Original subtitles

LAND SAKES! YOU REALLY ARE HUNGRY THIS MORNING.

COME ON. STOP IT.

Almanzo: HONEY, WE'RE BACK!

AREN'T THEY BEAUTIFUL? AREN'T THEY BEAUTIFUL?

OH, MANLY, YES.

BABE, WE'RE IN THE HORSE-BREEDING BUSINESS AT LAST.

IT'S LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE, A DREAM COME TRUE!

Laura: CAN WE AFFORD IT?

ONCE THAT WHEAT CROP IS HARVESTED, WE CAN AFFORD IT EASY.

IT'S ALMOST EMBARRASSING BEING SO HAPPY.

AND LOOK HERE, TWO MONTHS FROM NOW,

I'M GOING TO BE A FATHER.

JUST MAKE SURE YOU TWO DON'T START CALLING ME "GRAMPS."

[LAUGHTER] Almanzo: OKAY.

YOU'VE GOT TIME FOR A BITE?

OH, I'D LIKE TO, DARLING, BUT I'VE GOT AN ORDER TO FINISH AT THE MILL.

THANKS A LOT FOR YOUR HELP.

MY PLEASURE, THEY'RE FINE-LOOKING ANIMALS.

SEE YOU IN CHURCH ON SUNDAY.

WILL YOU COME INSIDE FOR LUNCH?

WELL, I'M KIND OF ANXIOUS TO GET BACK TO CLEARING OUR LAND.

I'LL BRING IT OUT TO YOU, THEN.

YOU SURE YOU DON'T MIND?

FRESH AIR AND EXERCISE ARE GOOD FOR ME.

DOC BAKER SAID SO.

NOW, YOU GO TO WORK.

YES, MA'AM.

COME ON.

LUNCHTIME.

GOOD. WHEW!

I'M STARVED.

THE FOG SURE CAME IN SUDDENLY.

YEAH.

HMM. YOU KNOW, IT'S GETTING REAL DAMP.

YOU SURE YOU'RE WARM ENOUGH?

WOULD YOU STOP WORRYING ABOUT ME, PLEASE?

NOW, HOW'S IT COMING?

WELL, IT'S JUST FINE.

3 MORE ACRES TO FARM, MONEY IN THE BANK.

I HOPE SO.

I KNOW IT SOUNDS SILLY,

BUT SOMETIMES I GET TO THINKING ABOUT BUYING SO MUCH ON CREDIT.

YOU'RE RIGHT, THAT IS SILLY.

WELL, IT'S THE WAY I WAS BROUGHT UP.

PA CAN'T BRING HIMSELF TO BUY ANYTHING UNLESS IT'S PAID FOR IN FULL.

YOU KNOW, HE TRIED NOT TO SHOW IT,

BUT I KNOW HE WASN'T FEELING TOO GOOD

ABOUT ME PUTTING JUST DOWN PAYMENT ON THOSE HORSES.

HE'S BEEN THAT WAY SINCE BEFORE I WAS BORN,

EVER SINCE A CLOUD OF GRASSHOPPERS DESTROYED HIS BIGGEST CROP.

IT TOOK HIM YEARS TO PAY BACK EVERYBODY HE OWED.

BETH, YOU KNOW I NEVER CRITICIZE YOUR PA.

HE'S NOT WRONG IN HOW HE LOOKS AT THINGS, ONLY DIFFERENT.

I KNOW.

OKAY. AS SOON AS I HARVEST THAT CROP,

EVERYONE GETS PAID OFF, AND I BECOME JUST LIKE YOUR PA.

IT'S CASH ON THE BARREL HEAD FROM THEN ON.

OH, MANLY.

OH, I LOVE YOU.

I LOVE YOU, TOO, SWEETHEART.

YOU'RE GOING TO WORK ALL NIGHT?

IS IT THAT LATE?

THE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN ASLEEP FOR AN HOUR.

I GUESS I LOST TRACK OF TIME.

THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY SPECIAL.

WELL, IT SHOULD BE SPECIAL. IT'S FOR MY GRANDCHILD.

BESIDES, I'VE GOT PLENTY OF SPARE TIME TO MAKE IT SPECIAL.

SOMETHING WRONG?

AH, THINGS ARE JUST SLOW AT THE MILL, THAT'S ALL.

THE ORDER I FILLED TODAY WAS THE LAST ONE FOR A WHILE.

THINGS WILL PICK UP. THEY ALWAYS DO.

I GUESS. IT'S JUST THAT TWO MORE CHILDREN TO FEED AND CLOTHE,

NOW'S THE TIME WE NEED MORE MONEY COMING IN, NOT LESS.

I KNOW.

I EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT TAKING A JOB WITH THAT LABOR GANG.

WHAT?

WELL, THEY'RE BUILDING A NEW RAILROAD SPUR UP NORTH, LOOKING FOR MEN.

I THOUGHT YOU WEREN'T GOING TO DO THAT KIND OF WORK ANYMORE.

IT JUST CROSSED MY MIND, IS ALL.

WELL, DON'T LET IT CROSS YOUR MIND.

MUST BE A HUNDRED MEN KILLED AND INJURED THERE.

CAROLINE, CAROLINE, RELAX. I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

OH, I'M SORRY.

YOU THINK WE'LL EVER SEE THE DAY WE'RE NOT FRETTING ABOUT MONEY?

CHARLES INGALLS, WE'RE NO DIFFERENT THAN ANYBODY ELSE.

OH, YES, WE ARE.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A GRANDCHILD.

OH, MY BACK.

DO YOU WANT ME TO RUB SOME LINIMENT ON IT?

NO. I JUST WANT TO SLEEP.

AHH.

MANLY, AREN'T YOU OVERDOING IT A LITTLE?

[CHUCKLES] WELL, MAYBE, BUT I DON'T MIND.

I WANT EVERYTHING JUST RIGHT FOR WHEN THE BABY COMES.

I TALKED TO MRS. OLESON

ABOUT FILLING IN FOR ME AT THE SCHOOL.

SHE SAID SHE WOULD,

BUT I DON'T THINK SHE'S LOOKING FORWARD TO IT.

MRS. HASTINGS SAID SHE'D TAKE CARE OF THE BABY

AFTER I GO BACK TO TEACHING.

SHE NEEDS THE MONEY.

THERE'S JUST ONE THING THAT WORRIES ME.

WELL...

ARE YOU SURE IT'S ALL RIGHT FOR ME TO GO BACK TO TEACHING?

I KNOW YOU SAID IT WAS,

BUT I WANT YOU TO BE REALLY SURE.

SURE, IT'S ALL RIGHT, HONEY.

OKAY.

I ALMOST FORGOT.

