Original subtitles

THERE YOU ARE, MR. WILLIAMS.

THANK YOU.

MS. WILDER, I'LL COME RIGHT TO THE POINT.

A TEACHER DOWN IN CURRIE, MS. TRIMBLE,

HAD AN ACCIDENT, BROKE HER LEG.

OH, THE POOR DEAR.

Williams: I'M GOING TO NEED A TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT FOR HER

TILL SHE MENDS, AND I--

I THOUGHT PERHAPS YOUR BEST STUDENT OF THE REQUIRED TEACHING AGE

WOULD FILL THE BILL.

MY ONLY STUDENT WHO'S 16

IS ALSO MY POOREST STUDENT.

MY BEST STUDENT IS ONLY 12.

I'M SORRY.

SO AM I.

Ms. Wilder: JUST A MINUTE.

THERE'S LAURA INGALLS.

SHE'S MY BEST STUDENT NEAREST THE REQUIRED AGE,

AND SHE'LL BE 16 IN ONLY TWO WEEKS.

WELL, I MIGHT BEND THE RULES A LITTLE FOR THIS ONE ASSIGNMENT.

[CHUCKLES]

AFTER ALL, A TEACHER WHO IS ALMOST 16 IS BETTER THAN NO TEACHER AT ALL.

DO YOU THINK SHE'D BE INTERESTED IN THE JOB?

I'M SURE SHE WOULD.

I HAPPEN TO KNOW SHE'S MOST ANXIOUS TO BECOME A TEACHER.

WELL, LET'S GET OVER TO THE SCHOOL AND TALK TO HER.

[CHILDREN SHOUTING]

THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS THE THIRD PRESIDENT.

AS WELL AS WRITING THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE,

HE ESTABLISHED RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND PRIVATE PROPERTY IN VIRGINIA.

HE ALSO FOUNDED THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

AND BOUGHT FOR THE NEW COUNTRY

THE LAND BETWEEN THE MISSISSIPPI AND CALIFORNIA.

CONGRATULATIONS.

YOU ARE NOW A TEACHER.

I AM?

AND I'M GOING TO FILL OUT THE CERTIFICATE RIGHT NOW TO PROVE IT,

MS. INGALLS.

MS. INGALLS.

Williams: IT PAYS $20 FOR THE MONTH, PLUS ROOM AND BOARD,

WITH $10 IN ADVANCE FOR INITIAL EXPENSES.

YOU'LL BE STAYING IN CURRIE

WITH THE DISABLED TEACHER, MS. TRIMBLE.

IT WILL BE NICE FOR THE OLD LADY,

AND SHE CAN BE VERY HELPFUL TO YOU.

Eliza Jane: AND YOU NEEDN'T WORRY ABOUT TRANSPORTATION.

I'LL SPEAK TO ALMANZO. HE'LL BE DELIGHTED TO TAKE YOU.

HE WILL?

HERE YOU ARE, YOUNG LADY.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

I'M A TEACHER.

I'M A TEACHER!

[LAUGHTER]

CONGRATULATIONS!

PA! PA!

I'M A TEACHER!

- WHAT? - I'M A TEACHER!

HOW ABOUT THIS ONE, MA?

I LIKE IT. THE COLOR SUITS YOU.

MM-HMM.

WHY DON'T YOU TRY IT ON?

YES, DEAR. IN THE BACK ROOM, HMM?

- THANK YOU. - YES.

OH, CAROLINE, CAROLINE...

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?

OH, I DON'T KNOW.

[LAUGHS]

IT SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY

THIS LITTLE CHILD CAME WALKING INTO MY STORE.

SHE COULD BARELY REACH THE COUNTER.

[LAUGHTER]

OH, IT MAKES ME FEEL SO OLD.

IT DOESN'T PARTICULARLY MAKE ME FEEL OLD.

IT DOES MAKE ME FEEL PROUD, THOUGH.

WELL, IT MAKES ME FEEL OLD.

I'LL NEVER FORGIVE NELLIE FOR GROWING UP.

[LAUGHTER]

OF COURSE, I'M NOT REALLY THAT OLD.

I WAS PRACTICALLY A BABY MYSELF WHEN I HAD HER.

IT MUST HAVE BEEN A DIFFICULT DELIVERY.

[LAUGHS]

YES, IT WAS.

OF COURSE, I STILL HAVE MY WILLIE.

