Original subtitles

MRS. SIMMS IS NOWHERE IN SIGHT.

GOOD.

IT'S GETTING LATE. GUESS I BETTER RING THE BELL.

WHAT FOR? YOU'RE NOT THE TEACHER.

SHE TOLD ME TO ASSEMBLE THE CLASS IF SHE EVER HAPPENED TO BE LATE.

I NEVER HEARD HER SAY THAT.

YOU CAN CHECK WITH HER WHEN SHE GETS HERE.

[BELL RINGS]

TIME FOR SCHOOL.

Mrs. Oleson: NO, NO! NO, NO, CHILDREN!

NO, NO. THERE'S NO SCHOOL.

NO, THERE'S NO SCHOOL NOW.

I'VE JUST RECEIVED WORD FROM MRS. SIMMS

THAT HER SON LUKE HAS COME DOWN WITH THE MEASLES.

- WHAT A SHAME. - YES!

WELL, HE PROBABLY CAUGHT THEM

WHEN HE WENT TO SPRINGFIELD

LAST WEEK WITH HIS FATHER.

WELL, ANYWAY, WHAT IT MEANS IS

IN ORDER TO KEEP THE DISEASE FROM SPREADING,

SHE HAS TO STAY HOME AND TEND HIM,

WHICH MEANS, OF COURSE,

THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE NO SCHOOL.

Willie: FOR HOW LONG?

AT LEAST TWO WEEKS!

[CHILDREN CHEERING]

ALL RIGHT! ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT!

HI.

HI.

YOU GOING TO KEEP ME COMPANY?

WELL, SCHOOL'S OUT, SO I THOUGHT I'D DO SOME FISHING.

WELL, WHY DON'T YOU JUST SIT RIGHT HERE

AND TELL ME ALL ABOUT YOURSELF.

THIS IS MY FAVORITE FISHING HOLE.

HERE, LET ME GIVE YOU A HAND, BROWN EYES.

WE JUST MOVED TO WALNUT GROVE,

SO I DON'T KNOW THAT MANY FOLKS AROUND HERE YET.

HEY, I GUESS THAT MEANS I'M A STRANGER TO YOU, TOO.

MY NAME'S SETH BARTON.

I CAN'T KEEP CALLING YOU BROWN EYES, NOW, CAN I?

WELL, YOU CAN IF YOU WANT TO.

YEAH, BUT YOU MUST HAVE A REAL NAME.

HA HA HA! OH, YEAH.

LAURA. LAURA INGALLS.

WELL, I'M PLEASED TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE--

[SPLASHES] MISS INGALLS.

THANK YOU.

MY PA'S FARM'S RIGHT UP THERE,

SO I COME FISHING HERE A LOT.

NOW, YOU SEE, I ALWAYS KNEW

I'D HAVE GOOD LUCK AT THIS FISHING HOLE.

I DON'T SEE ANY FISH THAT YOU CAUGHT.

NO, BUT I FOUND A FRIEND, DIDN'T I?

[BOTH LAUGHING]

HALF-PINT?

I CAN'T HELP IT. THAT'S WHAT MY PA CALLS ME.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR A NICE DAY.

MY PLEASURE. THIS IS MY HOUSE.

WANT TO COME IN AND MEET MY MA?

I WOULD, BUT IT'S GETTING LATE,

AND I GOT TO GET RUNNING.

ALL RIGHT. YOU CAN MEET HER NEXT TIME.

WHO'S THAT?

OH, THAT'S MY SISTER.

MARY!

MARY, THIS IS SETH BARTON.

HE JUST MOVED INTO TOWN.

I MET HIM AT THE FISHING HOLE.

HELLO.

NICE TO MEET YOU, SETH.

NICE TO MEET YOU, MARY.

SETH, YOU WANT TO GO FISHING TOMORROW?

I CAN'T. I GOT TO START MY NEW JOB IN THE MORNING.

WHERE ARE YOU WORKING?

THE LIVERY.

Laura: THAT'S MR. DORFLER'S PLACE.

RIGHT. I GET OFF PRETTY EARLY TOMORROW

IF YOU'D MAYBE LIKE TO TAKE A WALK OR SOMETHING.

