Original subtitles

[PIANO AND VIOLIN PLAYING]

WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

IT'S AMAZING.

BUT WHO CARES?

WHO CARES?

I MEAN, WHAT IS IT FOR?

WELL, YOU JUST HEARD. IT PLAYS MUSIC.

WELL, WE'VE GOT A PIANO.

YEAH, BUT YOU--YOU CAN PUT YOUR OWN VOICE ON THERE.

WHAT FOR?

SO THAT YOU CAN HEAR YOUR OWN VOICE TALKING BACK TO YOU.

I AM QUITE CAPABLE OF HEARING MY OWN VOICE, MR. GODFREY.

I CAN HEAR IT QUITE CLEARLY RIGHT NOW

AS IT TELLS ME, "UH, NO,

WE DON'T WANT TO BUY YOUR MACHINE."

UH, MA'AM--IS THAT YOUR Fl--

IS THAT YOUR FINAL WORD?

WELL, IT'S MY WIFE'S,

SO THAT MAKES IT THE FINAL WORD.

I'M SORRY.

WELL, ME, TOO.

I, UH, I BUSTED MY WAGON.

I'M HAVING IT FIXED DOWN THE LIVERY.

I WAS HOPING TO SELL THIS TO PAY FOR THAT.

I COULD MAKE YOU AN AWFUL GOOD DEAL.

OW! OOH...

LOOKS TO ME LIKE YOU BUSTED MORE THAN YOUR WAGON.

OH, THAT'S JUST MY KNEE, BUT IT'S GETTING BETTER.

UM, YOU KNOW, I BET THAT YOU COULD GET A PURE JOY

OUT OF HEARING YOUR WIFE'S VOICE ON THIS HERE MACHINE.

Mrs. meson". NELS.

THE ONLY JOY I'D DERIVE FROM THAT, MR. GODFREY,

WOULD BE IN TURNING IT OFF.

GOOD DAY.

GOOD DAY.

OH, DRAT!

[DISTANT THUNDER]

LAURA.

I'M COMING.

Miss Beadle: JASON.

JASON, I WAS VERY PLEASED WITH YOUR WORK TODAY.

THANK YOU, MA'AM.

LAURA INGALLS, I KNOW JUST WHAT YOU'RE UP TO.

HUSH UP!

WELL, JASON, I HOPE YOU'LL TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR EXPERIMENTS.

WHY DON'T YOU BRING IN A SPECIAL REPORT ONE DAY?

Jason: GOLLY, MISS BEADLE, I DON'T KNOW.

NOW, JASON, YOU CAN'T GO HIDING TALENT UNDER A BUSHEL BASKET.

YOU THINK ABOUT IT.

YES, MA'AM.

WANT TO WALK HOME PAST THE STORE?

UH, SORRY, NELLIE. I'M KIND OF IN A HURRY RIGHT NOW.

Nellie: MY PA JUST GOT IN SOME PENNY SOURBALLS AND LICORICE.

NO, THANKS, NELLIE. I CAN'T.

SARSAPARILLA?

MAYBE TOMORROW.

Mary: LAURA INGALLS, WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

TELL MA I'LL BE LATE.

[THUNDER]

[THUNDER]

HI.

OH.

I WAS JUST PASSING BY.

WONDERED WHAT YOU WERE DOING.

SAW YOU UP HERE YESTERDAY.

IT'S TOO LATE.

WHAT?

THE STORM'S MOVING OFF TO THE SOUTH.

YOU GOT TO HAVE A STORM TO FLY A KITE?

SEEMS LIKE THERE'S WIND ENOUGH.

I CAN HELP YOU, JASON.

I CAN HOLD HER, OR I CAN RUN-- EITHER ONE YOU WANT.

I'M A PRETTY GOOD RUNNER.

WELL, WE'LL GIVE HER A TRY.

HERE. HOLD THIS.

NOW?

LET HER GO.

HURRY UP, JASON. RUN!

RUN FASTER, JASON!

WE DID IT! SHE'S WAY UP THERE!

LOOK AT HER GO!

WE DID IT, JASON! WE DID IT!

YAY! WE DID IT! WE DID IT! SHE'S FLYING!

WE DID IT!

HERE. HOLD ON TO THIS.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

I'LL SHOW YOU. JUST HOLD ON.

HI, PA.

HI, MARY. HOW WAS SCHOOL TODAY?

FINE. I GOT AN "A" ON THE MATH TEST.

HEY, THAT'S MY GIRL.

I'LL BE RIGHT OUT TO HELP YOU.

WHERE'S YOUR SISTER?

SHE SAID SHE'D BE LATE.

HOW COME? SHE GET A BAD GRADE ON THE TEST?

NO. SHE'S IN LOVE WITH A SCIENTIST.

Jason: MIGHT AS WELL PUT HER UP. STORM'S MOVING OFF.

THERE'S A COUPLE OF CLOUDS UP YONDER.

LITTLE PEEWEES. GOT TO HAVE BIG, BLACK ONES THAT MEAN BUSINESS.

LET'S REEL HER IN. WON'T QUIT, THOUGH.

NO, SIR.

IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEED...

TRY, TRY AGAIN.

BEN FRANKLIN DIDN'T QUIT, AND LOOK WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM.

HE GOT TO BE PRESIDENT.

- PRESIDENT? - YEAH.

THAT'S THE FIRST TIME I HEARD OF IT.

IT'S MOONSHINE.

YOU BE STILL, MARY!

HE WASN'T PRESIDENT, LAURA.

HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND ONE OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS, BUT--

HE WAS PRESIDENT!

BECAUSE JASON SAID SO. OH!

Laura: HE WAS Too PRESIDENT...

OF A STOVE COMPANY.

OH! HA HA HA!

RIGHT?

WELL, I'D HAVE TO LOOK THAT ONE UP, BUT HE DID INVENT A STOVE.