HE'S STILL MAMA'S BABY BOY.

[LAUGHS]

HE'S SUCH AN INNOCENT LITTLE TYKE.

Laura: WILLIE OLESON, YOU OUGHT TO BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF.

GET OUT OF HERE.

WILLIE!

WHAT'S GOING ON?

HE WAS HIDING IN THE CLOSET, WATCHING ME CHANGE.

OH, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKES!

THAT'S NOT TRUE. TELL ME THAT'S NOT TRUE.

IT'S NOT TRUE.

HE'S LYING.

WILLIE OLESON, ARE YOU LYING TO ME?

NO, NOT REALLY. YOU'RE THE ONE THAT TOLD ME TO TELL YOU IT'S NOT TRUE.

OH, MY GOODNESS! THEN IT IS TRUE.

OH, HOW DISGUSTING!

I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING.

WELL, WHAT DID YOU EXPECT TO SEE?

I DON'T KNOW.

I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING YET.

OH, YOU GET UPSTAIRS TO YOUR ROOM, RIGHT NOW!

WILLIE, WHAT--

WHAT'S ALL THE COMMOTION DOWN HERE?

Harriet: OH! OH, IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT.

WELL, IT USUALLY IS, BUT WHAT IS IT?

[CRYING] OH! YOU--

YOU'VE TURNED HIM INTO A--

YOU'VE TURNED HIM INTO A--

WHAT?

A MAN!

Harriet: OH, WILLIE!

HE'S HERE. TIME TO GO.

I MADE YOU SOME SANDWICHES

IN CASE YOU GET HUNGRY ON THE WAY.

THANKS, MA, FOR ALL YOUR HELP.

WELL, HOW DO I LOOK?

YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, PA?

I THINK I'M LOOKING AT A LOVELY YOUNG WOMAN.

YOU CALLED ME A WOMAN.

I LOVE YOU, PA.

I LOVE YOU.

I SURE AM GLAD THE ROADS AREN'T TOO DUSTY.

I WOULDN'T WANT TO RUIN MY NEW DRESS.

WELL, I DIDN'T THINK I'D SEEN THAT ONE BEFORE. IT LOOKS REAL NICE.

THANK YOU. THIS IS A NEW HAT, TOO.

REAL NICE.

THANK YOU.

MY PA SAYS HE DOESN'T LIKE MY NEW HAIRSTYLE.

HE SAYS IT MAKES ME LOOK TOO MATURE.

WELL, I THINK IT LOOKS REAL NICE.

THANK YOU.

DO YOU THINK IT MAKES ME LOOK TOO MATURE?

NO, I DON'T THINK IT MAKES YOU LOOK MATURE AT ALL.

THANK YOU.

[SIGHS]

Almanzo: WHOA.

WELL, THIS LOOKS LIKE THE PLACE.

WHITE HOUSE AND GREEN TRIM.

THANK YOU, MANLY.

OH, YOU'RE WELCOME, BETH.

YOU KNOW, YOU REALLY DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO ALL THIS TROUBLE.

NO, NO TROUBLE AT ALL.

MATTER OF FACT, I'VE BEEN REALLY LOOKING FOR A CHANCE LIKE THIS.

YOU HAVE?

SURE. IT GIVES ME A CHANCE TO GIVE BARNUM HERE A GOOD WORKOUT.

Almanzo: LISTEN, WE'LL SEE YOU FRIDAY.

SEE YOU.

HYAH.

[KNOCKS ON DOOR]

THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED!

CLOSE THE DOOR AND COME ON IN.

WHAT'S THE MATTER, YOUNG LADY, CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE?

NO, I--

I JUST DIDN'T EXPECT TO SEE YOU--

SMOKING A PIPE? NASTY HABIT.

MY PA SMOKED ONE, GOD REST HIS SOUL.

I JUST GOT TO LIKING THE SMELL OF IT, I SUPPOSE.

YOU MUST BE LAURA INGALLS.

YES, MS. TRIMBLE.

CALL ME MINNIE. WE'RE BOTH TEACHERS, AREN'T WE?

WELL, I HOPE I AM, OR WILL BE.

I LIKE THAT. IT SHOWS YOU'RE NOT COCKY.

YOU'LL BE A GOOD TEACHER, LAURA. I CAN SENSE IT,

AND I'VE BEEN AT IT LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW.

