Original subtitles

Laura: New York City is divided up into 5 areas.

Can anyone name them for US?

Can you name even one?

- Hildy? - Manhattan?

Boy: Ow!

What's the matter?

Somebody hit me with a spit ball.

Willie...

I didn't do nothing.

Anything!

I didn't do that, either.

Willie, I'd like just one day to go by

without you having to learn from that corner.

Yes, ma'am.

But why do we have to study New York City?

We'll probably never go there.

In case you do. In case you go anywhere outside of Minnesota,

you'll have something besides total ignorance to take with you.

Albert: Laura: Now, hildy...

Manhattan is one of the 5 areas. Can you name the other 4?

No, ma'am.

Laura: Can anybody?

They are queens, staten island, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.

Laura: Now, they and Manhattan share a common designation,

such as town, city, county, state.

Can anyone tell me what that designation is?

Laura: Willie, can you tell me?

Uh, gee, I don't think so.

They're called boroughs.

- Really? - Really!

I thought burros were some kind of a donkey.

Honest, that's what I heard.

That's a different spelling.

Now, I'm referring to "borough,"

as in b-o-r-o-u-g-h.

You're talking about simply "burro,"

b-u-r-r-o.

Willie oleson, in the corner.

Willie: I didn't...

Now, though it's not completed yet, the...

The Brooklyn bridge is being considered

the engineering marvel of the 19th century.

Now, it's situated at the southern tip of Manhattan

across the east river to...?

Can anyone tell me which borough?

It's called the Brooklyn bridge.

Does anyone find it logical that it might be connected to Brooklyn?

Harriet: Yoo-hoo?

Excuse me.

I'm so sorry. I don't mean to interrupt, but I...

Hi, ma.

Uh... willie, take your seat.

Oh, this is Mr. Stohler.

He's from the board of education.

Laura: Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you.

Mrs. Wilder.

He's here to make an evaluation.

An evaluation?

For the school improvement program.

Oh, yes!

Yes, the state is prepared to fund a portion of your needs,

if they're found to be justified.

Well, we are short of a few things,

and the building could use some repairing.

Well, I'll look over your situation and file my report.

Mr. Stohler: In the meantime, I'd like to monitor the class, if I may.

Oh, of course.

We're studying the major cities of the united states right now,

what makes them special and so forth.

Sounds interesting.

Yes, well, we'll just sit in the back.

You just carry on as if we weren't here.

The Atlantic ocean and 3 rivers

cause Manhattan to be an island.

Can anyone name those 3 rivers?

Laura: Carrie?

Maria?

Willie?

Whoa.

Almanzo: I'm home!

Manly, could you please not slam the door that way?

Almanzo: Sorry.

Sounds like you had some kind of a day.

You want to know what kind of a day I had?

I had the kind of a day

that makes me wonder why I ever wanted

to be a teacher in the first place.

Where are all those shining faces

filled with the excitement of learning?

What makes otherwise intelligent students suddenly become rude,

unruly, and stupid?

What has turned teaching into an exercise in force-feeding?

Sounds pretty bad all right.

The worst of it is

Mrs. Oleson brings a representative of the school board in

to watch me be made a fool of.

Listen, why don't you sit down for a while and relax?

I can't. I have to make supper.

Well, it's early!

I have to go back.

Why?

Because Mrs. Oleson called an emergency meeting of the school board.

I have never met anyone that gets on my nerves more than that woman.

Oh, now...

I'd best go unhitch the horses.

The point is that our school is just not up to the standards

of the other schools in the state.

Harriet: So, when Mr. Stohler returns in a couple of weeks,

unless we have an improved curriculum,

we're just not going to get the funds that we need

for the improvements and repairs and equipment and new textbooks.

What does Mr. Stohler object to?

Well, he feels that the teaching of the 3 rs

is just not adequate anymore.

What kind of subjects do you think we should add?

Well, art appreciation, for one thing,

and French...

Art appreciation and French?

Then there's the matter of the dress code.

Why, some of the children come to school looking like common little beggars.

