Original subtitles

Laura: MARY, WAIT UP!

WAIT, MARY!

WAIT. YOU SHOULD HAVE WAITED.

IT WON'T BE ANNOUNCED TILL TOMORROW,

BUT MISS BEADLE PUT THE BEST ESSAY UP ON THE BOARD.

WELL, DON'T YOU EVEN CARE WHOSE IT WAS?

OH, YEAH. I'M SORRY. WHO WON?

IT WAS YOURS, YOU BIG SILLY.

SAID RIGHT ON IT, "BY MARY INGALLS."

NELLIE OLESON WAS GREEN WITH ENVY.

SHE WAS SURE SHE'D WIN.

HER MOTHER WROTE IT FOR HER, YOU KNOW,

BUT I KNOW YOURS WAS BETTER.

YOU CAN WRITE AS GOOD AS MISS BEADLE.

Charles: HEY, EVERYBODY!

HO!

YOU LOVELY LADIES LIKE A RIDE?

SURE. THANKS, PA.

COME ON, CARRIE. UP.

HOW WAS SCHOOL TODAY, CARRIE? ALL RIGHT?

FINE.

OH, BY THE WAY, MARY,

UH, I GOT A LETTER FOR YOU.

IT'S FROM CHICAGO.

CHICAGO? IT'S FROM JOHN!

WHAT'S HE SAY?

WELL, AREN'T YOU GOING TO READ IT TO US?

I DON'T THINK THAT'S A READING-ALOUD KIND OF LETTER, HALF-PINT.

JOHN'S LETTERS TO MARY ARE KIND OF PERSONAL.

CAROLINE!

HI!

Laura: MARY WON THE ESSAY CONTEST AT SCHOOL!

Caroline: WELL, WELL! CONGRATULATIONS, MARY.

THANKS, MA.

SHE DOESN'T SEEM VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

SHE GOT A LETTER FROM CHICAGO.

OH? HOW'S JOHN?

WHO KNOWS? IT'S STILL MARY'S SECRET. OH.

I HAVE A LITTLE SECRET OF MY OWN, TOO.

OH? WHAT'S YOUR SECRET?

YOU KNOW THE GRANGE IS GOING TO MEET IN TWO WEEKS

TO DECIDE STATE REGULATION,

AND SINCE LUTHER DOUGLAS IS SICK,

I AM GOING TO REPRESENT THE DISTRICT

AT THE CONVENTION. OH, CHARLES!

I MEAN, THE GRANGE!

"RECENTLY I ATTENDED A PERFORMANCE

OF FELIX MENDELSSOHN'S SONGS WITHOUT WORDS."

"THE LILTING MELODIES OF THE PIANO

"REMINDED ME SO MUCH OF YOU, MY SWEET MARY,

"AND THE PEACEFUL SURROUNDINGS OF WALNUT GROVE.

"MENDELSSOHN'S TITLE NO LONGER SEEMED APPROPRIATE

AS MUSIC BROUGHT WORDS FLOWING INTO MY MIND."

HE ALWAYS WRITES SUCH SLOPPY THINGS.

FALLING IN LOVE IS SUCH A WASTE OF TIME.

I'M GOING TO STAY RIGHT HERE WITH PA FOREVER AND EVER.

DO YOU WANT TO HEAR THIS, OR NOT?

OK.

"THE UNIVERSITY IS HOLDING

ITS ANNUAL COTILLION"-- THAT'S A DANCE--

"ON THE 14th OF THIS MONTH.

"IMAGINE HOW PROUD I WOULD BE

"TO ESCORT YOU ON SUCH A GRAND OCCASION,

BUT I FEAR THAT IS ONLY A DREAM."

IF ONLY I COULD GO.

Caroline: GIRLS?

COMING!

IF I EVER GOT A CHANCE TO GO TO CHICAGO,

I WOULDN'T WASTE MY TIME AT SOME DUMB OLD DANCE.

YOUR FATHER HAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE.

WELL, I JUST THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED TO KNOW

THAT I'LL BE REPRESENTING WALNUT GROVE

AT THE GRANGE CONVENTION NEXT MONTH,

AND YOUR MA'S GOING WITH ME.

CHARLES, BUT--

WELL, NOW, HOLD ON. IT'S A FREE TRIP.

WE'RE NEVER GOING TO GET A CHANCE LIKE THIS AGAIN.

Laura: OH, PA, HOW WONDERFUL!

YOU BET.

IT SURE IS.

BUT WHAT'S A GRANGE?

HONEY, THAT'S AN ORGANIZATION

THAT DOES AN AWFUL LOT OF GOOD

FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT BELONG TO IT.

WHICH IS PRACTICALLY EVERY FARMER

IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY!

MARY, IS SOMETHING BOTHERING YOU?

NO. I'M FINE.

IT'S JUST THAT SHE'S IN LOVE

AND MISERABLE BECAUSE SHE CAN'T GO

TO THE DANCE WITH JOHN.

IT'S NOT JUST THE DANCE.

I MISS HIM SO MUCH.

IT'S BEEN SO LONG.

WELL, YOU JUST MIGHT BE INTERESTED TO KNOW

THAT THE CONVENTION THAT YOUR MA AND I ARE GOING TO

IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE IN CHICAGO.

CHICAGO?

THAT'S RIGHT.

THEN YOU'LL SEE JOHN.

WELL, OF COURSE WE WILL.

YOU CAN TELL ME EVERYTHING--

WHERE HE LIVES, HOW HE LOOKS,

IF HE'S CHANGED AT ALL.

