Original subtitles

WHAT DID YOU GET?

A "D."

THAT'S NOT SO BAD, I GOT AN "F" MINUS.

[LAUGHTER]

[TEACHER TAPPING ON DESK]

I CAN ASSURE YOU IT'S NO LAUGHING MATTER,

AS AT LEAST SOME OF YOU IN THE CLASS SEEM TO UNDERSTAND.

Mrs. Garvey: I'D LIKE TO PARTICULARLY COMMEND ALBERT INGALLS

FOR HIS OUTSTANDING WORK-- ALL GOLD STARS.

CONGRATULATIONS, ALBERT.

Mrs. Garvey: YES, NELLIE?

Nellie: WASN'T MY WORK OUTSTANDING, TOO, MRS. GARVEY?

Mrs. Garvey: YES, NELLIE, YOUR WORK WAS EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU, MRS. GARVEY.

Mrs. Garvey: STARTING TOMORROW, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE DAILY TESTS

FOR GRADES 4 AND UP.

- Child: WOW. - Second child: BOO.

Mrs. Garvey: IT'S FOR YOUR OWN GOOD, REALLY.

EVERYONE'S GRADES ARE GOING TO BE POSTED ON THE BLACKBOARD.

DO YOU HAVE TO PUT THE GRADES ON THE BOARD, MS. GARVEY?

YES, WILLIE. THAT WAY, EACH ONE OF YOU

CAN FOLLOW THE PROGRESS OF THE WHOLE CLASS.

IT'LL JUST SHOW EVERYBODY HOW DUMB I AM!

[LAUGHTER]

[TAPPING ON DESK]

YOU'RE NOT DUMB, WILLIE, YOU'RE JUST LAZY,

AS ARE OTHERS IN THIS CLASS WHO SHALL BE NAMELESS,

SINCE THEY MUST KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

NOW, THE PRELIMINARY TESTS SHOULD PREPARE YOU

FOR THE FINAL, MAJOR TEST AT THE END OF THE TERM.

IT'LL BE IN TWO PARTS ON THE LAST WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY,

AND THE RESULTS WILL LARGELY DETERMINE

WHETHER YOU ARE PROMOTED TO THE NEXT GRADE OR LEFT BACK.

CLASS DISMISSED.

ANDREW, I'D LIKE A WORD WITH YOU, PLEASE.

YES, MA'AM?

YOUR HOMEWORK WAS ONE OF THE WORST IN THE CLASS.

WHAT ON EARTH'S BEEN HAPPENING TO YOU?

I DON'T KNOW.

I STUDY.

YOU SEE ME AT HOME.

YES, I SEE YOU WITH YOUR BOOKS OPEN,

BUT HALF THE TIME, YOU'RE DAYDREAMING,

OR YOUR EYES ARE WANDERING OFF SOMEPLACE ELSE.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS APPLY YOURSELF,

CONCENTRATE ON YOUR STUDIES THE WAY ALBERT INGALLS DOES.

ALBERT DOESN'T STUDY THAT MUCH.

IT JUST COMES EASY TO HIM.

WELL, IT OBVIOUSLY DOESN'T COME EASY TO YOU,

SO, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO IT LONGER AND HARDER.

YES, MA'AM.

AND THERE'S NO BETTER TIME TO START THAN RIGHT NOW, IS THERE?

NO, MA'AM.

SO, I WANT YOU TO GO STRAIGHT HOME AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK

BEFORE ANY PLAY AND BEFORE YOUR CHORES.

AIN'T YOU COMING?

AREN'T YOU COMING.

AREN'T YOU COMING?

IN A WHILE. YOU RUN ALONG.

I HAVE TO PICK UP SOME THINGS AT THE MERCANTILE.

Andrew: I WISH MOM NEVER TOOK THAT JOB.

Albert: TAKEN.

MIND YOUR OWN BEESWAX, MR. SMART ALECK.

JUST TRYING TO HELP.

I GET ENOUGH HELP AT HOME.

AS THE SON OF A TEACHER, ANDY,

YOU MUST SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE OTHERS.

SHE'S ALWAYS PICKING ON ME.

WELL, SHE JUST WANTS YOU TO DO WELL.

MAYBE YOU SHOULD STUDY A LITTLE MORE.

YOU SOUND JUST LIKE MY MA.

WELL, LAURA IS RIGHT, ANDY.

I STUDY AS HARD AS I CAN.

AND WHO ASKED FOR YOUR TWO CENTS, ANYWAYS?

WHAT'D YOU DO THAT FOR?

FOR MAKING THE REST OF US LOOK STUPID,

AND FOR PUTTING ME IN HOT WATER WITH MY MOM.

Laura: IT'S NOT ALBERT'S FAULT HE'S SMART.

YOU WANT TO FIGHT, YOU BOOKWORM?

STOP IT, ANDREW GARVEY.

I DON'T WANT TO FIGHT WITH YOU, ANDY.

YOU'RE MY FRIEND.

I DON'T WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND ANYMORE,

YOU BIG SHOW-OFF!

DON'T PAY HIM NO MIND,

HE'LL GET OVER IT.