I'D LOVE TO.

YOU WOULD? 3:00?

FINE.

GREAT. I'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW, THEN.

SEE YOU TOMORROW.

THANKS FOR THE FISHING, BROWN EYES.

NO SCHOOL FOR YOU GIRLS FOR TWO WEEKS, HUH?

GOT ANY SPECIAL PLANS?

MRS. SIMMS GAVE ME SOME BOOKS TO READ.

SHE WANTS ME TO TAKE THE TEACHERS EXAMINATION

AFTER I GRADUATE IN THE SPRING.

I DON'T WANT TO FAIL.

I'M SURE YOU'LL PASS WITH FLYING COLORS.

HOW ABOUT YOU, HALF-PINT? ANY SPECIAL PROJECT?

NOT ANYMORE.

WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?

NOTHING.

OH, THERE'S A NEW BOY IN TOWN-- SETH BARTON.

I MET HIM THIS AFTERNOON.

MORE LIKE STOLE.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

I SAW HIM FIRST!

DON'T YOU THINK HE'S A BIT OLD FOR YOU?

WOULDN'T KNOW. I NEVER GOT THE CHANCE TO FIND OUT.

HE MUST BE QUITE SOMETHING IF HE HAS YOU TWO

SQUABBLING OVER HIM LIKE THAT ALREADY.

Charles: YES, INDEED. I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOUNG MR. BARTON.

MARY, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT?

OH, YEAH. MY EYES ARE JUST A LITTLE TIRED.

YOU'RE ABOUT DUE FOR AN EYE EXAMINATION.

OH, NO NEED FOR THAT.

I THINK IT'S JUST ALL THE STUDYING I'VE BEEN DOING.

YOU'RE PROBABLY RIGHT,

BUT YOU SHOULD GET YOUR EYES EXAMINED

AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR.

YOU'RE OUT OF SCHOOL. IT'S AS GOOD A TIME AS ANY.

[LAUGHING]

Seth: I'M GOING TO GET YOU, MISS.

[LAUGHING]

Mary: YOU GOT ME! OH!

I'VE GOT TO KEEP AN EYE ON YOU.

HI, SETH.

LAURA, I'M REALLY GLAD TO SEE YOU.

YOU ARE?

YEAH, YOU COULD TAKE A MESSAGE TO MARY FOR ME.

TELL HER I GOT TO MAKE A DELIVERY,

SO I'LL BE ABOUT A HALF HOUR LATE.

ARE YOU GOING TO SEE HER AGAIN TODAY?

YEP.

DON'T IT GET BORING?

NOPE.

YOU'RE A GOOD KID, BROWN EYES.

COME ON, HANDSOME.

"GOOD KID, BROWN EYES."

A REAL GOOD KID.

MM-HMM.

ALL FINISHED. YOU CAN RELAX NOW.

ARE THEY ALL RIGHT?

OH, YES. THERE SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE EYE STRAIN,

BUT BASICALLY, YOU'RE FINE.

MR. INGALLS?

Charles: YES, DOCTOR.

HAVE A SEAT.

THANK YOU.

BEEN WEARING YOUR GLASSES, MARY?

YES, SIR, FOR READING, JUST LIKE YOU TOLD ME.

YOU MIGHT TRY WEARING THEM A LITTLE MORE OFTEN,

AT LEAST FOR A WHILE.

THERE'S NOTHING SERIOUSLY WRONG, IS THERE?

OH, NO, NOT AT ALL.

THE EYESIGHT WILL USUALLY DETERIORATE SLIGHTLY

IN THE FIRST YEAR AND THEN LEVEL OFF.

IN MARY'S CASE, THE EYE MUSCLES ARE A LITTLE TIRED,

THAT'S ALL.

BEEN WORKING TOO HARD, MARY.

I TELL HER THAT. SHE WON'T LISTEN TO ME.

WILL I GET NEW GLASSES?

OF COURSE.

NEW PRESCRIPTION...

TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING.

YOU MIND IF I STAY IN HERE AND WATCH, DOCTOR?

WE DON'T GET TO SEE THIS KIND OF EQUIPMENT IN WALNUT GROVE.