YOU KNOW HOW WE'RE HAVING SO MUCH TROUBLE

AGREEING ON A NAME IF IT'S A GIRL?

WELL, CASSANDRA BROUGHT ME A ROSE TODAY,

AND I THOUGHT... "THAT'S IT...

ROSE WILDER."

I LOVE THE SOUND OF IT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

MANLY?

ROSE WILDER IT IS.

LOOKS LIKE RAIN.

THAT'S GOOD. MAYBE IT'LL SOFTEN UP THAT FIELD I'M PLOWING.

JUST DON'T GET CAUGHT IN IT.

YOU HAVE PLENTY OF WORK TO DO IN THE BARN.

OKAY.

ARE YOU FEELING ALL RIGHT?

YEAH, SURE. WHY?

JUST LOOK A LITTLE TIRED, THAT'S ALL.

NO, I'M FINE. YOU GO ON.

OKAY. HAVE A GOOD DAY. COME ON. COME ON!

[THUNDER]

HYAH!

I JUST DON'T BELIEVE IT.

BETH, WILL YOU CALM DOWN?

IT'S ONLY A LITTLE COLD, I'VE HAD IT BEFORE.

PLOWING IN THE RAIN!

ALL RIGHT! SO MAYBE IT WAS A DUMB THING TO DO.

CAN WE FORGET IT NOW?

I'M SORRY I'M MAKING SUCH A FUSS.

I JUST DON'T WANT YOU GETTING SICK, IS ALL.

I'LL BE FINE.

DID YOU ASK ALBERT ABOUT COMING OVER TO HELP GROOM THE HORSES?

HE AND JAMES ARE COMING HOME FROM SCHOOL WITH ME TOMORROW.

THEY SURE ARE BEING HELPFUL.

YEAH.

BETH.

FORGIVE ME?

NO.

NOW EAT.

IT LOOKS GOOD, HONEY.

[COUGHING]

[WHEEZING]

[WHEEZING]

I SURE WILL BE GLAD WHEN LAURA HAS THAT BABY.

ME, TOO. I CAN'T WAIT. I HOPE IT'S A BOY.

I DON'T CARE WHAT IT IS, JUST SO LONG AS LAURA CAN BE OUR TEACHER.

THAT MRS. OLESON TALKS TOO MUCH.

[CHUCKLES] HOW DO YOU THINK MR. OLESON MUST FEEL?

[LAUGHS]

ALBERT, LOOK!

ALMANZO, WHAT'S WRONG?

[WHEEZING]

ONE OF YOU GO UP, UNHITCH THE HORSE, AND BRING HIM DOWN.

I'LL DO IT.

WHAT'S THE MATTER?

HELP ME TO THE HOUSE.

Albert: LAURA! LAURA!

WHAT ON EARTH?

I CAN'T BREATHE.

OH, MY GOD, YOU'RE BURNING UP WITH FEVER.

GET DOC BAKER. HURRY.

TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE FEELING, ALMANZO.

HOT...WEAK...

NEVER FELT SO WEAK.

THROAT...

SORE?

MORE LIKE... [SWALLOWS]

SOMETHING STUCK, CLOSING IT UP.

IT'S HARD TO BREATHE.

ALMANZO, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL.

STAY IN BED AND KEEP COVERED, NO MATTER HOW WARM IT GETS.

HOW LONG WILL I BE...

FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES,

COUPLE OF WEEKS, MAYBE LONGER.

BUT THE HARVEST.

YOU WON'T BE DOING ANY HARVESTING, YOUNG MAN.

I'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT.

JUST DO WHAT THE DOC SAYS AND DON'T WORRY.

IT'S URGENT THAT YOU STAY IN BED, ALMANZO.

I'LL SEE THAT HE DOES.

I'M SO TIRED.

Dr. Baker: THEN SLEEP.

IT'S THE BEST THING FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.

WHAT IS IT, PNEUMONIA?

DIPHTHERIA. IT'S HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS.

DIPHTHERIA. WHERE WOULD HE PICK THAT UP?

WHO CAN SAY?

THERE'S A MILD EPIDEMIC GOING AROUND.

IF ALMANZO WERE WEAKENED BY A COLD,

HE'D BE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE.

ARE YOU SAYING HE'S IN REAL DANGER?

LAURA, I'M AS CONCERNED ABOUT YOU AND THE BABY AS I AM ABOUT ALMANZO.

AS I SAID, IT'S HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS.

I THINK YOU SHOULD GET SOMEONE ELSE TO LOOK AFTER HIM--

NO, I COULDN'T DO THAT.

DARLING, THE DOCTOR IS RIGHT.

PA, I CAN'T HELP IT. I'LL TAKE CARE OF HIM,

AND I'LL BE CAREFUL.

ALL RIGHT. BUT YOU'RE NOT TO SLEEP IN THE SAME ROOM WITH HIM.

AND I WANT YOU TO BOIL EVERY CUP, SAUCER, OR UTENSIL THAT HE TOUCHES,

EVERY CHANGE OF CLOTHING OR BED LINEN. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?

YES.

I'LL BE BACK LATER WITH SOME MEDICINE.

I STILL WISH YOU'D RECONSIDER.

SO DO I.

I'M NOT LEAVING HIM.

[RAIN FALLING]

[THUNDER]

[LOUD PATTERING]

MY GOD!

MANLY, WHAT IS IT?

HAILSTORM. MY CROPS ARE GOING TO BE DESTROYED.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

THAT WHEAT IS OUR WHOLE FUTURE. I'VE GOT TO SAVE IT.

MANLY, YOU CAN'T GO OUT THERE!

MANLY, PLEASE DON'T GO OUT THERE!

PLEASE!

MANLY, PLEASE STOP! PLEASE!

MANLY, YOU CAN'T SAVE IT.

- I HAVE TO! - NO! DON'T!

LEAVE ME ALONE!

MANLY, STOP! PLEASE!

ALMANZO!

MANLY!

PLEASE! OH, GOD!

OH, DEAR GOD! MANLY!

MANLY!

PLEASE!

HE'S COMING AROUND.

MANLY.

[SLURRED] BETH...

[SLURRED] I CAN'T...

FEEL...MY ARM!

I CAN'T FEEL... MY LEG.

EASY, SON. EASY.

Almanzo: [BREATHING HARD]

DOC BAKER, WHAT IS IT?

WHAT?

HIS LEFT SIDE IS PARALYZED.

HE SUFFERED A STROKE.

HELP ME...BETH.

HELP ME, BETH.

Almanzo: [GRUNTING]

COME ON, ALMANZO.

TRY, TRY TO MAKE A FIST.

HARDER. TRY HARDER.

[GROANS]

[SLURRED] NO MORE. I CAN'T.

