Original subtitles

I'M THE WIDOW SANDERSON, AND THESE ARE MY CHILDREN:

JOHN JR., CARL, AND ALICIA.

I'LL MAKE THIS AS BRIEF AS POSSIBLE.

IT'S REALLY VERY SIMPLE.

I--WELL, I ALWAYS FELT I WAS TOO ORNERY TO DIE,

BUT IT SEEMS I WAS WRONG.

GOD MUST HAVE FOUND SOME GOOD IN ME

'CAUSE HE'S CALLING ME EARLY.

MY YOUNG'UNS HERE WILL NEED A NEW HOME.

YOU MADE ME A PROMISE

THE OTHER DAY, CHARLES.

REMEMBER?

I REMEMBER.

GRACE WILL TAKE CARE OF THE CHILDREN

TILL YOU MAKE YOUR DECISION.

JULIA SANDERSON ASKED ME TO READ THIS TODAY.

SHE WROTE IT TO ALL OF YOU, LOVED ONES AND FRIENDS ALIKE.

"REMEMBER ME WITH SMILES AND LAUGHTER...

"FOR THAT'S THE WAY I'LL REMEMBER YOU ALL.

"IF YOU CAN ONLY REMEMBER ME

"WITH TEARS,

THEN DON'T REMEMBER ME AT ALL."

GOOD DAY TO YOU, MR. INGALLS.

MR. ANDERS, MA'AM.

I KNOW THIS ISN'T THE PLACE,

BUT WE WANTED TO TALK TO YOU...

ABOUT THE CHILDREN.

CERTAINLY.

WE'RE JUST HEADING OVER TO THE SANDERSON PLACE

TO MAKE SURE THE CHILDREN ARE ALL RIGHT.

WE COULD FOLLOW YOU OVER.

I THINK IT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE TALKED AT OUR PLACE.

WHATEVER YOU THINK.

WE'LL SPEND A LITTLE TIME WITH GRACE AND THE CHILDREN,

THEN HEAD ON HOME.

HOW ABOUT AFTER SUPPER, ABOUT 8:00?

8:00 WOULD BE FINE.

I'LL SEE YOU THEN.

[BLOWS]

THERE WE GO. YOU HAVE A GOOD SLEEP.

Laura: PA?

MM-HMM?

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE LAST PUPPY.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

WELL, NELLIE HEARD ABOUT HIM, AND SHE WANTS HIM.

SHE ONLY WANTS HIM 'CAUSE SHE KNOWS

WE DON'T WANT HER TO HAVE HIM.

AH, I SEE.

TROUBLE IS...

NOBODY ELSE IN SCHOOL CAN HAVE HIM.

A COUPLE OF KIDS WANTED HIM, BUT THEIR PA SAID NO.

HE'S GOT TO HAVE A HOME,

BUT THE ONLY ONE'S NELLIE'S.

WELL, WHY DON'T WE JUST WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS?

SOMEBODY MIGHT CHANGE THEIR MIND.

IN THE MEANTIME, THE PUP'S HAPPY WITH JACK.

YOU MEAN, HE COULD STAY WITH US A LITTLE WHILE LONGER?

AS LONG AS IT TAKES.

IT WOULDN'T BE RIGHT TO SEND THAT PUP OFF TO SOME HOME

HE WOULDN'T HE HAPPY IN.

THANKS, PA.

THANKS, PA.

SEE YOU IN THE MORNING.

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT, PA.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

I'LL GET IT. MUST BE THE ANDERS.

PLEASE COME IN.

CAROLINE JUST MADE SOME COFFEE.

WOULD YOU LIKE SOME?

I WOULD. IT'S A DAMP NIGHT. THANK YOU.

NONE FOR ME.

PLEASE, SIT DOWN.

CAN I TAKE YOUR WRAP?

I THINK I'LL JUST LEAVE IT ON

TILL I WARM UP A BIT. THANK YOU.

WOULD YOU LIKE SOME COOKIES?

THEY'RE OATMEAL.

NO, THANK YOU.

Charles: THEY'RE GOOD.

NONE FOR ME, THANK YOU.

WELL, YOU WANTED TO TALK

ABOUT THE SANDERSON CHILDREN.

YES. I'LL COME RIGHT TO THE POINT.

I KNOW YOU'VE HAD A LONG DAY.

SYLVIA AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING IT OVER,

AND WE'D LIKE TO OFFER A HOME TO THE BOYS.

TO THE BOYS.

WHY, YES, I'VE GOT

A FAIR-SIZED PLACE, AS YOU KNOW, AND...

MY WIFE AND I HAVE NEVER HAD

ANY CHILDREN OF OUR OWN.

WE CAN GIVE THE BOYS A GOOD HOME.

WELL, YOU KEEP SAYING "THE BOYS."