YEAH, I SUPPOSE.

COME ON, LET'S GO HOME.

AND SO, NELLIE WAS TELLING ME

THAT YOU'RE GOING TO BEGIN A SERIES OF TESTS.

YES, STARTING TOMORROW.

OH, AND A CAN OF PEACHES.

AH.

NOW, I KNOW THAT YOU WON'T MIND

IF I OFFER YOU A LITTLE FRIENDLY ADVICE--

NOT CRITICISM, MIND YOU--

BUT I WAS THINKING, WOULDN'T IT BE WONDERFUL

IF YOU AWARDED THE STUDENT WHO COMES IN FIRST IN THE FINAL EXAMINATIONS

A LITTLE PRIZE,

SORT OF LIKE A LITTLE REWARD?

I LIKE TO THINK THAT LEARNING--

EDUCATION-- IS ITS OWN REWARD.

SOMETHING LIKE A NICE, BIG, BLUE RIBBON.

WELL, I'LL EVEN DONATE IT.

Mrs. Oleson: OF COURSE, I WOULDN'T BE A BIT SURPRISED

IF MY NELLIE WON IT.

I DON'T LIKE TO BRIBE THE STUDENTS FOR THEIR EFFORTS, MRS. OLESON.

[SIGHS]

MRS. GARVEY, MAY I REMIND YOU

THAT I AM ON THE SCHOOL BOARD?

Mrs. Oleson: AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE STANDARDS RAISED.

THEREFORE, THERE WILL BE A BLUE RIBBON DONATED,

AND IT WILL BE AWARDED.

NOW THAT THAT'S SETTLED, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT I CAN GET YOU?

NO, THAT'S QUITE ENOUGH.

Mrs. Oleson: MM-HMM, THAT WILL BE $1.17, PLEASE.

[HUMMING]

OH, YES.

NELLIE WAS TELLING ME ALSO THAT--

THAT YOUR ANDREW IS DOING VERY POORLY IN SCHOOL.

TSK, TSK, TSK, SUCH A SHAME.

IT'S EVEN MORE OF A SHAME

THAT YOUR WILLIE IS DOING FAR WORSE THAN ANDREW.

YES, POOR LITTLE TYKE.

TAKES AFTER HIS FATHER.

Mrs. Oleson: BUT I DO FEEL SO SORRY FOR YOU, MY DEAR.

WHY, IT MUST BE SO EMBARRASSING

TO HAVE YOUR OWN SON DOING SO BADLY.

I'D BE WILLING TO HELP ANDY, MRS. GARVEY.

[SIGHS] I SHOULD THINK

YOU'D HAVE YOUR HANDS FILLED HELPING WILLIE.

OH, NO ONE CAN HELP WILLIE.

HE'S HOPELESS.

[CHUCKLES]

WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, NELLIE, BUT NO, THANK YOU.

ANDREW ASSURES ME THAT HE'LL STUDY HARD TO DO BETTER.

GOOD DAY.

Mrs. Oleson: GOOD DAY.

WELL, MY.

THAT WAS KIND OF YOU, NELLIE.

JUST TRYING TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, MOTHER.

OH...

Mrs. Garvey: [MUTTERING INDISTINCTLY]

[DOOR SLAMS]

I THOUGHT I HEARD A STORM BLOW IN.

SOMETIMES, I WONDER HOW HARRIET OLESON

HAS MANAGED TO STAY ALIVE FOR AS LONG AS SHE HAS.

Mr. Garvey: WHAT'D SHE DO NOW?

SHE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.

FOR THAT MATTER, SHE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING,

NOTHING I DIDN'T ALREADY KNOW MYSELF.

BUT IT'S HER WAY OF SAYING THINGS.

TROUBLE WAS, SHE'S RIGHT.

SHE WAS RIGHT ABOUT WHAT?

ABOUT ANDY DOING SO POORLY IN SCHOOL.

ALICE, THE BOY'S DOING THE BEST HE CAN.

Alice: WELL, HE'S GOING TO HAVE TO DO BETTER, MUCH BETTER.

HE'S IN HIS ROOM RIGHT NOW, POUNDING ON THE BOOKS.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT'S LIKE

TO HAVE THE SON OF THE TEACHER

NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE CLASS?

MAYBE YOU CAN GIVE HIM SOME EXTRA HELP.

JONATHAN, I JUST DON'T HAVE THE TIME.

I HAVE TO GRADE THE PAPERS AND THE TESTS,

PREPARE THE NEXT DAY'S WORK,

AND RUN THIS HOUSE, AS WELL.

LORD KNOWS I CAN'T HELP HIM MUCH.

I NEVER HAD MUCH OF A CHANCE FOR BOOK LEARNING.

Alice: NELLIE OFFERED TO HELP HIM.

WHY DON'T YOU TAKE HER UP ON IT?

BECAUSE I WOULDN'T GIVE HARRIET THE SATISFACTION.

ALICE, WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT, WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT,

HARRIET'S SATISFACTION OR ANDY'S LEARNING?

OF COURSE I'M MORE CONCERNED ABOUT ANDY.

WE'LL SEE HOW HE DOES ON THE FIRST TEST.