- TRY. - I CAN'T!

TRY HARDER!

THAT'S IT.

THAT'S IT.

COME ON.

Almanzo: [GRUNTING]

THAT'S IT. GOOD. GOOD.

HI, DARLING.

HI, PA.

HOW'S MY GIRL?

FINE.

HOW'S ALMANZO FEELING?

THE SAME. COME ON. DOC BAKER'S UPSTAIRS WITH HIM.

DOC.

WELL, I SUPPOSE I CAN SAY

THERE'S A SMALL BIT OF GOOD NEWS.

ALMANZO'S LEFT SIDE ISN'T TOTALLY PARALYZED.

THERE'S A LITTLE MOVEMENT, NOT MUCH, BUT IT CAN ONLY IMPROVE.

WILL HE...

WILL HE EVER GET BACK TO...

Dr. Baker: LAURA, I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S POSSIBLE,

BUT I DON'T KNOW A GREAT DEAL ABOUT THIS THING.

YOU SEE, A STROKE GENERALLY

LEAVES PART OF THE BRAIN DAMAGED.

IN THIS CASE, IT'S THE PART THAT CONTROLS CERTAIN...

MOTOR FUNCTIONS: ARM, LEG MOVEMENTS.

NOW, THE IDEA IS FOR THE UNDAMAGED PART OF THE BRAIN

TO RELEARN THESE FUNCTIONS.

IT'S A LOT LIKE TEACHING

A RIGHT-HANDED PERSON TO WRITE WITH HIS LEFT HAND.

NOW, WHAT ALMANZO IS FACING

IS MUCH MORE COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT.

BUT IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE.

DEFINITELY. WITH TIME, PATIENCE...

AND A GREAT DEAL OF LOVE.

ABOUT THAT, I HAVEN'T THE SLIGHTEST DOUBT.

IS HE AWAKE?

NO, HE'S GONE TO SLEEP.

LAURA, IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO CARE FOR ALMANZO YOURSELF,

I'D SUGGEST SETTING THINGS UP DOWN HERE.

NOW ISN'T THE TIME FOR YOU TO BE CLIMBING STAIRS ALL DAY.

I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT, DOC.

FINE. I'LL BE BY LATER THIS EVENING.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.

CHARLES, SEE THAT SHE TAKES CARE OF HERSELF.

I WILL.

PA...

WHY?

WHY?

[SOBBING]

I DON'T KNOW WHY, DARLING,

BUT ALMANZO IS ALIVE, AND HE'S GOING TO GET BETTER.

I PRAY YOU'RE RIGHT.

OUR CROP IS RUINED.

WE HAVE SO MANY DEBTS.

I CAN'T EVEN WORK.

YOU MUST HAVE SOME MONEY.

A LITTLE.

I COULD GET SOME PEOPLE TO CARRY US

IF I KEPT UP THE INTEREST PAYMENTS.

FOR HOW LONG?

2, 3 MONTHS.

WELL, BY THEN ALMANZO COULD BE ALL RECOVERED.

YOU'LL BE FINE. WE'LL HELP YOU IN ANY WAYS WE CAN.

AT LEAST YOUR HOUSE IS FREE AND CLEAR.

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.

WITHOUT EVEN TELLING ME,

ALMANZO MORTGAGED IT FOR $500.

WELL, THE BANK WILL JUST HAVE TO WAIT, THAT'S ALL.

IT WON'T.

MR. ANDERSON WAS BY YESTERDAY.

OH, PA, WE'RE GOING TO LOSE THE HOUSE.

OH, NOW, EASY.

HOW COULD ALMANZO DO THIS TO US,

GETTING US SO DEEPLY IN DEBT?

HEY, NOW, JUST A MINUTE. DON'T YOU START BLAMING ALMANZO.

I NEVER SAW A MAN WORK HARDER THAN HE HAS.

HIS CROP WAS ONLY A FEW DAYS FROM BEING HARVESTED

WHEN THAT STORM HIT. IT'S NOT HIS FAULT.

LOOK, YOU'VE HAD A SETBACK, AND A BAD ONE,

BUT IT'S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.

I'LL TALK TO ANDERSON AT THE BANK.

I KNOW WE CAN WORK SOMETHING OUT.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS YOU TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND YOUR HUSBAND...

AND MY GRANDCHILD.

YOU PROMISE ME THAT?

I'LL GO SEE ANDERSON AT THE BANK RIGHT NOW,

AND I'LL SEE YOU LATER.

PA?

YEAH.

THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR BEING MY DAUGHTER.

LOOK, BILL, THE BOY IS HURT, HIS CROP IS DESTROYED.

CHARLES, IT WAS ONLY ON THE BASIS OF THE CROP COMING IN

THAT THE BANK HELD OUT THIS LONG.

I'D EXTEND THE LOAN IF I COULD, BUT I'M POWERLESS.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS SIMPLY WON'T ALLOW IT.

THAT'S THE MOST HEARTLESS THING I EVER HEARD.

WELL, I AGREE WITH YOU.

THAT'S HOW IT IS.

IF THE LOAN ISN'T BROUGHT UP TO DATE BY THE END OF THE WEEK,

WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BEGIN FORECLOSURE.

ISN'T THERE SOME WAY YOU COULD RAISE THE MONEY?

WELL, COME ON, YOU KNOW I'M AS STRAPPED AS I'VE EVER BEEN.

WELL, THEN...

ALL RIGHT. THEY NEED ABOUT 3 MONTHS TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

IF THE LOAN COULD BE PAID UP TO DATE AND PAID 3 MONTHS IN ADVANCE,

HOW MUCH WOULD THAT TAKE?

WELL, LET'S SEE.

[SIGHS]

CLOSE TO $100.

THAT MUCH, HUH?

I'M AFRAID SO.

ALL RIGHT. WHAT WOULD IT TAKE FOR THE BANK TO LOAN ME THAT?

A LIEN ON YOUR PROPERTY,

BUT I WOULD NOT ADVISE IT, CHARLES. TIMES ARE HARD.

YOU COULD BE PLACING YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY IN JEOPARDY.

BILL, PART OF MY FAMILY ALREADY IS.

I'M NOT GOING TO LET MY KIDS LOSE THAT HOUSE.

HOW SOON CAN YOU HAVE THE PAPERS DRAWN UP?

TOMORROW.

ALL RIGHT, THEN DO IT,

AND DON'T SAY ANYTHING TO ANYONE, ESPECIALLY LAURA.

I'LL JUST SAY THE BANK GAVE AN EXTENSION.

YOU HAVE MY WORD.

I WISH THERE WAS ANOTHER WAY, BUT THERE JUST ISN'T.