YOU HAVEN'T SAID ANYTHING ABOUT ALICIA.

WELL, TAKING ON THE RESPONSIBILITY

FOR THE 2 BOYS IS ALL WE CAN HANDLE.

THEY'RE BOTH OF WORKING AGE. THEY CAN DO THEIR SHARE.

IT WOULD BE MORE THAN A BODY COULD MANAGE

TO TAKE ON ALL THE YOUNG'UNS.

WELL, I UNDERSTAND YOUR FEELINGS

ABOUT THIS, MR. ANDERS.

BUT WE HAVE TO THINK

OF THE CHILDREN'S FEELINGS, TOO.

I JUST DON'T THINK WE COULD SEPARATE THEM.

ALL THEY HAVE IS EACH OTHER.

WELL, I THINK YOU OUGHT

TO THINK MORE ON THE PRACTICAL, MR. INGALLS.

IT AIN'T GONNA BE EASY

FINDING FOLKS TO TAKE ON 3 YOUNG'UNS.

WELL, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY,

BUT WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO TRY.

I SEE.

IT ISN'T THAT WE DON'T WANT THE LITTLE GIRL,

MR. INGALLS.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I WOULD--

SYLVIA'.

MR. INGALLS HAS MADE HIS POSITION QUITE CLEAR.

WE WON'T TAKE UP ANY MORE OF YOUR TIME.

I'LL SEE YOU OUT.

THANK YOU FOR THE COFFEE, MA'AM.

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

I DON'T KNOW

HOW HE COULD SUGGEST SUCH A THING.

WELL, I DON'T THINK HE MEANT TO BE UNKIND.

IF HE CAN JUST SEE HIS WAY CLEAR INTO TAKING

THE BOYS, I GUESS.

TO WORK THE FARM.

HE WANTS FARMHANDS, NOT CHILDREN.

WELL, MAYBE.

YOU KNOW,

IT'S THE FIRST TIME I'VE REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE EASY

TO FIND A PLACE FOR THOSE CHILDREN.

DON'T BE DISCOURAGED. WE HAVE TIME.

THE CHILDREN ARE WELL TAKEN CARE OF.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT'S JUST GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME, THAT'S ALL.

I'M GOING TO BED. YOU COMING?

YEAH, I'M JUST GOING TO FINISH MY COFFEE.

I'LL BE ALONG.

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

EVERYTHING ALL RIGHT?

SHE FINALLY WENT TO SLEEP.

HOW ABOUT JOHN AND CARL?

THEY WERE ASLEEP

BEFORE THEIR HEADS HIT THE PILLOW.

I DON'T THINK THEY'VE SLEPT A WINK

IN THE LAST 3 DAYS.

OHH.

WELL, I DON'T THINK

I'M EVER GOING TO GET RID OF THE CHILL ON THESE HANDS.

IT'S LIKE THAT WHEN YOU LOSE SOMEBODY.

FEEL LIKE YOU'LL NEVER SLEEP AGAIN.

SOMETHING ABOUT A BURYING

THAT PUTS AN END TO IT,

AND ALL THAT TIRED CATCHES UP.

THEY REMIND ME SO MUCH OF JULIA.

THAT JOHN JR. DID YOU SEE HIM TODAY?

HE STOOD BESIDE CARL AND ALICIA

JUST AS STRAIGHT AND STRONG AS A TREE...

SO MUCH LIKE HER.

YEAH.

WELL, I BEST BE ON MY WAY.

I'LL STOP BY TOMORROW

TO SEE IF YOU NEED ANYTHING.

I THOUGHT YOU WERE ASLEEP.

I WAS.

DO YOU WANT SOME MILK?

WELL, IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG?

MY PUPPY WET IN MY BED.

OHH. [EDWARDS LAUGHS]

WELL, DON'T YOU WORRY NONE ABOUT THAT.

WE'LL FIX THAT UP IN NO TIME AT ALL.

I'LL GET A SHEET.

YOU'RE NOT MAD AT HIM, ARE YOU?

OH, WHY, NO. THAT PUP-- THAT'S JUST A BABY.

WHY, HE'LL LEARN IN NO TIME AT ALL.

HERE. I'LL DO THAT. NOW, YOU COME ON.

WE'LL FIX THAT BED OF YOURS JUST RIGHT UP.

[HUMMING]

THERE. HOW'S THAT?

ALL RIGHT. YOU JUST SCRUNCH IN THERE.

GET DOWN UNDER THEM COVERS.

THERE YOU GO. WATCH THE PUP.

THERE YOU ARE.

SAY, YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN THINKING.

SINCE THAT PUP OF YOURS IS

STILL A BABY LIKE, YOU KNOW,

MAYBE WE OUGHT TO GET HIM A BED SO HE

CAN SLEEP RIGHT HERE NEXT TO YOU, JUST TILL

HE'S HOUSEBROKE, YOU UNDERSTAND.