Mrs. Oleson, the children you're referring to

come from desperately poor families.

Now, their clothes may be in tatters,

but at least I make sure that they're clean tatters.

Yes, I'm sure that you do...

Now, I do know something about art appreciation,

but I can barely grasp the basics of French.

Well, I can most certainly coach you.

What I'm trying to say is that my students

need to push themselves to handle the essential subjects,

like math and history, and reading and writing and spelling.

Well, if other schools can expand their curriculum,

then surely we can, too.

Other schools have more than one teacher.

Oh, are you telling US

that you can't deal with such a schedule?

I can deal with it,

but at the expense of the more practical subjects.

Mrs. Oleson, I agree with my daughter.

I mean, these are children from hardworking farm families.

They're going to grow up to be farmers or the wives of farmers.

I think they need to know more about bushels and pecks

than they do some foreign language they'll likely never use.

That's a good point, Harriet.

Oh, is that so?

Nels: Yes!

Can you imagine Willie taking on two more subjects?

He'd be in school the rest of his life.

It would be too much for any of the students.

Well, properly taught, I'm sure that they could manage.

Properly taught?

Harriet: Yes, indeed.

Now, perhaps you have forgotten,

but I do possess a teaching certificate.

Of course, I married nels.

I would have had a very important career otherwise,

but I certainly am qualified to judge teaching capabilities.

And mine are lacking. Is that what you're trying to say?

Well, if today was any example of...

Nels: Harriet.

That's not fair.

No, Mr. Oleson, we did have a bad day.

To say the very least.

Now, I think that we must face the fact

that if we are going to get any kind of state funding,

we are going to have to alter the curriculum as I have suggested.

I say we do without state funding.

Harriet: Oh, well, fine!

Then let the rest of the town bear the burden of the expense.

Now, all in favor of the new plan, please, raise your hands.

Abstain.

Harriet: Opposed?

Well, Laura, it seems that you've been overruled.

I guess we have to accept majority rule, don't we?

Yes, I guess we do.

Mrs. Oleson, are you sure

that one teacher can handle this schedule?

Yes, yes, of course.

Good. I wish you luck.

What?

Because I quit.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet your new schoolteacher.

Grace is all tucked in.

Shouldn't we get ready for bed?

I'm just finishing up.

What are you doing?

I'm trying to figure out what Mrs. Oleson's

new dress code is going to cost US.

It can't be that much.

Whatever it is, it's too much.

It's just plain foolishness.

Can I have another piece of cake?

Oh, I'm saving that for tomorrow night.

I don't know why I'm so hungry.

Here, have an apple.

Thanks.

Carrie is going to need a new dress, some white stockings...

Albert is going to need at least two new shirts,

black stockings, string tie.

I already made the string tie myself.

You can forget the black stockings.

Caroline: You only have one pair.

That's good enough for church on sunday,

and I'm not wearing stockings to school.

That'll help a little more.

Yeah, we've got to pay it. There's nothing we can do about it.

Are you still worried about Laura?

I can't help it.

Teaching's been such an important part of her life,

I don't see how she can be happy without it.

Oh, maybe we're making a mistake.

Maybe teaching isn't that important.

I mean, maybe she wanted to quit,

and this just gave her the excuse, that's all.

Charles, you don't believe that.

No, I don't.

Let's go to bed.

Will you turn out the lights?

Sure.

Thank you, Mrs. Oleson.

Harriet: Time for school, children!

Time for school!

Harriet: Yes, come on, hurry up. Come on.

It's going to be fun, now.

Come on, jed!

Come along. Hurry up, for heaven's sakes.

Harriet: Yes. Come in, children. Come on, now.

All right, boys and girls,

line up for inspection.

Girls on this side, boys on that side.

Hurry up, hurry up, take your places.

Let me see, Maria.

Yes, very nice. Yes, get your tie straight.

Very nice, honey. Stand in line.

There you are.

Ah, where are your white stockings, young lady?

My folks don't have the money to afford them.

Oh, I see.

Well, could they afford one penny every week?