BUT THE RAILROAD... IT'S SO DANGEROUS.

BUT THAT'S WHY THEY PAY SO MUCH.

YOU'LL HAVE TO MISS THE BIRTH.

I'M AFRAID SO, BUT AT LEAST MY GRANDCHILD

WILL HAVE A ROOF OVER ITS HEAD.

CHARLES, I WANT YOU TO PROMISE ME

YOU WON'T STAY ON THAT JOB ONE DAY LONGER THAN YOU HAVE TO.

CAROLINE, I'M GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT.

NOT ONE DAY LONGER.

I PROMISE.

NOW, LOOK, THOSE CHILDREN THINK I'M GOING ON A GREAT ADVENTURE.

IF THEY SEE YOU TAKING IT LIKE THIS...

THEY WON'T.

IF I LOST YOU, I DON'T THINK I COULD GO ON.

OH.

OH, DON'T EVEN SAY THAT.

I'M COMING BACK TO YOU. I LOVE YOU.

YOU'RE THE MAN OF THE HOUSE NOW.

I'M COUNTING ON YOU TO TAKE CARE OF THINGS WHILE I'M GONE.

I WILL.

I KNOW YOU WILL.

GOOD-BYE, SON.

GOOD-BYE, PA.

[DOOR OPENS]

MANLY, YOU DIDN'T EVEN FINISH HALF OF YOUR SOUP.

[SLOWLY] I'M NOT HUNGRY.

BUT DOC BAKER SAID IF YOU WANT--

I SAID...

I'M...NOT HUNGRY.

VERY WELL.

BETH...

I'M SORRY.

I JUST NEVER FELT...

SO...

GOD...

HOW COULD THINGS...

TURN OUT SO BAD?

THEY'LL IMPROVE.

YOU'VE JUST GOT TO GET YOUR STRENGTH BACK

AND START EXERCISING THAT ARM AND LEG.

YOU THINK THESE ARE GOING TO GET BETTER?

LOOK.

LOOK...

WHAT YOU'RE MARRIED TO.

STOP THAT!

I'VE ALREADY RUINED MY LIFE.

NOW I HAVE TO RUIN YOURS.

IF THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK, I HAVE NO ANSWER.

WHAT'S TRUE DOESN'T NEED ONE.

[SIGHS]

I LOVE YOU.

THAT'S WHAT'S TRUE.

NOW, GET BACK UNDER THE COVERS.

YOU LOOK SO TIRED.

TRY AND GET SOME SLEEP, PLEASE.

I'M GOING TO GO WASH UP THESE DISHES. BE RIGHT BACK.

I'M READY TO TURN IN MYSELF.

BETH.

WHY DON'T YOU SLEEP UPSTAIRS?

WHY?

THERE'S PLENTY OF ROOM DOWN HERE.

JUST FOR A WHILE.

I DON'T KNOW...

I JUST...FEEL...

LIKE BEING ALONE.

IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT.

IT IS.

Doc Baker: COME ON, ALMANZO, GET UP. COME ON.

YOU CAN DO IT.

PUT ALL THAT WEIGHT ON YOUR RIGHT SIDE.

THAT'S... THAT'S IT.

HELP ME, DOC.

GOOD, GOOD, GOOD.

NOW, TAKE A STEP.

TAKE A STEP. COME ON.

I CAN'T.

YES. YES, YOU CAN. COME ON.

NO, I CAN'T. I CAN'T.

TRY.

THERE'S NOTHING THERE.

I CAN'T.

[DOOR KNOCKS]

- HELLO, LAURA. - ELIZA JANE!

OH, HOW IS HE?

DOC BAKER IS IN WITH HIM RIGHT NOW.

THIS IS SUCH A SURPRISE.

YOU DIDN'T THINK I COULD STAY AWAY. CAN I SEE HIM?

WELL, DOC BAKER WILL BE THROUGH IN A MINUTE.

COME ON, LET'S GO IN THE KITCHEN AND TALK.

I'LL MAKE US SOME TEA.

THE SCHOOL GAVE ME AN INDEFINITE LEAVE OF ABSENCE,

SO ALMANZO WILL HAVE ALL THE CARE HE NEEDS.

ELIZA JANE...

AND YOU WILL, TOO. JUST LOOK AT YOU.

IF I DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER, THAT BABY COULD BE COMING TOMORROW.

IT MUST BE VERY DIFFICULT

TO HAVE SUCH A RESPONSIBILITY AT A TIME LIKE THIS.

IT'S REALLY NOT ALL THAT BAD.

NOW, DON'T BE BRAVE FOR MY SAKE.

I KNOW WHAT YOU MUST BE GOING THROUGH.

WELL, JUST RELAX AND LEAVE EVERYTHING TO ME.

I COULDN'T DO THAT.

WHAT?

UNTIL THE BABY COMES

I'M PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF TAKING CARE OF ALMANZO.

NONSENSE. WITH ME HERE, YOU WON'T HAVE TO.

ELIZA JANE, I APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN.

YOU KNOW I DO.

AFTER ALL, HE'S MY BROTHER.

AND HE'S MY HUSBAND.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO BOTH OF US

THAT I BE THE ONE TO TAKE CARE OF HIM.

COULDN'T I JUST HELP?

WE'D ONLY BE BUMPING INTO EACH OTHER.

LAURA, I'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING.

[SIGHS] OF COURSE. THERE IS SOMETHING.

YOU COULD TAKE OVER THE SCHOOL.

WHAT?

MRS. OLESON'S BEEN FILLING IN,

AND IT'S THE MERCANTILE'S BUSIEST TIME OF YEAR.

IT'S A TERRIBLE STRAIN ON HER.

SHE HATES IT. THE CHILDREN HATE IT.

I FEEL REALLY AWFUL ABOUT THE WHOLE THING.

IF YOU COULD TAKE HER PLACE...

LAURA, I DIDN'T COME HERE FOR THAT.

YOU SAID YOU WANTED TO HELP.

YES.

THEN...PLEASE SAY YOU WILL.

ALL RIGHT. IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WANT.

[THUD]

WHAT HAPPENED?

HE HAD A LITTLE FALL.

MANLY...

ALL RIGHT. TRY IT AGAIN.

Almanzo: NO.

- COME ON. - NO.

Dr. Baker: COME ON, IT'S THE ONLY WAY.

HELP ME BACK INTO THE BED.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO DO YOU ANY GOOD.

NOTHING'S GOING TO DO ME ANY GOOD!

HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR EVERYONE TO REALIZE THAT?

I'M A CRIPPLE, AND THAT'S HOW I'M GOING TO BE

THE REST OF MY LIFE.

NOW HELP ME BACK INTO THE BED.