[LAUGHS]

NOW, YOU MUST BE TIRED, YOUR TRIP,

THE EXCITEMENT OF YOUR FIRST TEACHING JOB,

SO, WHILE I WHIP US UP SOME SUPPER, YOU CAN SETTLE IN.

YOUR ROOM'S AT THE END OF THE HALL.

THANK YOU, MISS-- MINNIE.

WE'RE GOING TO GET ALONG JUST FINE, LAURA.

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

I'M ALMOST 16.

16?

REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE 16, TRIMBLE?

YOU GET SETTLED, AND I'LL START SUPPER.

16!

[CHILDREN SHOUTING]

HEY, LOOKIT!

THAT MUST BE THE NEW TEACHER.

GOOD MORNING.

SHE'S JUST A KID.

[CHATTER]

THE SCHOOL WILL COME TO ORDER.

[CHILDREN QUIET]

I AM MS. INGALLS.

I WILL BE YOUR TEACHER UNTIL MS. TRIMBLE RECOVERS.

SHE'S GIVEN ME A LIST OF YOUR NAMES, ASSIGNMENTS, AND PROGRESS.

I WILL GET TO KNOW YOU AS I CALL ON YOU,

AND WHEN I DO, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND.

MAY I ASK A QUESTION?

OF COURSE.

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

WHY DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?

WELL, BECAUSE YOU SEEM AWFUL YOUNG AND SMALL TO BE A TEACHER.

[LAUGHTER]

I'M OLD ENOUGH TO TEACH,

AND I HAVE A TEACHING CERTIFICATE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

BESIDES, BEING BIGGER DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN YOU'RE SMARTER.

IT DOESN'T MEAN YOU'RE DUMBER, EITHER.

I AGREE. THE SIZE OF THE BODY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE SIZE OF THE BRAIN.

YOUR NAME, PLEASE.

CHAD BREWSTER.

CHAD BREWSTER, THANK YOU.

RUBY DOBKINS.

Ruby: HERE.

TOMMY DOBKINS.

Tommy: HERE.

MARTHA HARRISON.

Martha: HERE.

WELL, HOW DID IT GO?

WELL, THE BECKMAN BROTHERS GOT IN A FIGHT.

MARTHA HARRISON IS GOING TO NEED ALL THE PATIENCE I CAN MUSTER IN ENGLISH.

RUBY DOBKINS TRIES SO HARD.

CHAD BREWSTER DOESN'T TRY AT ALL.

BUT, HOW DID IT GO?

WELL... ALL I CAN SAY IS...

I LOVED IT.

I KNEW IT, I JUST KNEW IT.

CAN I COOK SUPPER TONIGHT TO CELEBRATE?

IS THAT A REFLECTION ON LAST NIGHT'S MEAL?

[LAUGHS] NOT AT ALL.

I DON'T LIKE TO DO DISHES.

I'LL DO THOSE, TOO.

WELL, DON'T JUST STAND IN THERE. GET TO COOKING.

WHAT'S IN THAT PACKAGE?

Laura: I STOPPED BY THE STORE ON MY WAY HOME

AND BOUGHT SOME SHOES WITH HEELS.

THOUGHT THEY MIGHT MAKE ME LOOK OLDER.

I'M GOING TO LEARN TO WALK IN THESE DUMB SHOES EVEN IF IT KILLS ME.

"NO REWARD IS...

"OFFERED...

"FOR IT IS...

"GONE FOREVER."

YOUR READING HAS IMPROVED THIS WEEK, TOMMY.

THAT WAS EXCELLENT.

NOW, WHO WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE NEXT PASSAGE?

MR. WILLIAMS.

MS. INGALLS.

I JUST HAPPENED TO BE PASSING THROUGH TOWN,

AND I THOUGHT I'D DROP IN FOR A FEW MINUTES

TO SEE HOW THINGS ARE GOING.

WELL, IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIAL YOU'D LIKE TO HEAR?

WELL, I ALWAYS LIKE MENTAL ARITHMETIC.

HOW ABOUT POSING A PROBLEM

TO A STUDENT IN YOUR HIGHEST GRADE?

DIVIDE TWO DIGITS INTO 6.

ALL RIGHT. WHO WOULD LIKE TO TRY?

I WOULD, MS. INGALLS.

ALL RIGHT, CHAD.