I'VE BEEN BUSTING MY BRAINS, AND I'M DOING WORSE.

I GOT 100.

IT'S EASY, WHEN YOU KNOW HOW TO STUDY.

AFTERNOON, MRS. GARVEY.

Mrs. Garvey: GOOD AFTERNOON, NELLIE.

HEY, ANDY, DID YOU SEE MY GRADES?

WHO WANTS TO SEE YOUR GRADES?

I GOT ENOUGH TROUBLES OF MY OWN.

OH, COME ON, TAKE A LOOK.

YOU WANT TO SHOW ME HOW SMART YOU ARE.

WHAT'S SMART?

BOY, YOU GOT A 54.

THAT'S WORSE THAN MINE.

YEAH, DON'T KNOW WHAT MY FOLKS WILL SAY

WHEN THEY FIND OUT.

GUESS WE'RE BOTH IN TROUBLE.

YEAH.

HEY, YOU WANT TO GO FROGGING, ANDY?

IT'LL TAKE OUR MINDS OFF IT.

SURE, LET'S GO.

WHAT YOU NEED, YOUNG MAN, ARE GOOD STUDY HABITS.

I WANT TO LEARN, MA.

THAT'S THE SPIRIT, SON.

BUT I GUESS I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW, PA.

I'LL GET SOMEONE TO TEACH YOU.

I COULD WORK REALLY GOOD WITH ALBERT.

Alice: HE'S THE LAST ONE I'D SET YOU UP WITH.

YOU'D BE OFF FISHING OR FROGGING OR GALLIVANTING AROUND,

WHICH PROBABLY EXPLAINS WHY ALBERT'S GRADES HAVE DROPPED SO.

PASS THE BUTTER, WILL YOU, SON?

NOW, I THINK WHAT YOU NEED IS A REAL GOOD STUDENT TO STUDY WITH.

Mrs. Garvey: AND RIGHT NOW, BY FAR AND AWAY,

THE BEST STUDENT IN THE CLASS IS NELLIE OLESON.

NELLIE OLESON?

AND WHATEVER YOU MAY DISLIKE ABOUT HER--

EVERYTHING.

THE FACT REMAINS, SHE IS STILL CONSISTENTLY GETTING

THE BEST MARKS ON THE TESTS.

TOMORROW, AFTER SCHOOL,

I'M TAKING YOU OVER TO THE MERCANTILE TO MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS.

DO I HAVE TO?

I WON'T HAVE YOU CONTINUE TO DISGRACE ME

WITH THE KIND OF MARKS YOU'VE BEEN GETTING.

NOW, EAT YOUR SUPPER.

YES, MA'AM.

[HUMMING]

[BELL JINGLES]

GOOD AFTERNOON, MRS. OLESON.

AH, MRS. GARVEY, MAY I HELP YOU?

YES, I'LL GET RIGHT TO THE POINT.

I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THE LITTLE TALK WE HAD THE OTHER DAY.

OH?

YES, AND ANDY IS CONTINUING TO HAVE DIFFICULTIES IN SCHOOL--

OH, YES, I KNOW, NELLIE TOLD ME, TSK, TSK, TSK.

IT MUST MAKE YOU FEEL VERY PROUD THAT SHE CONFIDES IN YOU.

WELL, SO FEW PARENTS THESE DAYS

HAVE THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE OF THEIR CHILDREN.

INDEED.

WELL, I, UH-- I HAVE TO CONFESS THAT I WAS WRONG

AND YOU WERE SO RIGHT IN SUGGESTING

THAT NELLIE HELP ANDREW WITH HIS SCHOOLWORK.

Mrs. Garvey: AND I WAS WONDERING IF YOU'D MIND

IF I ACCEPTED NELLIE'S GRACIOUS OFFER.

WHY, NO, I DON'T MIND AT ALL.

AS A MATTER OF FACT,

IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO GOD'S WORK.

GOD'S WORK?

YES, AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GIFTED TO HELP THE LESS GIFTED.

NELLIE, DARLING?

Nellie: YES, MOTHER?

Mrs. Oleson: ARE YOU STILL WILLING

TO HELP ANDREW WITH HIS HOMEWORK?

Nellie: OF COURSE.

MRS. GARVEY, I'D BE GLAD TO HELP ANDY

ANY WAY I CAN.

Mrs. Oleson: ALL RIGHT, DARLING.

I DON'T NEED ANY MORE HELP DOWN HERE.

WHY DON'T YOU TAKE ANDREW UP TO YOUR ROOM,

AND YOU CAN BEGIN YOUR STUDIES RIGHT NOW?

YES, MOTHER.

IMAGINE, MY NELLIE TEACHING THE TEACHER'S SON.

[LAUGHING]

OH, FORGIVE ME.

NOW, YOUR MOTHER FEELS THAT YOUR GRADES ARE HUMILIATING HER,

AND SHE'S RIGHT.

NORMALLY, I WOULD REFUSE TO HELP ANYONE WHO WON'T HELP HIMSELF,

BUT IN YOUR CASE, THERE ARE SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

WHAT SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES?

YOU'LL FIND OUT.