WE'LL TELL YOU EVERYTHING.

THE SHIRT! THE ONE I MADE HIM FOR CHRISTMAS

WHEN HE WAS SUPPOSED TO COME HOME.

I WAS GOING TO SEND IT TO HIM BY MAIL,

BUT--BUT NOW YOU CAN TAKE IT TO HIM IN PERSON.

WELL, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET IT NOW.

WELL, THERE'S SO MANY THINGS I WANT YOU TO TELL HIM,

THINGS I CAN'T FIT IN A LETTER.

IT'LL BE ALMOST AS IF I WAS REALLY THERE.

CHARLES, I NEED TO TALK TO YOU.

SURE. IS SOMETHING WRONG?

NO. I-IT'S ABOUT CHICAGO.

I THINK I SHOULD STAY HERE.

OH, NOW, CAROLINE, COME ON.

IF IT'S BECAUSE OF THE CHILDREN--

NO, IT ISN'T.

AT LEAST, NOT THE WAY YOU'RE THINKING.

WELL, WHY WOULDN'T YOU WANT TO GO?

WE'LL NEVER HAVE A CHANCE LIKE THIS AGAIN.

I DON'T MEAN TO SEEM UNGRATEFUL.

OH, I'D LOVE TO SEE CHICAGO,

BUT IT WOULD BE SEEING IT WITH YOU

THAT WOULD MAKE IT SO SPECIAL.

ISN'T THAT WHY YOU INVITED ME?

OF COURSE IT IS.

I WANT MARY TO MAKE THE TRIP.

I CAN SEE CHICAGO ON A PICTURE POSTCARD.

IT MEANS THAT MUCH TO YOU?

AND TO HER.

NOTHING'S MORE IMPORTANT

THAN BEING WITH THE ONE YOU LOVE.

DON'T I KNOW THAT.

IT'LL BE WORTH IT JUST TO SEE HER FACE WHEN I TELL HER.

WELL, THEN WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

WHY DON'T YOU GO TELL HER?

THANK YOU.

CAROLINE? HUH?

I REALLY DO LOVE YOU.

MARY, WOULD YOU COME DOWN HERE, PLEASE?

NEED SOME HELP?

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

OH, I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I WORE IT.

I WAS ABOUT YOUR AGE.

YOUR PA AND I WERE NOT YET MARRIED.

WE HARDLY EVEN KNEW EACH OTHER.

HE WAS SO HANDSOME...

AND I WAS SO YOUNG...

PAINFULLY SHY.

HE AND FATHER WERE STANDING

BY THE FIREPLACE TALKING...

AND I CAME IN...

WEARING THIS DRESS...

AND HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID,

"CAROLINE...

"YOU ARE THE PRETTIEST THING

THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN."

IT WAS A SPRING DANCE--

MAY, I THINK.

HE BROUGHT ME CORNFLOWERS FROM THE MEADOW,

AND I PUT THEM IN MY HAIR.

OH, I FELL IN LOVE WITH HIM THAT MOMENT...

AND I'VE LOVED HIM EVER SINCE.

I KEPT IT TUCKED AWAY

IN THE TRUNK ALL THESE YEARS,

KEEPING IT NICE,

SAVING IT FOR SOMETHING REALLY SPECIAL.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD TRY IT ON,

SEE IF IT NEEDS ANY ADJUSTING.

BUT WHY ARE YOU GIVING IT TO ME?

YOU'RE GOING TO NEED SOMETHING NICE FOR THE COTILLION.

WELL, DON'T JUST STAND THERE.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO

BEFORE YOU AND YOUR PA GO TO CHICAGO.

OH, MA!

MA, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

Conductor: ALL ABOARD!

BOARD!

HERE YOU GO, SIT RIGHT IN THERE.

ALL RIGHT.

THINK I CAN GET THIS ONE LITTLE BAG TO STAY UP.

MR. INGALLS? MR. CHARLES INGALLS?

RIGHT HERE.

MR. INGALLS?

YEAH.

WOULD YOU PLEASE FOLLOW ME?

SURE.

HERE YOU ARE, MR. INGALLS.

I HOPE YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER WILL BE VERY COMFORTABLE.

OH, PA, LOOK.

THERE'S, UH, THERE'S GOT TO BE SOME KIND OF MISTAKE.

SEE, I'VE JUST GOT THESE TWO COACH TICKETS.

NO, THERE'S NO MISTAKE, MR. INGALLS.

THE ACCOMMODATIONS HAVE BEEN ARRANGED FOR YOU

AS A GRANGE MEMBER. HAVE A GOOD TRIP.

ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL?

IT SURE IS, BUT NOBODY SAID ANYTHING ABOUT A SPECIAL COMPARTMENT.

WHAT THE HECK. MIGHT AS WELL ENJOY IT, EH?

HAVE I THANKED YOU ENOUGH FOR LETTING ME COME?

HEY, COME ON. DON'T THANK ME.

I'M JUST HAPPY I CAN BRING YOU.

AND WE'RE GONNA RIDE IN STYLE.

HA HA!

[TRAIN WHISTLE SOUNDS]

[KNOCK KNOCK]

Charles: YEAH.

YEAH? YOUR LUNCH, SIR.

OH, HOLD ON. I DIDN'T ORDER ANY LUNCH.

OH, IT'S ALL TAKEN CARE OF.

