Original subtitles

Mary: Now, what was the territory called

that Lewis and Clark were to explore?

Children: Louisiana.

Mary: What was the year?

Who said 1803?

Girl: I did.

Susan?

Yes, ma'am.

All right, Susan. That's correct.

Do you also remember who was president?

Thomas Jefferson.

Yes.

Now, the Louisiana territory, stretching west

from the Mississippi river to the continental divide,

was equally as large as all of the United States put together,

and, well, there was very little anybody knew about it.

President Jefferson had...

President Jefferson had 2 major problems

in launching the expedition.

One was that the territory was still legally owned by France,

so it must not have the look of a military operation.

Susan: Mrs. Kendall?

Is anything wrong?

No. No, there's nothing wrong.

We'll continue tomorrow. Please try to remember as much as you can.

Class dismissed.

Mrs. Kendall?

Oh. Yes.

There is something wrong, isn't there?

Oh... just a little dizziness, that's all.

I... I'll be fine.

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

You go along, now.

Yes, ma'am.

My knowledge in this field is very limited,

but I must admit,

there are signs.

Laura: I know it's true.

I never believed that you would stay blind,

no matter what anybody said.

Mary: Adam, do you realize what this will mean?

Adam, we wouldn't have to live at the school anymore.

We could get a house of our own...

Mary, I hope to god it's true,

but you've all got to be prepared for the fact

that there could be another explanation for this.

Laura: Well, how could there be?

Seeing light is still seeing.

Mary: Watch.

This is when it's strongest.

I can see the light

for as long as I stand here.

It's so bright!

It's the brightest light I've ever seen.

It's a miracle.

Oh, Mary.

Ohh...

It's a miracle.

The next thing is to get to Dr. Burke in mankato.

He'll be able to give you a definite answer.

You're right. We'll leave first thing in the morning.

Laura: You're going to see again, Mary.

I know you are.

Adam?

I'm right here.

Can't sleep?

No. Uh... I guess I'm too excited.

I know.

Adam, come here.

To think of being able to see your face for the first time.

You might be disappointed.

Very funny.

I mean, I... I can see it now, but...

To really see it...

I love you so much.

I love you.

We're going to be happy...

Happier than we've ever been.

Yeah.

Mary: It's a sunny day, isn't it, pa?

It sure is, darling.

I can see the light.

It's bright sometimes.

I wonder where I'll be

when my sight really comes back.

Hey, now, remember our deal.

We don't say when, we say if,

till we hear different from Dr. Burke.

I know, but I'm so sure.

Our deal?

All right. If my sight comes back,

I wonder where I'll be.

I wonder what the first thing I see will be.

Well, Adam, I'd imagine.

But what if I'm not... I mean,

what if I'm all by myself, not with him or the family,

the people I most want to see?

I imagine all the whooping and hollering you'll be doing

will bring everybody running.

Oh, I can't wait.

So many things to see...

The sky, trees...

The snow. How I love to watch the snow fall.

I can guarantee you the sky,

but I'm not so sure about the snow.

You know, I remember once when I was little...

It was in the summer,

and we were visiting grandpa.

He had this... This little glass globe.

It was filled with water,

and there was a tiny village scene inside it.

When you turned it over,

it looked like it was snowing inside.

I loved it. Do you remember?

Yes, I remember, and I remember you broke it,

took the snow out of it, and tried to make a snowball.

Well, I don't remember that.

Children don't generally remember the bad things they do.

Is that why you kept telling us

what a good little boy you were?

Ha ha! Most likely.

Hester-sue: All right.

I want you to go wash for mealtime,

and do a good job because I'm going to be checking

fingernails and all, all right?

Children: Yes, ma'am.

Oh, hello, Caroline.

Good morning, hester-sue.

Well, she's on her way.

Yes.

A little nervous, huh?

Terribly.

She's in the lord's hands.

I know.

I, uh, stopped by.

I thought with Mary gone that you and Adam might need a hand.

I appreciate that,

but Adam and I can handle things just fine.

Is Adam here?

Oh, yes. He's in the kitchen.

We're sharing cooking duties,

and I don't even like to go in a kitchen

when a man is there.

Ha ha! I'll give you a full report.

Good.

Hi.

How's the cook doing?

Oh, all right, I suppose.

Well, I stopped by to see if I could help,

but hester-sue said that you could manage.