DO YOU KNOW HOW I GET SUCH GOOD GRADES?

I GUESS SO.

YOU STUDY HARD,

AND YOU'RE NATURALLY SMART.

NO, I CHEAT.

YOU CHEAT?

WELL, OF COURSE.

WHY?

IF YOU'RE SMART, YOU DON'T NEED TO.

SMART HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

WHO CAN REMEMBER ALL THOSE THINGS THEY WANT YOU TO?

JUST CLUTTERS THE MIND.

WHEN YOU GROW UP, YOU GOT TO KNOW FACTS.

GEOGRAPHY--

YOU CAN ALWAYS LOOK THEM UP,

THE WAY YOUR MOTHER DOES WHEN SHE PREPARES THE CLASS LESSONS.

YOU'VE SEEN HER.

SHE MAKES NOTES AND LOOKS AT THEM IN CLASS, DOESN'T SHE?

YEAH.

WELL, THEN WHY SHOULD SHE EXPECT US TO KNOW MORE THAN SHE DOES?

BUT CHEATING--

Nellie: I DON'T WANT TO ARGUE ABOUT IT.

IF YOU WANT ME TO HELP YOU, ALL RIGHT.

OR ELSE, GO HOME AND TELL YOUR MOTHER YOU WOULDN'T LET ME.

WELL, SUPPOSE I TOLD HER YOU CHEATED?

SHE WOULDN'T BELIEVE YOU, AND YOU CAN'T PROVE IT,

Nellie: AND I'D JUST SAY YOU'RE LYING

BECAUSE YOU WERE JEALOUS.

JUDGE NOT, LEST YE BE JUDGED.

WELL?

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

PULL UP A CHAIR, AND I'LL SHOW YOU.

HOW ABOUT GOING FROGGING AGAIN?

I CAN'T. GOT TO GO STUDY.

BYE.

HE'S BECOME A REGULAR BOOKWORM.

HIS MA'S DOING.

BUT THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING US FROM GOING FROGGING.

EXCEPT YOUR GRADES.

WHAT ABOUT MY GRADES?

THEY STINK!

WELL, THEY'RE MY GRADES,

SO, YOU CAN STOP WORRYING.

I'M NOT GOING FROGGING WITH YOU.

WHY NOT?

BECAUSE YOU SHOULD GO HOME AND STUDY, LIKE ANDY.

YOU GO HOME AND STUDY.

I'M GOING FROGGING, LIKE ME.

JONATHAN, TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

YOUR SON'S.

AND KINDLY NOTE THE GRADE.

100, ANDY?

[CHUCKLES]

WOULD YOU BELIEVE THAT ONE AFTERNOON WITH NELLIE

COULD MAKE SUCH A DIFFERENCE?

WELL, YOU'VE SURE GOT TO GIVE HER SOME CREDIT.

AND YOUR SON, TOO.

ANDY?

YES'M?

Mrs. Garvey: COME HERE A MINUTE, PLEASE.

OH, THAT'S TO SHOW YOU HOW PLEASED I AM,

AND I'M SURE YOUR PA FEELS THE SAME.

I SURE DO.

CONGRATULATIONS-- A PERFECT PAPER.

YOU THINK YOU CAN KEEP THAT UP?

OF COURSE HE CAN.

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF APPLICATION, ISN'T IT?

I GUESS SO.

HOW DID NELLIE TEACH YOU?

UH, SHE SAYS TO WRITE THINGS DOWN.

IT HELPS YOU TO REMEMBER.

AS SIMPLE AS THAT.

AS A REWARD, ON SATURDAY,

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANY CHORES AT ALL.

Mrs. Garvey: YOU CAN GO FISHING OR FROGGING OR ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

WE'RE MIGHTY PROUD OF YOU.

THANKS, PA.

CAN I GO BACK TO MY ROOM NOW?

Jonathan: MORE STUDYING?

YES, SIR, ANOTHER TEST.

SURE, GO AHEAD.

ONCE AGAIN, PERFECT GRADES FOR ONE OF YOU

AND ALMOST PERFECT FOR ANOTHER.

AND MOST OF THE REST OF YOU ARE COMING ALONG BEAUTIFULLY.

I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU'VE MADE SOME IMPROVEMENT, ALBERT.

YES, MA'AM.

AS YOU CAN SEE, TODAY'S TEST IS ON YOUR GEOGRAPHY ASSIGNMENT

AND WILL BE THE LAST TEST.

Children: YAY!

YOU HAVE TO MAKE A MISTAKE ONCE IN A WHILE,

OR ELSE SHE'LL GET SUSPICIOUS.

Students: [MOANING]

Mrs. Garvey: SHH, ALL RIGHT, THEN.

GRADES 1 TO 3 MAY CONTINUE YOUR READING,

AND THE REST OF YOU, COMMENCE WITH THE TEST.

Mrs. Garvey: LAURA?

EYES ON YOUR OWN PAPER, PLEASE.

YES, MA'AM.

WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING FOR?

MAKES ME FEEL BETTER.

JUST A WASTE OF TIME.