WHERE WOULD WE GET A BED?

I COULD BUILD ONE TOMORROW.

CAN'T HE JUST SLEEP WITH ME JUST FOR TONIGHT

UNTIL YOU MAKE UP HIS BED?

WELL, I DON'T SEE WHY NOT.

THANK YOU.

YOU WANT TO GO TO SLEEP NOW?

HMM?

WELL, THEN CLOSE UP THEM EYES.

THAT-A GIRL.

WELL...

THEY'RE BOTH ASLEEP.

YOU DIDN'T LEAVE THE PUP IN BED WITH HER?

OH, JUST FOR TONIGHT.

BY THE WAY, I'M GONNA SLEEP IN THE BARN TONIGHT.

I GOT TO BUILD A BED TOMORROW.

SEE YOU AT BREAKFAST.

ALL RIGHT.

ISAIAH?

HMM?

ARE YOU GONNA DO THE WASHING, TOO?

HMM? OH. FORGOT ABOUT THAT. WELL, GOOD NIGHT.

[CHUCKLING] GOOD NIGHT.

[ISAIAH SINGING INDISTINCTLY]

WHOA'.

SORRY I'M LATE. TOOK A LITTLE LONGER

AT THE NELSONS' THAN I FIGURED.

Carrie: I'M GONNA PLAY DOLLY.

YEAH, SO YOUR MA TOLD ME.

WELL, HOW DID IT GO?

IT DIDN'T.

THEY LIKED THE CHILDREN WELL ENOUGH,

BUT AFTER TALKING IT OVER,

THEY DECIDED THEY'D WAIT,

SEE IF THEY COULD HAVE ONE OF THEIR OWN.

THAT'S A SHAME. THEY'RE SUCH A NICE COUPLE.

YEAH, JUST ABOUT THE LAST COUPLE.

FOUR WEEKS, AND WE'RE NO CLOSER TO FINDING A HOME

FOR THOSE CHILDREN THAN WE WERE WHEN WE STARTED.

YOU WILL. DON'T BE DISCOURAGED.

WELL, IF THE CHILDREN AREN'T, I GUESS I SHOULDN'T BE.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT THEM.

GRACE SAYS MR. EDWARDS IS SPOILING THEM ROTTEN.

THEY CAN ALREADY SPIT FURTHER

THAN ANY CHILDREN IN HERO TOWNSHIP.

HA HA HA'.

[HAMMERING]

AYE, IF YOU HAND UP ONE MORE BOARD,

I THINK WE GOT HER FINISHED.

I THINK YOU BETTER TELL HIM.

MR. EDWARDS.

HMM? WHAT?

UH, I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING

'CAUSE YOU SAID YOU'D BUILT A LOT OF TREE HOUSES--

OH, HUNDREDS OF THEM IS ALL.

WELL, I THINK YOU FORGOT SOMETHING ON THIS ONE.

WHAT WOULD THAT BE?

A DOOR, OR A HOLE,

OR SOMETHING SO'S WE CAN GET IN.

A DOOR.

THERE'. THERE'S A DOOR FOR YOU.

THAT THERE'S A KING-SIZE DOOR, AIN'T IT?

YOU CAN DRIVE A WAGON THROUGH IT.

[WAGON APPROACHING]

BOYS, SEE IF YOU CAN FIND SOME MORE NAILS.

HEY THERE. WHOA'.

HOW ARE YOU?

Caroline: JUST FINE.

GOOD. GOOD. HERE.

HEY, NICE-LOOKING TREE HOUSE YOU GOT THERE.

OH, IT'S COMING ALONG.

HEY, YOU, WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO STOP GROWING?

I TOLD YOU TO STOP GROWING

OR I'D HAVE TO BITE YOUR FEET OFF.

I'M GONNA PLAY DOLLY.

YOU'RE GOING TO PLAY DOLLIES?

WELL, YOU BEST GET AT IT.

NEVER LEAVE A DOLLY WAITING.

I'LL GO SEE IF GRACE CAN USE SOME HELP.

SEE YOU LATER.

WELL, ANY LUCK?

NO, NOT YET.

OH. WANT TO HELP BUILD A TREE HOUSE?

I'D LIKE TO. I GOT TO GET BACK TO TOWN.

I FIGURED ON PUTTING THE BOYS BACK IN SCHOOL,

BUT I THOUGHT I'D WAIT TILL EVERYTHING

GOT SETTLED, YOU KNOW?

I DON'T THINK IT HURTS

IF THEY MISS A LITTLE BIT.

HEY, WHEN ARE YOU COMING BACK TO WORK?

HANSON'S GOT A LOT FOR YOU TO DO.