OF COURSE.

NOW...

OK. THIS WON'T TAKE LONG.

NOW, CAN YOU READ THE THIRD LINE FROM THE BOTTOM?

[SLOWLY] M...E...T?

Charles: SETH, ENJOYED HAVING YOU OVER.

HOPE YOU CAN COME AGAIN SOON.

I'D LIKE THAT, SIR.

MRS. INGALLS, THANK YOU FOR A DELICIOUS SUPPER.

YOU'RE WELCOME, SETH.

WELL, GOOD NIGHT.

- GOOD NIGHT. - GOOD NIGHT, MARY.

Mary: I'LL WALK WITH YOU A WAYS.

CHARLES!

I HAD A WONDERFUL TIME THIS EVENING.

SO DID I.

I LIKE YOUR FAMILY.

THEY LIKE YOU, TOO, SETH.

I CAN TELL.

I'M NOT SO SURE ABOUT LAURA.

I THINK SHE MAY LIKE YOU TOO MUCH.

OH.

ANYWAY...

SURE IS GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK, MARY.

IT'S GOOD TO BE BACK, SETH.

I HATE YOU, MARY INGALLS.

I HATE YOU!

Charles: WHOA.

HI, CARL.

MORNING, CHARLES.

MORNING.

MORNING, CHARLES.

WHAT'S THE MATTER? WHY THE LONG FACES?

GOOD REASON.

THE RAILROADS ARE STARTING A WAR.

THE PAPER'S FULL OF IT.

THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO BUST THE GRANGES,

AND THEY'RE OUT TO DO IT.

GOT AHOLD OF THE MEMBERSHIP LIST.

THEY WON'T EVEN SHIP ANY FREIGHT FOR THE MEMBERS OF THE GRANGE.

TRAINS AREN'T EVEN STOPPING OVER IN SLEEPY EYE AND SPRINGFIELD.

THERE'S STILL WAGON FREIGHT.

WON'T DO NO GOOD, CHARLES.

RAILROADS BOUGHT UP ALL THE GRAIN ELEVATORS.

EVEN IF WE COULD SELL A CROP,

THEY WOULDN'T GIVE US ENOUGH FOR SEED.

YOU CAN'T BEAT THE RAILROADS

UNLESS THEY WANT YOU TO BEAT THEM.

CHARLES, YOU'RE GOING TO WEAR THAT NEWSPAPER OUT.

I KEEP RE-READING IT LOOKING FOR SOME RAY OF HOPE.

CAN THE RAILROAD REFUSE TO HAUL FREIGHT? IS THAT LEGAL?

LEGAL OR NOT, THEY'RE DOING IT.

CAN'T THE GRANGE DO SOMETHING?

SAYS HERE THEY'RE GOING TO SUE THE RAILROAD.

THERE, YOU SEE? IT IS ILLEGAL.

AH, THE RAILROAD WILL FIGHT IT.

SURELY THE GRANGE WILL WIN.

THERE YOU GO, MARY.

WELL, I WOULDN'T BE SO SURE ABOUT THE GRANGE WINNING.

RAILROAD HAS A LOT OF MONEY FOR LAWYERS.

THE CASE WON'T GO TO COURT FOR AT LEAST A YEAR.

A YEAR? CAN THEY DO THAT?

CAROLINE, YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY,

YOU CAN DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING YOU WANT.

MARY, WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?

JUST TRYING TO READ.

DO YOU HAVE TO HAVE YOUR NOSE BURIED IN THE BOOK LIKE THAT?

SOME SHADOWS ON THE BOOK.

ARE THOSE YOUR NEW GLASSES?

YES, BUT THEY'RE NOT MUCH BETTER THAN THE OLD ONES.

YOU SAID THEY WERE FINE WHEN YOU FIRST GOT THEM.

THEY SEEMED TO BE AT FIRST.

BRAND-NEW PRESCRIPTION. SHOULD BE BETTER THAN THAT.

EVEN DOCTORS MAKE MISTAKES.

LET'S GET YOU INTO DR. BURKE-- THE SOONER, THE BETTER.

[BABY CRYING]

SHE CAN'T BE HUNGRY AGAIN?