DOES YOUR MOTHER HAVE THE QUESTIONS READY FOR THE BIG TEST YET?

I DON'T KNOW.

SHE MUST BE WORKING ON THEM.

FIRST PART'S NEXT WEDNESDAY.

FIND THE QUESTIONS AND COPY THEM FOR ME.

I CAN'T.

YOU CAN, AND YOU WILL,

OR ELSE I'LL TELL YOUR MOTHER HOW YOU'VE BEEN CHEATING,

Nellie: AND YOU'LL GET THE LICKING OF YOUR LIFE.

BESIDES, YOU OWE ME A FAVOR.

WHAT FOR?

FOR SHOWING YOU HOW TO GET GOOD GRADES, STUPID!

Nellie: WHY DO YOU THINK I DID IT?

CERTAINLY NOT BECAUSE I'M CRAZY ABOUT YOU.

SO, IT'S TIME TO PAY UP.

YOUR PARENTS ARE PROUD OF YOU, NOW.

YOU WANT THEM TO GO ON BEING PROUD OF YOU, DON'T YOU?

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET AHOLD OF THE QUESTIONS.

SHE'D PROBABLY HIDE THEM SOMEPLACE.

THEN SPY ON HER.

I CAN'T PROMISE THAT.

YOU'LL DO IT!

ALICE, YOU READY FOR TOWN?

JUST A MINUTE, JONATHAN.

- ANDY? - YES'M?

- WHAT ARE YOU DOING? - STUDYING.

DO YOU WANT TO COME TO TOWN WITH YOUR FATHER AND ME?

NO, MA'AM, I'D BETTER KEEP STUDYING.

DON'T OVERDO IT, DARLING.

YOU'RE ALLOWED SATURDAYS OFF.

Andy: OH, YES, MA'AM.

BUT WITH THE BIG TEST ON WEDNESDAY, I'D BETTER KEEP STUDYING.

ALL RIGHT. SEE YOU LATER.

BYE.

[DOOR OPENS]

[FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING]

IS THAT NEXT WEEK'S EXAMINATION?

I WONDERED HOW YOU GOT SO SMART ALL OF A SUDDEN.

THEN I SAW YOU YESTERDAY.

DID ANYBODY ELSE?

IS THAT ALL THAT'S BOTHERING YOU?

NO.

WHY, ANDY?

NELLIE MADE ME DO IT.

HOW COULD SHE MAKE YOU DO A THING LIKE THAT?

Andy: I DON'T KNOW, IT JUST HAPPENED.

MA SAID I SHOULD STUDY WITH HER

SO I'D LEARN GOOD WORK HABITS.

SHE CHEATS, AND THEN SHE SHOWED ME HOW.

Andy: AND THEN SHE STARTED THREATENING IF I DIDN'T.

Andy: [SIGHS]

Andy: MA WAS ASHAMED OF ME

BECAUSE I WAS DOING SO BAD.

NOW SHE'S PROUD OF ME--PA, TOO.

AND I NEVER FELT SO AWFUL IN MY WHOLE LIFE.

WELL, I THINK THAT YOU SHOULD TELL THEM.

I CAN'T!

THE WORST THEY CAN DO IS GIVE YOU A LICKING.

THEY'D BE ASHAMED OF ME.

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE IT IF YOUR PA AND MA WAS ASHAMED OF YOU?

I GOT TO GO.

LAURA, WAIT!

LAURA, THIS IS THE LAST TIME.

PLEASE DON'T TELL MY MA.

I WON'T.

YOU GOT THEM?

NOT HERE!

AH, HERE COME OUR PRIZE STUDENTS,

RIGHT ON THE DOT.

[LAUGHS]

AREN'T YOU GOING TO COPY THE QUESTIONS?

GOT MY OWN SET AT HOME.

AND THIS IS THE LAST TIME.

OH, WE'LL SEE ABOUT THAT.

NO, WE WON'T.

OH, YES, WE WILL,

OR I'LL TELL YOUR MOTHER ABOUT YOU IN FRONT OF THE WHOLE CLASS.

AND I'LL TELL YOUR MA.

SHE WOULDN'T BELIEVE A WORD YOU SAID.

GO ON HOME, ANDREW GARVEY.

MAKE GOOD CRIB NOTES SO YOUR PARENTS WILL BE PROUD.

Nellie: I BET I GOT ANOTHER 100.

Albert: LAURA, AREN'T YOU COMING?

I'M COMING.

HI, PA!

HEY, ALBERT.

COULD USE A HAND OUT HERE.

YOU GOT TWO, RIGHT HERE.

OH, COME ON, YOU JUST CHANGE YOUR SCHOOL CLOTHES FIRST.

OKAY.

HOW DID YOU DO ON THE BIG TEST?

ABOUT AVERAGE, I GUESS.

BE RIGHT THERE.

ALL RIGHT.

AFTERNOON, LADIES.

- HI, PA. - HOW'D YOU DO ON THE TEST?

I DID FINE.

YOU DIDN'T EVEN TAKE THE TEST.

[LAUGHS]

THAT MEANS I COULDN'T HAVE DONE BAD.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

YOU GO CHANGE YOUR CLOTHES, TOO.