OH, WELL, I, UH,

FIGURED ON HELPING GRACE OUT HERE FOR A WHILE.

ALL RIGHT, I'LL TELL HIM.

LET YOU KNOW IF THERE'S ANY NEWS.

- YEAH, YOU DO THAT. - SEE YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

John Jr.: MR. EDWARDS, HERE'S SOME MORE BOARDS.

I'M COMING.

NELS.

CHARLES, HOW ARE YOU?

FINE. YOURSELF?

COULDN'T BE BETTER.

I NEED A POUND OF TWO-PENNY NAILS.

COMING RIGHT UP.

THANK YOU.

OH, MR. INGALLS.

MRS. OLESON.

YOU'RE JUST THE MAN I WANTED TO SEE.

WON'T YOU COME IN THE FRONT ROOM

A MOMENT, PLEASE?

CERTAINLY.

I DON'T WANT OUR CONVERSATION OVERHEARD,

MR. INGALLS.

I WANT TO PRESENT TO YOU

MY COUSIN MISS FARNSWORTH.

MINERVA, THIS IS MR. INGALLS.

MISS FARNSWORTH.

YES, MR. INGALLS.

I WAS TALKING TO MRS. ANDERS THE OTHER DAY,

AND SHE TOLD ME ABOUT--

WON'T YOU SIT DOWN, MR. INGALLS?

OH, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UH, YOU HAVEN'T FOUND A HOME FOR THE CHILDREN,

I TAKE IT.

NO, I HAVEN'T.

WELL, I'LL BE HONEST WITH YOU, MR. INGALLS.

I DON'T THINK YOU WILL.

THESE ARE NOT EASY TIMES.

WITH 3 MORE MOUTHS TO FEED,

WELL, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

YES, I DO.

SO I TOOK IT UPON MYSELF

TO WRITE TO MY COUSIN HERE.

Charles: I SEE.

SHE'S A VERY WEALTHY WOMAN...

YOUNG, ABOUT MY AGE, AND SHE'S NEVER MARRIED,

AND SHE'S OFTEN TALKED

ABOUT NOT HAVING AN HEIR WHEN SHE PASSES ON,

SO I TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY

TO WRITE TO HER--

HARRIET...

I'M CAPABLE OF SPEECH.

OH, WELL.

WELL, MY COUSIN IS CORRECT ABOUT 2 THINGS.

I AM WELL-TO-DO, AND I HAVE NEVER MARRIED.

HOWEVER, I'M NOT YOUNG...

CERTAINLY PAST THE AGE OF BEARING CHILDREN

IF I SHOULD WISH TO MARRY,

WHICH I DO NOT.

IN OTHER WORDS, MR. INGALLS,

I AM A LONELY SPINSTER.

OH, MINERVA, I WOULDN'T SAY THAT.

WELL, YOU DIDN'T. I DID.

NOW, TO COME TO THE POINT, MR. INGALLS.

I'M INTERESTED IN ADOPTING ALICIA.

WELL, MISS FARNSWORTH, I--

NOW, HEAR ME OUT.

I KNOW YOU WANT THE CHILDREN

KEPT TOGETHER,

BUT YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO THINK

ABOUT THE PRACTICAL SIDE.

NOW, THE ANDERS FAMILY WANTS THE BOYS--

A GOOD HOME, A GOOD FARM.

I UNDERSTAND THEY'LL BE WELL PROVIDED FOR.

AND IF I WERE TO TAKE ALICIA,

SHE COULD HAVE ADVANTAGES THAT

NO ONE WOULD OFFER HER HERE.

SHE COULD BE EDUCATED IN THE FINEST SCHOOLS

BOTH HERE AND ABROAD.

I WOULD LIKE A CHILD AND AN HEIR.

OH, IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL

FOR THE LITTLE GIRL, MR. INGALLS.

SHE COULD GROW UP TO BE--

HARRIET, YOU KNOW, I THINK I HEARD THE TEAKETTLE.

OH, I'LL GET IT.

NOW, I DON'T EXPECT YOU

TO MAKE UP YOUR MIND RIGHT AWAY.

AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO MEET THE CHILD,

SPEND SOME TIME WITH HER,

ENOUGH SO THAT WE COULD GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.

THINK ABOUT IT.

I WILL.

THANK YOU.

I'LL BE WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU.

I THOUGHT YOU CAME OUT TO CHECK THE STOCK.

I DID. THE PUP STARTED CRYING.

I BEEN OUT HERE LONG?

OVER AN HOUR.

HALF-PINT'S HAVING A HARD TIME

FINDING A HOME FOR THIS ONE.

JUST CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHY.

YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT YOUR CONVERSATION

WITH MRS. OLESON'S COUSIN.

YEAH.

[SIGHS]

YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T WANT TO SPLIT UP THE CHILDREN.