UH, ROAST BEEF, GREEN PEAS AND ROLLS,

CAULIFLOWER, AND, UH,

BLUEBERRY PIE FOR DESSERT.

WELL, THAT'S ALL VERY NICE, BUT WHO--

JUST FOLLOWING MY ORDERS, SIR.

ENJOY YOUR MEAL.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.

WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT?

BUT WHAT ABOUT MA'S SANDWICHES?

IF YOUR MA COULD SEE THAT, I DON'T THINK SHE'D MIND.

COME ON. LET'S EAT.

[WHISTLE BLOWING]

SOME HOTEL, HUH?

LOOK. WHAT A LOVELY DAY.

SEE? ISN'T THAT NICE?

NOW, HERE WE GO FOR A LITTLE WALK.

THERE YOU ARE, SWEETHEART.

COME ALONG, RODNEY. COME ALONG.

DON'T DRAG YOUR FEET, DARLING. COME ALONG.

DOWN THE STEP. THAT'S A GOOD BOY.

HERE WE GO, BABY. COME ALONG.

PA, DID YOU SEE THAT?

WHAT'S THAT, HONEY?

THAT DOG. IT HAS A COAT ON.

HA HA HA!

I DON'T THINK BANDIT WOULD PUT UP WITH THAT, WOULD HE?

NO.

YOUR BAGGAGE, SIR.

OF COURSE IT'S MY BAGGAGE. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

COME ON, HONEY.

ANOTHER FARMER.

Man: GOOD AFTERNOON, SIR. MAY I HELP YOU?

YEAH. I'D LIKE TWO ROOMS, PLEASE.

IF YOU WOULD SIGN THE REGISTER, SIR.

ALL RIGHT.

AH, YES. MR. INGALLS.

MR. CHARLES INGALLS, WALNUT GROVE.

WITH THE GRANGE, CORRECT?

YEAH. THAT'S RIGHT.

WE'VE BEEN HOLDING YOUR ROOMS FOR YOU, SIR.

FRONT.

UH, JUST A MINUTE. I DIDN'T MAKE A RESERVATION.

A RESERVATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS ARE PAID IN FULL.

232.

ENJOY YOUR STAY, MR. INGALLS.

THANK YOU.

THIS WAY, MR. INGALLS.

MAY I HELP YOU, SIR?

THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.

OH, PA!

WHERE'S THE BED?

YOUR ROOM'S OVER HERE, MISS.

I NEVER HAD MY OWN ROOM BEFORE.

AND THE BATHROOM IS THROUGH THERE.

YOUR ROOM IS THIS WAY, SIR.

OH. THANK YOU.

THESE ROOMS ARE VERY NICE,

BUT, UH, ARE YOU SURE THEY'RE THE RIGHT ONES?

OH, YES, SIR. SUITE 232.

IF I CAN BE OF SERVICE, THE CORD BY THE FIREPLACE

WILL SIGNAL ME DOWN IN THE LOBBY.

OH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

I KNEW CHICAGO WOULD BE WONDERFUL,

BUT I NEVER EXPECTED THIS.

WELL, NEITHER DID I.

PRIVATE COMPARTMENT ON THE TRAIN, BIG SUITE OF ROOMS.

LUTHER DOUGLAS NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT THIS.

PA, WHEN CAN I SEE JOHN?

HOW DOES 5 MINUTES SOUND? JUST ENOUGH TIME FOR US TO FRESHEN UP.

SOUNDS GREAT!

HA HA HA!

THIS IS IT.

THIS IS WHERE HE WORKS.

JUST THINK OF IT, PA--

JOHN WORKING FOR A BIG NEWSPAPER LIKE THIS.

HEY.

MARY?

MARY!

OH!

OH, I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

MR. INGALLS, HELLO.

NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN, JOHN.

NICE TO SEE YOU, SIR.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

Man: SANDERSON, AREN'T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE DOING

THAT MUSIC-FESTIVAL ARTICLE?

MR. HANCOCK,

THIS IS MARY AND CHARLES INGALLS.

WELL, I'LL BE. HOW DO YOU DO, MR. INGALLS?

MR. HANCOCK.

MARY. I FEEL LIKE I'VE KNOWN YOU FOLKS FOR YEARS.

WHAT BRINGS YOU TO CHICAGO?

I CAME TO SEE JOHN.

OH, NATURALLY.

YOU WERE RIGHT, JOHN. SHE'S LOVELY.

I'M HERE REPRESENTING MY DISTRICT FOR THE GRANGE CONVENTION,

WHICH REMINDS ME I REALLY SHOULD BE ON MY WAY.

MR. HANCOCK, IT WAS A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.

MAYBE WE CAN TALK AGAIN SOMETIME.

JOHN, YOU'LL TAKE MARY BACK TO THE HOTEL, RIGHT?

OF COURSE, SIR. GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

I HAVE AN IDEA.

MR. INGALLS, WHY DON'T YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTER

JOIN ME FOR DINNER TONIGHT?

UH, YOU, TOO, JOHN, OF COURSE.

COULD WE, PA?

THAT'S VERY KIND OF YOU. WE'D APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU, MR. HANCOCK.

FLETCHER.

FLETCHER. I REALLY SHOULD BE GOING.

IF YOU COULD JUST POINT ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

I'LL DO BETTER THAN THAT. I'M HEADING IN THE SAME WAY.

I APPRECIATE IT. JOHN, WE'LL SEE YOU TONIGHT.

THIS YOUR FIRST TRIP TO CHICAGO, CHARLES?

