.

HA HA HA'.

EXCUSE ME, UH, MISS BEADLE.

YES.

UH, THERE'S SOMETHING THAT I HAVE TO ASK MRS. INGALLS.

OH, OF COURSE. WELL, UNTIL OUR NEXT MEETING?

GOOD-BYE, MISS BEADLE.

UH, I REALIZE THAT THE TOWN IS NOT YOUR AREA,

MRS. INGALLS, BUT THERE IS THIS ONE PERSON...

OH?

UH, WELL, IT'S JUST THAT WE'VE BECOME

SUCH CLOSE BUSINESS ASSOCIATES AND ALL...

THAT I THINK IT WOULD BE PUTTING UNFAIR PRESSURE ON THE MAN.

DON'T YOU SEE...

WHO IS THIS MAN, MRS. OLESON?

UH, MR. SPRAGUE, OF COURSE.

OH.

YOU CAN'T EXPECT THE OWNER

OF THE TOWN'S LEADING BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENT

TO ASK FOR CHARITY FROM THE TOWN BANKER,

CAN YOU?

WELL, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT WOULD HAVE PUT YOU

IN A VERY GOOD POSITION FOR A FINE DONATION.

WELL, NO'. UH, I--I-- I'M SURE TH--BUT...

NO.

I DON'T THINK IT'S PROPER.

WELL, MRS. OLESON, IF YOU'RE AFRAID TO ASK MR. SPRAGUE,

I'LL BE GLAD TO ASK HIM FOR YOU.

DON'T BE RIDICULOUS'.

I MEAN, IT'S JUST-- JUST AS I EXPLAINED IT TO YOU.

WELL, IT'S ALL SETTLED THEN NOW.

IT'S JUST-- OH, I HAVE A MILLION THINGS TO DO. I...

AHEM.

I'LL BE WITH YOU IN JUST A MOMENT.

Mr. Sprague: I CAN HELP YOU NOW.

I WAS JUST ADMIRING MY HUSBAND'S HANDIWORK.

OH, YOU'RE MRS. HANSON?

OH, NO, I'M MRS. INGALLS.

CHARLES INGALLS' WIFE.

THE MAN WHO HELPED MR. HANSON.

YES. UH, HE SENT YOU HERE TO REASON WITH ME REGARDING HIS LOAN?

OH, NO. I'M NOT HERE ABOUT MY HUSBAND'S LOAN.

MRS. INGALLS, I TOLD YOUR HUSBAND

I'D HAVE TO HAVE SOME TIME TO THINK IT OVER,

AND WHEN I DO MAKE A DECISION,

IT WILL BE BASED ON SOUND BUSINESS REASONING,

NOT ON THE WILES OF A WOMAN.

MR. SPRAGUE, I AM NOT HERE ABOUT MY HUSBAND'S LOAN.

I AM HERE ON AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT MATTER.

OH?

THE WALNUT GROVE SCHOOL

NEEDS TEXTBOOKS FOR THE CHILDREN,

AND WE'RE ASKING THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO CONTRIBUTE--

NO.

MR. SPRAGUE, THE ENTIRE FUTURE OF AMERICA IS DEPENDENT UPON THE CHILDREN.

IT IS THE DUTY OF EVERY CITIZEN--

MY ONLY DUTY

IS TO RUN AN HONEST BANK AND MAKE A FAIR PROFIT FOR MYSELF.

BUT THE CHILDREN--

CHILDREN WILL GROW UP WITHOUT BOOKS.

I DID, AND DID VERY WELL, THANK YOU,

AND NO ONE CONTRIBUTED A THING.

GOOD DAY, MRS. INGALLS.

GOOD DAY.

HELLO'.

I SEE THAT YOU'RE TRYING MY SPOT TODAY.

[CLEARS THROAT]

[BARKS]

QUIET, JACK.

[SPLASH]

[BARKS]

I REALLY WISH YOU'D TRY SOME OF MY DOUGH BALLS, MISTER.

WELL, IT'S JUST THAT THE FISH IN OUR POND

AREN'T USED TO ALL THAT FANCY STUFF.

[SPLASH]

JUST TRY IT, MISTER.

YOU CAN'T HAVE ANY WORSE LUCK THAN YOU'RE HAVING NOW.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. AS LONG AS IT'LL STOP YOU PESTERING ME.

OUCH'. OOH, YOU HURT YOURSELF.

