Original subtitles

To most of us ordinary human beings

Traveling on a wagon train is sheer hard work.

You eat equal parts of dust and sunlight,

and measure the miles with pounding headaches

spiced nicely with backaches.

That's us ordinary human beings,

but not the Lindstroms.

They enjoyed every moment

as though it was made only for them.

They sucked in the dusty air and made music out of it,

and they shouted it out

like the whole world was a stage

for an Italian opera.

Sometimes the Lindstrom kids made a brassy kind of a sound

that reminded me of a thousand crows

or the screech of a wagon wheel running dry.

That is, all except that oldest daughter

who had found a lad,

and if there was any sound at all,

it was like the purr of a kitten.

I've heard all that you've had to say.

Now I'd like you to listen me out.

Three weeks ago, when Mr. Lindstrom died,

we all felt very sorry for you,

for all of you.

We felt...

Well, I know these are poor words for saying it.

If there are any better ones,

I just don't know them.

I don't know what words you use to tell kids

how you feel about their father dying.

Mrs. Lindstrom,

there isn't a soul on this train,

not a single soul,

who doesn't admire you greatly,

for your courage,

the way you've handled your grief.

And you kids...

You kids took your father's passing like...

Like soldiers, every one of you.

We'd like to help you, if you'll let us.

In a few days,

we're going to be going near Dodge City.

We'd like to see your wagon safely there.

We'll give back the passage money that your husband paid us,

and that, together with the money that your friends on the train

have offered of their own free will,

should see you comfortably till you get back to your relatives in Boston.

Major Adams, I hope you and the wagon train people

won't think us any less appreciative

if we accept only your sympathy.

Mrs. Lindstrom, don't you under...

Major Adams, if you are going to tell us

what a woman left with seven children

may have to go through,

please spare yourself.

The children and I know what we may have to go through.

Now...

we must make our decision.

Inga.

We go ahead as planned.

Stig.

We go west to build a new home.

Lennart.

We stay with the wagon train.

Britt.

When we get where we are going,

we will build a house that the Indians can't get into.

Margit.

I think we should go all the way to the ocean.

When we get there, we'll build a garden and then go out and play.

Margaretha.

We'll go somewhere,

and there will be no one there to tease Bo

and laugh at him because he can't talk.

I speak for Bo too.

We shall go ahead.

That's quite an outfit.

You know, if anybody can make a go of homesteading,

I'll bet my bottom dollar on Mrs. Lindstrom and those kids.

Kids? Huh!

Those little Vikings.

You ought to sit in on one of their family councils of war sometime.

I never did see an Army general staff meeting

that made their decisions as positively as that family does, by golly.

Wouldn't they take your advice?

Oh, it wasn't that so much.

I can't quite get used to this newfangled idea

of kids that are still wet behind the ears

telling their grownups what they will do

and what they won't do.

I know Swedes are fine people, but, by golly,

they can sure get bullheaded sometimes.

Did you ever figure what caused Lindstrom's death?

No, I never did.

One night he had a stomachache,

and the next morning, he was dead.

Well, looks like the Lindstroms got over their grief real quick.

Yep.

I don't know what it is with that family.

Just real courage, I guess.

I know they were all hurt and upset,

but none of them showed it.

How come they stayed on the train?

Wasn't my idea, I guarantee you that.

They just had a meeting of the whole family

and come back and told me they were gonna stay with the train.

After the funeral, I didn't have the heart to argue with them.

You know, that little fellow, Bo,

while I was reading the Lord's Prayer,

I remember seeing him out of the corner of my eye.

Crawled up on his own daddy's grave,

and he started playing there

just like it was his own private sand pile.

Mrs. Lindstrom and the kids,

they just paid him no mind,

like it was perfectly natural.

You know, I'll bet that family could handle anything.

Yeah, so would I. Come on, son.

Water.

W-A-T-E-R.

Good. Gem.

Mrs. Lindstrom!

Mrs. Lindstrom, we're about ready to roll!

Very well.

Do your chores. The Major's ready to move.

On your way. Come on!

Last one out's a monkey's uncle!

GIRL: Wait a minute! Come back here!

Oh, Major Adams, if you can spare a moment,

there's a favor I'd like to ask of you.

Sure, ma'am.

Well, Mrs. Lindstrom, what's this about a favor?

You mentioned last night that we would be close

to Dodge City in a few days.