MAYBE ONE OF US SHOULD SIT WITH HIM.

DR. BAKER SAYS HE NEEDS TO DO MORE FOR HIMSELF.

HE NEEDS TO GET OUT OF THAT BED.

BUT, LAURA--

ELIZA JANE, IT HURTS ME, TOO.

NOW, HE SHOULD BE AT THE TABLE HERE WITH US.

WE OFFERED, AND HE SAID NO.

I'M NOT GOING TO ENCOURAGE HIS STAYING IN BED

BY GOING IN THERE AND SITTING WITH HIM.

DO YOU WANT SOME MORE COFFEE?

THANK YOU.

I'LL GO MAKE A FRESH POT.

[MEOWS]

YOU AGAIN? COME HERE. COME HERE.

AH, HELLO. DO YOU WANT SOME MILK?

[CAT MEOWING]

YOU WANT SOME MILK? HERE.

HERE YOU GO.

LOOK OUT. OH!

THAT CHICKEN IS DELICIOUS,

AND YOU HAVEN'T EVEN TOUCHED IT.

WELL, I'LL JUST HAVE TO DO WHAT I DID WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE.

OPEN WIDE, MANZO.

COME ON, OPEN.

I DON'T WANT THE NEIGHBORS SEEING YOUR SKIN AND BONES

AND THINKING I'M NOT FEEDING YOU PROPERLY.

OPEN.

THAT'S MY LITTLE BROTHER.

I GUESS BIG SISTER WILL HAVE TO FEED YOU HERSELF

UNTIL YOU GET YOUR STRENGTH BACK.

OH, LAURA, YOU'RE IN BED ALREADY.

IT'S AFTER 10:00.

I GOT ALMANZO TO EAT ALL OF HIS CHICKEN

AND MOST OF HIS VEGETABLES.

THAT'S GOOD.

I WANT TO TAKE HIM AN EXTRA PILLOW.

HE ASKED IF I'D STAY WITH HIM

UNTIL HE FELL ASLEEP.

HE ASKED OR YOU OFFERED?

HE SAID HE'D LIKE IT, IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

BY ALL MEANS.

GOOD NIGHT, LAURA.

ELIZA JANE...

YOUR BROTHER HASN'T BEEN AFRAID OF THE DARK FOR SOME TIME NOW.

Laura, voice-over: THE WEEKS PASSED INTO MONTHS,

AND THERE WAS NO CHANGE IN ALMANZO.

HE GAVE UP HIS EXERCISES COMPLETELY.

THE LESS HE DID FOR HIMSELF, THE MORE ELIZA JANE DID FOR HIM.

HERE YOU GO.

THANKS.

BETH?

YES?

I'VE MADE A DECISION ABOUT SOMETHING.

I'M GOING TO ASK DOC BAKER TO GET ME A WHEELCHAIR.

WHY?

WE HAVE TO FACE THE FACT

THAT I'M NOT GOING TO GET ANY BETTER.

IT'S THE BEST THING. AT LEAST I COULD GET AROUND.

IT WOULD BE MUCH EASIER FOR HIM.

WHEN CHARLES GETS BACK, HE CAN--

ELIZA JANE, PLEASE!

LAURA, MANZO IS MY BROTHER.

AND HE'S MY HUSBAND!

YOU DON'T NEED A WHEELCHAIR.

YOU COULD ONLY WALK IF YOU TRIED.

WE'VE BEEN ALL THROUGH THIS.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE.

AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE FOR ME

TO WATCH MY HUSBAND JUST GIVE UP!

I THINK YOU WANT TO BE A CRIPPLE.

WHAT KIND OF A THING IS THAT TO SAY?

THE TRUTH, THAT'S WHAT.

BETH, YOU KNOW THAT I HAVE TRIED.

OH, YES. JUST LONG ENOUGH TO GIVE UP!

DOC BAKER GAVE YOU EXERCISES, AND YOU WON'T EVEN DO THEM!

THEY DON'T WORK.

CAN'T YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?

NO, I DON'T!

I DON'T UNDERSTAND ANYTHING ABOUT YOU ANYMORE!

OH, MY GOD.

LAURA, WHAT IS IT?

GET ME INSIDE.

BETH? WHAT'S THE MATTER, BETH?

Almanzo: BETH!

GET DOC BAKER. HURRY.

DR. BAKER! DR. BAKER!

WHAT'S WRONG, ELIZA?

IT'S LAURA. SHE NEEDS YOU RIGHT AWAY.

I'LL GET MY BAG. STOP BY THE RESTAURANT AND PICK UP CAROLINE.

[PANTS]

THAT WAS A GOOD ONE.

HERE WE GO AGAIN!

Doc Baker: THAT'S RIGHT, LAURA. BEAR DOWN.

HECK! YELL IF YOU WANT TO!

OH! OH, NO.

I DON'T WANT MY BABY HEARING ME YELL FIRST THING.

[LAUGHING]

I WANT HER TO HEAR ME LAUGH!

[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES]

Caroline: OH, MY, YES.

- OH! - [LAUGHS]

HOW IS LAURA?

OH, JUST FINE.

AND SO IS YOUR NEW BABY DAUGHTER.

PAPA, MEET ROSE WILDER.

ISN'T SHE BEAUTIFUL?

IT'S A GOOD THING IT'S A GIRL.

A FATHER CAN'T VERY WELL PLAY BALL WITH A SON WHEN HE'S A CRIPPLE.

[WHISTLE BLOWING]

SOME JERKY, FRIEND?

HMM?

SOME JERKY?

OH. NO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[CHUCKLES] YOU WERE A MILLION MILES AWAY.

I GUESS I WAS. I WAS THINKING.

YEAH. WHEN YOUNG FOLKS STARE INTO SPACE,

THEY CALL IT THINKING.

WHEN OLD FOLKS DO IT, THEY CALL IT SENILE.

I'VE GOT A PASSEL OF CHILDREN. THEY ALL THINK I'M SENILE.

THEY SAY THAT'S WHY I TALK SO MUCH.

OH, I'M SURE THEY DON'T MEAN THAT.

YEAH. WHERE ARE YOU HEADING?

I'M GOING HOME.

OH, YOU'VE BEEN GONE LONG?

LONG ENOUGH.

HAD A GRANDDAUGHTER BORN WHILE I WAS GONE.

LAND SAKES. WELL, CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 7 POUNDS, 6 OUNCES.

WHO CARES?

HOW MUCH SHE WEIGHS, WHO CARES?

I MEAN, WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE HOW MUCH SHE WEIGHS?

I DON'T KNOW, I JUST NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

YEAH, THAT'S THE TROUBLE. FOLKS DON'T THINK.