HA HA HA! WHAT AN APPETITE.

NOW LOOK THIS WAY.

NOW STRAIGHT AHEAD.

GOOD THING YOU DIDN'T COME IN LAST WEEK.

I WAS DOWN WITH A SORE THROAT.

NO. DON'T LOOK AT ME.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE WALL.

MISERABLE FEELING.

HOW ABOUT YOU?

ANY, UH...ILLNESSES?

BAD ONES, I MEAN.

I HAD AN OPERATION ONCE. IT WAS AWFUL--

EVEN WORSE THAN WHEN I HAD SCARLET FEVER.

I DIDN'T KNOW YOU HAD SCARLET FEVER.

IT WAS A LONG TIME AGO.

HOW ABOUT MY EYES?

DID YOU FIND ANYTHING?

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES.

TELL YOU WHAT. I'D LIKE TO HAVE A WORD WITH YOUR PA.

JUST TAKE A MINUTE.

I'LL GET HIM.

PA, THE DOCTOR WANTS TO SEE YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

DOCTOR.

PLEASE, SIT DOWN.

HOW IS SHE?

I DIDN'T KNOW YOUR DAUGHTER HAD SCARLET FEVER, MR. INGALLS.

SHE'S--SHE'S HAD SCARLET FEVER, YEAH.

HOW BAD WAS IT?

IT WAS BAD. IT WAS SCARLET FEVER.

WHAT IS IT?

WELL, THE FEVER DAMAGED THE NERVES, WEAKENED THEM.

HOW LONG TILL SHE'S BETTER?

WELL, HER EYES WON'T GET BETTER.

THE CONDITION ONLY WORSENS.

MR. INGALLS...

MARY IS GOING BLIND.

THERE MUST-- THERE MUST BE SOME MISTAKE.

I'M AFRAID NOT.

I WISH THERE WAS SOME MEDICINE

OR TREATMENT THAT WOULD HELP,

BUT THERE ISN'T.

THERE IS...

SOME--

SOMETHING. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING.

IT WOULD HAVE TO BE IN THE NATURE OF A MIRACLE,

BEYOND THE KNOWLEDGE OR SKILL OF A DOCTOR.

NO.

UH...NO, SEE, YOU'RE WRONG.

IT ISN'T THAT. IT'S...

IT'S THAT MY DAUGHTER'S BEEN...

SHE'S--SHE'S BEEN READING A LOT.

SHE'S BEEN STUDYING. SHE WANTS...

SHE WANTS TO BE A TEACHER.

AND...AND HER EYES ARE...

HER EYES ARE TIRED.

REST MIGHT HELP, BUT NOT MUCH...

NOT FOR LONG.

I DON'T BELIEVE YOU.

FOR MARY'S SAKE, YOU HAVE TO ACCEPT THE FACTS.

SHE HASN'T GOT MUCH TIME LEFT.

[SOBBING]

SHE'LL DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT.

HERE. THIS...

IS A READING GLASS.

IT MIGHT HELP FOR A WHILE.

YOU'RE WRONG.

THAT DIDN'T TAKE LONG, DID IT?

WHAT DID HE SAY?

OH, NOTHING. NOTHING IMPORTANT.

WHAT ABOUT MY NEW GLASSES?

HE SAID IT'S JUST EYE STRAIN

AND GAVE ME A LITTLE GLASS THAT'LL HELP YOU.

REST YOUR EYES, YOU'LL BE FEELING FINE SOON.

THANK YOU AGAIN, DOCTOR.

- HI. - HI.

THEY'RE ALL IN BED.

MARY WAS EXHAUSTED.

YOU MUST BE TIRED.

AH, JUST A LITTLE BIT.

HONEY, I...

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU.

WHAT ABOUT?

JUST ABOUT MARY'S EYES.

YOU AND MARY SAID THAT IT WAS JUST EYE STRAIN.

I KNOW. I DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING TO MARY ABOUT IT,

BUT...

DR. BURKE THINKS THAT--

THAT THEY'RE GONNA GET A LITTLE BIT WORSE.

HOW MUCH WORSE?

HE THINKS...