THAT'S RIGHT. I DON'T.

BUT YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT IT NOW.

I HAVE TO. I DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE ANYMORE.

CHARLES, I--

WHAT, DO YOU THINK THIS IS WHAT I WANT?'.

I WISH TO HEAVEN I COULD TAKE THOSE CHILDREN,

BUT I CAN'T'.

I CAN BARELY PUT SHOES ON MY OWN GIRLS'.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE I WISHED I WAS RICH.

I'D TELL THE ANDERS AND MISS FARNSWORTH,

"I'M SORRY, THE CHILDREN ALREADY HAVE A HOME,

THANK YOU," BUT I CAN'T.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PICNIC AFTER CHURCH ON SUNDAY.

MISS FARNSWORTH

WOULD LIKE TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH ALICIA.

DON'T SAY ANYTHING TO THE CHILDREN.

[CHILDREN PLAYING, SPLASHING IN RIVER]

Charles: I'LL GET SOME TOWELS

FOR THOSE KIDS.

Laura: THERE'S NO ALLIGATOR.

John Jr.: THERE HE IS.

Mary: YEAH, SEE HIM? LOOK OVER THERE.

HERE HE COMES. HERE HE COMES. THERE HE IS'.

[CHILDREN LAUGHING]

John, Jr.: HE'S GONNA GET YOU'. CAREFUL'.

TURN AROUND'. RUN'. RUN'.

I'LL FETCH SOME WATER.

YOU NEED ANY HELP?

NO, MA'AM, EVERYTHING'S FINE.

MR. EDWARDS, HAVE I DONE ANYTHING TO OFFEND YOU?

NO, MA'AM.

WELL, I'M SURE

IT WAS NOTHING WE SAID TO EACH OTHER.

YOU HAVEN'T SPOKEN A WORD TO ME

THE ENTIRE DAY.

I'M JUST NOT MUCH OF A ONE FOR TALKING, THAT'S ALL.

IT'S ALICIA, ISN'T IT?

YOU DON'T LIKE

THE IDEA OF MY ADOPTING HER.

I DIDN'T SAY THAT, MA'AM.

I THINK YOU DID BY YOUR SILENCE.

I JUST THINK THERE'S THINGS

MORE IMPORTANT TO A CHILD THAN A BIG HOUSE

AND A LOT OF MONEY, THAT'S ALL.

MR. EDWARDS.

YES, MA'AM.

IT MAY COME AS A SURPRISE TO YOU,

BUT EVEN RICH PEOPLE CAN LOVE.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF MISS FARNSWORTH?

IT'S HARD TO SAY. I JUST MET HER.

ALICIA SURE HAS TAKEN A LIKING TO HER.

MUST HAVE. SHE LET HER HOLD THE PUP.

WHAT DO YOU EXPECT ME TO DO?

I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO DO NOTHING.

YOU GOT YOUR MIND MADE UP.

AND YOU THINK I'M WRONG, HUH?

YEAH, I DO.

I DO. I THINK YOU'RE WRONG.

YOU'VE ALWAYS HAD A FAMILY.

YOU--YOU DON'T KNOW

WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE ALONE.

WELL, I DO.

WHEN I LOST MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER,

THIS PART OF ME DIED, TOO,

AND THAT PART OF ME

AIN'T NEVER GOING TO COME BACK ALIVE AGAIN.

OH, I KNOW, I'M JUST HAPPY-GO-LUCKY

MR. EDWARDS

TO ALL YOU FOLKS, JUST, UH...

HAVING FUN, LAUGHING ALL THE TIME...

JUST LIKE THAT YOUNG'UN'S LAUGHING

RIGHT NOW.

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.

IT'S DIFFERENT WHEN YOU'RE ALONE.

WHEN YOU LIE IN BED AT NIGHT

AND LISTEN TO THE SILENCE.

AND YOU-- AND YOU PRAY TO GOD

YOU COULD HEAR

THE SOUND OF A LOVED ONE SLEEPING...

ALL RIGHT. YOU MADE YOUR CHOICE.

JUST DON'T EXPECT ME TO TELL YOU IT'S RIGHT.

AND DON'T EXPECT ME TO TELL YOU YOU'RE RIGHT.

YOU MADE YOUR CHOICE. YOU WANT TO BE ALONE.

THANK YOU, MR. INGALLS,

FOR THE PICNIC AND THE RIDE HOME.

YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

I WOULD LIKE TO ADOPT ALICIA.

I SEE.

I PROMISED HARRIET

I'D SPEND THANKSGIVING WITH THEM.

ALICIA AND I COULD LEAVE THE NEXT DAY.

I THINK IT WOULD BE WISE IF I TOOK THE CHILD

AFTER CHURCH SERVICES ON THURSDAY.