I think so!

All right, then you come in to the mercantile after school,

and we'll get you some white stockings.

Yes, ma'am.

All right, darling. Oh, all right, Carrie.

Let me see.

Yes, very nice.

Harriet: Yes, you look nice and neat and clean.

Well, stand up straight, for heaven's sakes.

All right, yes, Willie.

Oh! Your shoes are all scuffed, Albert...

Albert Ingalls.

Yes, ma'am?

Don't tell me that your parents

can't afford black stockings.

No, ma'am.

Hmm. Then where are they?

They're at home.

I only wear them for special occasions.

Oh, I see.

And school is not a special occasion?

I guess so.

But they're just not comfortable.

Well, that's too bad.

Now, while I'm here,

you are going to learn from me

that a dress code is a dress code,

and you are going to be required to do it,

just like everybody else.

Is that clear?

- Yes, ma'am. - All right, very good.

All right, you're fine. Oh, Clay, your tie.

Harriet: All right, everyone, sit down now. We're going to start.

Hurry up, sit down, darlings.

Very nice...

Now, we're going to begin...

Parker: Excuse me.

Yes?

My name's Parker. My boy Ralph here is starting school today.

Uh-huh, Mr. Parker and Ralph.

How come everybody is dressed the same?

Because I require it.

I ain't getting up like that.

You do as you're told.

It looks dumb.

Mind your mouth, boy. I'll be putting a fist in it.

He'll have the proper clothes tomorrow.

Oh, very good.

If you'll just take a seat

right back there in the last row, Ralph.

All right, children.

Now, we're going to begin today with a lecture on renaiss...

Who made that rude noise?

Ouch!

Willie oleson!

It wasn't me! It was...

Oh...

In the corner.

Honest, ma!

Not another word.

Aimez-vous ma nouvelle robe?

Oui, j'aime votre nouvelle robe.

Avez-vous votre parapluie bleu?

Non, je n'ai pas mon parapluie bleu.

Harriet, will you stop the caterwauling and fix supper?

Caterwauling! I'm not caterwauling!

I'm preparing an exercise for tomorrow's class.

Is that so?

Yes, that's so.

I ask the class a question in French,

and they respond in French.

- Really? - Yes, really!

How would you ask the question,

"do you think supper will ever be ready?"

Ah... Croyez-vous...

Oh! That's not very funny, nels.

If the answer is anything but "yes, in 5 minutes,"

I'm going to the restaurant.

Oh, well, va au restaurant!

Quel imbecile!

Bete... betement.

Uh... brute!

Idiot! Va au restaurant!

Je suis... Je suis...

Very happy that you're going to the restaurant.

Listen, as soon as you eat your breakfast

you can come outside and watch pa fix the barn roof.

Want to do that?

Huh, do you? Okay.

That's a good girl, and all you've got to do

is eat these wonderful eggies I made.

You like eggies?

You don't like eggies, huh?

What about your Dolly? She likes eggies.

She ate a lot of eggs this morning, didn't she?

Why didn't she eat eggs?

Didn't she eat eggs?

No, she stayed home!

She stayed home?

Well, you're home.

No, no, in my house!

Well, it's my house, too.

And I ate my eggs this morning. Don't you want some?

No? Would you eat them if mommy asked you to eat them?

Why won't you eat them when pa asks you to?

A little bit?

No? You don't want them?

How about some toast?

I'll make you toast.

Albert?

Albert: Yes, sir?

What's taking you so long up there?

I'll be right there.

Charles: Hurry up. Your ma and sister left for town 10 minutes ago.

I'll catch up.

I'm just putting on my socks.

Well, see to it you're not late.

Yes, sir, I won't be.

There.

If I had some white paint I wouldn't have to wear this dumb shirt.

Harriet: For art appreciation this morning,

we're going to have a very famous artist... Leonardo da Vinci.

These are some examples of renaissance art.

Harriet: I know that you haven't heard of them yet...

Willie: This is boring. Harriet: But you will.

This is typical of the period,

very, very beautifully done.