- WHAT? - HE THINKS THAT

SHE'S GONNA BE BLIND.

WHAT? OH! OH!

- SHH. - NO.

IT'S ALL RIGHT. IT'S ALL RIGHT.

I WANT YOU TO LISTEN TO ME, NOW.

I DROVE HER HOME IN THE WAGON

AND SHE TALKED ABOUT THE SKY AND THE BIRDS

AND I THINK HE'S WRONG.

- HE'S WRONG. - WHAT IF HE'S RIGHT?

HE IS WRONG.

OH! OH! [SOBBING]

HE'S PROBABLY WRONG. SHH.

HE'S WRONG.

OH, MY.

MORNING, CHARLES.

WHOA!

MISSED YOU AT THE GRANGE MEETING, LAST NIGHT.

YEAH, WELL, I WASN'T FEELING TOO WELL.

KIND OF BEEN OFF YOUR FEET FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

ANYTHING I CAN DO?

NO, NO. I'LL BE ALL RIGHT.

HOW'D THE MEETING GO?

WELL, WE GOT THE NATIONAL REPORTS, AND IT DON'T LOOK GOOD.

RAILROADS WON'T BUDGE...

AND I DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN STAND UP TO THEM.

THEY GOT THE MONEY, AND WE DON'T.

SOME FOLKS IS GOING BELLY UP ALREADY, CHARLES.

SPRAGUE'S PUTTING THE BANK UP FOR SALE.

SAID HE DIDN'T THINK HE WAS GOING TO GET ANY OFFERS, BUT...

HE'S GOING TO DO IT ANYWAY.

WHAT IF HE DOESN'T SELL IT?

WELL, THEY WON'T OPERATE AT A LOSS ANYMORE.

HE'LL JUST CLOSE IT DOWN.

TOWN'LL NEVER MAKE IT WITHOUT A BANK.

I KNOW.

WELL, AT LEAST WE GOT A FEW MORE ORDERS COMING IN AT THE MILL.

A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY COMING, BUT...

AFTER THAT, I--I THINK IT'S GOING TO TAKE A MIRACLE.

I SUPPOSE.

I'LL SEE YA AT THE MILL, ALL RIGHT?

WOMEN'S WORK DONE?

LAURA'S FINISHING UP THE DISHES.

I COULD BE MENDING OR DARNING.

I THOUGHT I'D JUST COME OUT HERE AND BE LAZY WITH YOU.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, LAZY? I'M REFINISHING THIS SHUTTER.

EVEN THOUGH IT DOESN'T NEED IT.

BEEN 3 WEEKS.

SHE'S GETTING WORSE, ISN'T SHE?

YES.

[GLASS BREAKS]

Laura: PA! FIRE!

CAROLINE, GET A BLANKET!

NO WATER!

I GOT IT.

IT'S ALL RIGHT. IT'S ALL RIGHT.

Mary: I'M SORRY.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT. NO HARM DONE.

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

I WAS TRYING TO READ,

BUT IT SEEMED SO DARK IN HERE.

I WENT TO GET ANOTHER LAMP.

I DROPPED IT.

I THINK YOU'VE BEEN WORKING TOO MUCH,

USING YOUR EYES.

THEY DO KIND OF ACHE.

HOW ABOUT A COOL CLOTH?

NO, I--I BETTER JUST GO TO BED.

I AM SORRY.

OH, I TOLD YOU, NO HARM DONE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

WE'LL CLEAN IT UP. YOU GO ON, GET SOME SLEEP.

IT'S ALL RIGHT, MARY.

LAURA, WE'LL NEED A MOP.

ME AGAIN? MARY GETS TO DO ANYTHING SHE WANTS,

AND I HAVE TO DO ALL THE WORK!

YOUR MOTHER TOLD YOU TO GET A MOP!

CARRIE, YOU GO ON, GET BACK IN BED NOW.

MAMA WILL BE IN TO KISS YOU GOOD NIGHT.

IT'S HAPPENING SO FAST.

I KNOW.

I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TELL HER.

DO YOU WANT ME TO DO IT?

NO.

I'LL TELL HER TOMORROW.

Reverend: CHARLES?