I DID NOT HURT MYSELF.

MAYBE I BETTER BAIT THE HOOK.

I KNOW HOW TO BAIT A HOOK.

[SPLASH]

[SPLASH]

YOU GOT ONE'. GOT ONE'.

HE'S A BIG ONE, TOO'.

[JACK BARKING]

Mr. Sprague: NOW, I THOUGHT I HAD THAT BOAT WELL ANCHORED,

BUT THAT FISH--THAT FISH WAS SO STRONG THAT HE PULLED THE ANCHOR LOOSE.

AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW,

I WAS RIDING ALONG ON THE CURRENT, HEADING RIGHT FOR THE RAPIDS.

OH...

I KNEW THAT RIVER, AND I KNEW THAT IF I GOT IN THOSE RAPIDS,

IT WAS GONNA CARRY ME AROUND THE BEND,

AND I KNEW WHAT WAS AROUND THE BEND, TOO.

WHAT?

A 20-FOOT WATERFALL.

OH, MY GOODNESS.

WHAT DID YOU DO?

WELL, UH, THERE WAS A TREE GROWING NEXT TO THE RIVER,

AND I JUST REACHED UP AND GOT A HOLD OF A LIMB AND KIND OF HUNG ON.

BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE THAT BOAT, YOU SEE.

THAT BOAT COST ME A LOT OF MONEY.

SO, I, UH, I HOOKED MY FEET UNDER THE SEAT, CURLED UP MY TOES,

AND THEN I REALLY HUNG ON.

YOU MUST HAVE STRONG TOES.

[LAUGHING] I DO, I REALLY DO.

HERE'S WHERE I GET OFF.

WHOA.

THANKS FOR THE RIDE.

WELL, THANK YOU FOR THE DOUGH BALLS.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

I'M SORRY THAT JACK CHASED YOUR HORSE THAT FIRST DAY.

HE JUST HAD TO GET USED TO HIM, THAT'S ALL.

WELL, I'M SORRY I WAS SO GROUCHY WHEN IT HAPPENED.

SEE, IT'S THE SAME THING.

WE JUST HAD TO GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER, RIGHT?

RIGHT.

WILL YOU BE FISHING AGAIN TOMORROW?

YOU BRING THE DOUGH BALLS TOMORROW?

I WILL. SEE YOU THEN.

SEE YOU THEN.

BYE.

BYE-BYE. TCH, TCH. GIDDYAP, BOY.

AND IT WAS A GOOD THING

THEY WERE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO CAMP THAT NIGHT,

AND THAT THEY PICKED THAT VERY SPOT,

OR HE WOULD HAVE NEVER COME OFF OF THAT TREE.

DID HE SAVE THE BOAT?

HE SURE DID.

HE LOST ONE OF THE OARS, BUT HE SAVED THE BOAT.

NOW, I WISH I DID GO FISHING WITH YOU.

OH, HE'LL BE BACK. WE'RE GOOD FRIENDS NOW.

WE'RE GONNA GO FISHING TOGETHER A LOT.

HE'S SO NICE.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD INTRODUCE YOUR FRIEND TO MR. SPRAGUE.

PERHAPS SOME OF THE NICENESS WOULD RUB OFF.

WHEN WERE YOU TALKING TO MR. SPRAGUE?

I WENT INTO HIS BANK TODAY TO SOLICIT A DONATION FOR THE SCHOOLBOOK FUND.

HE TURNED ME DOWN FLAT.

BUT HE MUST BE THE RICHEST MAN IN WALNUT GROVE'.

I'M SURE HE IS.

BUT HE SAID NOBODY BOUGHT BOOKS FOR HIM

AND THAT HE WASN'T BUYING BOOKS FOR ANYBODY ELSE.

AND BEFORE I COULD EVEN TELL HIM WHY I WAS THERE,

HE ACCUSED ME OF COMING BEGGING FOR YOUR LOAN, CHARLES.

"WILES OF A WOMAN," THAT'S WHAT HE SAID.

WHAT'S WILES?

SOMETHING YOUR MOTHER NEVER USES.

OH, PLEASE, DON'T SAY ANYTHING TO HIM.

ALL RIGHT. I WON'T SAY ANYTHING,

BUT I DON'T WANT YOU GOING IN THAT BANK AGAIN.

YOU CAN BE SURE I WON'T.

MAYBE I SHOULD INTRODUCE HIM TO MY FRIEND.