YES, IT IS.

WELL, I THINK YOU'LL LIKE IT

IF YOU GET A CHANCE TO LOOK AROUND.

OH, I HAVE MISSED YOU, JOHN.

AND I'VE MISSED YOU.

OH, I ALMOST FORGOT.

THIS IS FOR YOU. I HOPE YOU LIKE IT.

IT'S FROM YOU. I'LL LIKE IT.

HEY, HOW ABOUT SEEING WHERE I WORK?

WHEW!

IT'S REALLY A BIG PLACE THEY GOT HERE, HUH?

YEAH. I SUPPOSE IT IS.

ENNIS O'CONNELL. BLOOMINGTON, ILLINOIS.

CHARLES INGALLS. WALNUT GROVE, MINNESOTA.

IT'S MY FIRST TIME IN CHICAGO. IT'S QUITE A TOWN.

YEAH. IT LOOKS A LOT BETTER SINCE THEY REBUILT

AFTER THE FIRE IN '71.

SEE, MY PLACE ISN'T TOO FAR,

AND I'M ON THE MAIN RAILROAD LINE,

SO I GET HERE PRETTY REGULAR.

WHERE--WHERE'D YOU SAY YOU'RE FROM?

OH, WALNUT GROVE. IT'S A REAL SMALL TOWN.

IT'S ABOUT 3 DAYS OUTSIDE OF MANKATO.

YOU MEAN, THAT'S YOUR NEAREST RAILROAD STOP?

NO, NO. SPRINGFIELD'S THE NEAREST ONE,

BUT THERE'S NO GRAIN ELEVATOR THERE.

IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I'M HOPING TO TALK ABOUT HERE AT THE CONVENTION.

Man: GENTLEMEN!

TAKE YOUR SEATS, PLEASE!

LISTEN, MAYBE WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT LATER, HUH?

HEY, I'D LIKE TO VERY MUCH. IT'S A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU.

NICE TO MEET YOU.

[GAVEL BANGING]

GENTLEMEN!

TAKE YOUR SEATS!

GENTLEMEN!

TAKE YOUR SEATS!

GENTLEMEN!

LET'S COME TO ORDER, PLEASE.

MISS ANYTHING?

NO, NO. JUST GETTING STARTED.

GENTLEMEN.

HERE WE GO.

CHARLES INGALLS, WALNUT GROVE.

BLAKE SIMMONS, "CHICAGO REGISTER."

MEMBERS OF THE GRANGE...

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME YOU TO CHICAGO.

ALL RIGHT. NOW, LET'S HEAR IT FROM YOU.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE GRANGE?

[CHEERING AND WHISTLING]

Mary: AND TOMORROW JOHN'S GOING TO SHOW ME AROUND THE CITY.

Fletcher: YOU'RE NOT GOING OVER TO THE UNIVERSITY?

THERE'S REALLY NOTHING MUCH TO SEE,

JUST A LOT OF BUILDINGS.

WE SPENT THE WHOLE AFTERNOON

WORKING ON HIS ARTICLE.

HE EVEN LET ME WRITE PART OF IT.

WE'VE GOT TO REMEMBER TO TAKE A COPY BACK WITH US.

I'M SURE YOU WON'T FORGET.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE YOU'VE BEEN BACK TO WALNUT GROVE, JOHN.

YOU GONNA COME SEE US THIS SUMMER

OR GO OUT TO CALIFORNIA TO SEE YOUR FOLKS?

I DON'T KNOW, SIR.

WITH WORK, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO GET AWAY AT ALL.

WELL, YOU NEED SOME TIME OFF, JOHN,

JUST LET ME KNOW.

YOU HAVE TO. YOU DIDN'T COME AT CHRISTMAS.

I EXPLAINED ABOUT THAT. I HAD EXAMS.

Charles: WELL, NOBODY'S GONNA RECOGNIZE YOU

BY THE TIME THEY SET EYES ON YOU.

I SUPPOSED.

YOU NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE IN MARY?

OH, NO, SHE'S EXACTLY THE SAME AS WHEN WE GOT ENGAGED.

I GREW A WHOLE INCH SINCE THEN.

Fletcher: HA HA!

I'M SORRY. I COULDN'T REALLY TELL.

WAIT TILL YOU DANCE WITH ME AT THE COTILLION.

THEN YOU'LL SEE.

FLETCHER, THIS WAS A DELICIOUS DINNER.

WELL, I'M RIGHT GLAD YOU ENJOYED IT.

BUT I HOPE YOU LEFT SPACE FOR DESSERT.

THEY BAKE A PIE HERE MADE OF PECAN NUTS

SHIPPED ALL THE WAY FROM THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

John: SO WHAT DO YOU THINK OF CHICAGO?

Mary: IT'S SO BIG!

WALNUT GROVE IS LIKE A PARK NEXT TO IT.

IT'S REALLY AMAZING.

REALLY.

TWO OF THESE, PLEASE.

HERE YOU GO. THANK YOU.

HERE.

WHAT IS IT?

IT'S CALLED CHEWING GUM.

THEY JUST STARTED MAKING IT A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

WELL, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH IT?

WELL, LIKE IT SAYS, YOU CHEW IT.

OH.

BUT DON'T SWALLOW IT.

WHY NOT? IS IT POISONOUS?

OF COURSE NOT, BUT IT'S CHEWING GUM, NOT EATING GUM.

ANYWAY, IT'S DELICIOUS. GO ON.

MMM! IT IS GOOD.