Oh, we can.

Thanks anyway.

How was Mary this morning?

Excited.

I guess we can't blame her.

No, I guess not.

Uh, let me give you a hand with this.

No. I can manage by myself!

Sorry.

I guess it's just all the excitement

and Mary going away and all.

I'm sorry.

I understand.

Men are supposed to make a mess in the kitchen anyway, right?

You sure I can't help?

Yeah, I'm sure.

Well, I guess I'll be on my way, then.

Have a nice day.

You, too.

You know what I've been thinking?

How would I know what you've been thinking?

Well, I was going to tell you!

Well, then why didn't you just tell me

instead of asking me a silly question like that?

Well, if you'd hold still for a minute, I'd tell you.

All right. Go.

Well, I was thinking that Mary and Adam will want a place of their own.

So?

How about the old Edwards place?

It's practically falling down.

We could fix it up.

And it's so close to the blind school, it will be perfect.

Well, don't you think we ought to wait

till Mary sees the doctor first?

No. She'll be fine again,

and maybe if we fix it up real quick,

we can surprise her when she comes home.

What do you think?

Let's do it.

Good. I'll go tell Carrie to take care of grace.

Ok.

What do you think?

It's an improvement.

Not much.

Look at the roof.

So?

You'd have to know how to swim to live in a place like this.

We could cover it with sod.

Yeah. I guess.

Laura: You know what this place needs?

Albert: Yeah. A good, strong wind.

Albert!

It needs paint,

inside and out.

Yeah. That should be the difference...

But paint costs money,

and money's awful scarce right now.

Right.

Hey...

Maybe the olesons would be willing to donate some.

It's for a good cause.

Couldn't hurt to try.

Come on!

Pink and purple?

Harriet: Yes! Pink and purple,

and you're not giving that away!

Why not?

Because I'm saving it.

What for?

For someone to come along who has good taste.

That is what for!

It'll take a hundred years for that to happen.

Oh... oh!

Gives me heartburn every time I look

at these cans of your "good taste"

taking up space on my shelf!

You might as well get used to the idea. Out they go!

Harriet: Well, you give me heartburn!

Come on, kids.

'Course, I wouldn't be surprised

if you might not even want it for free.

I wouldn't blame you.

It's up to you.

We want it.

Well, then take them away.

Here you go.

Thank you, Mr. Oleson.

All right? Got it?

Thank you, Mr. Oleson.

Thank you.

All right. You got your closet here.

Closet.

And you got an end table by the bed

with a lamp on it.

Got it?

Got it.

Closet... End table...

My bed...

Chest...

And the connecting door to your room.

You're all set. I'll get the team stabled up,

and then we'll have some supper.

How's that sound?

Good. I'm starved.

So am I. I won't be long.

Please, god...

For Adam.

Pa?

Yeah.

What took you so long? I was worried.

I stopped by Dr. Burke's

to make an appointment for tomorrow.

When are we going to see him?

Well, we're going to see him tomorrow afternoon,

but you're not going to see Dr. Burke.

What?

Well, he's out of town,

but his associate's there, a Dr. Fromm.

Hey, now, no long faces.

I'm sure Dr. Burke wouldn't leave us

in the hands of anybody but the best.

You're right.

Did a little shopping while I was gone.

For what?

Oh, little surprise for you.

What is it?

Here. Give me your hand.

Oh, pa.

It's a lot like the one you remember.

Oh, thank you.

I want to pretend I can already see it, pa.

Tell me when it's ready.

Turn it up.

It's snowing, darling.

Is it beautiful, pa?

It's beautiful.

I'm going to see it, pa.

I am.

Come on. Let's go to supper.

Whoa! Whoa now! Whoa now!

Whoa!

Sure is awful bright.

It's already starting to hurt my eyes.

I don't know.

I think it's going to be kind of pretty

with the purple trim and green sod roof.

Man: Whoa! Whoa! Settle down!

Whoa! What's wrong with you?

Besides...

Mary hasn't seen anything in so long,

especially colors,

she's bound to like it.

I still think you're making a mistake.

A mistake?

About Mary being able to see again.

But she will.

You don't really know that.

Admit it.

Albert...

Think of how you're going to feel

if Dr. Burke tells her she's going to stay blind.

She's going to see again, and that's all there is to it!

And I don't want to talk about this.