YES, PA.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING SO DOWN IN THE MOUTH ABOUT?

DID YOU DO BAD ON THE TEST?

I DON'T KNOW HOW I DID.

PRACTICALLY DON'T EVEN CARE.

WELL, WHAT'S THE MATTER?

I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND PEOPLE, PA.

ALBERT'S NOT DOING HIS BEST IN SCHOOL

BECAUSE HE'S AFRAID HE WON'T BE POPULAR.

WHOA, WHOA, NOW, HOLD ON.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

HE'S AFRAID THE KIDS WON'T LIKE HIM BECAUSE HE'S SO SMART.

THAT'S NONSENSE.

THAT'S WHAT I TRIED TO TELL HIM.

I'LL JUST HAVE A LITTLE TALK WITH HIM RIGHT NOW.

I WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE A TALK WITH ANDY.

WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH ANDY?

HE'S WORKING HARD. HIS GRADES HAVE NEVER BEEN HIGHER.

I KNOW. THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

I PROMISED NOT TO TELL HIS MA.

YOU DIDN'T PROMISE NOT TO TELL ME.

WILL YOU TELL HIS MA OR PA?

IT ALL DEPENDS WHAT IT IS.

[SIGHS]

IT WAS NELLIE WHO GOT HIM INTO IT.

HE ONLY WANTED TO DO WHAT HIS MA WANTED.

HE'S BEEN CHEATING.

Laura: NELLIE CHEATS, TOO,

AND I KNOW HOW SHE DOES IT.

LET'S NOT WORRY ABOUT NELLIE.

IT'S ANDY I'M WORRIED ABOUT.

Laura: WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT, PA?

I DON'T KNOW.

FIRST, I'M GOING TO HANG THOSE DOORS,

AND THEN, I THINK I'LL TAKE ANDY FISHING.

Charles: HEY, YOU GOT ONE ON THERE.

PULL IT IN.

WHOO HOO, HEY, ANOTHER NICE ONE.

THERE YOU GO.

YOU'RE GETTING A FINE STRING OF FISH THERE.

MAKE A GOOD SUPPER TONIGHT.

[FROGS CROAKING]

LISTEN TO THOSE FROGS, HUH?

PUTS ME TO MIND WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE.

NOTHING I LIKED BETTER THAN GOING NIGHT FROGGING.

I USED TO SNEAK OUT AT NIGHT SO I COULD DO IT.

I REMEMBER ONE TIME, I STAYED OUT THE WHOLE NIGHT.

SNUCK BACK INTO THE HOUSE. MY FOLKS WERE STILL ASLEEP.

THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW I WAS GONE.

I JUST CLIMBED RIGHT INTO BED,

AND THEY NEVER KNEW A THING ABOUT IT.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY TIME I CHEATED WHEN I WAS A KID.

I GUESS ALL KIDS DO.

I REMEMBER I USED TO PLAY HOOKY FROM SCHOOL ONCE IN A WHILE.

Charles: I LEARNED HOW TO COPY MY MA'S HANDWRITING,

SO, I'D WRITE THEM NOTES ABOUT HOW I WAS SICK AND EVERYTHING.

THE THING IS, I NEVER FELT VERY GOOD ABOUT IT.

GUILTY CONSCIENCE, I GUESS.

AND ONE DAY, I JUST GOT MY COURAGE UP,

WENT AND TOLD MY MA AND PA.

TELL YOU, MY PA GAVE ME A WHIPPING I WILL NEVER FORGET.

YOU KNOW, I NEVER ENJOYED ANYTHING AS MUCH AS THAT.

CLEARED MY CONSCIENCE, I GUESS.

I THINK I'VE CAUGHT ENOUGH, MR. INGALLS.

I'D BEST BE GOING.

Charles: WHATEVER YOU SAY.

MR. INGALLS...

THANKS.

YOU'RE WELCOME, SON.

Mrs. Garvey: I SAVED THE RESULTS OF YESTERDAY'S EXAMINATION TILL THE END OF THE DAY

SO YOU WOULDN'T BE DISTRACTED IN YOUR PREPARATION

FOR THE FINAL PART OF THE EXAMINATION TOMORROW,

WHICH WILL COVER ARITHMETIC AND ENGLISH.

I'M REALLY VERY PLEASED.

MOST OF YOU DID VERY WELL INDEED AND ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED.

Mrs. Garvey: ALTHOUGH THERE ARE ONE OR TWO LOW GRADES,

I KNOW YOU ALL DID YOUR BEST.

TWO OF YOU TURNED IN PERFECT PAPERS

AND TIED FOR THE LEAD.

WE MAY NEED ANOTHER BLUE RIBBON IF YOU DO AS WELL

IN THE SECOND PART OF THE EXAMINATION.

Mrs. Oleson: WELL, I'LL BE VERY HAPPY TO DONATE

ANOTHER BLUE RIBBON FOR THE OTHER WINNER.

THANK YOU, MRS. OLESON.

AH, YES.