I OUGHT TO TAKE SOME BACK TO LAURA. SHE'LL LOVE IT.

SANDERSON.

I DIDN'T EXPECT TO SEE YOU IN TOWN.

GLAD I CAUGHT YOU. I HAVE YOUR ANTHROPOLOGY NOTES.

OH, THANKS. I ALMOST FORGOT ABOUT THEM.

WHO'S THE PRETTY LADY?

OH. WESLEY COX, THIS IS MARY INGALLS.

YOU MUST BE A NEW STUDENT.

I'D NEVER FORGET SUCH A SWEET FACE.

OH, I DON'T GO TO COLLEGE.

THIS IS MARY INGALLS FROM WALNUT GROVE.

OH, THE COUNTRY GIRL.

UH, JOHN, DON'T YOU HAVE AN APPOINTMENT

AT 11:30 WITH MISS LAWRENCE?

OH, YEAH. I'D COMPLETELY FORGOTTEN.

MARY, UM, SHE'S ONE OF MY PROFESSORS.

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE YOU BACK TO THE HOTEL.

UH, NO NEED FOR THAT.

I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ESCORT MARY FOR YOU.

WOULD YOU? OF COURSE.

OH. I'M SORRY TO HAVE TO RUSH OFF LIKE THIS, MARY.

WILL I SEE YOU AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT?

YEAH. AT ABOUT, UH, 3:00.

I HAVE ANOTHER CLASS AT 2:00.

THANKS, WES.

MAY I?

YOU'RE LATE. I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE.

I'M SORRY. THE NEWSPAPER.

YES. I KNOW.

I GOT MY DRESS FOR THE COTILLION TOMORROW NIGHT.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

YOU'LL PICK ME UP AT 7:00?

WHERE IN HEAVEN'S NAME

DID YOU GET THAT SILLY SHIRT?

YOU LOOK LIKE A FARMER.

YOU'RE NOT DRESSED.

JOHN HAS A FUNCTION TO GO TO.

HE DIDN'T KNOW WE WERE COMING, AND HE COULDN'T CANCEL.

OH, DARN IT. I WISH I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO

TO THIS CONVENTION DINNER.

WE COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING TOGETHER,

JUST THE TWO OF US.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME. JOHN GAVE ME THIS BOOK ALL ABOUT CHICAGO.

YOU SURE YOU'LL BE ALL RIGHT?

I'LL BE FINE, PA, AND TOMORROW NIGHT,

I'LL BE GOING TO THE COTILLION.

ALL RIGHT. I WON'T BE LATE.

HAVE A GOOD TIME.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

MAYBE JOHN GOT OFF EARLY.

MR. INGALLS? YES.

I'M ANGELA.

[QUIETLY] UH, I--I THINK YOU MUST HAVE THE WRONG ROOM.

THIS IS 232, ISN'T IT?

AND, UH, YOU'RE CHARLIE INGALLS WITH THE GRANGE?

OH, HI, HONEY.

HI.

KIND OF YOUNG, ISN'T SHE?

THAT'S MY DAUGHTER.

OH.

NOW, WHO SENT YOU HERE?

HOLLISTER, SILLY. WHO'D YOU THINK?

WHO'S HOLLISTER?

STANLEY HOLLISTER. WITH THE RAILROAD.

I SEE. WELL, I'M AFRAID THERE'S BEEN A MISTAKE.

OK. I GET IT.

SHAME, THOUGH.

I'M SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE.

BYE, SWEETIE.

YEAH.

YOU, UH, TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR PA HERE.

O'Connell: HEY, INGALLS!

INGALLS, OVER HERE!

YOU'RE LATE. THE BAR'S BEEN OPEN FOR HOURS.

NO, THANK YOU. I'M SORRY I'M LATE, BUT SOMETHING CAME UP.

I GET IT. YOU GOT HOLLISTER'S MESSAGE, HUH?

DO YOU KNOW HOLLISTER?

UH, LISTEN, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU.

UH, LET'S GO OVER HERE WHERE IT'S QUIET.

HERE. HAVE A SEAT RIGHT HERE.

THANK YOU.

LOOKS QUIET ENOUGH.

I TALKED TO SOME PEOPLE ABOUT, UH...

THAT GRAIN ELEVATOR OF YOURS.

MIGHT BE ABLE TO PULL A COUPLE OF STRINGS.

OH, LISTEN, I'D REALLY BE BEHOLDEN TO YOU.

IT'D MEAN AN AWFUL LOT

TO THE FARMERS OF WALNUT GROVE.

WELL, LIKE I SAID, I TALKED TO THESE FRIENDS OF MINE.

I THINK IT'S ALMOST SETTLED.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO THANK YOU.

JUST ONE THING, THOUGH.

UH, YOU DO PLAN TO VOTE NO, DON'T YOU?

WELL, VOTE NO? OF COURSE NOT. WHY WOULD I DO THAT?

WELL, UH, THESE FRIENDS ARE INFLUENTIAL.

DO A LOT OF FAVORS, NOT JUST FOR YOU.

THEY, UH, KIND OF EXPECT SOMETHING IN RETURN.

WHO ARE THESE FRIENDS, HUH?

OH, YOU DON'T KNOW THEM.

UH, VIRGIL BRADLEY AND PHILLIP DeWlTT...

[MEN CHEERING] AND STANLEY HOLLISTER.

STANLEY HOLLISTER? I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

HEY! HEY, INGALLS! INGALLS!