All I'm trying to tell you is...

I don't care what you're trying to say.

Just get back to work.

Now, without moving your head,

force your eyes to look up,

like you're trying to see the ceiling.

Like this?

Oh, that's fine.

Yeah.

Keep them that way just a moment.

We're sitting near a window, aren't we?

Oh. Yes.

I can feel the warmth of the sun,

and the light I'm seeing has never been brighter.

Fromm: Now, uh... Move your eyes down...

Slowly...

As if you're trying to see the floor.

No, no. Don't move your head.

Oh, good. Keep that. Keep them that way.

Strange how difficult it is.

No, not strange.

The blind don't need to make eye movements.

Like any other part of the body that doesn't get exercise,

they get weakened.

Now... Bring them up to me

as if you were looking directly at me.

Now, don't move your head.

That's... good!

And now to the right.

Yeah.

All right. You can relax now.

Can you tell anything yet?

No, not yet.

Uh... The light you see...

Does it have any color?

No. It's completely white.

Hmm. Does it hold steady or fade a little?

It just flashes on and off when I'm not near a strong light,

but when I am, it stays very bright and steady

until I move away.

Mr. Ingalls, could you and Mary manage

to stay on for an extra day?

Oh, certainly, doctor.

I want to make some comparative evaluations

on Mary's examination.

Then tomorrow, we can conduct some tests.

I know how anxious you both are,

but if you'll try to be patient,

I'm sure it will work to your advantage.

It's no problem at all.

We'll stay a week, a month, whatever.

Let's say tomorrow afternoon at 3:00?

All right. That's fine.

Come here, honey.

Mary: Thank you, Dr. Fromm.

Oh, you're very welcome.

See you tomorrow. Right. See you tomorrow.

Charles: Bye, doctor.

Good-bye, Mr. Ingalls.

I wish we could have made the appointment earlier tomorrow.

I'm sure the doctor's doing the best he can.

Oh, I know. I'm just anxious. It's a good sign, though.

What?

Well, that he wants to see me again.

I mean, he wouldn't have me back

if he didn't think there was a good reason.

Don't forget. Doctors like to be sure of things.

Yeah, I know. It's still a good sign, though. Admit it.

All right. I admit it. How about if I buy you some lunch?

As long as we're in the big city, might as well splurge a little bit.

Sounds good.

We'll stop at the telegraph office on the way

and let your ma know we'll be here a little longer.

Make sure you tell her things look good.

I'm going to tell her we're going to be here

a little longer, and that's it, young lady.

Harriet: Oh, hi, Lily, Josh.

Oh! Oh, ho ho ho! Oh, my!

Hmm!

Hello, Harriet.

Oh! Matilda!

Ah... ha. I would say that that is rather...

Interesting. Wouldn't you say so?

Matilda: Interesting?

Mm-hmm.

I'd say that's probably the worst exhibition

of bad taste I'll ever see!

Oh! How could anyone pick that dreadful color?

I agree with you completely, of course,

but, after all, they're just children.

Well, I was just trying to be kind.

You know, they really come from a family that doesn't have very much culture.

Mmm.

Laura: Hi, Mrs. Oleson!

Oh! Hmm...

Hello, Laura.

Well? What do you think?

Oh! Uh, well...

Um, I just think it's lovely.

Oh, good. I think so, too.

And I don't care what Mr. Oleson says.

The colors that you picked are just perfect.

Well, I got to get back to work. See you.

Yes.

See you, too.

Albert, will you hurry up!

Albert: I'm coming!

I hate to say it,

but you don't look any better in that paint

than the house does.

Will you stop about the paint?

It'll look nice, and it's free.

Woman: Laura!

Hi, miss foster.

I've got a telegram here from your pa.

Oh, thank you.

What is it?

I don't know. Thank you, miss foster.

Hope it's good news.

Me, too.

They have to stay over for some more tests!

I told you! She's going to see!

I told you I was right!

Come on! Let's tell Adam on the way home!

Laura: Adam! Adam!

Adam?

Hester-sue: My goodness! Hello!

Hester-sue, where's Adam?

He just went to his room.

Thanks.

What's going on?

Laura: Adam will tell you.

Adam! Adam!

Oh, Adam.

You know, you scared the daylights out of me.

We're sorry, but we got a telegram from pa.

Well, don't you want me to read it?

Yeah. Sure.