And this one...

Harriet: There's nothing funny about this, you know?

And this one is a very modest young maiden.

Ahh, ohh...

Ralph: I ain't taking this much longer.

Albert: Me, neither.

- French. - Yeah.

Dressing up like a bunch of sissies.

At least I still don't wear socks.

What do you mean? She gives US the once-over every morning, doesn't she?

Coal dust.

It comes off real easy.

Mrs. Oleson?

Oh, yes, how nice to see you, Mr. Parker.

My boy says you've been showing dirty pictures in here.

He what?

True or not?

Of course not!

Why, that's an absolute, filthy lie.

You ain't been showing... Naked ladies?

Mr. Parker, the human body

has been the subject of some of our greatest art treasures.

Then you'd be showing them?

Well, we've been studying renaissance...

What I be talking about is ladies with no clothes on.

They're called nudes, Mr. Parker.

Now, there's absolutely nothing wrong...

I'll be judging if it be wrong.

Mr. Parker, I insist...

Jehoshaphat.

Great screaming ghosts.

Oh, for heaven's sakes. This is a very famous painting.

It's called "the bathers."

What this be called, Mrs. Oleson?

Oh, well, that's a...

Parker: What it be called?

It's called "the rape of the sabine women."

I've seen things in this life I wish I hadn't have,

but this is about the worst.

Teaching young'uns about... I can't even say it!

Parker: This be the end of it, Mrs. Oleson,

or I be calling in the law.

Laura: More coffee?

Hmm, no, thanks.

None for me. I'll be up all night.

- Manly? - I'll have a touch.

Ooh, that was the most wonderful meal.

Mmm, sure was.

I'm getting downright spoiled.

It's like this most every night.

And this house, it fairly glows.

It sure does.

The glass in the windows is so clean you can barely see it

when there's nothing reflecting in it.

And what happens when you run out of things to do?

I guess I'll just have to do them all over again.

How's your garden coming along?

Fine.

It helps keep her busy.

All this talk about me keeping busy...

It's like everybody's worried about me not feeling useful.

Gee, honey, I don't think any of US mean it that way.

That's all right.

We know it's an adjustment for you.

Well, sure it is. Teaching meant a great deal to you.

It took a lot of your time.

I guess it did.

Hey...

We just want to know you're happy, that's all.

Yes.

Well, you don't have to worry.

I know it's a different life,

but knowing that I'm a good housewife...

And a good homemaker...

Well, it's just...

Laura.

I know that taking care of manly

and taking care of the house should be enough,

but it's just not.

Without my teaching...

I just feel so useless.

I'm sorry.

I just felt like crying all day,

and all of a sudden it happened.

Well, that's all right. Now, I understand.

I wish I understood.

I don't know why I'm acting this way.

Lord knows I've been busy.

Well, it's like your pa said,

that teaching means a lot to you.

But I'm not teaching anymore.

Anyway, it's silly of me to be acting this way.

That's it. No more crying.

I'm going to make this work for me.

You wait and see.

I know you will.

Why don't you come out now?

Show your folks that you're all right.

I've got to put on a fresh pot of coffee.

I can do that.

Nonsense. You go on.

I love you, honey.

I love you, too.

Go on.

Okay.

All right, now, repeat after me.

UN, deux, trois.

All: UN, deux, trois.

Sit up.

Quatre, cinq, six.

All: Quatre, cinq, six.

Sept, huit, neuf.

All: Sept, huit, neuf.

Harriet: Dix.

All: Dix.

Well, your pronunciation is not very good at all.

Now, the French language

has far different sounds than we are used to.

Let's have a demonstration.

Albert,

Harriet: Levez-vous, s'il vous plait.

That means stand up, please.

Willie, French accent: Stand up, Albert.

Harriet: Levez-vous, s'il vous plait, Albert.

Now, repeat after me.

UN, deux, trois.

Uhn, dun, two.

Harriet: No, no "dun."

UN.

UN.

- Deux, trois. - Deux.

Twa.

Harriet: Trois.

Albert: Uhn, duh, to...