SEE, MARY'? NY AH'.!

Mary: NYAH!

HEY, WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO YOU GIRLS TONIGHT, THE APPLE PUDDING?

YOU BETTER LEAVE THE CINNAMON OUT NEXT TIME.

LAURA'S STUCK ON JASON.

Laura: I AM NOT!

COME ON, NOW, DON'T BE AFRAID OF IT.

THE FELLOW THAT FOLLOWS IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF BEN FRANKLIN

MIGHT BE A VERY GOOD PROSPECT.

OH, HA HA!

YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO EXCUSE ME.

I GOT TO GO OUT TO THE BARN AND FINISH WORKING ON THAT WAGON.

THE MAN'S GOT TO PULL OUT TOMORROW.

CAN I WATCH YOU WORK, PA?

GOT YOUR CHORES DONE?

I THINK SO.

IT'S MARY'S TURN FOR THE DISHES.

YOU RUN ALONG.

THANKS, MA.

PA?

MM-HMM?

YOU KNOW WHAT THE TROUBLE IS?

SURE I KNOW WHAT THE TROUBLE IS.

I GOT THE WHEEL JUST ABOUT FIXED.

I DON'T MEAN WITH THE WHEEL. I MEAN WITH ME.

I'M NOT PRETTY ENOUGH.

AW, COME ON. YOU ARE TOO PRETTY ENOUGH.

BESIDES, PRETTY ISN'T EVERYTHING.

ALMOST.

NOPE, NOT EVEN ALMOST.

IT'S WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART AND YOUR HEAD THAT'S IMPORTANT.

ANY BOY WITH ANY SENSE, THAT'S WHAT HE LOOKS FOR.

OH, HE'S GOT SENSE.

HE SURE DOES KNOW A LOT ABOUT SCIENCE.

I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

WELL, YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT SCIENCE,

ALL YOU GOT TO DO IS STUDY UP ON IT.

WHOEVER HEARD OF A LADY SCIENTIST?

I'LL BET YOU THERE'LL BE A LADY SCIENTIST SOMEDAY.

I HEAR TELL THERE'S LADY DOCTORS IN MANKATO RIGHT NOW.

- REALLY? - MM-HMM.

I GOT TO GET THIS WHEEL INTO TOWN.

DON'T YOU STAY UP TOO LATE.

IT STILL WOULD HELP A LOT IF I WAS PRETTIER.

I'M A SIGHT PRETTIER THAN LAURA INGALLS.

I WONDER WHY HE GOES TRAIPSING AFTER HER.

WELL, YOU JUST HAVE TO GO ABOUT IT IN THE RIGHT WAY.

I TRIED SOURBALLS AND SARSAPARILLA.

WELL, MAYBE HE DOESN'T LIKE SOURBALLS AND SARSAPARILLA,

BUT YOU MARK MY WORD.

HE HAS A SOFT SPOT SOMEWHERE,

AND IT'S JUST UP TO YOU TO FIND IT.

WHAT WAS PA'S?

WELL, ME OF COURSE

AND THE BEST PAIR OF HIGH-STEPPING GRAYS

IN SULLIVAN COUNTY. HEE HEE!

WHAT'S JASON FOND OF?

SCIENCE. HE CAN TELL YOU ALL ABOUT STEAMBOATS,

TRAINS, TRANSATLANTIC CABLES, THINGS LIKE THAT.

OH.

OH!

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

I JUST THOUGHT OF SOMETHING!

HA HA! NELS! NELS!

[HAMMERING]

GOT IT JUST ABOUT DONE.

OH, AND NOT A SECOND TOO SOON.

I GOT SHOWS IN ABOUT A DOZEN TOWNS UP NORTH I'M GOING TO BE LATE FOR.

WELL, YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A REAL STOUT WAGON HERE WHEN I'M FINISHED.

'LESSEN I DUMP HER WHEELS UP IN A DITCH AGAIN.

WELL, WE GOT TO FIND YOU A MARE THAT DOESN'T SPOOK IN LIGHTNING.

ONLIEST THING IN THE WORLD THAT BLOWS THAT MARE UP IS LIGHTNING.

YOU RECKON IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT SHE'S FEMALE?

YOU KNOW, THEIR JUICES RUN DIFFERENT THAN OURS.

I DON'T THINK SO.

KNOW A LOT OF MENFOLK SPOOK IN LIGHTNING, TOO.

THERE. THAT'S GOT HER.

I'M PROPERLY GRATEFUL. HOW MUCH DO I OWE YOU?

$6.85. $4.00 LABOR, AND THE REST IS IN MATERIALS.

UH, ARE YOU OPEN TO A PROPOSITION?

A PROPOSITION?

WELL, I--l LIKELY NEGLECTED TO MENTION THE FACT

THAT THE DOCTOR TOOK ALL MY READY CASH,

SO I'M GOING TO HAVE TO PAY YOU IN KIND.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, IN KIND?

A SWAP.

W-W-WE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT A SWAP.

DO YOU WANT TO GIVE ME A HAND HERE?

LOOK, MISTER, I'VE GOT AN AWFUL LOT OF TIME AND WORK--

PUT THIS ON THAT TABLE YONDER.

IT WAS COPIED NUT FOR NUT, BOLT FROM BOLT

FROM THE ONE THOMAS EDISON PUT TOGETHER IN MENLO PARK.

IT'S WORTH $50 IF IT'S WORTH A NICKEL.

AND YOU CAN HAVE IT FOR YOUR SERVICES. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

WHAT IS IT?

OH, HERE.

I'LL DEMONSTRATE IT FOR YOU.

OK.

I AM A TALKING MACHINE

INVENTED BY THOMAS EDISON HISSELF,

AND I BELONG TO CHARLES INGALLS OF WALNUT GROVE.

NOW...

NOW WATCH.