HEY, ING--

Man: MORNING PAPER HERE!

PAPER! THE REGISTER!

GET YOUR MORNING PAPER!

PAPER! PAPER?

PAPER?

2 CENTS.

GET YOUR MORNING PAPER!

CHICAGO REGISTER!

PAPERS! MORNING PAPERS!

READ ALL ABOUT IT IN THE MORNING REGISTER!

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

COME IN.

WELL, CHARLES! GOOD MORNING.

FLETCHER. LOOK, I KNOW YOU WEREN'T

AT THE CONVENTION DINNER LAST NIGHT.

SENT BLAKE SIMMONS, ONE OF MY BEST MEN.

I KNOW. WE MET, BUT WHEN I READ THIS ARTICLE--

ARE YOU TRYING TO TELL ME

HOW MY REPORTERS SHOULD WRITE?

NO. NOT HOW. WHAT.

I MEAN, IT JUST NEVER HAPPENED THIS WAY.

I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND YOU.

FLETCHER, THE DINNER LAST NIGHT WAS A NIGHTMARE.

I MEAN, DRUNKEN FARMERS, FANCY WOMEN.

BUT THE WORST PART WAS THE BARGAINING GOING ON UNDER THE TABLE.

PEOPLE MAKING DEALS, BRIBES, AND WITH RAILROADS.

LOOK, SIMMONS WAS THERE. HE HEARD EVERY BIT OF IT.

THEN I READ THIS ARTICLE, I THINK THE WHOLE THING WAS A NIGHTMARE.

THERE'S NOTHING ABOUT IT IN HERE.

I JUST THOUGHT YOU OUGHT TO KNOW.

LIKE SOME?

NO.

I'M AWARE OF WHAT WENT ON, CHARLES.

SEE, I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THE GRANGERS.

WHAT ABOUT YOUR READERS? DON'T YOU OWE THEM SOMETHING?

THE GRANGE IS A RESPECTABLE INSTITUTION.

OH, NOBODY BELIEVED THAT ANY MORE THAN I DID.

WELL, IF I REPORTED EVERY TIME THEY PLAY

A FEW GAMES HERE AND THERE,

I'D GIVE THEM A BAD NAME.

WHAT WENT ON-- SO YOU SEE,

I'M REALLY JUST PROTECTING PEOPLE FROM HEARING THINGS

IT WOULDN'T DO THEM ANY GOOD TO KNOW.

FLETCHER, YOU DON'T REALLY BELIEVE THAT.

LOOK, CHARLES, I KNOW WHAT I PRINT

SOMETIMES ISN'T THE WHOLE TRUTH,

BUT MY ADVERTISERS,

LARGE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THE RAILROADS,

WELL, THEY KEEP ME IN BUSINESS.

I SEE.

THAT MAY BE HARD FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND.

LIVING OUT IN THE COUNTRY, IT--

YEAH. YOU'RE RIGHT. THAT IS HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND, FLETCHER.

SEE, WHERE I COME FROM, WE TELL THE TRUTH.

Mary: WHAT TIME IS IT, PA?

IT MUST BE ALMOST 7:00.

Mary: I'M ALMOST READY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME

JOHN WILL MEET ME AT THE COTILLION.

I HOPE HE DOESN'T HAVE TO WORK TOO LATE.

I GUESS I BETTER GET USED TO IT, THOUGH,

IF I'M GOING TO BE THE WIFE OF A NEWSPAPERMAN.

I SUPPOSE.

WHEW! JUST LOOK AT YOU.

OH, THAT IS BEAUTIFUL.

I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD TO BE YOUR PA,

BUT NEVER AS PROUD AS I AM TONIGHT.

I LOVE YOU, PA.

OH, I LOVE YOU, TOO, SWEETHEART.

CAREFUL. I DON'T WANT TO MESS YOUR HAIR.

YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL!

HEY, THAT JOHN'S A LUCKY FELLOW.

OH, SPEAKING OF WHICH,

THIS CAME WHILE YOU WERE GETTING READY. JOHN SENT IT OVER.

OH, HE'S SO KIND.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE.

LOOK AT THAT. HMM?

OH!

WANT ME TO PIN IT ON?

PLEASE. ALL RIGHT.

IT'S JUST LIKE THE YEARS NEVER PASSED.

YOU LOOK JUST AS PRETTY AS YOUR MA DID

WHEN SHE WORE THAT DRESS FOR THE FIRST TIME

WE WENT TO THE DANCE.

I'M SCARED, PA.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO BE SCARED ABOUT?

YOU'RE GOING TO BE

THE PRETTIEST AND THE SMARTEST GIRL THERE.

NOW...

MISS INGALLS?

YOUR WRAP.

THANK YOU.

HERE WE GO.

[ORCHESTRA PLAYING]

SEE HIM ANYWHERE?

THERE HE IS OVER THERE.

John: GOOD EVENING, MR. INGALLS. MARY.

AH, YOU LOOK MIGHTY DAPPER TONIGHT, JOHN.

THANK YOU, SIR.

YOU TWO HAVE A GOOD TIME.

OH, MR. INGALLS,

I HATE TO ASK YOU THIS,

BUT I'M COVERING THE COTILLION FOR THE PAPER.

THEY WANT IT IN THE MORNING ISSUE,

UM, SO I HAVE TO LEAVE A LITTLE EARLY,

AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU COULD COME AND GET MARY.

OH, JOHN.