I DON'T MEAN TO INTRUDE.

I WAS JUST GETTING THE CHURCH READY FOR SERVICE TOMORROW.

DR. BAKER TOLD ME.

IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO?

I PRAY AND I PRAY.

WHY DOESN'T GOD LISTEN?

HE LISTENS, CHARLES.

AND HE ALWAYS ANSWERS OUR PRAYERS.

HE DOESN'T ALWAYS ANSWER...

IN A WAY THAT WE WANT,

BUT IN A WAY THAT HE THINKS IS BEST FOR EACH OF US.

HOW CAN TAKING THE SIGHT FROM A 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL

BE THE BEST THING FOR HER?

WE'RE ONLY FINITE.

HE'S INFINITE IN HIS WISDOM.

I CAN ONLY TELL YOU THAT THERE IS A REASON.

CHARLES, BELIEVE ME...

GOD MUST HAVE CHOSEN MARY

FOR SOME VERY SPECIAL PURPOSE.

TOMORROW, I HAVE TO TELL MY DAUGHTER

THAT SHE'S GOING BLIND.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL HER IS THAT SPECIAL PURPOSE?

STUDYING OUT HERE?

IT'S A LITTLE EASIER IN THE SUNSHINE.

I SUPPOSE SO.

YOU'RE WORRYING ABOUT THE RAILROAD, AREN'T YOU, PA?

NO.

I KNOW IT'S BAD.

SETH AND HIS PA WENT TO SLEEPY EYE.

THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO OPEN A LIVERY THERE.

THEY FIGURE THE FARMERS ARE REALLY GOING TO SUFFER.

WE CAN ALWAYS MAKE DO.

DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT.

I KNOW SOMETHING'S BOTHERING YOU.

I WANTED TO...

I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU.

SEE, YOUR MOTHER AND I HAVE BEEN HOPING...

AND, UH...

PRAYING, BUT IT WAS THE SCARLET FEVER,

AND IT WEAKENED THE NERVES IN YOUR EYES.

IT'LL GET BETTER, WON'T IT, PA?

MY EYES WILL BE ALL RIGHT AGAIN.

THE DOCTOR THINKS IT'LL GET WORSE.

AND, UH...

PA?

HE, UH...

HE FEELS THAT...

YOU--YOU'RE GRADUALLY GOING TO LOSE YOUR SIGHT.

BLIND?

I-I'M GOING TO BE BLIND?

I...

[MARY SOBBING]

MR. GARVEY, HAVE YOU SEEN DORFLER?

NOPE.

PAST 10:00, AND HE'S NOT OPEN YET.

HE'S BEEN SHUT DOWN FOR A WEEK.

OH. I'VE BEEN IN SLEEPY EYE WITH MY PA.

WHAT HAPPENED?

WELL, FOLKS IS FEELING THE PINCH.

BANK'S SHUT DOWN.

I'M SHUTTING THE MILL DOWN NOW.

KIND OF KNEW IT WOULD HAPPEN, BUT NOT THIS QUICK.

MR. INGALLS HERE?

NO, HE HASN'T BEEN IN TOWN MUCH

FOR THE LAST LITTLE WHILE.

I THINK I'LL GO OUT AND TELL HIM THE GOOD NEWS.

PA AND ME GOT US A LIVERY IN SLEEPY EYE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

WE FIGURE WHATEVER HAPPENS, CITY BUSINESS WILL BE GOOD.

SETH, YOU KNOW ABOUT MARY, DON'T YOU?

KNOW--KNOW WHAT?

ABOUT HER EYES.

OH, YEAH. YEAH, I KNOW THEY'VE BEEN BOTHERING HER.

NO, SON. UH...

SHE'S...WELL, SHE'S LOSING HER SIGHT.

SHE'S...

SHE'S GOING BLIND.

I WAS JUST ON MY WAY OUT TO YOUR PLACE.

THE MILL'S CLOSED DOWN.

I THOUGHT I'D SAVE YOU A TRIP IF YOU WAS PLANNING ON COMING IN.

THANKS.

IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO

OR ANYTHING YOU NEED?

NO.

LIFE'S A FUNNY THING, JONATHAN.

COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, IF YOU'D HAVE TOLD ME

THE MILL WAS SHUT DOWN, GRANGE WAS COLLAPSING,

I'D BE THE MOST UPSET MAN YOU EVER SAW.

NOW I DON'T EVEN CARE. IT DOESN'T MEAN A THING.

I JUST WONDER...

HOW MUCH OF OUR LIVES ARE SPENT WORRYING

ABOUT THINGS THAT JUST DON'T MEAN ANYTHING.

IF THERE IS ANYTHING,

ANYTHING AT ALL,

YOU TELL ME.

THERE'S NOTHING NOW.

I'LL SEE YOU.

IT'S HEAVY.

HOW IS SHE THIS MORNING?

SHE'S HAPPY TODAY.

LOOK.

Mary: NO! PA! HELP ME!

COME HELP ME, PA!

HELP ME!

MARY.

HELP ME!

MARY.

PA, I CAN'T SEE!

I CAN'T SEE!

I'M HERE.

HOLD ME. HOLD ME.

IT'S DARK!

I'M SCARED, PA! HOLD ME!

IT'S SO DARK!

IT'S TOO DARK. I--

I...I CAN'T BREATHE!

SHH...SHH...

SHH...SHH...

[CRYING]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, DOCTOR.

SHE SAYS SHE'S A BURDEN TO US AND SHE HATES IT.

WE TELL HER IT ISN'T TRUE, BUT IT DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD.

Baker: NOW, THIS MAY SOUND HARSH, CAROLINE,

BUT I THINK YOU'RE TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH.

SHE HAS TO LEARN TO DO FOR HERSELF

IF SHE'S TO HAVE ANY KIND OF LIFE.

SHE CAN'T DO FOR HERSELF, DOCTOR.

WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF HER.

YOU DO TOO MUCH, AND SHE'LL RETREAT TO BED,

AND SHE'LL STAY THERE.

I HAVEN'T BEEN TRAINED IN THE CARE OF THE BLIND. NEITHER HAVE YOU.

SHE NEEDS THE HELP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE.

WHERE DO WE FIND THOSE PEOPLE?

THERE ARE SCHOOLS FOR THE BLIND.

THE NEAREST, ONE OF THE BEST, IS IN BURTON, IOWA.

SO FAR AWAY?

NO. SHE NEEDS HER FAMILY.

CAROLINE, SHE'S LIVING IN FEAR AND RESENTMENT NOW.

WITH THE PROPER HELP AND TRAINING,

SHE'LL BE A DIFFERENT PERSON.

YOU KNOW HE'S RIGHT.

CAN YOU CONTACT THEM FOR US, DOCTOR?

CERTAINLY.

BELIEVE ME, CAROLINE,

IT'S WHAT'S BEST FOR MARY.

CAN I GET YOU SOMETHING?

NO.

A CUP OF MILK? A CUP OF COOL WATER?

I TOLD YOU NO.

I IRONED A DRESS FOR YOU.

I CAN HELP YOU CHANGE.

NO!

WELL, HOW ABOUT ME BRUSHING YOUR HAIR?

I CAN DO THAT.

WELL, YOU HAVEN'T, AND IT NEEDS IT.

YOU MIGHT HAVE COMPANY.

WHO?

WHO'S GOING TO COME BY? SETH?

JUST LEAVE ME ALONE, LAURA.

[DOOR OPENS]

HI. I'M BACK.

WELL, YOU MUST BE STARVING.

I'LL START SOME LUNCH.

I'M NOT HUNGRY.

CARRIE TOOK MY LUNCH TO SCHOOL.

IF I HURRY, I CAN EAT WITH HER AND THEN WALK HER HOME.

CERTAINLY.

- HOW'S THE BABY? - SHE'S SLEEPING.

THANK YOU. YOU RUN AHEAD.

MARY...

YOUR PA AND I HAVE BEEN TO SEE DR. BAKER.

HE, UH...

HE KNOWS ABOUT A SCHOOL.

HE THINKS MAYBE IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA IF YOU WENT THERE,

JUST FOR A WHILE.

[BITTERLY] SCHOOL?