I DON'T WANT TO DISCOURAGE OR REFLECT ON THE REST OF THE CLASS,

BUT I KNOW YOU'LL UNDERSTAND WHY I'M SO PROUD OF THE TWO LEADERS,

NELLIE OLESON AND ANDREW GARVEY.

[APPLAUSE]

CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF YOU.

MA?

MRS. GARVEY?

YES, ANDY?

I DON'T DESERVE NO CONGRATULATIONS.

I...

I CHEATED.

Andrew: I CHEATED ON YESTERDAY'S EXAM

AND ALL THE DAYS BEFORE WHEN I GOT GOOD GRADES.

I'M SORRY.

[CLEARS THROAT]

CLASS DISMISSED.

I'M PROUD OF YOU, ANDY.

TSK, TSK, TSK.

WHAT A DISGRACE.

Mrs. Oleson: OH, ALICE, I'M TRULY SORRY FOR YOU.

I CAN JUST IMAGINE THE SHAME YOU MUST BE FEELING.

OH!

Mrs. Oleson: WELL, COME ALONG, NELLIE, DARLING.

YOU GO HOME AND STUDY FOR TOMORROW'S TEST.

WE'LL LEAVE MRS. GARVEY ALONE WITH HER SON

AND HER UNHAPPY DISCOVERY.

TSK, TSK, TSK.

WHY, ANDY?

I DON'T KNOW.

YOU DON'T KNOW, OR YOU JUST DON'T WANT TO TELL ME?

I KNOW WHY.

ARE YOU GOING TO TELL YOUR MA, OR SHOULD I?

HE WASN'T THE ONLY ONE WHO CHEATED, MRS. GARVEY.

Laura: NELLIE OLESON CHEATED, TOO.

SHE SHOWED HIM HOW.

SHE MADE HIM STEAL THE QUESTIONS TO THE TEST,

AND SHE SAID SHE'D TELL ON HIM IF HE DIDN'T.

YOUR MA AND I'VE BEEN TALKING THINGS OUT, SON.

WELL, WE'RE BOTH GLAD YOU FINALLY SPOKE UP LIKE YOU DID.

TOOK A LOT OF COURAGE TO DO WHAT YOU DID.

BUT IT DON'T WIPE OUT WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE.

ARE YOU GOING TO PUNISH ME?

I'M GOING TO HOLD OFF ANSWERING THAT.

THE WAY I GOT IT FIGURED,

YOUR MA AND I KIND OF HAD A PART IN WHAT HAPPENED.

EXPECTING TOO MUCH OF YOU,

BEING A TEACHER'S SON.

Mrs. Garvey: AND PUTTING YOU IN WITH NELLIE OLESON.

WE'VE LEARNED A LESSON FROM IT.

HAS IT TAUGHT YOU ANYTHING, SON?

YES, SIR, I HAVE.

I'LL NEVER CHEAT AGAIN, EVER.

FROM NOW ON, WHEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM,

WE WANT YOU TO COME AND TALK TO US ABOUT IT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ME NOW?

WHAT DO YOU FIGURE WE THINK OF YOU NOW?

I DON'T KNOW.

WE LOVE YOU, BOY.

Jonathan: AIN'T NOTHING EVER GOING TO CHANGE THAT.

WE DIDN'T FIGURE YOU'D GROW UP WITHOUT MAKING A FEW MISTAKES.

EVERYBODY MAKES MISTAKES...

BUT LYING AND CHEATING, WE CAN'T ABIDE.

DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT, SON?

YES, SIR.

I THINK MAYBE YOU AND I BETTER MAKE A TRIP OUT TO THE BARN.

Mrs. Garvey: DO YOU HAVE TO?

IT'S OKAY, MA.

IT'LL MAKE ME FEEL BETTER.

MMM, SMELL THAT NIGHT AIR.

REALLY SOMETHING, ISN'T IT?

YES, SIR.

DID I DO SOMETHING WRONG?

WHAT MAKES YOU ASK THAT?

I DON'T KNOW.

FIRST, YOU SAY, "LET'S TAKE A WALK TO THE BARN,"

SO, I FIGURE YOU WANTED TO TALK TO ME ALONE.

THEN, YOU JUST TALK ABOUT HOW THE AIR SMELLS.

I FIGURE I MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING.

THAT'S GOOD FIGURING.

COURSE, YOU'RE ALWAYS GOOD AT FIGURING...

UP UNTIL LATELY, THAT IS.

OH, YEAH, MY GRADES.

YEAH, YOUR GRADES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT ANDY CHEATING TO GET HIGHER GRADES?

THINK THAT'S RIGHT?

HE SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE IT,

BUT LEASTWISE, HE TOLD.

YEAH, THAT'S TRUE.

DO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE FOR A FELLOW

TO DELIBERATELY GET LOWER GRADES

JUST TO BE ONE OF THE BOYS?

I GUESS IT'S POSSIBLE.

HOW ABOUT PROBABLE?

THAT'S WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING, ISN'T IT?

ISN'T IT?

YES, SIR.

Charles: ALL RIGHT, THEN, YOU'VE BEEN CHEATING.

I NEVER CHEAT--

Charles: HOLD ON, THERE'S A LOT OF WAYS OF CHEATING.