MAYBE SOME OF THE NICENESS WILL RUB OFF.

HALF-PINT, I DON'T THINK ANYTHING'D HELP MR. SPRAGUE.

MISS BEADLE SURE LOOKED SAD TODAY...

SHE SURE DID.

AND IT'S ALL THAT MR. SPRAGUE'S FAULT.

PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GIVE TO THE BOOK FUND IF HE WON'T.

HE HAS A WHOLE BANK FULL OF MONEY.

YOU'D EXPECT HE COULD GIVE JUST A LITTLE.

MA SAYS MEANNESS SHOWS ON A PERSON'S FACE.

HE MUST BE THE MEANEST-LOOKING MAN IN WALNUT GROVE.

YOU EVER SEE HIM? NO.

ME, NEITHER, AND I SURE DON'T WANT TO.

WELL,

I GUESS WE'LL JUST HAVE TO GO ON SHARING OUR BOOKS.

NO, WE WON'T.

WHY NOT?

'CAUSE I'M GOING FISHING WITH MY FRIEND.

IS THAT ALL YOU EVER THINK ABOUT?

JUST FISHING?

NO. SOMETIMES I LIKE TO THINK ABOUT RUNNING.

COME ON. I'LL RACE YOU HOME.

[LAUGHING]

Laura: AND BECAUSE OF HIM,

WE WON'T GET OUR BOOKS FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.

MAYBE NEVER.

Mr. Sprague: MAYBE THE BANKER'S RIGHT.

MAYBE THE FAMILY SHOULD BUY THEIR CHILDREN'S OWN BOOKS.

DON'T YOU THINK THEY WOULD IF THEY COULD?

WELL, I THINK IF SOMEONE WANTS SOMETHING,

HE OUGHT TO WORK VERY HARD TO GET IT.

WELL, POOR FOLKS WORK HARDER THAN ANYBODY.

THEY CAN'T HELP IT IF THEY'RE POOR.

IF YOU GIVE THINGS TO FOLKS, THOUGH,

SOMETIMES THEY GET LAZY AND DON'T WANT TO WORK AT ALL.

NOT THE FOLKS AROUND HERE.

WELL, THIS BANKER-- YOU CAN'T RUN A BANK

AND NOT JUST GIVE AWAY MONEY TO EVERYBODY THAT WANTS IT.

I MEAN, HE'S JUST BEING A GOOD BUSINESSMAN.

MAYBE SO, BUT HE'S NOT BEING A GOOD FRIEND,

AND GOOD FRIENDS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY OLD BUSINESS.

YOU THINK SO?

THAT'S WHAT MY PA SAYS.

HE SAYS WE SHOULDN'T HATE THE BANKER, EITHER.

WE SHOULD FEEL SORRY FOR HIM.

WHY?

WELL, BECAUSE HE PROBABLY HASN'T GOT ANY FRIENDS.

"HAPPY IS A HOUSE THAT SHELTERS A FRIEND," PA SAYS.

WELL, ACTUALLY, RALPH WALDO EMERSON SAID IT.

YOU--YOU READ EMERSON?

OF COURSE NOT. IT'S TOO HARD.

MY PA READS IT TO US.

HE READS LOTS OF THINGS TO US.

BUT THAT'S MY FAVORITE.

BECAUSE IF I CAN'T SLEEP,

THEN I COULD THINK ABOUT IT.

HA HA HA'.

HEY'. I GOT ONE'.

SURE DID.

OOH, HE'S A BIG ONE'.

YEAH.

PRETTY, TOO. HA HA HA'.

YEAH. HA HA HA'.

SURE YOU DON'T WANT TO EAT SUPPER OVER AT MY HOUSE?

OH, I THINK I BETTER BE GETTING BACK.

BUT YOU SAID YOU LIVED ALONE.

WHAT'S THERE TO GET BACK FOR?

WELL, MAYBE SOME OTHER TIME.

DIDN'T YOU EVER HAVE A FAMILY?

HA HA HA'. WELL, OF COURSE I DID, WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY.

NO, I MEAN ONE OF YOUR OWN.

NO, I--I NEVER SEEM TO HAVE THE TIME.

OH, IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG.

I'VE BEEN TO A WEDDING IN CHURCH, AND IT JUST TOOK A COUPLE MINUTES.

NO, I DON'T MEAN THAT. I MEAN THE COURTING AND ALL THAT.