DIVIDE 347,264 BY 16.

347,264 DIVIDED BY 16.

16 INTO 34 GOES TWICE.

Chad: CARRY 2.

16 INTO 27 GOES ONCE. CARRY 11.

16 INTO 112...

GOES 7 TIMES.

16 DOESN'T GO INTO 6.

BRING DOWN NAUGHT.

16 INTO 64...

GOES 4 TIMES.

THE ANSWER IS 21,704.

THAT'S RIGHT.

Williams: VERY GOOD, SON.

VERY GOOD, INDEED.

Williams: UH, MS. INGALLS, MAY I SPEAK WITH YOU

FOR A MOMENT, PLEASE?

CERTAINLY.

IS ANYTHING WRONG?

WHY, NOT AT ALL, MS. INGALLS.

I JUST WANTED TO COMMEND YOU.

EVERYTHING'S GOING SPLENDIDLY.

I CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN THE BREWSTER BOY

EVER VOLUNTEERED FOR ANYTHING.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

THANK YOU, MR. WILLIAMS.

BYE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, ALMANZO.

HI, MR. WILLIAMS.

CHAD...

YOU KNOW, YOU REALLY SURPRISED ME TODAY.

WELL, I WAS ALWAYS GOOD AT CIPHERING. COMES EASY.

WELL, IT'S NOT THAT YOU DID IT THAT SURPRISED ME.

IT'S THAT YOU VOLUNTEERED.

YOU ALSO MADE ME LOOK VERY GOOD IN FRONT OF MR. WILLIAMS.

WELL, YOU ARE GOOD, MS. INGALLS.

I WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO GET YOU IN TROUBLE WITH YOUR BOSS.

THANK YOU, CHAD,

BUT...IF I'M SUCH A GOOD TEACHER,

HOW COME I CAN'T GET YOU TO STUDY?

OH, IT'S NOT YOU.

WELL, IT'S JUST THAT I'M GOING TO BE A FARMER. I DON'T NEED ALL THIS.

IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO BE?

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH FARMING.

I KNOW. MY PA IS A FARMER.

I WAS JUST WONDERING IF YOU HAD ANY OTHER THOUGHTS.

WELL... MY GRANDPA WAS THE TOWN DOCTOR.

I'D LIKE THAT,

BUT FOR ME, IT'S JUST A PIPE DREAM.

YOU'VE GOT THE BRAINS

AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SCHOOLING.

USE THEM.

YOU CAN BECOME ANYTHING YOU WANT.

YOU REALLY THINK SO?

I REALLY DO.

I'LL TRY TO BORROW SOME OF DR. BAKER'S MEDICAL BOOKS

FOR YOU TO START ON, IF YOU'D LIKE.

OH, I WOULD, THANK YOU.

HI, LAURA.

HI, MANLY. YOU'RE RIGHT ON TIME. THANKS, CHAD.

SEE YOU ON MONDAY.

HOW'D THE FIRST WEEK GO?

VERY WELL, THANK YOU.

HERE, LET ME HELP YOU WITH THAT.

WHAT'S WRONG?

NOTHING.

NOTHING'S WRONG.

IT'S JUST...

JUST?

NOTHING.

NOW, THERE IS TOO SOMETHING WRONG.

WHAT IS IT?

YOU LOOK DIFFERENT.

YOU LOOK OLDER.

WELL, I AM.

A WEEK OLDER.

[LAUGHS]

YEAH.

IF WE WANT TO GET HOME BEFORE DARK,

WE BEST GET STARTED.

YEAH.

OKAY. HUP.

MA! MA!

IT'S LAURA, SHE'S BACK!

- HI. - HI.

MS. INGALLS.

Caroline: WELL? HOW DID IT GO?

PRETTY WELL, I THINK.

I'VE GOT YOUR BAGS.

Laura: OH, THANK YOU.

OH!

WELL? DON'T KEEP ME IN SUSPENSE.

TELL ME EVERYTHING.

WELL, MS. TRIMBLE IS THE NICEST LADY YOU'VE EVER MET,

AND FUNNY, SHE SMOKES A PIPE.

A PIPE? [LAUGHTER]

Almanzo: BETH!

I'LL PICK YOU UP SUNDAY AT 3:00.

THANKS.

MY STUDENTS ARE ALL REALLY WONDERFUL.

IT'S SUCH A BIG CLASS, THOUGH.