SOME OF THEM ARE JUST AS BAD AND MAYBE WORSE.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

ALL RIGHT, NOW, THE ONLY THING I'VE EVER ASKED OF A CHILD

IS THAT HE DO HIS BEST,

JUST WORK THE HARDEST HE CAN AT ANY JOB THAT HE HAS.

THAT'S ALL A PARENT EVER ASKS OF A CHILD.

WHEN YOU DON'T USE THE ABILITY AND THE BRAINS THAT GOD GAVE YOU,

YOU'RE CHEATING.

YOU'RE CHEATING GOD, AND YOU'RE CHEATING YOURSELF.

SORRY, PA.

GUESS I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY.

YOU'D BETTER START THINKING ABOUT IT THAT WAY.

AND I'LL TELL YOU SOMETHING ELSE.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS IN THIS WORLD

MORE IMPORTANT THAN BEING POPULAR.

BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF IS ONE OF THEM.

YES, SIR.

ALL RIGHT, NOW, YOU GOT A TEST COMING UP, DON'T YOU?

MM-HMM. YES, SIR.

WELL, WHILE I'M OUT HERE SMELLING THE GOOD NIGHT AIR,

YOU GET YOUR BUTT INSIDE AND START STUDYING.

YES, SIR.

[BELL RINGING]

Child: GOOD MORNING, MRS. GARVEY.

Andy: MORNING, MA.

Laura: MORNING, MRS. GARVEY.

Nellie: GOOD MORNING, MRS. GARVEY.

NELLIE.

Mrs. Garvey: LAURA, WILL YOU PASS OUT THE PAPERS, PLEASE?

YES, MA'AM.

[TAPS ON BENCH]

ALL RIGHT, I'LL GRADE THE TEST PAPERS DURING THE LUNCH HOUR

AND ANNOUNCE THE RESULTS THIS AFTERNOON.

WHOO, MY, IT IS WARM TODAY, ISN'T IT?

UH-HUH.

I THINK WE COULD USE A BIT OF FRESH AIR IN HERE.

OH, NELLIE, AREN'T YOU WARM WITH THAT JACKET?

NO, MA'AM.

YOU MUST BE.

Mrs. Garvey: YOU'RE ACTUALLY PERSPIRING.

YOU'RE NOT ILL, ARE YOU?

OH, NO, MA'AM, I'M ALL RIGHT.

OH, CHILD, I CAN TELL WHEN SOMEONE'S UNCOMFORTABLE,

AND YOU MOST CERTAINLY ARE.

NOW, COME ON, OFF WITH THE JACKET.

NO, REALLY, I'M ALL RIGHT.

NO, IT'S ALL RIGHT. I'LL TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF IT.

IT'S MUCH TOO WARM, NELLIE.

IT'S FINE!

THAT'S MUCH BETTER.

Mrs. Garvey: ALL RIGHT, CLASS.

LET'S BEGIN THE FINAL TEST OF THE TERM,

AND GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL.

WHAT'S THE MATTER, NELLIE?

YOU AIN'T EVEN TOUCHED YOUR LUNCH.

GUESS SHE LOST HER APPETITE.

YOU LIED!

YOU DID TELL YOUR MOTHER.

HE DIDN'T TELL HER.

I DID.

[LAUGHTER]

COME ALONG, SWEETHEART.

WE'LL GO AND GET YOUR NICE, BIG, BLUE RIBBON.

COME ALONG, HURRY UP.

AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE MARKS ON YOUR PAPERS,

YOU ALL DID VERY WELL.

ONE OF YOU DID EXCEPTIONALLY WELL,

WITH AN ABSOLUTELY PERFECT SCORE,

AND THAT ONE IS ALBERT INGALLS,

[APPLAUSE]

Mrs. Garvey: THE WINNER OF THE BLUE RIBBON.

CONGRATULATIONS, ALBERT.

THANK YOU, MA'AM.

AND I AM HAPPY TO SAY THE REST OF YOU ARE ALL PROMOTED

AND MAY HAVE THE REST OF THE DAY OFF.

[CHILDREN CHEERING]

ALICE GARVEY!

YES, MRS. OLESON?

THERE MUST HAVE BEEN SOME TERRIBLE MISTAKE.

WHY, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE THAT MY NELLIE DIDN'T WIN.

OBVIOUSLY YOU GRADED THE PAPERS INCORRECTLY.

YOU MAY BE RIGHT.

YOU CAN CHECK THE ANSWERS IF YOU WANT.

THEY'RE RIGHT HERE INSIDE NELLIE'S JACKET,

Mrs. Garvey: THE SAME JACKET SHE'S WORN FOR EVERY TEST I'VE GIVEN,

EXCEPT THIS LAST TEST.

I KEPT IT UP HERE ON MY DESK.

HAVE A NICE DAY.

NELLIE OLESON, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME,

EMBARRASSING ME LIKE THIS?

YOU SAID I WAS JUST LIKE YOU--

OH, GO ON.

YOU'RE WICKED.

[SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY]

[SCREAMING]

Mrs. Oleson: YOU GO RIGHT UP TO YOUR ROOM, YOUNG LADY!