WELL, MAYBE YOU SHOULDN'T SPEND ALL YOUR TIME FISHING.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD SPEND IT COURTING.

WELL, I THINK IT'S A LITTLE LATE FOR THAT NOW.

OH, NO, IT'S NEVER TOO LATE.

THERE'S A LOT OF REALLY OLD LADIES IN WALNUT GROVE.

I BET SOME OF THEM ARE EVEN OLDER THAN YOU ARE.

HA HA'. I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT.

TCH, TCH.

Laura: COME ON, MARY, HURRY UP.

Mary: WHY ARE YOU RUSHING SO, LAURA?

I WANT TO GET MY CHORES DONE.

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU LOVED TO DO YOUR CHORES SO MUCH.

I HATE CHORES, BUT I CAN'T GO FISHING UNLESS I GET THEM DONE.

HI'. I'LL BE THERE AFTER.

HOW COME YOU'RE NICE TO HIM?

HE'S MY FRIEND.

HE'S THE MEANEST MAN IN WALNUT GROVE.

HE IS NOT'.

HE IS, TOO. HE WON'T GIVE A PENNY TO THE SCHOOLBOOK FUND,

AND HE'S GOT MORE MONEY THAN ANYBODY.

YOU MEAN, HE'S THE BANKER?

OF COURSE. THAT'S MEAN MR. SPRAGUE.

I--I BEEN WAITING FOR YOU.

THEY'RE REALLY BITING TODAY.

LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THAT ONE.

WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME WHO YOU WERE, MR. SPRAGUE?

I--I--I DIDN'T THINK IT MATTERED.

WELL, IT DID. I WAS TALKING TO YOU,

AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME IT WAS YOU,

AND THAT ISN'T FAIR.

WELL, I DIDN'T GET YOUR NAME, EITHER.

LAURA INGALLS.

BUT I WASN'T KEEPING IT A SECRET.

INGALLS. YOU KNEW VERY WELL WHO I WAS.

I DIDN'T.

EVERYONE KNOWS WHO I AM.

WELL, I DIDN'T. ALL I KNEW IS THAT YOU WERE MY FRIEND.

YOU WERE MINE BECAUSE YOU WANTED SOMETHING FROM ME.

YOU PA THOUGHT YOU COULD SWEET-TALK ME INTO GIVING HIM A LOAN.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

YES, IT IS. NO ONE TALKS TO ME UNLESS THEY WANT SOMETHING FROM ME.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

I DID WANT SOMETHING FROM YOU.

I WANTED A BEST FRIEND WHO'D WANT TO GO FISHING AS MUCH AS I DID.

BUT I DON'T ANYMORE.

I'D RATHER GO FISHING ALONE FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.

[WHISPERING] Still can't sleep?

No, sir.

All I really wanted was just to be his friend.

I know that, Half-pint.

Then why wouldn't he believe me?

Well, that's hard to say.

Some folks just like to think the worst about other folks.

Maybe he's just afraid of being hurt.

I don't know what you mean.

Well, if you never love someone,

you never have to worry about

that person hurting you.

Friends and loved ones

are always the ones to give you joy and sorrow.

And Mr. Sprague is really afraid of sorrow.

That's right.

But he won't ever have any joy, either.

I know.

That's why you can't go through this life being afraid to love.

'Cause without love, there just--

well, there just isn't any reason for living.

Now...

why don't you try closing your eyes

and thinking about all the people that love you?

All right.

How is she?

Well, she's asleep.

Little tears still drying on her cheeks.

How could that man accuse a child like that?

I'm gonna find out tomorrow.

I'm gonna go in town and have a nice talk with Mr. Sprague.

Charles: YAH'.

WHOA'.

THERE WE ARE.

THANK YOU, MR. SPRAGUE.

I'LL BE HERE WITH MORE NEXT WEEK.

FINE, FINE.

WELL, MORNING, MR. INGALLS.

MR. TAYLOR.

MR. INGALLS, I'VE MADE A DECISION REGARDING THE LOAN.

I DIDN'T COME HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE LOAN.

I CAME HERE TO TELL YOU THAT MY LITTLE GIRL IS NOT A LIAR.

WELL, I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

YEAH, WELL, I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT IT.

NOW, YOU BROKE THAT LITTLE GIRL'S HEART.

SHE WENT DOWN TO THAT POND EVERY DAY TO SEE HER BEST FRIEND.