THAT WAY SHE COULD SPEND AN EVENING WITH ME

BEFORE THE TRIP BACK.

WE WOULD HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME

TO TALK AND KNOW EACH OTHER.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

ALL RIGHT.

YOU'LL MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS, THEN?

YES.

THANK YOU.

MISS FARNSWORTH.

YES.

YOU WILL LOVE HER?

I WILL.

[PLAYING HARMONICA, CLAPPING]

[STOPS PLAYING]

I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE CHILDREN FOR A MINUTE.

COME ON, ALICIA.

YOU KNOW, I MADE A PROMISE TO YOUR MA.

I PROMISED HER I'D FIND A HOME FOR YOU...

AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I DID MY BEST.

IT'S...

IT'S JUST NOT EASY FOR FOLKS

TAKING ON A BIG FAMILY ALL OF A SUDDEN.

THE ANDERS THINK REAL HIGHLY OF YOU BOYS.

THEY'RE GOOD PEOPLE. THEY'VE GOT A GOOD FARM.

IT WILL BE A REAL GOOD HOME FOR YOU.

AND Y'ALL KNOW WHAT A FINE LADY

MISS FARNSWORTH IS.

SHE LIVES IN MINNEAPOLIS. SHE'S GOT A BIG HOUSE.

AND SHE TOLD ME THAT...

SHE THOUGHT ALICIA WAS ABOUT THE PRETTIEST THING

SHE EVER DID SEE.

I WANTED TO FIND A HOME FOR YOU TOGETHER,

BUT I COULDN'T.

IT WON'T BE EASY AT FIRST.

BUT EVERYTHING WILL BE ALL RIGHT...

AND ALICIA CAN COME VISIT LOTS OF TIMES.

MINNEAPOLIS IS CLOSE, REAL CLOSE.

WELL...

THAT'S IT.

John Jr.: MR. INGALLS.

MA TOLD US TO DO WHATEVER YOU SAID.

SHE SAID YOU KNEW BEST.

WE KNOW YOU TRIED.

WE'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

AFTER CHURCH ON THURSDAY.

Nellie: LAURA'. WAIT UP'.

LAURA'.

WAIT UP'.

MY MOTHER SAID I COULD GIVE YOU

50 CENTS FOR THE PUPPY.

HE'S NOT FOR SALE. I ALREADY TOLD YOU THAT.

WELL, THEN WHY DON'T YOU

JUST GIVE HIM TO ME?

BECAUSE YOU SAY

THAT YOUR MOTHER DOESN'T LIKE DOGS.

THEY MAKE A MESS SOMETIMES.

SHE LIKES THIS ONE.

AND MISS FARNSWORTH LIKES HIM,

AND SHE'S GONNA HAVE A PUPPY

IN HER FINE HOME, AND MY MA SAYS

THAT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR HER.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? WHAT PUPPY?

THE ONE YOU GAVE ALICIA.

SHE'S GOING TO LET HER KEEP IT

WHEN THEY GO TO MINNEAPOLIS.

MISS FARNSWORTH'S GOING TO ADOPT

THE SANDERSONS?

NO, SILLY. JUST ALICIA.

I HEARD HER AND MOTHER TALKING.

THEY'LL BE LEAVING END OF THE WEEK.

PLEASE LET ME HAVE THE PUPPY.

I'LL GIVE YOU A PIECE OF LICORICE

EVERY DAY FOR A YEAR,

AND THE 50 CENTS BESIDES'.

LAURA'.

HI, MARY.

MARY?

I SAID HI.

WHAT IS IT?

NELLIE TOLD US ABOUT ALICIA.

I WAS GONNA TELL YOU BEFORE THURSDAY.

[CRYING] OH, PA.

SHH.

I'M SORRY.

I KNOW.

THERE JUST WASN'T ANY OTHER WAY.

I'M JUST SAD IS ALL.

WHERE'S YOUR SISTER?

SHE'S UP IN THE BARN.

[SNIFFLES]

YOU WATCH CARRIE FOR ME A MINUTE, WILL YOU?

WHAT YOU DOING?

BRUSHING THE PUP.

MARY TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED.

I WANTED TO EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

BESIDES, I'M IN A HURRY.

I'M TAKING THE PUP TO TOWN.

YOU FOUND A HOME FOR HIM, HUH?

SURE DID. I'M TAKING HIM TO NELLIE.

I THOUGHT YOU DIDN'T WANT NELLIE TO HAVE HIM?

I CHANGED MY MIND.

HE'LL HAVE A GOOD HOME, JUST LIKE ALICIA WILL.

IT DOESN'T MATTER IF HE'S HAPPY,

JUST SO HE'S GOT A HOME, ANY HOME'.

YOUR PA TOLD ME YOU WERE GONNA TAKE THE PUP

AND GIVE IT TO NELLIE.

I AM.

