Original subtitles

What do you think?

I think it looks very good on you, Mr. Hawkins.

So do I. Yes. So do I.

Mr. Ingalls.

Yes, Mr. Janes.

Might I see you a moment?

Certainly, sir. I'll be right back.

Close the drapes.

What, may I ask, do you think you're doing out there?

Sir?

Doing? What are you doing?

I'm selling a h-hat to Mr. Hawkins, sir.

Really? Mr. Hawkins is a wealthy man, Ingalls, very wealthy.

He can afford to purchase the most expensive hat in the store.

Why are you letting him try on a cheap hat?

He saw the hat in the window, and he liked it.

It looks good on him.

Customers don't know what they look good in.

They rely on salesmen to tell them.

Why tell a customer he looks good in a cheap hat

when you can tell him he looks good in an expensive one,

and we make more profit besides?

Well, answer me.

It's my mistake, sir.

Yes, your mistake.

I'll take care of Mr. Hawkins.

Oh, by the way,

I want all the pressing finished this evening.

Mr. Janes, I've worked late every night this week. I promised my wife...

Mr. Ingalls, I don't care what you promised your wife.

You work for me... And at a fair wage, I might add,

and when I give you an order, I expect it to be carried out,

unless, of course, you wish to find yourself another position.

Is that understood?

Y-Yes, sir, it's understood.

Ah, Mr. Hawkins, may I help you, sir?

Who on earth put that hat on your head?

Hawkins: Well, I was...

Mr. Hawkins, please allow me to show you a hat

that's more befitting a man of your stature.

See who it is, Ingalls.

Officer coogan.

I went by your house. They told me you were working late.

What's wrong?

I'm afraid it's the boy again.

Dear god. What now?

Stealing again.

Was he with the morgans?

Yes, he was.

How many times have I told him to stay away from them?

Charles, I'm afraid there's no way

you can pay for the stolen items this time.

The sergeant and the store owner both want him put away.

It's his third time.

All right. I'll get right down there.

I'm sorry, Charles. I know what you're going through.

I had it with my boy,

and me a policeman to boot.

Thanks for letting me know.

Right.

God be with you.

Who was it?

It was someone for me. I'm going to have to go now.

I'll finish this up in the morning.

Just a minute, Ingalls.

Mr. Janes, I'll come in before the store opens

and I'll finish the work.

I think I made myself clear this afternoon. You work for me...

Mr. Janes, this is important. I have to go!

If it's more important than your job, then go,

but don't bother coming back.

I'm serious, Ingalls. You leave and you're through.

Ingalls! Ingalls!

Ingalls!

Excuse me. Is there a sergeant bates here?

In the corner. Thanks.

Sergeant bates, my name is Charles Ingalls. My son...

Be right with you. Sit down.

Bates: Ingalls.

Ingalls!

That's the complaint.

It's signed by the shop owner.

Third time. Enough's enough.

This time, he's got to suffer for it.

How bad will it be?

Workhouse.

3, maybe 5 years.

Uh... the shopkeeper, Mr. Gibson,

if he doesn't press charges?

He will.

If he doesn't, what happens then?

You can take him home,

but what for?

Look, I know how you feel, Ingalls,

but these kids, they don't want to change.

My son already has changed.

What do you mean?

He changed when we came to this city. I'll be back.

Mr. Gibson.

Are you Mr. Gibson?

Yes.

My name is Charles Ingalls. My son...

Oh, you're father of one of the boys

who tried to Rob my store.

Yes, sir, I am.

Well, if you're here to plea for that little hoodlum,

you're wasting your time and mine.

Mr. Gibson, please...

I have told you how I feel.

I know how you feel,

but if you could have known my son just two years ago,

he was a good boy, he never got in trouble.

Mr. Ingalls, I do not care how your son was two years ago.

He tried to Rob my store tonight.

Now I told you, you're wasting your time.

I'm talking about my son!

My son!

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Mr. Ingalls.

Would you like a cup of coffee?

We can talk.

Yeah.

I hope it's all right.

I never could make a decent cup of coffee.

Julia, my wife, she died last year.

She always said what would become of me

if she was gone, who would make my coffee.

She was right.

I never would've believed you were the boy's father.

The other boys, the morgans, I know their father,

so I understand why they are the way they are.

But you?

How does it happen?

I don't know.

Oh, that's not true.

He's not the same. I'm not the same.

It's being here, this city.