WHAT COULD I DO IN A SCHOOL?

IT'S A SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND.

THEY COULD TEACH YOU A LOT OF THINGS THERE.

CAN THEY MAKE ME A TEACHER?

CAN THEY TEACH ME TO SEE?

MARY, IT WON'T BE FOR LONG.

JUST TRY IT, AND IF--

I'VE NEVER HEARD OF ONE OF THOSE SCHOOLS AROUND HERE.

IT'S NOT AROUND HERE.

IT'S IN IOWA.

OH...

YEAH, I UNDERSTAND NOW.

YOU JUST WANT TO GET ME OUT FROM UNDERFOOT.

MARY, THAT'S NOT TRUE, AND YOU KNOW IT.

THEN DON'T SEND ME AWAY.

PLEASE DON'T SEND ME AWAY! LET ME STAY HERE.

PLEASE.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE LOOKING AT ME...

FEELING SORRY FOR ME.

PLEASE, PLEASE LET ME STAY.

PLEASE LET ME STAY!

MARY, I DON'T WANT TO SEND YOU AWAY,

BUT IF THEY CAN HELP YOU...

YOU CAN'T SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE SITTING IN THAT CHAIR.

WHY NOT?!

WHY NOT?

WHY CAN'T I JUST SIT HERE?

THERE'S NOTHING FOR ME TO SEE.

IT'S...DARK.

NO MATTER WHERE I GO,

ALL THERE IS IS DARKNESS.

YOU'VE ALREADY DECIDED TO SEND ME THERE.

YES, WE HAVE.

ALL RIGHT.

I HAVEN'T BEEN OUT TO YOUR HOUSE LATELY,

BUT IT'S NOT BECAUSE MARY'S BLIND.

[SNIFFLING]

WELL, WHY, THEN?

BECAUSE...

IF I DID GO OUT THERE,

I WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

WELL, WHAT DID YOU SAY TO HER BEFORE?

MARY NEEDS YOU NOW,

MORE THAN EVER.

[CRYING]

I LOVE MY SISTER.

I THOUGHT THAT YOU DID, TOO.

MARY, YOU'VE GOT COMPANY. SETH?

I'LL BE OUT IN THE YARD IF YOU NEED ME.

HELLO, MARY.

SETH, HOW ARE YOU?

I'VE BEEN BUSY, WORKING AT THE LIVERY A LOT.

WELL, THAT'S GOOD.

UH, LOOK, I MEANT TO COME OUT EARLIER.

I UNDERSTAND. I-I'VE BEEN BUSY, TOO.

I'M GETTING READY TO GO TO IOWA.

OH?

YEAH. I'M GOING TO SCHOOL THERE FOR A WHILE...

UNTIL THIS NUISANCE WITH MY EYES CLEARS UP.

I CAN IMAGINE THE TALK IN TOWN.

THEY'VE PROBABLY BLOWN THIS WHOLE THING OUT OF PROPORTION.

I CAN JUST HEAR THAT MRS. OLESON NOW--

"THAT POOR GIRL."

YOU KNOW THE WAY SHE IS.

WELL...

I KNOW YOU'RE BUSY.

I'VE STILL GOT SOME PACKING TO DO, SO...

GIVE MY BEST TO EVERYONE.

I WILL.

[THUMP]

- LEAVE ME ALONE! - MARY--

GET OUT! JUST GET OUT!

Charles: IT'S ALL RIGHT. I GOT YOU.

ONE STEP.

ONE MORE.

IT'S ALL RIGHT. THE WAGON'S STRAIGHT AHEAD.

I GOT A LITTLE BED FOR YOU IN THE BACK.

I'M JUST GOING TO PUT YOU INSIDE.

THERE YOU ARE.

IT'S ALL RIGHT. I GOT YOU.

HERE'S YOUR BAG, MARY.

IT'S A FINE DAY FOR THE TRIP.

IT DOESN'T MATTER, MA.

WE LOVE YOU.

HURRY BACK.

WE'LL MISS YOU.

GOOD-BYE.

BYE.

WE'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING.

YOU BEST GO.

YOU GOT A TRAIN TO CATCH.

LOVE YOU.

BYE.