Trois!

Aah!

Willie. How dare you?

Harriet: In the corner.

But he was pulling my hair.

Ralph, is that true?

Why'd I want to do a thing like that for?

Willie, in the corner.

- He did. - In the corner.

- He was pulling my... - In the corner!

- Ma! - Willie!

Albert: In the corner.

Harriet: Disgracing me in front of everybody.

Now, children...

Albert, repeat after me.

UN, deux, trois.

Uhn, dun, two.

Ralph: Uhn, dun, two.

Albert: Cut it out.

Willie: Hey, Ralph.

That's the last time you pull anything on me.

Oh, yeah?

Yeah!

Oh, my hand!

Oh, oh, my hand.

Oh!

About the only fun left in school

are those tricks you play on Willie.

Yeah, I guess so.

When my sister was teaching, it was real interesting.

Maybe we can get her back.

How?

By getting rid of Mrs. Oleson.

When is that fellow from the state coming back?

Tomorrow.

Yeah.

See you tomorrow.

All right, see you later.

Hi, Laura.

Hi, Albert.

How's the garden?

Stubborn, that's how.

Anything in particular you wanted?

Just to talk.

Everybody is pretty fed up with Mrs. Oleson.

Join the club.

Even the subjects I used to like are no fun anymore.

Albert, I don't know what to tell you.

I wish you were back.

Truth is, so do I.

You do?

You know... I was secretly hoping

that Mrs. Oleson would do so badly

they would come to me and beg me to go back.

And on my terms.

They still might.

I don't think so.

This can't be much fun.

Well, it doesn't matter, does it?

This is all I've got, and I'm determined to make it work.

The man from the state is coming back tomorrow.

Oh.

And if he doesn't like what he sees,

we aren't going to get any state funds.

And if we don't get any state funds...

Albert... Are you trying to say something?

No. Just if he doesn't like the job Mrs. Oleson's done,

and we don't get the money

I don't think she's going to want to stay on.

You're up to something, aren't you?

Me? Like what?

I was just asking.

You wouldn't mind if Mrs. Oleson quit, and you said so yourself.

Well, yes, I did.

And you just never know about these things,

that's all.

I've got to go. I'll see you later.

Bye.

Bye-bye.

Almanzo: You really think he's going to do something?

Laura: I don't know, but Albert gets a certain look in his eye

when he's up to something, and he had that look.

Besides, I think it would be a good idea

if I was there when Mr. Stohler arrived.

What's this?

- It's a special treat. - Chicken.

Not just chicken. It's lemon chicken. Try it. You'll love it.

What is all this stuff sticking to it here?

That's called aspic.

Oh.

It's cold.

Of course it is, silly. I had it on ice all day.

It's supposed to be that way.

It's a nice change in the hot summer weather.

There's potato salad if you want some.

What's all this stuff? What are all these speckles on this here?

That's called tarragon. It's an herb.

That's what I'm tasting, huh?

Manly, this is a very special dish.

It took all day to prepare.

I'm sorry, honey, it just doesn't taste good to me.

Maybe if I take the skin off, it'll help.

Honey, I said I'm sorry.

I think I liked your cinnamon chicken better.

"La table..."

Sur la table...

Oh...

Harriet, it's time for bed.

Oui, mon Cher.

And speak English.

Oh, nels, you're such an old grouch.

Heavens.

Aren't you the least bit excited?

About what?

Well, Mr. Stohler arrives.

There's no guarantee he's going to okay a Grant.

Harriet: Oh, nels, of course he will.

Once he hears my class speaking French...

Well, I hope he's as impressed as you think.

Oh, he will be.

Are you going to come to bed like that again?

Yes, I'm going to come to bed like that again.

After all, I have to look my best.

Just once, that thought ought to cross your mind at bedtime.

You know, I finished all my chicken.

I just had to get used to that...

Tarragon.

Yeah, tarragon.

I ate the skin and everything.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to make you mad at me.

I just have to get used to

eating stuff with weeds on it.

They're not weeds, they're herbs.