THE MINUTE YOU TELL SOMEBODY YOU HAD A BABY,

FIRST THING OFF, THEY SAY, "HOW MUCH DOES IT WEIGH?"

THAT'S NONSENSE.

FIRST THINGS FOLKS SHOULD ASK IS,

HOW MANY ARMS AND LEGS DID IT HAVE?

IS THE HEAD ROUND OR SHAPED LIKE A SWEET POTATO?

AND THEN THE NEXT DUMB QUESTION FOLKS ASK,

"HAS IT GOT A LOT OF HAIR?"

YOU WANT A LOT OF HAIR, YOU GET A DOG.

YOU KNOW, I HAD A DOG ONCE.

WE CALLED IT FEARLESS.

DON'T KNOW WHY WE EVER CALLED HIM THAT.

SCARED TO DEATH OF EVERYTHING, IT WAS.

AND I TELL YOU, A HORRIBLE THING HAPPENED ONE DAY.

HE GOT HIT, AND THEY HAD TO TAKE HIS LEG OFF.

WELL, THEY PUT A WOODEN ONE ON.

Laura, voice-over: IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A JOYOUS TIME:

PA WAS HOME,

BABY ROSE WAS A RAY OF SUNSHINE IN OUR LIVES.

YET FOR ALL OUR BLESSINGS,

ALMANZO COULD NOT SEEM TO FIND HIS STRENGTH AGAIN.

IT WAS IF THAT HAILSTORM KILLED ALL HIS DREAMS ALONG WITH HIS WHEAT.

YOU OUGHT TO SIT DOWN AND LET US FINISH UP HERE.

NO, I'M FINE.

ARE YOU SURE?

YOU SHOULDN'T BE PUSHING YOURSELF SO HARD.

MA, IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME TO HAVE EVERYONE OVER.

I WANT TO CELEBRATE PA'S HOMECOMING.

I KNOW IT IS, HONEY.

I JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO WEAR YOURSELF OUT.

I WON'T.

I'LL TAKE THIS, AND YOU CAN BRING THE REST?

I THINK WE CAN MANAGE.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU SO FULL OF ENERGY.

SOMEBODY HAS TO KEEP THEIR SPIRITS UP AROUND HERE.

I BROUGHT YOU SOMETHING.

I SUPPOSE NOW IS AS GOOD A TIME AS ANY

TO GIVE IT TO YOU.

WHAT IS IT?

OPEN IT.

MY MOTHER GAVE IT TO ME WHEN I HAD YOU,

AND I ALWAYS PROMISED MYSELF I'D GIVE IT TO YOU

WHEN YOU HAD YOUR FIRST CHILD.

OH, MA, THE BREAD PLATE!

YOU NEVER LET US TOUCH IT. YOU SAID IT WAS SPECIAL.

IT IS.

THANK YOU.

I'LL TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT.

I PROMISE.

WELL, WE BETTER GET THIS FOOD ON THE TABLE.

COME ON, EVERYBODY. TIME TO EAT.

I'LL GET ALMANZO.

I WANT TO SIT BY CARRIE.

Laura: YOU SIT WHERE ELIZA JANE TOLD YOU TO SIT.

SHE'S WORKED THIS ALL OUT.

I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

WHAT YOU'VE GOT THERE?

IT'S MY NEW CROP. BROKEN GERANIUMS.

DID SUCH WONDERS WITH THE WHEAT,

I THOUGHT IT WAS TIME TO BRANCH OUT.

YOU'RE BEING A LITTLE HARD ON YOURSELF, DON'T YOU THINK?

AM I?

WELL, COME ON, SUPPER'S READY.

HERE IT IS, MRS. OLESON.

OH, HONESTLY. MORE ADVERTISING.

I TELL YOU, THE POSTAL SERVICE IS JUST GOING TO BE RUINED

IF THEY KEEP SENDING THIS STUFF THROUGH THE MAIL.

- TRUE. - GOOD AFTERNOON.

OH, HELLO, ELIZA JANE.

I'D LIKE TO MAIL THESE LETTERS. WHEN WILL THEY GO OUT?

FIRST THING TOMORROW MORNING.

THAT'LL BE FINE.

WELL, MY, MY, MY, YOU MUST MISS ALL YOUR FRIENDS IN MINNEAPOLIS.

WELL, SOMETIMES DISTANCE IS--

HOW LONG DO YOU THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE HERE?

WOULD YOU THINK YOU'LL GO BACK SOON?

THAT ALL DEPENDS ON THE OUTCOME OF THOSE LETTERS.

OH?

I'VE WRITTEN TO EVERYONE I KNOW IN MINNEAPOLIS

WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO OFFER ALMANZO A JOB,

A SIT-DOWN JOB.

AS SOON AS SOMETHING TURNS UP,

WE'LL SELL THE HOUSE,

AND ALMANZO AND LAURA WILL MOVE TO MINNEAPOLIS WITH ME.

IT'S THE PERFECT SOLUTION.

LAURA AND ALMANZO MOVE?

YES.

SOMETIMES THE ANSWER TO YOUR PROBLEMS IS SO SIMPLE

IT JUST STARES YOU IN THE FACE.

OH.

WELL, I PROMISED LAURA I'D LOOK AFTER ROSE THIS AFTERNOON.

I'D BEST BE GOING.

AH.

OH...

IT'S JUST LIKE NELLIE AND PERCIVAL.

IT JUST SEEMS LIKE ALL OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE ARE MOVING AWAY.

POOR CAROLINE.

[HAMMERING]

LAURA IS GETTING READY TO RIDE BACK TO TOWN WITH YOU.

SHE WANTED ME TO REMIND YOU.

SHE'S ALREADY REMINDED ME 4 TIMES HERSELF, HOW COULD I FORGET IT?

THIS RAMP SHOULD BE STURDY ENOUGH.

ONLY TEMPORARY. WON'T HAVE ANY TROUBLE TAKING IT UP

ONCE YOU GET OUT OF THAT CHAIR.

I DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO BE GETTING OUT OF THE CHAIR, CHARLES.

THAT'S RIDICULOUS. OF COURSE YOU ARE.

DOC BAKER GAVE YOU SOME EXERCISES. HOW ARE THEY COMING?

EXERCISES.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE EXERCISES?

NOTHING IF THEY WORK!

HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO FALL ON MY FACE

BEFORE I CONVINCE YOU AND EVERYBODY ELSE THAT I AM NOT GOING TO WALK?

YOU THINK I LIKE BEING IN THIS CHAIR?

I'M BEGINNING TO WONDER. YOU WORKED WITH YOUR ARM,

NOW YOU HAVE ALMOST FULL USE OF IT.