[TURNING HANDLE]

Godfrey's voice on machine: I AM A TALKING MACHINE

INVENTED BY THOMAS EDISON HISSELF,

AND I BELONG TO CHARLES INGALLS OF WALNUT GROVE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF HER?

YEAH, WELL, I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.

WELL, OF COURSE YOU AIN'T.

SHE WAS JUST INVENTED LAST YEAR.

YOU HOLLER INTO HER, AND SHE HOLLERS RIGHT BACK.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I--I THINK I'M GONNA HAVE A HARD TIME SPENDING THIS AT THE STORE.

YOU KNOW, I OWE $2.85 JUST FOR MATERIALS.

EVENING, CHARLES, MR. GODFREY.

WELL, I SEE YOU'VE STILL GOT THE TALKING MACHINE.

I'VE BEEN TALKING TO MY WIFE, AND I THINK WE CAN USE ONE.

WELL, INGALLS AND I ARE JUST PULLING AND TUGGING ON THAT VERY SUBJECT.

I WASN'T TUGGING VERY HARD, NELS. YOU WANT TO BUY IT?

WELL, NELLIE WANTS IT.

MAYBE WE CAN WORK SOME KIND OF DEAL.

WHAT DO I OWE YOU AT THE STORE?

ABOUT $7.00, NEAR AS I CAN REMEMBER.

WELL, $7.00 WILL DO IT.

YOU MARK THAT BILL "PAID IN FULL,"

AND YOU'VE BOUGHT YOURSELF A TALKING MACHINE.

A DEAL?

Nels: DEAL.

Jason: THIS IS A DONKEY ENGINE...

[ENGINE WHISTLING]

AND THIS IS THE BOILER.

WHEN THE WATER GETS TO BOILING, IT MAKES STEAM,

AND THE STEAM GOES THROUGH THIS THING HERE

INTO THE CYLINDER PART AND THE CYLINDER,

AND IT MAKES THE PISTON MOVE, AND THAT MAKES THE FLYWHEEL GO,

AND THAT'S IT.

[APPLAUSE]

SOMEDAY WE'LL HAVE WAGONS

WITH STEAM ENGINES TO DRIVE THEM INSTEAD OF HORSES.

WE WILL NOT.

Jason: YES, WE WILL,

AND MAYBE EVEN STEAM FLYING MACHINES.

THAT'S SILLY.

THAT'S NOT SO SILLY.

A BRILLIANT MAN NAMED LEONARDO DA VINCI

PREDICTED THAT MANY YEARS AGO.

NOW, WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED FROM THIS DEMONSTRATION?

YES, WILLIE?

THAT THERE'S A MAN NAMED LEONARDO DA-SOMETHING

THAT'S AS SILLY AS JASON.

[CHILDREN LAUGH]

STAND IN THE CORNER, WILLIE.

YES, MA'AM.

[THUNDER]

[THUNDER]

MISS BEADLE, MAY I BE EXCUSED? SHE'S COMING UP REAL GOOD.

VERY WELL, JASON, BUT WE'LL EXPECT

A REPORT ON YOUR EXPERIMENT TOMORROW.

Jason: YES, MA'AM.

LAURA!

I'M HELPING HIM, MISS BEADLE.

THAT'S RIGHT, MISS BEADLE.

OH, VERY WELL. YOU MAY GO.

THANKS!

NELLIE, WAIT A MINUTE!

JASON!

I'VE GOT A TALKING MACHINE!

JASON!

[THUNDER]

GET THE UMBRELLA.

WHAT FOR? WE'RE ALREADY WET.

IT'S PART OF THE EXPERIMENT-- THE MOST IMPORTANT PART.

HERE, LET ME.

HANG ON TIGHT.

DON'T WORRY. I WILL.

YOU CAN TRUST ME, JASON.

WHY DO WE NEED THE UMBRELLA?

SO WE CAN KEEP THE RIBBON DRY.

WELL, WHAT'S THE USE OF KEEPING THE RIBBON DRY

IF THE STRING'S ALL WET?

BECAUSE BEN FRANKLIN SAID SO.

BOY, WE GOT A GULLYWHOPPER. LOOK, LAURA.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

WE KEEP HER DRY AND WAIT.

YOU SAW THAT LITTLE WIRE POINTY THING ON THE FRONT.

THE ONE THAT WAS STICKING STRAIGHT UP? YEAH.

WELL, THAT SCRATCHES THE CLOUD AND LETS THE ELECTRIC FIRE OUT,

AND IT RUNS DOWN THE STRING.

ELECTRIC FIRE? I DON'T THINK I LIKE THAT.

IT WON'T HURT YOU.

THE WAY THAT KITE'S BUCKING AND BOUNCING,

IT SHOULDN'T BE LONG.

HOW CAN YOU TELL?

THE KEY.

OW!

WE DID IT! WE DID IT!

WHAT DID WE DO?

JUST LIKE BEN FRANKLIN SAID!

YOU KNOW WHAT THAT WAS?

REAL, GENUINE, 100% ELECTRICITY!

SURE FELT LIKE 100% SOMETHING.

I COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU.

HOORAY, WE DID IT!

HOORAY FOR US! HOORAY FOR BEN FRANKLIN!

HOORAY FOR US!

WE DID IT! WE DID IT, LAURA!

WE MADE ELECTRICITY! HOORAY FOR US, LAURA! HOORAY!

WE MADE ELECTRICITY!

WE FINALLY DID IT!

WE MADE ELECTRICITY! HOORAY!

HOORAY! HOORAY FOR US!

WE MADE ELECTRICITY! HOORAY FOR US!

HOORAY! WE DID IT! HOORAY! WE DID IT! HOORAY!

[THUNDER]

WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP THERE?

Mary: WHICH ONE Do YOU WANT?

THE GREEN ONE--AND HURRY. SHE'S SHIVERING.