Besides, I'm not angry about that.

What, then?

I'm angry at myself.

Why?

Because I know that the children are going to do something

to embarrass Mrs. Oleson tomorrow.

Why should you be angry with yourself about that?

Because I want them to.

I want them to embarrass her

in front of Mr. Stohler so that she'll quit.

I see.

You really want the teaching job back, don't you?

I do.

Oh, manly, I really do.

Well, maybe you'll get your wish.

I'm going to put the lamps out downstairs.

Laura: Almanzo?

Yeah?

Do you think it's wrong?

Me wanting her to quit this way?

You're the only one that can judge that.

Willie: I can't go along. She's my own ma.

Ralph: Okay, then don't.

Albert: There's enough of US to make it work.

Ralph: Yeah. Just keep your mouth shut, okay?

Willie: Yeah.

Attention, mes enfants!

Ici, ici!

Allez, allez. Allez, Albert!

Harriet: All right, come on in.

Come on, hurry up. We have a class to do now.

Hurry up. He's coming.

Hurry up, Willie, come on!

Take your time dawdling all the time.

You should set a good example.

Hurry up. Good morning, Albert.

Driver: Whoa!

Hello, Mr. Stohler. Right on time.

How was the trip?

Hot and dusty.

Wonder if I might have a glass of water.

How about a nice, cool glass of lemonade?

Perfect.

Harriet: Enough of that!

All right, that's enough!

I said, stop it!

Albert! Stop it.

I'm ashamed of each and every one of you who is involved in this,

especially you, Albert Ingalls.

I'm sorry.

What I don't understand is why.

They wanted to embarrass you in front of Mr. Stohler.

Oh! What for?

So that you'd lose the Grant and be forced to resign.

And so that they could have back a teacher

who wouldn't force them to learn French and follow a dress code.

Isn't that right, Albert?

I apologize, Mrs. Oleson.

I should have seen this coming, and I didn't.

When Mrs. Oleson took this job...

I knew it was going to be a difficult one,

far more difficult than anything I had to deal with.

And I was sure that she would fail.

But she didn't.

Laura: You have continued to learn,

not just the usual subjects,

but you have learned some French,

and you have learned something about art appreciation.

What Mrs. Oleson deserves

is the highest form of respect for her accomplishment.

And what does she get?

This.

Now, I want you to get yourselves

and this room back in order.

Now!

Harriet: Come on now, children, sit down. Hurry up.

Hurry up. Sit down. Leave that alone. Sit down.

Harriet: Hurry up. There. There.

Aimez-vous ma nouvelle robe?

Students: Oui, j'aime votre nouvelle robe.

Now, avez-vous votre parapluie bleu?

Students: Non, je n'ai pas mon parapluie bleu.

Oh, excellent, children. Excellent!

Now, I want you to study pages 26 through 30,

because tomorrow we're going to have a test.

Class dismissed.

That was very impressive, Mrs. Oleson.

Oh! Why, thank you.

Yes, indeed. Very impressive.

Oh.

I'm recommending the Grant be approved.

Well, that's wonderful.

That is very good news.

However, I do have a recommendation.

Oh, yes.

Some of the expanded curriculum I discussed with you

that other schools in the state utilize,

well, they generally have

a practical application relating to the region.

However, art appreciation is universally useful.

Oh, yes...

But, say, in metropolitan areas,

engineering is often taught.

Yes.

Industrial design is also becoming very popular.

Oh!

And as to languages, well...

I mentioned French only because

in our border communities to the north,

people do indeed encounter a number of French-speaking Canadians.

Well, yes...

Stohler: So, therefore, it's a very practical thing to know.

But... but in this part of the state,

who would have a use for it?

Oh, well, uh, I always felt

that a second language is very valuable.

Stohler: Oh, I don't deny that,

but learning French is a very difficult thing.

Oh, yes. Yes, indeed.

Stohler: Requiring a great deal of academic skill.

Oh. Yes.

Also requiring a great deal of time.

Oh.

Mr. Stohler, are you suggesting that we drop French?