I'm not saying all the blame lies here.

We came from a...

Small town...

Walnut grove. Everybody knew everybody.

Had supper with my family every night.

Did things together... Fishing, picnics.

But here...

My little ones go to one school, and he goes to another.

He can't fish in cement.

I can't have supper with my family at night

because I have to work late every night,

and if I don't work late every night, there's somebody else who will,

and they'll have my job the next day.

It's just so different here,

so different.

Why did you come to the city?

To earn a living.

I just got tired of worrying

where the money was going to come from month in and month out.

That's funny. It didn't bother me when I was a young man.

I kind of thought it was a challenge.

When you get older, you want to feel secure.

I mean, not just for yourself.

Your wife and your kids, you want them to feel secure.

I know what you mean.

If I were to drop the charges

against your boy,

what would you do?

You can't just let it go on like this.

To be honest, I don't know.

You've got to get the boy

out of the environment that he's in now.

But how?

I think if I was you, I'd take him home...

To your little town.

Oh, I wish I could, but I can't.

I can't pull up stakes now. My wife has a job here.

The children have their schooling. They've made new friends.

Do you have any family there?

Yeah. Yeah. I...

I have a daughter and her husband.

Maybe he could live with them.

But without US?

Mr. Ingalls...

If things remain as they are,

he's going to be living

away from home anyway...

In a workhouse.

I know you're right.

Away from US...

Maybe I could talk to my wife.

Does that mean you will drop the charges?

Yeah.

We can go on down to the station house now if you want.

Never could sleep

after I had a cup of my coffee anyway.

Albert, your mother and I have had a talk.

Oh?

And we've decided that it would be best for you

if you were out of the city...

So I'm going to take you back to walnut grove.

I don't want to go back.

My friends are here. I like it here.

What you want and what's going to be

are two entirely different things.

I won't go.

You'll do what I say.

And if I don't?

If you don't, then I'll ask Mr. Gibson

to change his mind and press charges against you.

You'd do that?

I'd have to do that.

I am not going to sit back

and watch you destroy your life

and your mother's and mine.

I'm not going to do that.

You're not the only one in this family.

You're hurting all of US,

and I'm not going to let it happen anymore.

I'll contact your sister tomorrow.

We'll leave by the end of the week.

My son Willie would not be chewing tobacco

if you hadn't encouraged him!

Mrs. Oleson, you have a full-grown boy there.

He's got a mind of his own.

He don't need encouragement from me!

Oh, that's not true and you know it!

Now, he looks up to you, and you know that, too!

He does? Yes! Ha!

Probably 'cause I'm taller than him.

Uh!

Yech!

This is no time for humor, Mr. Edwards!

Now, Willie told me that you gave him that tobacco!

He asked me for it, so I gave it to him.

Well, why wouldn't he come to me?

I'm his mother!

He probably didn't want to interrupt you

while you're talking!

Oh, Mr. Edwards!

Uh, what on earth are you two doing?

Just talking.

Interrupting you is what they mean.

Why don't you break their fingers so they can't do it?

Oh, for heaven... Sakes!

Ha ha! I love tormenting that woman!

Come on, Matthew, we got a load to deliver.

Come over for supper on Thursday.

Oh, well, we'd love to!

Make a whole bunch, will you?

This boy eats more than he can swallow.

I will. See ya.

Bye-bye.

All right, turn her loose.

Off we go.

Laura, it's a telephone call for you. It's Charles.

Pa?

Want some popcorn?

No thanks.

It's good.

I didn't burn it, for a change.

Beth...

You're gonna stop worrying?

You should have heard him on the phone.

Pa's always been so strong,

no matter what the problem.

Manly, he sounded so lost.

Boys go through changes in their lives,

bad periods.

Did you?

Well, not like the one Albert's going through,

but it was different for me.

I grew up on a farm.

I didn't have time to get into that kind of trouble.

I couldn't believe he was talking about Albert.

He was a straight "a" student, hard-working.

All he ever talked about was becoming a doctor.

Well, don't give up on him yet.

He's only a boy.

Look. I think your pa has the right idea.

Get him out of the city.

You wait and see.

A couple weeks back here,

and he's gonna get his thinking all straightened out.

I hope you're right.

I am.

Now, look.

You're gonna start looking on the bright side of this.

Your pa's coming for a visit.

You're happy about that, aren't you?

Of course I am.

All right, then.

Stop worrying until you've got something to worry about.