That's right. As a matter of fact,

we'll be just about one day's ride at our closest point.

Could you hold the wagon train long enough for me to go into town?

Well, I should say I could.

I'll personally drive the wagon in myself,

and I'll see that you and the children are all settled.

Oh, no, Major, you misunderstand me.

We're not taking the wagon into town.

We haven't changed our plans.

I'd like to see a doctor while there's still an opportunity.

You won't me to hold this train up two whole days...?

Mrs. Lindstrom, enough is enough!

After all, you and your family

have held up this train days already as it is.

I know it's not your fault, but facts are facts.

I-I...!

What do you want to see a doctor here for, anyway?

These country doctors are only good to set bones

and deliver babies.

That's very clever of you, Major.

You see, I'm going to have another baby.

You're gonna what?!

You'd better stop thrashing around

in these tight quarters,

or we'll have some broken bones

for the doctor too.

All right, Mrs. Lindstrom,

I'll take you to town.

And if I seem gruff, I-I'm sorry.

You know, I think I'll see that doctor myself

and have my head examined.

You and your children are going to drive me to drink,

and that's the best idea I've had in days.

Bo, dear...

your father has left you

the most wonderful present in the world.

Oh, Soren...

Soren!

Oh, Soren!

Bang! Bang! I got you!

BOY: Bang! Bang!

Bo, wait a minute! Lennart!

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

♪ Now the day is over ♪

♪ Night is drawing nigh ♪

♪ Shadows of the evening ♪

♪ Steal across the sky ♪

Say your prayers.

Amen.

Good night.

Good night.

Fitz! Fitz!

I must have fallen asleep.

I gave up hoping you'd come.

I-I shouldn't have.

I don't know why I did.

I'm glad you came.

I've never done anything like this before.

You make it sound like we're doing something wrong.

If it isn't wrong, why do we feel so strange?

Why are we hiding?

We aren't hiding Inga.

A man and a woman have a right to be alone and talk and...

Eighteen isn't a full-grown man, Fitz.

My father was married at 18.

My mother had me when she was 16.

That's as old as you.

Do you think your mother and father snuck out

to meet in the middle of the night to be together?

Oh, sure, why not?

Don't you think your mother and father ever wanted to be alone?

When Father wanted to be alone with Mother,

he'd only worry about one thing.

What?

Convincing Mother.

But if Mother wanted to be alone with Father...

What?

He wouldn't have had a chance.

Injuns!

Indians?

Where?

Where?

Nothin'.

Vikings, I call 'em.

You'd never know by looking at them

what they'd already been through.

You would never suspect that they had a moment's concern

about what lay ahead,

and whenever I felt them trying,

I just told myself,

"This woman and her seven children

"dare to take on the wilderness

on its own terms."

Tomorrow, Major Adams will take me into the town.

I will go and see the doctor,

and after he's told me what we already know...

I will go to the store and buy each of you a surprise.

ALL: Oh, boy!

To bed now.

Let's go.

Come on.

Oh, up we go.

'Night-'night.

Good night, everybody.

Now, mind what I told you...

No fighting, no noisy games.

We can't expect our neighbors to be

as patient with you as I am.

You will treat Inga as your mother

until I get back.

Goodbye.

Bye, Mother! Bye, Ma!

All right, Charlie, let's go. Get out of here.

Goodbye!

All right, who wants to play hide and seek?

I do! I do! I do!

All right, Stig, you're it!

Come on, let's hide! Come on, quick!

Major, you must have lots of chores to do while you're in town,

so why don't you get started?

After all, Mr. Wooster can help me register and find my room,

and that's all I have to do until I go to the doctor.

That's fine, ma'am.

I do have a lot of things to do.

I'll see you later.

That will do us very nicely for the moment, Mrs. Lindstrom.

Make yourself comfortable, and I'll be as quick as I can.

There are just a few tests I want to examine

before we have a nice little chat.

Well, now...

where shall we begin?

Doctor, this is my eighth child.

You can save yourself the trouble of explaining prenatal care.

Yes, you did tell me you have seven children.

There's nothing like a large, old-fashioned family.

You know, it's a shame how the youngsters these days

feel that two or three children are sufficient.

I think you and your husband are very fortunate people.

Doctor, my husband died over four weeks ago.

I'd be grateful if you'd tell me what I came to hear

so I could be on my way.