I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO TRY AND CONVINCE YOU.

I'M HAVING A HARD ENOUGH TIME ACCEPTING IT MYSELF.

ROSE IS ASLEEP.

I NEED YOU TO KEEP AN EYE ON HER UNTIL ELIZA JANE GETS BACK.

SURE.

YOU READY, PA?

YEAH.

CHARLES.

YEAH.

THANKS A LOT FOR PUTTING IN THE RAMP.

I REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT.

YOU'RE WELCOME, SON. HYAH.

MIND IF I ASK YOU A PERSONAL QUESTION?

OF COURSE NOT.

HOW ARE THINGS BETWEEN YOU AND ALMANZO?

AS GOOD AS CAN BE EXPECTED, CONSIDERING.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN, CONSIDERING?

I SLEEP IN ONE ROOM. HE SLEEPS IN ANOTHER.

HE HASN'T KISSED ME IN MONTHS.

EVERY TIME I TRY, HE...

HE JUST IGNORES ME.

YOU TRIED TALKING TO HIM?

IT'S ALWAYS THE SAME, PA.

HE SAYS IT'S NOTHING, HE'S JUST TIRED.

ALWAYS TIRED.

PA...

I CAN LIVE WITH HIS ILLNESS...

BUT NOT HIS SILENCE.

IT'S LIKE THERE'S A WALL AROUND HIM

AND NO ONE'S ALLOWED INSIDE, NOT EVEN ME.

IT'S LIKE I DON'T EVEN EXIST.

THE ONLY ONE HE SPENDS TIME WITH IS ELIZA JANE,

AND THAT'S JUST BECAUSE SHE DOES EVERYTHING FOR HIM.

[SIGHS] I WISH SHE HAD NEVER COME BACK HERE.

NOT MUCH OF A HOMECOMING FOR YOU, IS IT, PA?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, GIRL?

I CAME HOME TO A NEW GRANDDAUGHTER, DIDN'T I?

YOU'RE NEVER ALONE, HALF-PINT.

NOT EVER.

I KNOW.

WHOA!

YOU'RE SURE YOU DON'T WANT ME TO GIVE YOU A RIDE HOME?

I'M GOING TO GO TALK TO MA FOR A FEW MINUTES,

THEN I HAVE TO PICK SOME THINGS UP AT THE MERCANTILE.

I'LL ENJOY THE WALK HOME.

- THANKS, PA. - BYE, DARLING.

BYE-BYE.

HYAH!

WELL, I JUST THINK IT'S STRANGE THAT LAURA DIDN'T TELL YOU

THAT THEY ARE MOVING.

WELL, MAYBE THAT'S BECAUSE THEY AREN'T MOVING.

ELIZA JANE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE.

HI, MA.

AH, GOOD. LAURA. TELL YOUR MOTHER.

TELL YOUR MOTHER THAT IT'S TRUE.

WHAT'S TRUE?

THAT YOU AND ALMANZO

ARE MOVING TO MINNEAPOLIS WITH ELIZA JANE.

WHAT?

AH! IT'S A SECRET,

AND I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO TELL.

IT ISN'T A SECRET. IT'S JUST NOT TRUE.

YOU SEE?

WELL, PERHAPS YOU HAD BETTER DISCUSS IT WITH ELIZA JANE.

OBVIOUSLY SOMEBODY IS CONFUSED.

MM-HMM.

EXCUSE ME. HUH-HUH.

SHE MUST HAVE HEARD WRONG.

SHE MUST HAVE.

LAURA!

HI, DOC.

ELIZA JANE TELLS ME YOU'RE MOVING TO MINNEAPOLIS.

I'M GOING TO MISS YOU.

WE'RE NOT MOVING.

OH.

WELL, I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT.

BYE.

Woman: OH, LAURA!

WHEN ARE YOU MOVING TO MINNEAPOLIS?

WHEN IT SNOWS ON THE 4th OF JULY!

ELIZA JANE?

IN HERE, LAURA.

I'M GLAD YOU'RE BACK, LAURA.

ALMANZO AND I WERE JUST DISCUSSING

YOUR MOVING TO MINNEAPOLIS WITH ME.

IT SEEMS YOU'VE DISCUSSED IT WITH THE ENTIRE TOWN.

WHEN WERE YOU GOING TO LET ME IN ON THE PLAN?

LAURA...

DON'T YOU THINK I OUGHT TO HAVE ANY SAY IN THIS?

- OF COURSE. - WELL, THEN I SAY WE STAY HERE.

LAURA, I'M SORRY IF MY ENTHUSIASM CARRIED ME AWAY.

I SUPPOSE I SHOULD HAVE DISCUSSED THIS WITH YOU FIRST.

I SUPPOSE SO.

IT'S THE PERFECT SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEM.

IT MAY BE THE PERFECT SOLUTION TO YOU,

BUT I LOVE WALNUT GROVE,

AND I HAVE NO INTENTIONS OF LEAVING IT.

LAURA.

AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, THE SUBJECT IS CLOSED.

[DOOR CLOSES] OH, DEAR.

I GUESS I DIDN'T PRESENT THIS VERY WELL.

I'LL GO TALK TO HER.

[CAT MEOWING]

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

YOU CAN GET DOWN BY YOURSELF. COME ON.

HONESTLY.

COME ON. STOP IT.

YOU ALWAYS WERE ONE TO JUMP RIGHT IN AND GET THINGS DONE.

YOU USED TO BE THAT WAY YOURSELF.

ALMANZO, WHAT'S HAPPENED TO YOU?

YOU KNOW AS WELL AS I DO WHAT HAPPENED TO ME.

YOU'RE GIVING UP TOO EASILY.

YOU'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED IN CHANGING THINGS,

FIGHTING FOR WHAT YOU WANT.

I BELIEVE IN CHANGING WHAT I CAN.

I CAN'T CHANGE THIS, BETH.

I'VE TRIED.

THAT'S WHY I THINK THAT WE OUGHT TO TAKE ELIZA JANE UP ON HER OFFER.

NO!

I CAN'T WORK THIS FARM!

I CAN'T PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY!

NOW, AT LEAST IN MINNEAPOLIS I CAN EARN A LIVING.

OH, MANLY.

LET'S AT LEAST THINK ABOUT IT. ALL RIGHT?

BETH?

ALL RIGHT.

I'LL THINK ABOUT IT.

[CAT MEOWING]

THERE YOU GO.

SEE YOU IN THE MORNING.

HI.

HI.

YOU CAN'T SLEEP?

NO.

ME NEITHER.

THERE'S SO MANY THINGS TO THINK ABOUT.

I KNOW.

ELIZA JANE MAKES IT ALL SOUND SO WONDERFUL.