And have some of this popcorn.

You need your strength.

All right.

I love you.

I love you, too.

But you did burn the popcorn.

There's the old house.

Looks like they're taking pretty good care of the place.

I thought you'd have been a little bit excited

seeing the old house.

It was your idea to come here, not mine.

What time is it?

About two minutes later than the last time you asked me.

The stage is late.

Beth, the stage is always late.

I know.

Why don't you go inside and relax, get the baby something to drink?

I'll let you know when the stage comes in.

Ok. She's probably thirsty anyway.

Come on, let's get something to drink.

Stage late as usual, huh?

Yes. Could I get some juice for the baby?

I just put some fresh in the icebox.

Thanks.

Stay there.

I wish Caroline could have made the trip back.

So do I,

but there's just no way she could have gotten away.

You know, it's so funny...

I know I'm a grown woman now with a husband and a child,

but when it comes to seeing pa again, I feel like a little girl.

I know what you mean, but fathers feel the same way.

You'll never grow up to him, either.

You're probably right.

I didn't realize how much I missed him

till I found out he was coming home.

Seems like he's been gone forever.

Charles: Is that a fact?

If you miss me so much, why weren't you outside to meet me?

Oh, pa.

Hi, half-pint.

Oh!

Oh, pa!

How's my girl?

Oh, fine.

Almanzo was supposed to tell me when the stage got in.

Yeah, well, I'm glad he didn't.

This way I get to hug my girl in private.

Well, you're not in private, Charles Ingalls.

I'm here, and I expect a hug.

Well, come and get it.

Oh, hester-sue.

Oh, it's so good to see you.

Oh, it's so good to see you.

You have a friend sitting over there.

I don't believe it. That can't be Rose.

Yes, it can.

Oh, look at you.

Well, come here to granddaddy.

Oh, look how big you're getting.

Do you remember grandad? Huh?

Uh-oh. I don't think so.

Well, we're going to fix that. Yes, we are.

I don't believe it. She looks ready for school.

Don't rush it. Where's Albert?

Oh, they're outside getting the luggage down.

You bring your granddaughter.

Yes, mom.

Come on, now. You come with grandad.

Charles, welcome home.

It's good to be home.

Albert.

I missed you so much.

I missed you, too.

Well, you got to tell US all about life in the big city.

We country folk don't get to hear first-hand stories

from you city slickers too often.

Charles: Hold on, young lady.

We'd like to get settled in the hotel first, if you don't mind.

Hot bath and a little rest might feel good, too.

That would feel very, very good.

Come on, Albert, let's get these bags upstairs.

There'll be plenty of time for city talk at supper tonight.

I made your favorite... Chicken and dumplings.

Sounds good. I'll see you tonight.

He's so different.

I know. He didn't want to come back here.

He made that quite plain.

Well, he'll come around once he sees his old friends again.

I just pray to god you're right.

Aw, well, I'll tell you what.

I'm going to give you my beautiful granddaughter

while her grandpa goes and takes a bath.

I don't want her thinking I'm some kind of a bum

who doesn't bathe.

What time's supper tonight?

7:00? Perfect.

I'll have almanzo come and pick you up.

No. That's all right. We can walk.

You sure?

I'm very sure.

Feel good to walk on something besides cement for a change.

Know something? I'm feeling better already.

I'll see you tonight.

Let's go.

Almanzo: It was an opportunity

I just couldn't pass up.

You've seen the papers on the stallion.

He's got the best bloodlines in hero township.

They're pretty impressive, all right.

I still think you're taking quite a chance, though, buying a horse that's lame.

Well, I couldn't have afforded him otherwise.

He's about 100% better than he was when I first got him.

I keep him wrapped up real good,

and doc baker's been treating him twice a week.

How long before you think you can start breeding him?

Couple of months if all goes well.

Laura: Can you imagine...

"the Wilder farm, finest horses in the territory."

Charles: I guess I can always say I knew you when.

Albert, what's wrong?

Laura made that special for you.

I know.

I'm just not hungry.

You didn't have any lunch.

I'm not hungry!

Don't raise your voice to me.

Laura: It's probably just the long trip.

There's nothing that upsets my stomach

more than a stagecoach ride across the prairie.

How about some hot tea? That might settle it a bit.

No. I'll be fine.

I'll get it.

Doc.

Dr. Baker: I'm sorry to disturb you, Laura.

Charles Ingalls!

Hiram, how are you?