"Dear family, first visit to doctor encouraging.

"More tests needed.

"Will notify as soon as anything definite.

Love to all, pa."

Isn't that wonderful news?

Yeah. The best.

We got to go tell ma. Bye!

Bye, Adam.

Carrie: When will pa be home?

I don't know. Soon, I hope.

Me, too. Good night.

Good night.

You know, I'm glad we have the extra time.

I really want you to see the cabin,

but I don't think you should till it's finished.

I know it's hard to imagine it with those colors.

It's got a special look.

Ha ha ha!

I should think so.

Ma...

Uh-huh?

Is something wrong with Adam?

Why do you ask?

I don't know.

It's just that...

Well, when I told him that Mary had to stay for more tests,

he just didn't seem too excited.

I don't like it. Something's wrong.

He probably just doesn't want to get his hopes up too high.

Sounds like Albert.

What do you think?

Well...

I think with Dr. Burke asking her

to stay over an extra day...

Well, I mean...

If he hadn't found any improvement,

well, he'd have known that right away,

it seems to me.

So...

I think he must have found something.

I think it's a good sign.

See, Albert?

Albert?

Huh?

Never mind.

It looks like you better get off to bed.

Yeah. I guess I am kind of extra tired.

Guess I'll turn in.

Good night, ma.

Good night.

Good night, Laura.

Good night, Albert.

You, too, young lady.

All right.

Good night.

Hmm.

Sweet dreams.

Thanks, ma.

Why, Caroline.

Hi. Is Adam here?

No, he's not here.

He went to the church.

Hester-sue, is something wrong?

Well, I think there is,

but I don't know what.

You know, he's been so sad, and...

Moody since Mary left.

And even before.

I really don't know what to make of it,

but I don't know what's wrong.

Maybe if you could talk to him.

I don't feel it's my place.

But I am, frankly, worried about him.

Yes. Of course I'll talk to him.

Thank you.

Bye.

Hello, Adam.

Caroline.

I'm sorry if I disturbed you.

No, it's all right.

May I...

May I pray with you?

If it's all right.

Yeah, sure.

Ohh...

What is it?

What?

Nothing.

I can't talk about it.

Ohh...

It's going to be all right.

Ever since Mary told me she was going to see again,

instead of being able to share in it, I...

I've just been afraid.

Of what?

Well, if she could see...

She'd be able to go anywhere and do anything she wanted.

I'd just be a burden to her.

I should be happy for her, but I can't.

I don't know if I want her to see again.

Oh, you don't mean that.

Oh, there's no denying that if Mary regains her sight,

your lives will change.

There'll be adjustments.

But not the kind you're thinking of, Adam.

But she'll be able to see.

Adam, being blind together

isn't your strongest bond with Mary.

Your strongest bond is your love.

Do you honestly believe if you could see again,

it would change that?

I... I...

See, what you don't understand...

Is that for Mary, the greatest gift of regaining her sight

would be that she could give more to you.

Adam... Sighted or blind,

Mary would be lost without you.

Don't you know that?

You know that.

Let's pray, huh?

Ohh...

Now, when I tell you to...

Begin walking slowly forward.

Stop if you begin seeing the light.

All right.

Begin walking, then.

Now.

I can see it now.

Now, Mary...

I'm going to put you in the chair over here.

Right there. That's it.

Now, what I'm going to do

is shine some reflected sunlight into your eyes.

It will be a very strong light,

and I just want you to tell me when you see it.

Ready?

Yes.

All right.

Do you see that?

Yes.

That?

Yes.

That?

Yes.

That?

Yes.

That?

Yes.

And how about that?

Yes.

Now, I've taken the light off you.

Describe to me exactly what you're seeing.

Nothing now, but... But I could see the light.

Mary, would you mind waiting outside for a few minutes?

There's some things I want to talk to your father about.

That's it.

We won't be long, I promise.

I'm sorry.

But I don't understand.

She could see the light.

What Mary is experiencing is a known phenomenon,

but, uh... Relatively rare,

and it has nothing to do with actual light.

It could happen spontaneously in total darkness...

Or by suggestion.

Now, when Mary stands in the sunlight,

she's not responding to the brightness,

only to heat,

which, then, suggests the light she appears to be seeing.

Now, reflected light, however,

is of an almost imperceptible heat intensity

unless highly concentrated.