I DIDN'T EXPECT THAT MANY CHILDREN.

IT'S NOT SO MUCH WHAT HE SAID.

IT'S HOW HE SAID IT, THE WAY HE LOOKED AT ME.

OH, I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT.

[CHUCKLES]

I KNOW, AND I UNDERSTAND.

I HOPE I'M RIGHT,

THAT IT'S FINALLY HAPPENING BETWEEN HIM AND ME.

OH, NOW, WAIT A MINUTE.

I MEAN, HE'S LOOKING AT YOU IN A NEW WAY,

BUT IT'S NOT EXACTLY PROPOSING MARRIAGE.

OH, I KNOW.

IT'S SO EXCITING.

LIFE IS EXCITING.

I MEAN, I'M A TEACHER NOW,

AND ALMANZO SAID I LOOKED OLDER,

AND HE DID LOOK AT ME KIND OF MOONYLIKE.

[LAUGHS]

WELL, HE DID.

I BELIEVE YOU.

BUT IT'S KIND OF SCARY, THOUGH.

I MEAN, NOW THAT HE IS FINALLY NOTICING ME,

HE'LL BE LOOKING A LOT CLOSER,

AND I'M AFRAID I MIGHT SAY SOMETHING WRONG, OR--

OH, I DON'T KNOW.

YOU JUST BE YOU, LAURA INGALLS.

APPARENTLY THAT'S WHAT HE LIKED

IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND JUST BECAUSE HE'S LOOKING MOONY

DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU HAVE TO.

BOYS LIKE TO PURSUE A LITTLE BIT,

SO, YOU JUST LET HIM PURSUE.

OKAY, MA.

GOOD NIGHT, TEACHER.

PURSUING.

HE'S PURSUING ME.

I HOPE.

I'M JUST MAKING A SNACK. WANT A SANDWICH?

HMM, NO, THANKS.

I THOUGHT YOU TWO WOULD TALK ALL NIGHT.

OH, WELL, SHE NEEDED A CHANCE TO UNWIND.

JUST ALL WOUND UP ABOUT EVERYTHING.

WHAT WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

OH, TEACHING AND...

THINGS.

THINGS. YOU MEAN ALMANZO, RIGHT?

OH, CHARLES, NOW--

I KNOW, I KNOW. I LIKE THE MAN, HE'S A PERFECTLY NICE MAN,

BUT I DON'T LIKE THE MAN DRIVING MY DAUGHTER BACK AND FORTH TO WORK.

I MEAN, BY THE TIME THEY GOT HOME TONIGHT, IT WAS ALMOST DARK.

OH, CHARLES, IT WAS NOT.

BUT IT COULD'VE BEEN. HE COULD'VE LOST A WHEEL.

THEY COULD'VE BEEN CAUGHT IN A STORM. THEY--

OH, WELL, THEY COULD'VE BEEN ATTACKED BY A HERD OF ELEPHANTS.

[LAUGHS]

WELL, I THINK YOU'D BE THANKFUL.

WITH JONATHAN AWAY, YOU'VE GOT TWICE YOUR NORMAL AMOUNT OF WORK TO DO,

IT'S YOUR BUSIEST SEASON.

YOU NEED A DAY OF REST.

AFTER ALL, YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER.

NEITHER IS ALMANZO.

AFTERNOON, ALMANZO!

GOOD AFTERNOON, MRS. INGALLS!

LAURA'S PACKING.

SHE'LL BE OUT IN A MINUTE.

OH, NO RUSH. I'M A LITTLE BIT EARLY.

OH. WOULD YOU LIKE A COOL DRINK WHILE YOU WAIT?

OH, NO, MA'AM. MR. INGALLS.

YEAH.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S THAT CHURCH SOCIAL NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT NELLIE'S.

YEAH, I KNOW. WE'RE PLANNING ON GOING.

ME, TOO, AND I WAS WONDERING IF IT WOULD BE ALL RIGHT

IF LAURA ACCOMPANIED ME.

AFTER ALL, CHARLES, IT'S A CHURCH SOCIAL.

HERE COMES LAURA. YOU'LL HAVE TO ASK HER.

HI, MANLY. READY TO GO?

YOUR PA SAID I SHOULD ASK YOU IF YOU WANT TO COME WITH ME

TO THE CHURCH SOCIAL THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

HE DID?