Oh, good to see you.

I knew you were coming in today,

but I had rounds from early morning on. And look at Albert.

Hello, doctor.

Charles, won't be long

before he'll have to look down to talk to you.

I know, doc.

Well, look at me taking up all your time your first day back.

I'll leave you with your family.

Laura: Oh, stay and have some hot apple pie.

It'll be ready in 15 minutes.

Oh, I don't want to intrude.

Yes, you do want to intrude,

and you love my apple pie.

Well, to pay for the pie and my intrusion,

I'll check that stallion of yours.

I'll go with you. I want to take another look at that animal myself.

Albert, you coming?

No. I'll stay in here and finish my supper.

All right.

What's so funny now?

I was just thinking about the time

when we voted Nancy to run the school,

and then she found out that it meant

she had to get dunked at the fair.

Ha ha!

Yeah, I do seem to remember a look of surprise on her face.

More like horror! Ha ha!

I'll tell you, your stomach really got better quick tonight.

I think you ate more pie than almanzo.

Yeah, it was good.

Laura's right. It must have been the trip.

You know, I know you didn't want to come back here,

but you're going to be starting school tomorrow,

and I hope you give it a chance.

Sure, I will.

You. I can't figure you out, you know it?

I mean, at the supper table, you didn't say two words,

and we went out to the barn for a few minutes

and come back and... It's the difference between day and night.

Well, I was feeling better, that's all.

I told you.

Yeah.

Well, I'm going to let you get to sleep.

You've got school tomorrow.

I love you, son.

I love you, too, pa.

Good night.

Good night.

Better keep your eye on what you're doing.

What?

Said you better keep your eye on that saw blade,

or you're gonna be picking your nose with your elbow.

Oh, yeah.

Come on. Let's eat some lunch.

Will you look at the size of that lunch Laura fixed up for you?

She must think you eat like almanzo.

Yeah, I know.

Do me a favor and help me eat some of this, huh?

Well, only to be friendly, I might have a couple of them chicken legs.

Come on, now. The boy's in school. He's doing fine.

Now, eat some lunch.

Yeah. I know you're right.

Young uns. Tell you, one day they make you feel young.

The next day, they make you feel real old.

That they do.

I just wonder where I went wrong.

I mean, a man couldn't have asked for a better son than him.

Well, like you say, he got in with a bad crowd.

No, but it all happened so fast.

Granted, I worked late every night.

I didn't spend the time with him that I should.

Now, come on, now, don't be blaming yourself for working hard.

Boy should've understood that. You've got no reason to feel guilt.

Tell you what I think. I think we go about raising kids all wrong.

I think the minute they get big enough to work,

then the father ought to just quit

and go off and lay in a hammock somewhere.

Right, and let the kids take over.

Man's done his share.

Tell me something, Charles. Now, be honest.

Don't you sometimes get tired

of all the work and worry it takes bringing up a young UN?

Oh, I never did till all this started with Albert.

But I'll tell you something, Isaiah,

you get to a point where you say...

"Dear god, I don't know what to do anymore. I've lost him."

I just don't know how to get through to him.

That's why I keep looking at that school,

wondering if he's going to stay, is he going to work...

Wondering how he's going to feel tonight or tomorrow

because I never know from one minute to the next.

You know, you told me I shouldn't feel any guilt,

and I don't, not about the trouble he's gotten into.

I don't blame myself for that.

I did the best I could, the best I know how.

But I do feel guilt...

Because sometimes...

Sometimes I wish that he would go away and never come back.

Oh, you don't mean that, Charles.

Oh, but I do.

Isaiah, I mean it.

You know, I am tired of going to bed at night

and wondering where he is and what he's doing.

I'm tired of hearing his mother cry herself to sleep at night

because of some trouble that he's gotten into.

I can't take it anymore.

I need peace, Isaiah.

My family needs it, too.

And if it means never seeing him again,

then god help me, that's how it's going to be.

Stu, would you take the next problem, please?

12 carry a 1, 15 carry a 1, 22.

The answer is 2,252.

Thank you very much, Stuart.

You're welcome, miss plum, it was really quite simple.

Jason, would you take the last problem, please?

Um...

Go ahead, Jason.

15 carry 1... Is, um...

Miss plum, I can't see the problem very well.

Well, you can move closer, Jason.

15 carry a 1... Is...

Miss plum, I still can't see the board very well.

That's all right, Jason.