THAT'S WHAT SHE CALLED YOU-- HER BEST FRIEND.

YES, BECAUSE SHE WANTED ME TO LEND YOU MONEY.

SHE DIDN'T HAVE THE SLIGHTEST IDEA WHO YOU WERE.

AND AS FOR THE LOAN, I WOULDN'T TAKE IT IF IT MEANT I'D LOSE EVERYTHING.

MY LITTLE GIRL GAVE SOMETHING TO YOU-- FRIENDSHIP--

AND YOU TOOK IT AND THREW IT RIGHT BACK IN HER FACE.

I DON'T NEED ANY FRIENDS.

WELL, THAT'S GOOD FOR YOU, MR. SPRAGUE, 'CAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY.

YOU KNOW, I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU.

YOU CAN'T TAKE ANYTHING, AND YOU CAN'T GIVE ANYTHING EXCEPT MONEY.

AND AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED,

THAT MEANS YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING AT ALL.

ALL RIGHT, YOUR ASSIGNMENT

WILL BE TO READ PAGES 34, 35, AND 36.

Boy: I DON'T HAVE A BOOK, MISS BEADLE.

WELL, JOHNNY, YOU'LL HAVE TO GO TO THE KENNEDYS'.

YES, MA'AM.

THERE WON'T BE ANY ARITHMETIC HOMEWORK TONIGHT,

UNLESS OF COURSE YOU DIDN'T FINISH YOUR CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENT,

THEN YOU'LL HAVE TO DO THAT AT HOME.

I FINISHED ALL MY ARITHMETIC PROBLEMS IN CLASS, MISS BEADLE.

Miss Beadle: THAT'S VERY GOOD, NELLIE.

MAYBE YOU CAN LOAN YOUR BOOK TO SOMEONE UNTIL TOMORROW.

MOMMY SAYS I MUSTN'T.

ALL RIGHT, TOMORROW WE'LL START ON FRACTIONS.

[STUDENTS GROAN]

Man: AROUND THE BEND.

Boy: WHO ARE THEY?

Children: WHAT IS THAT?

CHILDREN, PLEASE, WE'RE STILL IN SCHOOL.

WELL, WHAT IS IT?

DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IN IT, MA'AM.

ALL WE GOT WAS ORDERS TO DELIVER IT HERE IN A HURRY.

WELL, I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T ORDER ANYTHING.

Laura: WELL, OPEN IT, MISS BEADLE.

UH... HAVE TO SIGN FOR IT FIRST.

Nellie: WHO SENT IT, MISS BEADLE?

NELLIE, I DON'T KNOW. IT DOESN'T SAY.

IT JUST SAYS, "ONE CRATE."

THANK YOU.

EXCUSE ME, COULD YOU HELP US LOOSEN THE LID?

I JUST CAN'T IMAGINE...

THANK YOU.

WELL...

Everyone: OH'. BOOKS'.

IT'S MILLIONS OF THEM'.

"McGUFFEY'S READER."

"FAMOUS POETS."

"THE COMPLETE WORKS OF RALPH WALDO EMERSON."

Boy: WHO SENT THEM, MISS BEADLE?

Miss Beadle: I DON'T KNOW.

GOOD AFTERNOON, YOUNG LADY.

CATCH ANYTHING?

THANKS TO YOU.

THANKS TO YOU.

HEH HEH HEH'.

WELL, YOU-- YOU GOING FISHING OR AREN'T YOU?

LOOKS LIKE YOU CAUGHT ENOUGH FISH FOR BOTH OF US.

THERE'S MAYBE EVEN ENOUGH THERE FOR 6 PEOPLE.

I'D SAY THAT'S ABOUT RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, MY MA COOKS THE BEST FISH IN THE WHOLE WORLD,

IF YOU MIND SHARING THEM WITH THE WHOLE INGALLS FAMILY.

I THINK THAT'D BE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA.

'SIDES THAT, I GOT SOMETHING

I WANT TO TALK TO YOUR PA ABOUT.

[LAUGHING]

Laura: WE KEPT MR. SPRAGUE'S SECRET ABOUT THE BOOKS,

AND PA GOT HIS LOAN AND BOUGHT THE 40 ACRES.

MR. SPRAGUE SAID I SURE DIDN'T LIE ABOUT MA'S COOKING.

IT WAS THE BEST IN THE WHOLE WORLD.