HOLD ON A MINUTE. YOU JUST TOLD ME

YOU HAD TO GET USED TO BEING MARRIED TO A NEWSPAPERMAN.

I'LL COME BACK RIGHT AFTER THE MEETING.

THANK YOU, SIR.

WHY DON'T YOU TWO START DANCING SO I CAN HAVE A LOOK?

THANK YOU FOR THE FLOWERS.

THEY LOOK BEAUTIFUL. SO DO YOU.

I LOVE YOU, JOHN.

MAY I? IF MARY DOESN'T MIND.

OF COURSE NOT.

I'M SORRY TO KEEP RUNNING OUT,

BUT I HAVE TO COVER THE COTILLION FOR THE PAPER.

THAT STUPID PAPER IS ALL YOU EVER THINK ABOUT.

YOU CAN'T EVEN KEEP YOUR MIND

ON WHERE WE'RE DANCING.

I'M SORRY.

LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.

AS SOON AS YOU HAVE TIME TO THINK ABOUT ME FOR A CHANGE,

LET ME KNOW.

UNTIL THEN, I'D RATHER NOT DANCE IN THE SHRUBBERY.

[MUSIC ENDS]

THANK YOU.

ORDER. ORDER.

NOW THEN, IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS--

O'Connell: UH, MR. CHAIRMAN,

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ONE FINAL STATEMENT

IN FAVOR OF A NO VOTE ON STATE REGULATION

AND BEGIN BY ASKING WHO IS MORE FAMILIAR

WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THE FARMERS--

THE RAILROADS, WITH WHOM WE HAVE WORKED IN THE PAST...

[MEN MUTTERING]

OR THOSE BUREAUCRATS IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT?

[LAUGHTER]

NOW, IN LIGHT OF MY CONVERSATIONS WITH VARIOUS SOURCES,

I HAVE EXCELLENT REASON TO BELIEVE

THAT THE RAILROADS ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH THE GRANGE

ON THIS MATTER OF SHIPPING CHARGES.

HOW MUCH ARE THEY PAYING YOU

TO TALK LIKE THAT, O'CONNELL?

[MEN MUTTERING]

SIR, YOU ARE OUT OF ORDER.

NO, SIR, I AM NOT!

BECAUSE WHAT I HAVE TO SAY IS IMPORTANT

BECAUSE NOBODY'S PAYING ME TO SAY IT.

YOU KNOW, I'VE BEEN PROUD TO BE A MEMBER OF THE GRANGE.

I WAS HONORED WHEN I WAS ASKED

TO REPRESENT MY DISTRICT HERE AT THE CONVENTION.

BUT THIS ISN'T THE GRANGE THAT I KNEW.

THIS ISN'T THE CLOSE-KNIT RURAL ORGANIZATION

THAT IT USED TO BE...

BECAUSE IT'S BEEN CORRUPTED BY THE RAILROADS

AND THE POWER OF THE BIG CITIES.

SIR, THAT IS A LIBELOUS STATEMENT.

WELL, THEN SUE ME!

GO ON, O'CONNELL. SUE ME.

MY FARM'S WORTH ABOUT $100.

WHAT'S $100 TO YOU, O'CONNELL? IT'S NOTHING.

WELL, IT MEANS A LOT TO ME,

AND I'D STILL RATHER LOSE MY FARM THAN LOSE MY HONOR.

MR. CHAIRMAN, THESE HEROICS ARE WASTING THIS CONVENTION'S TIME.

I AGREE WITH MR. O'CONNELL, MR. CHAIRMAN!

I'M SURE IT IS A WASTE OF THIS CONVENTION'S TIME.

I MEAN, WHY WASTE YOUR TIME BEING HONEST

WHEN YOU CAN MAKE SO MUCH MORE MONEY BY BEING DISHONEST?

NOW YOU'RE TALKING LIKE A FOOL.

WELL, OF COURSE I'M A FOOL!

I'M JUST A DUMB FARMER, O'CONNELL!

A STUPID, DUMB FARMER!

WELL, I GOT NEWS FOR YOU AND FOR THE RAILROAD.

I DIDN'T COME TO CHICAGO ON A LOAD OF HAY.

NOW, I DON'T CARE HOW THE REST OF YOU ARE VOTING TONIGHT,

BUT THIS DUMB FARMER IS GOING TO VOTE YES ON STATE REGULATION!

AND I DON'T CARE WHAT IT COSTS.

[MEN MUTTERING]

NOW, GENTLEMEN, GENTLEMEN.

NOW, JUST CALM DOWN.

GENTLEMEN, PLEASE.

MR. CHAIRMAN.

[ORCHESTRA PLAYING]

[MUSIC ENDS]

DO YOU THINK I COULD HAVE SOME PUNCH?

OH, OF COURSE. WHY DON'T YOU SIT DOWN,

AND I'LL GET IT FOR YOU?

HI. HAVING FUN? YES.

HOW ABOUT THE NEXT DANCE?

SURE.

I'M SORRY, JOHN.

UM, WON'T YOUR FRIENDS BE WONDERING WHERE YOU ARE?

OH, THEY'RE SO BORING.

YOU KNOW I'D RATHER BE WITH YOU,

BUT YOU'RE ALWAYS SO BUSY.

WHY DON'T WE GO OUT ON THE TERRACE?

IT'S MUCH COOLER OUT THERE.

ALL RIGHT.

UM, YOU GO OUT. I'LL JOIN YOU

AS SOON AS I GET THE PUNCH, OK?

OK. DON'T BE LONG.