SHE SURE DOES.

IT'S SO HOT UPSTAIRS TONIGHT.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO BREEZE AT ALL.

IT'S NOT SO BAD DOWN HERE.

DO YOU MIND IF I SLEEP DOWN HERE TONIGHT?

BETH, PLEASE.

MANLY, TALK TO ME.

TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG. DON'T SHUT ME OUT.

I'M A CRIPPLE. YOU WANT TO LIE NEXT TO A CRIPPLE?

I WANT TO LIE NEXT TO MY HUSBAND.

HE DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE.

BETH?

MAYBE THINGS WILL BE BETTER...

IN THE CITY.

MAYBE.

FARM LIFE IS JUST TOO HARD FOR HIM RIGHT NOW.

IN THE CITY, HE COULD GET A JOB IN AN OFFICE.

HE'D BE WITH HIS FAMILY A LOT MORE.

NO MORE 16, 17-HOUR WORKDAYS.

OUR LIVELIHOOD WOULDN'T BE AT THE MERCY OF THE WEATHER.

AND THINK OF ROSE.

WE COULD PUT HER IN THE BEST SCHOOLS.

OH, COME ON NOW. YOU DON'T HAVE TO CONVINCE US.

IF YOU FEEL THIS IS WHAT'S RIGHT,

YOU KNOW WE'LL BE BEHIND YOU.

I ONLY WISH I COULD BE SURE IT IS THE RIGHT THING.

PA, I KNOW I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE,

BUT I HAVE TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR ALL OF US.

WHAT DO YOU THINK WE SHOULD DO?

WELL, IF I COULD SEE INTO THE FUTURE

AS WELL AS I DO THE PAST, I'D BE ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

Caroline: THE IMPORTANT THING IS

TO KEEP DISCUSSING IT WITH ALMANZO

AND NOT MAKE ANY HASTY DECISIONS.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

I GUESS I DON'T HAVE TO PACK MY BAGS TOMORROW.

I'D BETTER GET BACK.

I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE HIM ALONE TOO LONG.

HE STILL NEEDS MY HELP QUITE A BIT.

I'LL WALK YOU OUT.

WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO DRY?

THEY ALL HAVE TO LEAVE THE NEST.

OH, NOW, COME ON.

THEY HAVEN'T GONE YET. THEY MIGHT CHANGE THEIR MIND.

YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT A GOOD MIND TO GO OVER THERE

AND GIVE THAT ALMANZO WILDER A GOOD SHAKING.

WELL, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET IN LINE,

BECAUSE I'VE GOT A LITTLE SHAKING I'D LIKE TO DO MYSELF.

[CHUCKLES]

UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO LET THEM LIVE THEIR OWN LIVES.

OH, I KNOW.

I KNOW.

SEE HOW MUCH QUICKER A JOB GETS DONE

WHEN TWO PEOPLE DO IT TOGETHER?

- YEP. - HELLO, YOU TWO.

WELL, NO MAIL YET,

BUT I'M SURE SOMETHING WILL TURN UP IN A FEW DAYS.

I WONDER WHERE PEOPLE HANG THEIR CLEAN CLOTHES IN MINNEAPOLIS.

OH, LAURA, THEY HAVE CLOTHESLINES IN THE CITY, TOO.

YOU KNOW, IT MUST SEEM A LITTLE ALL DISTANT

AND FRIGHTENING RIGHT NOW,

BUT YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE IT RIGHT AWAY. I JUST KNOW YOU WILL.

I'M SURE YOU'RE RIGHT.

THERE'S A BEAUTIFUL LAKE WHERE WE CAN TAKE ROSE ON THE WEEKENDS.

AND, OH, ALMANZO, THERE'S THIS LITTLE PLACE RIGHT OUTSIDE THE CITY

THAT HAS THE MOST CURIOUS GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS.

I KNOW YOU'LL LIKE IT, ESPECIALLY.

AND THERE'S THE COLLEGE.

YOU CAN CONTINUE YOUR STUDIES, LAURA.

I'LL WATCH AFTER ROSE.

ELIZA JANE.

I ASKED ALMANZO TO HELP ME.

Almanzo: THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

I'VE GOT A LOT OF OTHER THINGS I'VE GOT TO DO.

WE CAN'T ALWAYS DO EVERYTHING FOR HIM.

HE NEEDS TO FEEL USEFUL.

YOU THINK HIS HANDING YOUR CLOTHESPINS MAKES HIM FEEL USEFUL?

HAVING A JOB, EARNING A LIVING, THAT WILL MAKE HIM FEEL USEFUL.

Mr. Walsh: HELLO THERE!

OH, THAT MUST BE MR. WALSH.

HE SAID HE MIGHT COME OUT AND HAVE A LOOK AT THE PROPERTY TODAY.

I'LL GET ALMANZO.

I CAN HANDLE IT.

IT'S OUR HOUSE THAT'S BEING SOLD, ELIZA JANE.

OF COURSE.

I'M SO GLAD YOU COULD MAKE IT, MR. WALSH.

ALMANZO, THERE'S SOMEONE HERE TO SEE THE PLACE.

I THINK YOU SHOULD SHOW THEM AROUND.

CAN'T ELIZA JANE SHOW HIM?

IT'S OUR HOUSE.

I'LL BE OUT IN A MINUTE.

CROPS HAVE BEEN GOOD LATELY?

Eliza Jane: VERY GOOD.

Laura: WELL, THAT'S NOT EXACTLY TRUE.

WE HAVEN'T HAD A DECENT CROP SINCE WE MOVED HERE.

- LAURA. - WELL, IT'S TRUE.

I MEAN, JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT OUR WHEAT FIELD WAS MONEY IN THE BANK,

A HAILSTORM CAME AND TOOK IT ALL AWAY FROM US.

Eliza Jane: BUT THAT HAPPENED TO EVERYONE.

IT WASN'T JUST US.

Laura: OUR WELL RUNS DRY PRETTY FAST.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DIG A NEW ONE.

AND THERE'S A WHOLE OTHER FIELD WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PLANT.

TOO ROCKY.

I SEE.

WELL, PERHAPS I'D BETTER THINK IT OVER SOME.

BUT YOU HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN THE HOUSE YET.

I'LL LET YOU KNOW, MISS WILDER.

HOW COULD YOU DO THAT?

BETH WAS JUST TELLING HIM THE FACTS.

YOU TWO ACT LIKE YOU DON'T WANT TO SELL.

FROM NOW ON, I'LL SHOW PEOPLE AROUND.

YOU'RE PROBABLY RIGHT. I'M SORRY, ELIZA JANE.

GIVE ME STRENGTH.

DEAR GOD, GIVE ME STRENGTH.