I MEAN, I ASKED HIS PERMISSION TO ASK YOU.

YOU DID?

HOW ABOUT IT?

WELL, I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT, MANLY.

OH.

Laura: CAN I LET YOU KNOW FRIDAY?

SURE.

WELL, WE BEST BE GOING.

BYE, MA. I LOVE YOU.

- MMM. BYE. - BYE, DARLING.

BYE, PA.

THANKS AGAIN, ALMANZO!

WELL...

AT LEAST MY DAUGHTER IS SHOWING A LITTLE GOOD COMMON SENSE, HUH?

YOUR DAUGHTER?

AND I SUPPOSE IF SHE HAD SAID,

"YES, ALMANZO, I'D LOVE TO GO TO THE CHURCH SOCIAL,"

SHE'D HAVE BEEN MY DAUGHTER.

RIGHT.

[SIGHS]

WHAT'S TROUBLING YOU, MANNY?

NOTHING.

WELL, SIT DOWN AND HAVE YOUR TEA WHILE IT'S STILL HOT.

SINCE WHEN DO YOU PUT 6 TEASPOONS OF SUGAR IN YOUR TEA?

I WASN'T EVEN THINKING.

COME ON, WHAT IS IT?

IT'S LAURA INGALLS.

WHAT HAS SHE DONE?

NOTHING. IT'S WHAT I'VE DONE.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

I ASKED HER TO GO WITH ME TO THE CHURCH SOCIAL.

OH.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THAT?

WELL...

SHE SAID SHE WAS GOING TO THINK ABOUT IT.

OH.

I'M TRYING TO BE NICE,

AND SO I ASK HER TO GO WITH ME.

AND SHE SAYS...

"I'LL THINK ABOUT IT."

I MEAN, SHE'S JUST A KID. DON'T YOU THINK SHE'S JUST A KID?

NO.

NO.

NEITHER DO I.

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

OOH!

DARN THING ITCHES SOMETHING FIERCE.

HOW LONG DO YOU HAVE TO WEAR IT?

OH, THE DOC SAYS IT CAN COME OFF NEXT WEEK.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S WEDNESDAY ALREADY.

SO, AFTER A WEEK AND A HALF, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT TEACHING?

GREAT. I LOVE IT, MINNIE, MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY.

YEAH. TEACHING HAS A WAY OF HOOKING YOU, ALL RIGHT.

SEEING THEIR EYES LIGHT UP WHEN THEY UNDERSTAND SOMETHING

YOU'VE BEEN TRYING TO POUND INTO THEIR HEAD FOR A MONTH OF SUNDAYS.

WELL, I SURE DON'T HAVE TO POUND ANYTHING INTO CHAD'S HEAD.

I'VE GOT ANOTHER MEDICAL BOOK FOR HIM.

HE DEVOURED THE FIRST ONE.

THIS ONE'S ON ANATOMY.

WELL, HOW'S HE DOING OTHERWISE? [CLOCK CHIMES]

UH-OH. GOT TO GO.

CAN'T HAVE THE TEACHER BEING LATE. SEE YOU!

WHEW, LOOK AT HER GO.

BUT SHE OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO GO. SHE'S 16.

OH, STOP TALKING TO YOURSELF, OLD WOMAN.

YOU'VE ALREADY WENT.

- HI, MR. INGALLS. - ALMANZO.

I WAS JUST OVER AT THE HOUSE.

YOUR WIFE SAID YOU WERE OUT HERE. HOW ARE YOU DOING?

FINE, IF I CAN GET THIS ORDER OFF TO SLAYTON,

GET ANOTHER RUSH ORDER OVER TO SLEEPY EYE.

WELL, THAT'S WHAT MRS. INGALLS WAS SAYING.

SUPPOSE I MAKE THE SLAYTON DELIVERY FOR YOU.

HEY, I'D REALLY APPRECIATE THAT.

IT WILL BE MY PLEASURE, MR. INGALLS.

LISTEN, CURRIE IS ON THE WAY.

I THINK I'LL STOP BY AND SAY HI TO LAURA.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO DO THAT?

YOU'RE GOING TO PICK HER UP TOMORROW, AREN'T YOU?

YEAH, I KNOW. I JUST THOUGHT SHE MIGHT BE FEELING A LITTLE HOMESICK.

OH.

SAY HELLO TO HER FOR ME.