Oh, not necessarily.

If the majority of your students want it,

then, by all means, they should have it.

But if they don't...

Stohler: Mrs. Oleson, this is a farming community.

Don't you think it likely

that a good many of your students will become farmers?

Yes, I suppose so.

Great strides have been made in the field of agriculture.

Stohler: In fact, there's an outstanding new textbook on the subject.

Agriculture?

Stohler: I can give you everything you need.

Well, Mr. Stohler, I really hadn't thought in terms of...

The return stage is about ready to leave, I think.

Thank you.

You think about it and let me know.

And once again,

thank you for a remarkable demonstration.

Yes, of course.

I'll see you out.

Thank you.

Pretty much what Laura told you, isn't it?

Agriculture.

Albert: Hi, Laura.

Albert.

This is Ralph. He's new.

I remember seeing Ralph.

Guess you're still pretty mad, huh?

You could say that.

Maybe we were wrong...

Maybe?

Albert: All right, we were wrong.

But we only did it because we wanted you back so bad.

That's got to count for something.

Sure, everybody's always saying how much fun it was with you teaching.

And I wound up in the corner just as much, even if it wasn't my fault.

I suppose I should appreciate your compliments.

I accept your apology.

It was very nice of you all to come out here to make it.

Thank you.

That's not the only reason we came, Mrs. Wilder.

It isn't?

Mrs. Oleson says she'll give up the job if you come back.

And you can run the school any way you want.

- Please, Mrs. Wilder? - Please?

We all want you back.

All right, all right.

I'll come back on one condition.

All: What?

That you all agree to give up this silly dress code.

All: Yes!

Harriet: Nels!

Yes, dear.

Why are all these shelves in such a mess?

You haven't kept up with the inventory at all.

Because I've had to do everything else, too. Alone.

Oh, for heaven's sakes.

It's going to take me forever to straighten this out now.

I have every confidence that you will succeed.

- Harriet. - What?

It's good to have you back.

Oh, yes, I'll bet it is.

No, now, listen, I mean it.

Oh, nels!

And I'm sorry about the inventory.

Oh, it's all right. I'll get it done.

Girls: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,

8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13...

Good morning, Mrs. Wilder.

Good morning.

Thank you.

Good morning, Laura.

Hi. Hi.

Good morning.

Welcome back, Mrs. Wilder.

Thank you.

Good morning, Mrs. Wilder.

Good morning!

Laura: All right, class, now, since you've all voted to discontinue French,

you'll find some new textbooks on your desk.

Willie, would you read the title of it to US, please?

Willie: A... A... Agree...

Agree-cul-tour. Agreecultour.

The proper pronunciation is agriculture.

Do you know what it means?

Willie: I think I've heard it somewhere.

Laura: Hildy?

Isn't that, like, farming?

Exactly! We're going to study farming.

Jed?

My pa taught me all about that on the farm.

Laura: Oh, I'm sure you know a great deal.

But agriculture is a science.

More and more is learned about it every day.

Now, in this book, we're going to learn about all the new discoveries,

such as crop rotation.

Ouch!

Willie...

It wasn't my fault, Mrs. Wilder. It was...

Willie.

Honest, you've got to believe me.

Laura: Willie, would you just let me say something, please?

Now, I do believe you.

You do?

Ralph, would you please stand in the corner?

Me? What did I do?

You were pulling Willie's hair.

We don't do that here.

I wasn't, I...

Laura: Ralph, have you ever heard of peripheral vision?

No.

Well, I have it. It means that I can see out of the corner of my eye.

And I saw you pull Willie's hair.

Now, you want to sit there and argue about it,

or do you want to stand in the corner and get it over with?

Boy: Stand in the corner.

Girl: Stand in the corner.

Now, the soil contains certain chemicals,

as does the human body.

And certain crops take away these chemicals from the soil.

Laura: So it's necessary for US to find new ways

of replacing the chemicals so that we can grow healthy crops.

Now, if you'll open your books to chapter one,

you'll learn all about crop rotation...