I'M JUST RESTING A SPELL.

OH.

AW...HE SHOULD BE HAPPY AT THE OLESONS'.

NO, HE WON'T.

THEN WHY ARE YOU DOING IT?

SAME REASON MY PA'S DOING WHAT HE'S DOING.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

YOU'RE GIVING THE PUP TO NELLIE OUT OF ANGER.

THAT'S NOT THE SAME THING AT ALL.

YOU KNOW, LAURA...

THERE ARE A LOT OF DECISIONS

WE HAVE TO MAKE IN THIS LIFE

THAT WE WISH WE DIDN'T HAVE TO.

YOUR PA HAS MADE ONE OF THOSE DECISIONS.

BUT IT'S NOT RIGHT.

WELL, THAT'S EASY TO SAY

WHEN THE PROBLEM ISN'T LEFT UP TO YOU.

YOUR PA MADE A PROMISE TO A DEAR FRIEND.

HE DIDN'T HAVE TO.

HE COULD HAVE LEFT THAT RESPONSIBILITY

TO SOMEBODY ELSE...

BUT HE DIDN'T.

HE COUNTS FRIENDSHIP TOO DEAR FOR THAT.

HE LOVES THOSE CHILDREN.

AND HE'S DONE WHAT HE THINKS IS BEST FOR THEIR FUTURE.

I WENT TO SEE THE CHILDREN TODAY.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT? THEY WEREN'T CRYING...

OR ANGRY.

THEY WERE WORRIED.

NOT ABOUT THEMSELVES... BUT ABOUT YOUR PA.

AND THEY ASKED ME TO TELL HIM AGAIN

NOT TO WORRY-- THAT THEY'D BE FINE.

ALICIA SAID THAT?

ALICIA AND CARL AND JOHN JR.

NOW, I THINK IF THEY CAN UNDERSTAND

HOW HARD THIS DECISION HAS BEEN FOR YOUR FATHER,

YOU OUGHT TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND, TOO.

HE NEEDS OUR LOVE NOW...

NOT OUR ANGER.

I'M SORRY. I'M SO SORRY.

OHH.

IT'S ALL RIGHT.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO HURT HIM.

WELL, OF COURSE YOU DIDN'T.

ANY MORE THAN YOU MEANT TO GIVE

THIS PUPPY TO NELLIE.

YOU KNEW I WASN'T GOING TO?

WELL, I CAME HERE, DIDN'T I?

TO YOUR FAVORITE PLACE?

I KNEW YOU WEREN'T GOING INTO TOWN.

YOUR PA WAS WORKING IN THE FIELDS WHEN I CAME HOME.

WORKING HARD SOMETIMES HELPS WHEN YOU'RE HURTING.

HE'S PROBABLY STILL THERE.

WHAT SHOULD I SAY?

YOU WON'T HAVE TO SAY A THING.

JUST GO TO HIM.

I SHOULD HAVE USED THE LARGER NEEDLES.

AT THE RATE I'M GOING, I'M NEVER GONNA FINISH THIS.

WHAT IS IT?

IT'S A LITTLE SWEATER FOR ALICIA.

I WANTED TO GIVE IT TO HER.

I'LL JUST HAVE TO PUT IT IN THE POST.

YOU'RE QUITE A WOMAN.

OH...

ALL WOMENFOLK KNOW HOW TO KNIT.

I WASN'T TALKING ABOUT YOUR KNITTING.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT YOU...

AND THE WAY YOU ARE AND THE WAY YOU'VE

TAKEN OVER THESE KIDS LIKE THEY WAS YOUR OWN.

WELL, WHAT ABOUT YOURSELF?

YOU'VE SPENT SO MUCH TIME HERE,

I'M AFRAID FOLKS ARE BEGINNING TO TALK.

[CHUCKLES]

I'M GONNA MISS THEM.

WON'T YOU?

I SUPPOSE.

BUT WHAT'S DONE IS DONE.

WE'RE ALL PACKED UP.

YOU DIDN'T FORGET ANYTHING?

NO, MA'AM.

GOOD.

WE WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING,

TO BOTH OF YOU.

WELL, THERE AIN'T NO REASON FOR THAT.

IT WASN'T NOTHING.

WE'LL MISS YOU.

LOOK, YOU KIDS BETTER GET ON TO BED.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET UP EARLY.

MR. EDWARDS IS RIGHT. COME ALONG NOW.

WE HAVE MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR THIS DAY

AS WE'VE GATHERED HERE IN GOD'S HOUSE.

I'D LIKE TO THINK THAT OUR CHURCH COULD BE FILLED

OVERFLOWING ON ALL DAYS,

NOT JUST THE ONES THAT ARE SPECIAL.

BECAUSE ALL OF OUR DAYS HERE ON GOD'S EARTH ARE SPECIAL.