Charles: HERE. I'LL GET HER JACKET.

OH.

IT'S COMING DOWN.

OH, THANK YOU.

HA HA HA HA!

OH, I THINK YOU AND YOUR FRIEND JASON COULD THINK OF

SOMETHING BETTER TO DO THAN TO GO KITE FLYING IN THE RAIN.

OH, YOU'RE SOAKED TO THE SKIN.

AND THESE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME OFF, TOO.

IT WAS A SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENT, MA.

- MMM. - IT WAS FUN, PA.

Charles: WELL, IT MUST HAVE BEEN To GET YOU SOAKED To THE SKIN LIKE THAT.

DID YOU BRING PANTALOONS?

- THESE ARE MINE. - THEY'RE DROOPY!

YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE GOING ANYWHERE.

SO YOU TWO INVENTED ELECTRICITY, HUH?

YES, SIR. ACTUALLY, BEN FRANKLIN DID IT FIRST,

BUT WE DID IT JUST AS GOOD.

JASON SAID HE COULDN'T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT MY HELP.

MAYBE I'LL BE A LADY SCIENTIST.

NOW YOU WON'T BE ANYTHING IF YOU CATCH YOUR DEATH.

COME ON. LET'S GET YOU OVER TO THE FIRE.

Laura: DON'T WORRY, MA. I FEEL WONDERFUL,

REALLY WONDERFUL.

AH-CHOO!

BLESS YOU.

[SNIFFLING]

MA SAYS SHE MIGHT HAVE TO KEEP YOU HOME TOMORROW.

I'M NOT SICK.

I TOLD HER YOU JUST GOT THE SNIFFLES.

INFLAMMATION OF THE NASAL MEMBRANES.

HUH?

FROM A GERM IT SAYS HERE.

WHAT'S IT LOOK LIKE?

IT'S LONG AND GREEN

MOST LIKELY WITH SPOTS DOWN ITS BACK

AND A PASSEL OF LEGS.

YOU'RE MAKING IT AWFUL FANCY SEEMS LIKE.

WHEN YOU'RE SILLY ENOUGH TO GO KITE FLYING IN THE RAIN,

YOU GET YOUR FEET WET,

AND WHEN YOU GET YOUR FEET WET, YOU GET THE SNIFFLES.

THAT'S ALL THERE IS ABOUT IT.

THAT'S WHEN A GERM GETS YOU IT SAYS.

MAYBE JASON GOT IT, TOO.

MAYBE WE BOTH HAVE THE SAME GERM.

HOW ROMANTIC.

PLEASE DON'T MAKE FUN OF ME.

I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T MEAN IT.

BETTER GET TO SLEEP.

TURN OUT THE LAMP. GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

AH-CHOO!

NELLIE, WHAT ARE YOU UP TO, HONEY?

JUST WORKING ON MY SAMPLER, MA.

OH. YOU BETTER COME INSIDE, HONEY. IT'S GETTING CHILLY.

AW, MA!

OH, WELL. NOW COME ON. THE SNIFFLES ARE GOING AROUND,

AND YOU'RE GOING TO GET THEM. COME ON. COME ON.

I'M NOT COLD. LET ME BE.

OH!

Jason: THEY'VE HAD THEM FOR A LONG TIME.

ALMOST 100 YEARS AGO, THEY HAD A BALLOON IN FRANCE THAT WENT UP

CARRYING A ROOSTER AND A SHEEP AND A DUCK.

THEN THEY BUILT A BIGGER ONE

THAT CARRIED TWO MEN UP IN THE SKY.

Laura: WHAT MAKES IT Go UP?

YOU SEE, HOT AIR RISES, SO WHEN YOU LIGHT THE FLAME UNDER THE BALLOON,

IT LIFTS IT OFF THE GROUND.

WITH PEOPLE IN IT?

SURE.

I'D BE AFRAID. BUT YOU WOULDN'T, WOULD YOU, JASON?

OF COURSE NOT. SCIENTISTS HAVE TO BE BRAVE.

Nellie's voice: HEY, JASON.

AREN'T YOU GOING TO SAY HELLO TO ME?

I'M A TALKING MACHINE,

INVENTED BY THOMAS EDISON HIMSELF.

I CAN SING AND WHISTLE AND TELL JOKES.

I CAN REPEAT ANYTHING ANYBODY TELLS ME

AND NEVER MAKE A MISTAKE.

IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO ME,

I CAN TALK RIGHT BACK TO YOU AND NEVER CHANGE A WORD.

I'M THE LATEST, GREATEST, NEWEST,

TRUEST, ONLIEST TALKING MACHINE IN THE UNITED STATES

WEST OF MENLO PARK, NEW JERSEY.

I CAN TALK, AND I CAN SING, AND I CAN DO ANY--

GOODNESS SAKES, NELLIE. WHAT DO YOU GOT HERE?

WHY, I DIDN'T KNOW YOU WERE INTERESTED.

I TOLD YOU I HAD A TALKING MACHINE,

AND YOU DIDN'T PAY ANY MIND TO ME.

I'M SORRY, NELLIE. I DIDN'T HEAR YOU.

NELLIE, PLEASE, CAN I HAVE A LOOK AT HER?

WELL...IF YOU'RE SURE YOU'RE INTERESTED.

A TALKING MACHINE.

A GENUINE TALKING MACHINE.

CAN I TRY IT?

WELL, ALL RIGHT, BUT WE'D BETTER TAKE IT INSIDE-- AND JUST JASON.

MY MOTHER DOESN'T LIKE A LOT OF CHILDREN AROUND HER GOOD CHINA.

COME ON, JASON. YOU CAN CARRY IT.

A GENUINE TALKING MACHINE!

THAT EXPLAINS WHY NELS WAS SO INTERESTED

IN THAT TALKING MACHINE.

WISH YOU HAD GOTTEN IT, PA.