Won't you sit down?

You see, I promised that I would buy each of the children a trinket,

and, as evening is coming on,

I'd not like the stores to be closed.

Yes, of course.

I'm very sorry about your husband. That's a real tragedy.

And seven children.

What was the cause of Mr. Lindstrom's death?

I-I don't know. I'd really rather not talk about it.

Mrs. Lindstrom, I think you ought to answer my questions.

You say you are here because your last child was born deaf and dumb,

and you are certain it is due to the measles

you had during the pregnancy,

and you want to be sure that you do nothing to harm another child.

Well, then, answer my questions.

I'm sorry, Doctor, I'll answer your questions.

You say your husband died of an unknown disease?

Yes, one night he had a severe pain in his abdomen,

and he was dead next morning.

Did anybody else in the family have anything similar

at that time or afterwards?

No.

Did anybody on the wagon train have a similar illness?

No, it wasn't a contagious disease. We were sure of that.

Since your husband died

and you are continuing on with the wagon train,

for my records, I would like the name of the next of kin

who is accompanying you west now.

Oh, you mean you want the names and ages of my children.

No, madam, I thought I made myself clear.

I want the name of the responsible adult who is accompanying you,

for my records.

We have no kin on the wagon.

Where are you from?

I'm from Boston. My husband was from Sweden.

Well, then, give me the name of the kin you expect to be with

when you get to your destination.

We have no family in the West.

Am I to understand that you and seven children,

with the youngest handicapped,

are continuing on to the West Coast

without having anybody to rely on in case of trouble?

That's right, Doctor.

If you'll forgive me for saying so,

I don't think this is any of your business.

It is my business as long as you're in my office as a patient.

Now, you can walk out of here and disregard everything I've got to say,

but I'm going to say it.

Do you think you can have your baby out there

on the prairie like an Indian, alone?

Do you think you've been fair to your children,

taking them so far from civilization?

Nothing is going to happen, Doctor.

As for having a baby, my daughter is woman enough

and my sons are adult enough to help me,

as much as midwives with superstitions.

Madam,

not only as a doctor, but as a friend,

I ask you to reconsider this foolhardy plan of yours.

Stay here in Dodge City, at least for a while,

and I'll do everything I can to help you.

Doctor, do I have to worry about my unborn child?

You need not concern yourself about your unborn child.

Then there is nothing more that we need to discuss.

I believe that is correct.

Good day, Doctor.

Ha! Seven, that's a winner! Pay 'em.

That's what I come here for.

Ahh.

Eleven!

That's the stuff! Pay 'em off, boy!

Mrs. Lindstrom wants you to know

she's finished with the doctor.

Also, she's changed her plans.

She don't want to stay in town overnight;

she wants to go back to the wagon train right away.

Pay 'em off, man.

She said to get you right away.

What shall I tell her? Hah!

Snake eyes!

Will you get out of here?

Go back and tell her you couldn't find me!

Yes, sir!

I ain't doin' this...!

Good evening.

A man and woman came into town today off the wagon train.

The woman's at the hotel. Where's the man?

That's him, Doc.

His name is Adams. Major Adams.

He's the boss of the wagon train.

Want to buy him a drink?

No, Sam. Thanks for the information.

All right, come on, we can make it.

Six-deuce! Come on, six-deuce!

Major Adams?

I told you to tell her you couldn't find me.

It's important that I talk to you.

Mister, I don't know what your game is,

but why don't you try to sell me something

a little bit later on, will you?

Little bit later won't do.

I want to talk to you right now.

Well, go ahead and talk.

Come on, eight.

I'm a doctor, Dr. Vincent Monroe.

Howdy, Doc, how are you? It's about Mrs. Lindstrom.

Mrs. Lindstrom?

She was in to see me,

and now I want to talk to you, in my office.

Cash these in, Joe.

Give me credit for them.

Mrs. Lindstrom? Yes?

I couldn't find the Major, ma'am.

How could you not find him? He's in the Palace Saloon.

I looked. Honest, he ain't there.

Well, I saw him go into the saloon.

I know he's there.

Want to leave it ride?

There was a man in here by the name of Adams.

Where did he go?

I don't know no Adams, ma'am.

Nonsense. If a man has silver in his pockets,

you know his name.

Yes, ma'am. That's better.