SURE THING.

I'LL TELL MR. MILLER I'M TAKING THE DAY OFF. I'LL BE BACK IN A JIFF.

THANKS.

I SHOULD HAVE SENT HIM TO SLEEPY EYE. IT'S THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

Chad: THE WAY GOD DESIGNED THE HUMAN SKELETON IS REALLY SOMETHING.

LOOK HOW THE RIB CAGE PROTECTS THE HEART AND THE OTHER VITAL ORGANS.

JUST GOES TO SHOW THAT GOD KNEW WHAT HE WAS DOING.

SURE DOES. HEY, LOOK, LET ME SHOW YOU.

SEE, IT'S STRONG AND FLEXIBLE.

REAL STRONG.

HI, MANLY.

YOU KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF HER!

WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

WELL, IS THAT ANY WAY FOR A TEACHER TO CONDUCT HERSELF WITH A STUDENT? HUGGING!

YOU ARE ACTING LIKE A CHILD, ALMANZO WILDER,

Laura: HITTING THAT BOY, INTERFERING WITH MY JOB!

AND YOU'VE GOT A DIRTY MIND, TOO.

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT, CHAD?

I THINK SO, MS. INGALLS.

COME WITH ME.

HE'S STUDYING MEDICINE, MR. WILDER.

HE WAS JUST DEMONSTRATING

HOW FLEXIBLE THE RIB CAGE IS.

Almanzo: WHOA.

YOU MADE PRETTY GOOD TIME.

YEAH.

GET A CHANCE TO SAY HI TO LAURA?

YEAH, I-- I SAW HER.

THANKS FOR MAKING THE DELIVERY FOR ME.

LISTEN, MR. INGALLS, IF YOU HAVE A MINUTE,

I'D LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT A PERSONAL MATTER.

WELL, SURE. WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

LAURA.

LAURA?

NOW, I KNOW HOW YOU'VE ALWAYS FELT

ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE IN OUR AGES.

I ALWAYS FELT THE SAME WAY, TOO.

I ALWAYS FELT THAT SHE WAS JUST A NICE, YOUNG FRIEND.

BUT NOW, I DON'T KNOW, SOMETHING'S--

SOMETHING'S DIFFERENT. SOMETHING'S CHANGED.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, SOMETHING'S CHANGED?

WELL, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH...

I'M FEELING SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR LAURA...

DIFFERENT THAN JUST FRIENDSHIP.

IN AN HONORABLE WAY, OF COURSE.

I DON'T KNOW, IT DOESN'T MATTER AFTER WHAT I DID.

YOU DID? WHAT DID YOU DO?

I MADE A FOOL OUT OF MYSELF TODAY.

I PUNCHED A STUDENT OF HERS BECAUSE I THOUGHT HE WAS--

WELL, I THOUGHT HE WAS MAKING ADVANCES TO LAURA.

OH.

SHE GET MAD AT YOU, DID SHE?

YEAH.

ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW SO THAT--

SO THAT YOU COULD PICK HER UP TOMORROW.

I'M SURE SHE DOESN'T WANT TO BE SEEING ME,

ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S HER BIRTHDAY AND ALL.

WELL, THAT'S A SHAME. I'LL PICK HER UP.

GOOD-BYE, MR. INGALLS.

BYE, ALMANZO.

THIS IS THE END OF MY SECOND WEEK,

AND I'D JUST LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL

FOR MAKING MY FIRST TEACHING ASSIGNMENT SUCH A REWARDING EXPERIENCE.

YOU ALL DESERVE A LOT OF PRAISE FOR THE FINE WORK YOU'VE DONE

AND THE PROGRESS THAT YOU'VE MADE.

MS. INGALLS, WE ALL CHIPPED IN

AND BOUGHT YOU A PRESENT.

THANK YOU.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Children: HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

IT'S VERY SWEET OF ALL OF YOU,

BUT HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY?

WELL, MS. TRIMBLE TOLD US.

IT'S A PEN.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU, ALL.

Children: YOU'RE WELCOME.

THE GIFT IS OUR WAY OF SAYING THANK YOU FOR ALL THE HELP YOU GAVE US.

NOW, JUST A MINUTE.

DON'T SAY "GAVE" LIKE IT'S OVER.

I'LL HAVE PLENTY OF WORK PLANNED FOR YOU

COME MONDAY MORNING.