I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL, HALF-PINT,

BUT WE NEEDED TO PAY OUR BILLS AT THE STORE

A LOT MORE THAN WE NEEDED THAT MACHINE.

NELLIE SURE IS LUCKY. SHE CAN HAVE ANYTHING SHE WANTS.

WHAT ABOUT FRIENDS?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

WELL, YOU SAID NELLIE COULD HAVE ANYTHING SHE WANTS.

WHAT YOU MEAN IS ANYTHING SHE CAN BUY.

YOU CAN BUY FRIENDS, TOO, BUT NOT REAL ONES.

THERE ISN'T ENOUGH MONEY IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD TO BUY A REAL FRIEND...

OR A BOYFRIEND EITHER.

THEN WHY DID HE GO OFF WITH HER?

'CAUSE HE WAS INTERESTED IN THE MACHINE.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF YOU KNEW A BOY ONLY LIKED YOU

'CAUSE YOU HAD SOMETHING LIKE A TALKING MACHINE?

NOT SO GOOD, I GUESS.

OF COURSE YOU WOULDN'T.

IF HE LIKED YOU BEFORE, HE'LL LIKE YOU NOW.

NO TALKING MACHINE IN THE WORLD'S GOING TO CHANGE THAT.

YOU KNOW, YOU'RE RIGHT.

WHY SHOULD I BE AFRAID OF A DUMB OLD TALKING MACHINE?

THERE YOU GO. WHY DON'T YOU GO ON IN THE HOUSE?

TELL YOUR MA I'LL BE IN IN A MINUTE.

YES, SIR.

PA?

MM-HMM?

IF MA SAYS IT'S ALL RIGHT,

CAN I INVITE JASON TO SUPPER TOMORROW NIGHT?

IF YOUR MA SAYS ALL RIGHT, I DON'T SEE WHY NOT.

THANKS. IF I'M NOT GOING TO BE AFRAID OF NELLIE'S TALKING MACHINE,

I DON'T SEE WHY SHE SHOULD BE AFRAID OF MA'S DUMPLINGS.

Jason: LOOK AT HER! IT'S COMING RIGHT To YOU.

IT'S PERFECT! I'LL GET IT!

JUST LOOK AT IT!

IT'S PERFECT.

I GOT IT.

IT WORKED JUST LIKE THE BIG STEAMSHIP.

IT SURE DID.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING, JASON?

I BET THAT SOMEDAY THEY'LL HAVE A STEAMSHIP

THAT'LL FLY RIGHT OUT OF THE WATER,

AND IT CAN LAND ANYWHERE IT WANTS TO.

I GUESS IT'S KIND OF SILLY, ISN'T IT?

NO, IT'S NOT.

YOU KNOW, LAURA, THAT'S A WONDERFUL IDEA.

A STEAM ENGINE AIRPLANE THAT LANDS ON WATER.

THAT'S A WONDERFUL IDEA!

CAN I BE YOUR PARTNER, JASON, AND HELP YOU INVENT IT?

SURE YOU CAN.

I WOULDN'T WANT ANYONE ELSE FOR MY PARTNER BUT YOU.

I BETTER BE GOING. I'VE GOT SOME CHORES TO DO.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT SUPPER. WE'RE HAVING DUMPLINGS.

I'LL BE THERE.

HIS PARTNER.

MM-HMM. OH, THAT SMELLS GOOD.

THERE YOU GO.

THERE YOU ARE, JASON.

- THANK YOU, MA'AM. - YOU'RE WELCOME.

SO YOU FIGURED THAT WHOLE THING OUT BY YOURSELF, HUH?

YES, SIR. IT'S A MATTER OF TRANSFERRING THE VIBRATIONS

FROM THE SOUND ONTO A HUNK OF TIN FOIL.

IT MAKES LITTLE BUMPS, AND WHEN YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO IT,

YOU DO IT BACKWARDS, AND EVERYTHING COMES OUT.

ISN'T HE SMART?

HE CERTAINLY IS.

HE KNOWS MORE ABOUT SCIENCE THAN MISS BEADLE DOES.

DON'T YOU, JASON?

AW, LAURA.

LAURA, YOU'RE EMBARRASSING JASON.

WELL, IT'S THE TRUTH, THOUGH.

I'M SORRY NOW I DIDN'T KEEP THAT THING.

WISH YOU HAD, PA.

I RECITED "THE BOY STOOD ON THE BURNING DECK"

WITH A MOUTHFUL OF GUMDROPS.

[ALL LAUGH]

NELLIE GAVE YOU GUMDROPS?

SEVEN. MRS. OLESON SANG GRAND OPERA.

OH. SHE BREAK THE PICKLE CROCK?

- CHARLES. - HA HA HA!

THAT MACHINE IS A SUREFIRE WONDER.

SOMEDAY WE'LL HAVE MUSIC OR POETRY OR ANYTHING WE WANT.

JUST TURN THE CRANK, AND THERE SHE IS.

GOING TO HAVE A TALKING MACHINE ON YOUR STEAM ENGINE AIRPLANE?

MAYBE.

I'M GOING TO HELP JASON INVENT THINGS. AREN'T I, JASON?

SURE.

MIGHTY FINE DUMPLINGS, MA'AM.

THANK YOU.

Laura: YOU KNOW, THE DUMPLING'S FLOATING--

IT DISPLACES ITS WEIGHT IN GRAVITY.

ARTIMEDE SAID SO.

ARCHIMEDES.

THAT'S WHAT I SAID. ARCHIMEDES.

AND YOU KNOW SOMETHING ELSE?

A LAMP WON'T BURN WITHOUT OXYGEN.

Charles: HUH. I TAKE IT THAT'S THE END OF THE EXPERIMENT.

YES, SIR.

GOOD. WELL, I'LL JUST FIND--OH, DADBURN IT!