REMEMBER THAT THIS THANKSGIVING DAY

SO YOUR HEARTS MAY BE FILLED WITH JOY AND LOVE

ALL THE YEAR THROUGH.

REACH NOW FOR THE HAND OF A FRIEND OR A LOVED ONE

AND FEEL THE STRENGTH THAT CAN ONLY COME

FROM CARING WHILE I READ THIS PSALM.

"MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE UNTO THE LORD, ALL YE LANDS.

"SERVE THE LORD WITH GLADNESS.

COME BEFORE HIS PRESENCE WITH SINGING."

"KNOW YE THAT THE LORD IS GOD.

"IT'S HE THAT'S MADE US...

"NOT WE OURSELVES.

"WE ARE HIS PEOPLE,

"THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE.

"ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING

"AND INTO HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE.

"BE THANKFUL UNTO HIM...

"BLESS HIS NAME.

"FOR THE LORD IS GOOD,

HIS MERCY IS EVERLASTING..."

"AND HIS TRUTH ENDURETH TO ALL GENERATIONS."

AMEN.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU...

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

AND WE'RE THANKFUL TO YOU...

John Jr.: WE'D LIKE JUST A MINUTE

ALONE, PLEASE.

Miss Farnsworth: CERTAINLY.

John, Jr.: WE'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT US.

MA SAID MR. INGALLS IS A GOOD MAN.

HE KNOWS WHAT HE'S DOING.

YOU WON'T BE SO FAR AWAY.

WE'LL SEE EACH OTHER VERY SOON.

DON'T WORRY.

AND REMEMBER WE LOVE YOU.

WE'RE READY NOW.

COME, CHILD.

IT'S ALL RIGHT.

NO, IT AIN'T ALL RIGHT.

IT AIN'T ALL RIGHT AT ALL.

LOOK, CHARLES,

I GOT MAD AT YOU THE OTHER DAY 'CAUSE, UH...

WELL, I WASN'T-- I WASN'T MAD AT YOU.

I WAS MAD AT ME.

YOU WERE RIGHT.

I'M ALONE BECAUSE I MADE THAT CHOICE.

BUT DON'T ASK ME WHY. I DON'T KNOW. I JUST...

MAYBE GUILT, FEAR,

I DON'T-- I DON'T KNOW.

IF I KNEW THE REASON,

I WOULDN'T BE ALONE RIGHT NOW.

I GOT NOTHING AGIN' YOU, MISS FARNSWORTH,

OR ANY OF YOU FOLKS.

IT'S JUST THAT I THINK

THESE CHILDREN OUGHT TO STAY TOGETHER.

GRACE, UM...

I KNOW THIS AIN'T THE TIME OR THE PLACE,

BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE US A FAMILY

WE OUGHT TO GET OURSELVES MARRIED.

OH, ISAIAH'. I--

NOW, I LOVE YOU.

YOU HEAR THAT?

I AIN'T AFRAID TO SAY IT NO MORE.

AND I LOVE THEM KIDS, TOO.

WELL, THE POINT IS,

IF YOU ALL WILL HAVE ME,

I'LL DO MY BEST TO MAKE YOU HAPPY.

WELL, I'LL DO THE BEST I CAN, TOO.

Alden: NOW, IF SOMEBODY'S GONNA GET MARRIED,

WE BETTER GET ON WITH IT.

I GOT A BEAUTIFUL TURKEY WAITING FOR ME

OUT AT AMY HEARN'S,

AND IT WOULD BE A SIN TO LET IT OVERCOOK.

HA HA HA'.

COME ON. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO A WEDDING.

WELL, I'D LIKE TO KNOW

WHAT YOU CALL A PROPOSAL LIKE THAT.

I CALL IT BEAUTIFUL.

WELL, COME ON, HARRIET,

LET'S GO AND SEE IF THAT TURKEY YOU COOKED

TASTES AS GOOD

AS YOU KEEP TELLING US IT DOES.

AND DO YOU, ISAIAH EDWARDS,

TAKE THIS WOMAN TO BE YOUR LAWFUL WEDDED WIFE...

TO LOVE, HONOR, AND CHERISH TILL DEATH DO YOU PART?

I DO.

AND DO YOU, GRACE SNIDER,

TAKE THIS MAN TO BE YOUR LAWFUL WEDDED HUSBAND...

TO LOVE, HONOR, AND CHERISH TILL DEATH DO YOU PART?

I DO.

I NOW PRONOUNCE YOU MAN AND WIFE.

[CHUCKLING]

Julia: REMEMBER ME WITH SMILES AND LAUGHTER,

FOR THAT'S HOW I'LL REMEMBER YOU ALL.

IF YOU CAN ONLY REMEMBER ME WITH TEARS,

THEN DON'T REMEMBER ME AT ALL.