Children: OH! [LAUGHTER]

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND.

GOD BLESS YOU.

Children: BYE!

[CHILDREN SHOUTING] [BELL RINGING]

IT'S SURE EASY TO SEE THOSE YOUNG ONES LIKE YOU.

I FEEL LIKE THEY'RE MY CHILDREN.

YOU'RE A LITTLE BIT YOUNG TO BE HAVING CHILDREN.

JUST A MANNER OF SPEAKING, PA.

ALMANZO DIDN'T WANT TO COME FOR ME, HUH?

I THINK HE FIGURED BECAUSE IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY,

YOU'D PROBABLY PREFER TO HAVE ME DRIVE YOU BACK.

HE TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED.

I WOULDN'T HOLD IT AGAINST HIM.

DO YOU THINK HE WAS RIGHT?

OF COURSE NOT. NEITHER DOES HE.

REMEMBER I TOLD YOU ONCE THAT A FELLOW MADE ME JEALOUS OVER YOUR MA?

YEAH.

SHE WAS MAKING SHEEP'S EYES AT ANOTHER BOY

SO YOU WOULD ASK HER TO A DANCE.

RIGHT.

YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS WHEN A PERSON GETS JEALOUS?

WELL, SURE I DO.

I WAS JEALOUS THAT TIME THAT ALMANZO

WAS GOING WITH THAT SNIPPY CHRISTY.

WHY DO YOU SUPPOSE YOU WERE?

WELL, I KNOW WHY.

BECAUSE I LOVE ALMANZO, AND--

OH, PA.

DO YOU THINK THAT ALMANZO COULD BE IN LOVE WITH ME?

I DON'T KNOW FOR SURE.

BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I THINK THERE'S A DARN GOOD CHANCE.

OH, PA!

Charles: I ALSO THINK A GIRL SHOULDN'T GET MARRIED TILL SHE'S 18.

YES, SIR.

IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING,

ALMANZO WILL BE AT NELLIE'S PLACE FOR THAT CHURCH SOCIAL.

IS HE BRINGING SOMEONE?

AFRAID SO.

WHO?

HIS SISTER.

PA, HURRY!

WHAT FOR? YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE 18 FOR TWO YEARS YET,

BUT I'LL HURRY, ANYWAY. COME ON.

[WALTZ PLAYING AND CHATTER]

I DON'T SEE MANLY.

WELL, THERE'S MS. WILDER OVER THERE.

I'LL GO CHECK WITH HER. EXCUSE ME.

EVENING, ELIZA JANE.

IS ALMANZO HERE?

OH, YES, HE'S HERE SOMEWHERE.

MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE, MS. WILDER?

OH!

YOU CERTAINLY MAY.

HERE, I'LL TAKE THAT FOR YOU.

OH.

WELL, HE'S HERE SOMEPLACE.

YOU JUST HAVE TO LOOK AROUND FOR HIM.

SHALL WE?

OH, I'D LOVE TO. EXCUSE US, DEAR.

HI.

HI.

I DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE GOING TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

WHY NOT?

DIDN'T YOU THINK ANYONE ELSE WOULD BRING ME?

I DIDN'T MEAN THAT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

I'M SORRY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THE OTHER DAY.

I DIDN'T MEAN THAT, EITHER.

I KNOW.

[MUSIC ENDS] [APPLAUSE]

[NEW WALTZ BEGINS]

WHO DID YOU COME WITH?

MY PA.

I CAME WITH MY SISTER.

I KNOW.

SINCE WE'RE BOTH HERE...

MAYBE I COULD KIND OF BE YOUR ESCORT.

YOU MAY.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WERE GOING TO BE HERE OR NOT.

BUT I BROUGHT YOUR PRESENT ANYWAY,

JUST IN CASE.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S LIKE I'M WEARING YOUR COLORS.

I HOPE SO.

SWEET 16.

[MUSIC ENDS] [APPLAUSE]

["BEAUTIFUL DREAMER" BEGINS]

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO DANCE WITH THE TEACHER?

I'D LOVE TO.

I HAVE A TERRIBLE FEELING I'M ABOUT TO LOSE A DAUGHTER.

I HOPE SO.

WELL, I'M DYING TO CALL YOU GRANDPA.

[LAUGHS]

SAME TO YOU, GRANDMA.

[LAUGHTER]