Caroline: WHAT'S THE MATTER, CHARLES?

I JUST DISPLACED MY GRAVY WITH MY ELBOW.

[LAUGHTER]

Mrs. Oleson: A VERY STRANGE YOUNG MAN, IF YOU ASK ME.

Mr. Oleson: SEEMS NICE ENOUGH To ME.

I HATE HIM!

OH, NELLIE, DEAR, YOU DON'T MEAN THAT.

I DO TOO. I HATE HIM.

HE'S A MEAN, NASTY OLD BOY--

HASN'T GOT A NOTION IN HIS HEAD ABOUT MANNERS.

IT'S A WONDER HE WEARS SHOES.

WELL, HE'S...HE'S FROM MASSACHUSETTS, ISN'T HE?

WELL, WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?

WELL...

IT'S GREAT SHOE COUNTRY BACK THERE.

CAN YOU IMAGINE THAT LAURA INGALLS

MARCHING IN HERE AS BOLD AS BRASS,

INVITING THAT BOY OUT TO HER HOME FOR SUPPER

RIGHT WHILE NELLIE'S ENTERTAINING HIM.

WELL, HE DIDN'T HAVE TO GO IF HE DIDN'T WANT TO.

PA, YOU'RE AS MEAN AS HE IS.

NOW, SEE HERE, YOUNG LADY! HOLD YOUR TONGUE!

NELS OLESON!

THAT'S ABOUT ENOUGH OUT OF YOU, TOO!

NOW, THIS THING HAS GONE ABOUT AS FAR AS I WANT IT TO GO.

SILLIEST THING IN THE WORLD, A YOUNG'UN LIKE THAT FRETTING OVER A BOY.

SHE ISN'T OLD ENOUGH TO BLOW THE FOAM OFF A SARSAPARILLA!

NOW IF HE WANTED TO GO TO SUPPER AT THE INGALLS',

MAYBE IT WAS BECAUSE HE APPRECIATED THE INVITATION,

OR MAYBE HE WAS JUST HUNGRY,

OR MAYBE HE LIKES THE INGALLS.

THEY'RE A VERY NICE FAMILY!

[NELLIE BAWLS]

NELS! I'M SURPRISED AT YOU!

SO AM I.

PASS THE BISCUITS.

[BAWLING]

[STOPS BAWLING]

GOOD MORNING, MR. OLESON.

WELL, LAURA, HOW ARE YOU TODAY?

FINE, THANKS. BROUGHT MA'S EGGS IN.

SO I SEE. COME ON INSIDE. WE'LL HAVE A LOOK.

ONLY TWO DOZEN TODAY. MA SAYS THE HENS ARE SLACKING OFF.

WELL, I GUESS IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR.

I'LL JUST PUT THAT DOWN AS A CREDIT.

YOU NEED ANYTHING?

YES. SOME WHITE SUGAR AND SOME CREAM OF TARTAR.

YES, MA'AM. WHITE SUGAR, CREAM OF TARTAR...

AND ONE GUMBALL.

THANKS, MR. OLESON.

LET'S SEE. SUGAR...

HI, LAURA!

HI.

HOW'S YOUR COLD?

IT'S ALL BETTER.

JUST A LITTLE INFLAMMATION OF THE NASAL MEMBRANES.

SOUNDS WORSE THAN IT IS.

YOU HAVE TO GO RIGHT HOME?

NO, I DON'T. WHY?

COME UP TO MY ROOM.

WHAT FOR?

JUST TALK.

HAVE ANOTHER GUMDROP.

YOU FEEL OK, NELLIE?

JUST FINE. GRAB A HANDFUL AND COME ON.

OH, NELLIE...

YOU SURE HAVE A PRETTY ROOM.

YOU'VE SEEN IT, HAVEN'T YOU?

YEAH, BUT IT WAS SUCH A LONG TIME AGO, I FORGOT.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE INVITED.

WE'RE GOOD FRIENDS, AREN'T WE?

WE ARE?

OF COURSE WE ARE. COME ON, LIE DOWN ON THE BED.

I GOT A NEW DOLL, ALL THE WAY FROM PARIS, FRANCE.

OH, IT'S BEAUTIFUL, NELLIE.

I'VE NEVER SEEN A DOLL LIKE IT.

YOU'RE PRETTY FOND OF JASON, AREN'T YOU?

OH, I DON'T KNOW.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE BASHFUL.

WE'RE GOOD FRIENDS, AREN'T WE?

WELL, I THINK HE'S NICE.

HE SURE IS AWFUL SMART.

I DON'T KNOW ANY OTHER BOY

THAT COULD BE SUCH A HAND AT EXPLAINING THINGS

LIKE HE IS.

SOMEDAY HE'LL BE A GREAT SCIENTIST.

YOU JUST WATCH HIM.

YOU REALLY LIKE HIM, DON'T YOU?

MAYBE I DO.

DON'T WORRY. I WON'T TELL ANYONE.

I CAN KEEP A SECRET.

WELL...

I DO SET A GREAT STORE BY HIM, NELLIE.

I HOPE HE LIKES ME, TOO.

DID HE EVER SAY ANYTHING ABOUT LIKING YOU?

WELL, LAST NIGHT HE SAID

THAT MAYBE I COULD BE A SCIENTIST,

EVEN IF I AM A GIRL.

I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING I'D RATHER BE.

SOMEDAY WE'LL HAVE A BIG STORE

THAT'LL HAVE A GREAT BIG SIGN IN FRONT

THAT SAYS, "JASON AND LAURA:

INVENTIONS DONE TO ORDER WHILE YOU WAIT."

I'LL NEVER BE AS SMART AS HE IS,

BUT I CAN WORK AWFUL HARD AT IT.

YOU REMEMBER WHAT MA ALWAYS SAYS:

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT PA SAYS:

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK, BUT WATCH OUT.