Now, as you saw, all that was necessary

was for me to suggest the light

for her mind to produce it.

Do you want me to tell her?

No. I should be the one to do that.

Could... you just leave us alone? Thank you.

Very well.

I'll be in my office.

Mary?

Well, Dr. Fromm?

The doctor just went into his office for a minute.

What did he say?

He, uh...

Do I need more tests?

No.

There's no chance at all?

None at all.

But the light. I...

I saw the light!

Mary...

I want to see Dr. Burke.

We'll wait for Dr. Burke.

He's wrong.

I know he's wrong!

I can see the light!

He's wrong!

I can see it, pa! I can see it!

Shh, shh.

I can see it. I really can see it!

Shh, shh.

I can see it.

Alice, come on in.

This just came for you over the telegraph.

Oh! Um...

Sit down. I just put on some water.

We'll have some tea.

I'm sorry.

Ohh...

I was looking for these all morning.

It's her old glasses.

I thought she might need them until, uh...

Well, at first, you know, just to read.

Oh, Alice...

Ma, we finished the house. You've got to come see.

Mary?

Laura?

Team all hitched up.

Shouldn't be more than another 4 or 5 hours, we'll be home.

I hate going back.

Mary, we knew from the beginning...

It's not because of me.

It's Adam.

I know how this must hurt him.

Well, I think the first thing you ought to do, starting right now,

is start being honest with yourself

and stop pretending that it's Adam you feel sorry for.

Well, it is.

No, it's not.

You're feeling sorry for yourself.

I can't say that I blame you,

but stop lying to yourself about it.

I'm not. It is Adam.

It's Adam, huh?

All right. If you had a choice...

If you had a choice, and only one of you could see again,

who would you pick?

What?

Come on! Who would you pick?!

Would you pick you or Adam?!

I... I...

Oh, come on, Mary, you'd pick yourself, and you know it!

And you wouldn't be doing it for Adam.

I mean, in the name of god, just say it one time:

"I wanted to see again for me."

Just say it: "I wanted to see again for me."

I wanted to see again for me.

Baby...

Oh, Mary...

Albert: Everybody, they're here!

Come on! They're here!

Caroline!

Caroline: Mary.

Mary: Ma.

One more step.

Oh...

Oh, you're home.

Oh, ma.

Hester-sue: Welcome home, Mary.

Oh, thank you. Hi, Mary.

Hi, Albert. Adam?

I'm right here.

Ooh!

Welcome home, darling.

It's so good to be home.

I want you all to know there's no need to talk about what's happened.

I'm no worse off now than I was before I left.

No better, but no worse.

Mary: Ma, where's Laura? I brought her something.

She took the news so hard, she didn't want to be here.

I'm pretty sure I know where she is.

Will you take me?

Sure.

You want me to come with you?

No. You best get back to your students, husband.

It's bad enough I've been gone.

You men wouldn't understand sister talk, anyway.

Oh.

This way.

She's a strong young lady.

Thank you.

Mary!

Hey, now... What's this all about?

I was just so sure of it, that's all.

I know.

I was, too.

It's a good lesson:

Don't ever count on anything until you know for sure.

I just couldn't do that.

I wanted you to see so bad.

I wanted you to be able to do all the things that you always planned to do.

All right, now! That's enough.

Are you feeling sorry for me or...

For yourself?

Hey, I'm the one that's blind, you know,

and you better get used to it

because that's the way it's going to be.

Laura, before I went blind, I planned to teach.

Well, I'm a teacher.

Before I went blind, I had a wonderful family.

I still do, plus a wonderful husband

and a sister I love very much.

I love you, too.

You going to be all right now?

Yeah, I'm going to be ok.

I brought you something.

Sorry I didn't wrap it.

Ohh... It's beautiful.

Whatever made you think of this?

Oh, I don't know. I...

I just knew it would be something you'd like.

Oh, I do.

It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen in my whole life.

Isn't that fresh paint I smell?

Yeah.

But isn't this the old Edwards place?

Mm-hmm.

Well, who in the world

would want to fix up a place like this?

Well...

Albert and I thought it would make a nice clubhouse.

Oh.

Well, what colors are you painting it?

Pink and purple!

Pink... and... purple?

Yeah.

You know, Laura,

I'm kind of glad I can'tsee it.

Come on. The whole family's waiting at school.