It's lunchtime anyway. Class dismissed.

Jason. Jason, can I see you a minute?

Jason, I didn't know you had trouble seeing the board.

Well... it...

It just started a little while back.

I wish you would have told me.

I didn't think to.

Have you mentioned it to your parents?

No, ma'am.

Well, I think you should.

I have a feeling you need eyeglasses, young man.

You think so?

I certainly do.

You go home and tell your ma.

I will, first thing when I get home.

All right. Go eat your lunch.

Hurry up, Albert. We can get a game going.

Can I play?

Not on my team.

Why not?

Because you stink.

Oh.

Well, it's my turn to choose first,

and I want Albert on my team.

I don't want to play.

Why not?

I don't want to, that's all.

You always loved playing ball.

Not anymore. There's no place to play in the city.

Oh, you're kidding.

I wouldn't want to live there.

But you're here now. Come on, play.

I don't want to!

Games are for kids.

What's the matter with him?

Jeb, he's not going to play.

Will you choose me first?

No.

Why not?

You know why not.

Yeah. Because I stink.

Let's go. Right.

I won't stink when I get my glasses. You wait and see.

I'll do everything better when I get my glasses.

Come on!

Let's go!

All right. Who's next?

We only got a couple minutes.

I'm up.

I thought you said this was for kids.

Changed my mind. Come on, pitch it.

This will be a home run.

Hey, I thought you said he could hit.

Just pitch and stop talking.

Jeb: Yeah. Just one more strike.

You know what?

I think you need glasses, too.

Miss plum: Albert. Albert!

Have you finished the test?

No, ma'am.

May I see your paper?

I want you to remain after the class is dismissed.

Yes, ma'am.

Why were you sleeping in class?

I was tired.

You didn't seem very tired after lunch

when I had to correct you several times for talking.

It just happened all of a sudden.

I didn't sleep too good last night.

Too well.

Yes, ma'am.

Being in a strange place, I couldn't sleep too well.

All right.

I'll accept that excuse this time, but no more.

Am I understood?

Yes, ma'am.

I'll allow you to make up the test

tomorrow during study hour.

You can go.

Was she mad?

No. She said I can make up the test tomorrow.

She's nice. Yeah.

Hey, come on over to the store.

We've got those sour balls you used to like so much.

Ok.

You glad to be back?

No. I like the city.

Lots of stuff to do.

Yeah? Like what?

Be with your friends. We had a gang.

Did you have your own clubhouse?

No. That's sissy stuff.

Oh. Yeah. Sure.

Willie: Hi, pa.

Ah. Well, Albert, it's nice to see you back.

Hi, Mr. Oleson.

Can we have some sour balls?

Sure. Sure. How's the rest of the family?

Oh, they're fine, just fine.

Nels, I can't make head or tail out of...

Why, Albert.

Hi, Mrs. Oleson.

Oh, it's so nice to see you.

What a shame that your mother couldn't be here.

Well, she's working.

Oh? I see.

So you and you father decided to go on a little trip, huh?

Well, it was pa's idea.

Really? Huh.

Seems strange, his wanting to be away from Caroline.

Harriet.

I didn't mean anything by...

Your mother and father are getting along all right, aren't they?

Harriet, please. Willie, would you do me a favor?

Will you take this shipment of medical supplies down to Dr. Baker's office for me?

He can do that after he cleans up his room.

It will only take a minute, Harriet.

After he cleans his room.

I could take that over for you, Mr. Oleson.

Well, thank you, Albert. I'd appreciate that.

Oh, no problem. I'll see you tomorrow, Willie.

Right.

There we go.

Well, it's nice to have you back, Albert.

Go clean up your room.

Yes, ma'am.

I wonder what's going on between Charles and Caroline.

Why does there have to be anything going on, Harriet?

Well, they split up.

Oh, that's ridiculous.

Really? Now, don't you think it's just a little bit odd

that a husband goes off on a long trip without his wife?

No, I don't.

Oh, for heaven's sakes, nels.

Now, what do you think people would say

if you went off to Chicago without me?

Don't you think they'd be just a little bit shocked?

Only if I came back, Harriet.

Hey, hester-sue.

Why, Albert, how are you?

Fine, thanks. I thought I'd drop by and see

if you still made the best corn muffins in hero township.

Oh, so you didn't forget my corn muffins.

I sure didn't.

I think you'll find what you want

right under that towel, and help yourself.

Thanks.