[MUSIC STARTS]

EXCUSE ME A MINUTE, CLAIRE.

OH, JOHNNY.

PLEASE. NOT NOW.

AGAIN? BUT, JOHN!

JUST EXCUSE ME.

I'VE HAD A BAD EVENING, YOUNG MAN,

AND RIGHT NOW, I'M ABOUT AS ANGRY

AS I'VE EVER BEEN IN MY LIFE.

I KNOW, SIR.

ALL RIGHT. YOU KNOW. WHAT KIND OF GAME ARE YOU PLAYING?

IT'S NOT A GAME, SIR.

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU AND MARY WERE COMING.

OH, AM I SUPPOSED TO UNDERSTAND THAT?

YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE ENGAGED TO MY DAUGHTER. DO YOU LOVE HER?

I CARE FOR HER DEEPLY.

I ASKED YOU IF YOU'RE IN LOVE WITH MY DAUGHTER.

[WHISPERS] No, sir.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN?

I'M NOT SURE.

WHEN YOU'RE FAR APART,

IT'S EASY TO AVOID KNOWING THE TRUTH,

BUT SEEING HER AGAIN...

I KNEW.

AND I DID PLAN TO TELL HER.

WHEN?

IN A LETTER WHEN SHE GOT BACK TO WALNUT GROVE.

WHEN SHE GOT BACK TO WALNUT GROVE,

AND I'M SUPPOSED TO UNDERSTAND THAT, TOO.

I'M A WRITER. THE WORDS COME EASIER ON PAPER.

WHEN YOU FIRST TOLD MY DAUGHTER YOU LOVED HER,

DID YOU WRITE HER A LETTER ABOUT IT?

THIS IS DIFFERENT. I--I CAN'T FACE HER.

JOHN, MARY HAS A RIGHT TO HEAR IT FROM YOU.

SHE HAS A RIGHT TO TELL YOU HOW SHE FEELS.

I THINK YOU OWE HER THAT MUCH.

YES, SIR.

I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT I'LL SAY.

THE WORDS WILL COME.

[WHISPERS] Yes, sir.

I'M-- I'M REALLY SORRY.

I'M SORRY, DARLING.

I WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO.

HIS LETTERS...

I BELIEVED THEM.

YEAH. I KNOW YOU DID.

YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES THINGS HAPPEN

WHEN THERE'S A LOT OF DISTANCE BETWEEN PEOPLE.

MAYBE HE JUST WROTE YOU THE THINGS

THAT HE THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO HEAR.

BUT I FEEL THE SAME, PA.

I LOVE JOHN.

BUT HE'S NOT THE SAME, DARLING.

HE'S CHANGED. HE'S DIFFERENT.

HE'S A CITY BOY NOW. HE HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS.

I COULD LEARN TO BE WHAT HE WANTS.

I COULD CHANGE, TOO.

OH, NOW, HOLD ON.

CHANGING'S NOT ALWAYS FOR THE BETTER.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S ONLY ONE THING IN THIS WORLD

YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN ANYBODY ELSE.

WHAT?

JUST BE YOURSELF.

BEING YOURSELF HURTS TOO MUCH.

AH, IF YOU DIDN'T FEEL A LITTLE OF THE PAIN OF SORROW,

HOW WOULD YOU KNOW HOW GOOD IT FELT TO BE HAPPY?

I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER BE HAPPY AGAIN.

OH, YES, YOU WILL.

I KNOW YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT NOW,

BUT YOU WAIT AND SEE. ONE OF THESE DAYS,

THIS'LL BE OVER AND FORGOTTEN.

YOU'LL MEET A NEW BEAU,

AND YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE AGAIN.

NO, I WON'T.

LOVE IS TOO PAINFUL.

OH, COME ON.

NOTHING MAKES SENSE ANYMORE.

[WHISPERING] Shh. Shh. Shh.

Shh.

WHY DON'T WE GO HOME, HUH?

I JUST DON'T THINK YOU AND I BELONG HERE.

HERE. WE'LL SIT RIGHT HERE, MARY.

WON'T BE THE SAME THIS TIME.

I DON'T THINK THEY'LL BE SERVING US ANY FANCY LUNCH.

IT DOESN'T MATTER. I JUST WANT TO SEE WALNUT GROVE AGAIN.

Conductor: ALL ABOARD!

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

WOULD YOU LIKE A SANDWICH?

NO, THANKS.

GO AHEAD. MY AUNT POLLY MADE THEM FOR ME.

SHE ALWAYS FIXES MORE THAN ENOUGH.

THANKS.

IT'S A GOOD IDEA. YOU'LL BE NEEDING IT.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LONG TRIP.

WHERE YOU HEADED?

I'M GOING TO POPLAR POINT MYSELF.

BET YOU NEVER HEARD OF IT.

OH, WELL, SURE I HAVE.

IT'S ONLY ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR FROM MY HOUSE.

IS THAT RIGHT? EXCUSE MY MANNERS.

MY NAME'S PATRICK. WHAT'S YOURS?

MARY. MARY INGALLS.

WHERE YOU FROM?

WALNUT GROVE.

WALNUT GROVE?

THAT'S WHERE I'LL BE GOING TO SCHOOL.

THERE ISN'T ONE IN POPLAR POINT.

OH, YOU'LL REALLY LIKE IT.

MISS BEADLE'S A REALLY GOOD TEACHER.

NOT TOO TOUGH?

NOT IF YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

THEN I'M IN TROUBLE.