WELL, I DON'T CARE.

I THINK SHE'S CHANGED.

PEOPLE CAN CHANGE, YOU KNOW.

I'LL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT.

SHE'S A SPITEFUL, MEAN OLD THING,

AND IF SHE GAVE YOU GUMDROPS, IT'S 'CAUSE SHE'S AFTER SOMETHING!

WELL, SHE DIDN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING! SHE WAS NICE AS PIE.

Charles: WHAT ARE YOU TWO TALKING ABOUT?

LAURA'S TURNING THE OTHER CHEEK.

SO NELLIE CAN GIVE YOU A GOOD LICK.

OH, MARY.

Charles: YOU BETTER GET To SLEEP. YOU Go ON AND GET THE LIGHTS OUT.

Mary: YES, SIR.

YOU JUST WATCH HOW NICE NELLIE IS TOMORROW AT SCHOOL.

SHE'LL BE TOO BUSY SHOWING OFF HER TALKING MACHINE.

SHE TOLD MISS BEADLE SHE'D BRING IT.

WE'LL, YOU REMEMBER WHAT MA ALWAYS SAYS--

I KNOW, AND IF YOU'D JUST TURN THE OTHER CHEEK,

I COULD GO TO SLEEP.

GOOD NIGHT!

GOOD NIGHT.

Jason: WHICH PUTS THE SOUND VIBRATIONS ON TINFOIL

LIKE PENCIL WRITES ON PAPER.

[APPLAUSE]

NOW, JASON HAS EXPLAINED ABOUT

THE SOUND VIBRATIONS AND THE TINFOIL.

ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?

YES, WILLIE?

CAN HE MAKE IT FLY FOR US?

[LAUGHTER]

CHILDREN! STAND IN THE CORNER, WILLIE.

YES, MA'AM.

NELLIE, WOULD YOU PLEASE DEMONSTRATE IT FOR US?

Laura's voice: SOMEDAY MAYBE WE'LL HAVE A BIG STORE TOGETHER

WITH A SIGN ON THE FRONT--

"LAURA AND JASON'S: INVENTIONS DONE TO ORDER WHILE YOU WAIT."

I'LL NEVER BE AS SMART AS JASON,

BUT I CAN WORK AWFUL HARD AT IT.

I GUESS I DO LOVE HIM CONSIDERABLE,

BUT I DON'T EXPECT WE'D GET MARRIED FOR A WHILE YET.

NELLIE, TURN IT OFF.

I CAN'T. THE LEVER'S STUCK.

I SUPPOSE I SHOULDN'T, BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT JASON,

I GET ALL WARM AND CUDDLY INSIDE.

[LAUGHTER]

I SAID THAT'S ENOUGH!

IN KNOW IT'S SILLY, BUT I LIKE TO THINK ABOUT IT.

DON'T YOU EVER THINK--

Mary: LAURA!

LAURA!

LAURA, WAIT!

COME ON. LET'S GO HOME.

LEAVE ME ALONE.

PLEASE, MARY.

JUST LEAVE ME ALONE.

WHOA.

HOW ARE YOU DOING, MARY?

I TOLD LAURA NOT TO TRUST THAT NELLIE OLESON.

WHAT'S THE MATTER? WHAT HAPPENED?

NELLIE WAS VERY SWEET TO LAURA YESTERDAY.

SHE EVEN INVITED HER UP TO HER ROOM TO TRY THE TALKING MACHINE.

AND?

SHE GOT LAURA TO SAY A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS ABOUT JASON,

A WHOLE BUNCH OF LOVE STUFF.

LAURA DIDN'T KNOW THE MACHINE WAS ON,

AND TODAY NELLIE PLAYED IT FOR THE WHOLE CLASS.

DEAR, SWEET NELLIE, HUH?

WHERE'S YOUR SISTER NOW?

UP ON OAK HILL.

I TRIED TO GET HER TO COME HOME, BUT SHE WAS FEELING TOO BAD.

I'LL GO SEE WHAT I CAN DO.

TAKE THE TEAM HOME FOR ME, WILL YOU?

YES, PA.

GET UP!

I WAS JUST TALKING TO MARY. YOU HAD A PRETTY BAD DAY, HUH?

I'M NOT GOING BACK TO SCHOOL EVER AGAIN.

HEY, NOW, COME ON. IT CAN'T BE THAT BAD.

WORSE. HE MUST THINK I'M A SILLY GOOSE SAYING ALL THOSE THINGS.

I DON'T THINK SO.

HE'LL NEVER SPEAK TO ME AGAIN...NEVER.

WELL, IF HE DOESN'T, I DON'T THINK HE'S WORTH CRYING ABOUT.

SHE SAID SHE WOULDN'T TELL.

SHE SAID SHE WAS MY FRIEND,

AND ALL THE TIME,

SHE W-WAS...

SHH.

COME ON, NOW.

IT'S ALL RIGHT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, PA.

WELL, THEN, JUST DON'T DO ANYTHING.

YOU DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG.

NOW, WE GOT A LOT OF FUNNY NOTIONS BORN INSIDE OF US, HALF-PINT,

AND ONE OF THE FUNNIEST IS

THAT WE'RE SUPPOSED TO HIDE THE WAY WE FEEL ABOUT PEOPLE.

LET ME TELL YOU, EVERYBODY WANTS TO KNOW

THAT THEY'RE LOVED OR NEEDED OR CARED ABOUT.

ANYBODY THAT DOESN'T WANT TO KNOW THAT

HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THEM.

WHAT'LL HE THINK OF ME?

IF HE LIKED YOU BEFORE, I THINK HE'S GOING TO LIKE YOU A LOT MORE NOW.

NOTHING BAD COMES FROM TELLING PEOPLE HOW YOU REALLY FEEL.

I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS RIGHT, PA.

IT WAS JUST SUCH A HURTFUL THING TO DO.

I KNOW IT WAS.

I KNOW IT WAS.

I DON'T WANT TO BE A SCIENTIST ANYMORE.

I DON'T WANT TO INVENT THINGS THAT HURT PEOPLE.

WELL, IT'S NOT THE INVENTIONS THAT HURT PEOPLE,

IT'S THE PEOPLE AND THE WAY THEY USE THEM. THAT'S WHAT HURTS.

EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

NOW, LET'S SAY YOU GO ON HOME

BEFORE YOUR MA GETS WORRIED ABOUT YOU.

I GOT A FEW MORE THINGS TO DO.

I'LL BE A LITTLE LATE FOR SUPPER.

FEEL BETTER?

ALL RIGHTY. I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU, TOO.

SEE YOU AT HOME.

- MRS. OLESON. - WELL, MR. INGALLS--

I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO YOUR HUSBAND FOR A MOMENT, PLEASE.

UH, WELL, HE'S BUSY RIGHT NOW. MAYBE I--

NELS!

OH, CHARLES.

WELL, I'M SORRY TO BOTHER YOU,

BUT DID NELLIE TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED IN SCHOOL TODAY?

NO. SHE JUST MENTIONED THAT SHE, UH,

TOOK HER TALKING MACHINE IN TO SHOW THE CLASS.

SHE DIDN'T MENTION TO YOU WHAT SHE PLAYED ON IT.

WHY, NO, SHE DIDN'T.

SHE MADE A RECORDING OF LAURA'S VOICE

WITHOUT LAURA KNOWING ABOUT IT.

SHE PLAYED IT FOR THE CLASS.

LAURA SAID SOME THINGS ABOUT A BOY.

THEY'RE THINGS THAT AREN'T IMPORTANT TO A GROWNUP.

TO A LITTLE GIRL LIKE THAT--

MR. INGALLS, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE MAKING A MOUNTAIN OUT OF--

BE QUIET, HARRIET! SHE SAID SOMETHING ABOUT A BOY.

WAS IT JASON?

YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

NELS, I USUALLY LIKE MY GIRLS TO FIGHT THEIR OWN BATTLES,

BUT IN THIS CASE, I WASN'T GOING TO LET IT GO BY WITHOUT YOUR KNOWING.

WAIT HERE.

NELLIE.

NELLIE!

Nellie: YES, FATHER?

COME DOWN HERE. AND BRING YOUR TALKING MACHINE WITH YOU.

NELS, I REALLY THINK--

WELL, DON'T, HARRIET.

YOU DEMONSTRATED THAT MACHINE IN SCHOOL TODAY?

YES.

WHAT DID YOU PLAY ON IT?

I WANT THE TRUTH, OR SO HELP ME I'LL--

I DIDN'T DO IT! WILLIE DID IT--

HID BEHIND THE BED AND DID IT.

NELLIE TOLD ME TO.

YOU GO TO YOUR ROOM.

AND YOU GO TO YOUR ROOM.

- MOTHER! - NOW!

CHARLES, I WANT YOU TO APOLOGIZE TO LAURA FOR ME

AND TELL HER IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

THAT'S A PROMISE.

I'LL TELL HER. THANK YOU, NELS.

NELS! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

SOMETHING I SHOULD HAVE DONE YEARS AGO.

NO! I WON'T HEAR OF IT.

CRANK. YOU WON'T HAVE TO.

CAN'T SLEEP?

PA TOLD YOU EVERYTHING WOULD BE ALL RIGHT.

I KNOW.

THEN WHY DON'T YOU GO TO SLEEP?

BECAUSE IT WON'T BE ALL RIGHT.

ALL THE BOYS LIKE YOU.

WILLIE DOESN'T.

WILLIE DOESN'T LIKE ANYBODY.

IF YOU LOSE A BOYFRIEND, YOU CAN ALWAYS GET ANOTHER ONE.

SO CAN YOU.

NO, I CAN'T.

I BET PA IS RIGHT.

I BET JASON STILL LIKES YOU.

DO YOU THINK SO?

SURE I DO.

TRY AND SLEEP.

ALL RIGHT.

YOU KNOW SOMETHING, MARY?

NO, WHAT?

LIFE SURE WAS A LOT EASIER WHEN WE DIDN'T LIKE BOYS.

COME ON. IT'S NOT GOING TO BE SO BAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

I DON'T THINK I CAN EVEN LOOK AT HIM.

EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

GOOD MORNING, MISS BEADLE.

GOOD MORNING, NELLIE.

MORNING, MISS BEADLE.

WILLIE.

ALL RIGHT, CHILDREN, TIME FOR SCHOOL. COME ON.

[GIGGLING]

[CHILDREN GIGGLING]

QUIET!

NOW, I THINK THIS HAS GONE FAR ENOUGH.

I DON'T KNOW WHO DID THIS, BUT I INTEND TO FIND OUT.

NOW, WE'RE NOT OPENING ONE BOOK

UNTIL WHOEVER WROTE THIS ON THE BLACKBOARD STANDS UP

AND APOLOGIZES TO JASON AND TO LAURA.

NELLIE?

I DIDN'T DO IT.

I HOPE NOT.

YOU'VE DONE ENOUGH ALREADY.

Miss Beadle: WELL, I'M WAITING.

I DID IT, MISS BEADLE,

AND I'M NOT SORRY 'CAUSE IT'S THE TRUTH.

I SEE.

Miss Beadle: WELL, LET'S GET BACK TO BUSINESS.

WILL YOU ALL PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 28 IN YOUR READER?

Laura, voice-over: I DIDN'T KNOW FOR SURE IF I'D EVER BE A SCIENTIST

OR EVEN IF I'D EVER MARRY JASON.

THE ONLY THING I KNEW FOR SURE

WAS WHAT A FINE THING IT WAS TO KNOW HE LOVED ME.