Now, I want you to find Major Adams

and tell him if he's not ready to leave in an hour,

Mrs. Lindstrom is returning to the wagon train by herself.

Thank you.

What happened to Major Adams?

What does everybody want Major Adams for?

I ain't gonna tell you nothing about my customers!

Don't you know that bartenders are swore to secrecy,

just like a doctor?

I didn't know that. Thank you.

Under the circumstances,

I felt it would be quite ethical to tell you.

Besides, I had no other choice.

What'd she do, Doc? How'd you tell her?

Mrs. Lindstrom only wanted a doctor for assurance

that she need not worry about her next child

having the same afflictions as her last.

But you did tell her.

I answered her question with the truth and a lie at the same time.

I told her that she need not be concerned about her unborn child.

Doc, is there any possible chance that you could be wrong?

No.

You see, there are two courses open

to a doctor in a situation like this.

One is to tell the patient,

and the other is to spare them

the mental grief as long as possible.

Now, I need your advice on this case

because I don't know Mrs. Lindstrom well enough

to make the decision alone.

Well, Doc...

from what I know of this woman...

And, believe me, I know her...

There's only one thing to do.

You've got to tell her, and right now.

Thank you, Major. That's what I think.

I needed your assurance.

It would be cruel to be wrong.

If you will ask Mrs. Lindstrom to come to my office in the morning,

I'll tell her.

Thank you, Doctor.

You know, Mrs. Lindstrom,

you don't know the Major like I do.

He just don't take kindly to people making plans for him, that's all.

Possibly boil me in oil right now if he knew I was helping you.

I can almost hear him. Yep.

Ho, down there!

Hold up!

Wooster!

Oh, I told you.

Whoa!

Wooster, get off of that wagon.

Yes, sir.

You take this horse. I'll see you back in camp.

Yes, sir.

Oh, Major, put all the blame on me.

Mr. Wooster had no choice.

I made him come.

I'd be truly sorry if any of my doings ruined a friendship.

Well, ma'am, don't you ever tell him,

but I'd have boiled him in oil if he hadn't have helped you.

Come on, Mike, heave.

Oh, Major, do we have to go back to town?

I want so much to get home to the children.

Well, ma'am...

Do me this one more favor.

W-we...

All right.

Mike, Manny. Get along there.

You know, I searched everywhere for you.

I went places a lady shouldn't go.

Well, it just so happens, ma'am, I was having a talk with Dr. Monroe.

Well!

That's one place I would never have thought of looking for you,

in a million years!

Dr. Monroe.

I know he didn't have anything nice to say about me.

Oh, it's not true, ma'am.

Oh, the doctor says that everything will be all right with my baby.

That's fine.

Major, it seems to me that you're unduly quiet.

Are you annoyed with me for changing my mind

and insisting we go back tonight?

For some silly reason,

I couldn't stand not seeing the children for another minute.

Can you understand that?

Yes'm, I suppose I can.

Besides, it's such a lovely night.

Would have been so hot and stuffy in the hotel room.

It's so nice and balmy out here.

It's just a perfect night.

You really should be thankful to me.

I've probably saved you lots of money.

You would have stayed up all night gambling,

then you would have been mad as a wet hen

tomorrow when you had to drive

all day long in the hot sun

without any sleep or without any money.

Yes'm, I... suppose I would.

Whoa. Whoa.

Let 'em get a little drink here, huh?

Maybe you'd like to get down, huh?

Yes, thank you.

We've come a good distance.

We can't be far from the wagon train.

No, we're not over half an hour, I should say.

We'll be there by sunup.

Oh, how very nice.

I particularly look forward to seeing the sun come up this morning.

Major Adams, is something troubling you?

You know when you came in the saloon looking for me?

I wasn't hiding. I was with Dr. Monroe.

I know. You told me.

The doctor asked me to his office.

He wanted to talk to me.

Are you keeping something from me?

Did the doctor tell you something about me?

Yes.

Yes, he did.

He also asked me a question.

He asked me if I thought he should tell you.

And I told him I thought he should,

but now it looks like I've got to tell you myself.

And this is the toughest job I've ever had to do in my life.

Mrs. Lindstrom...

you're not going to have a child.

The doctor told me that he...

he found a large and deadly growth, and...

How much time...?

How much time did he say I would have to live?

Five or six weeks.

Maybe less.

He was sure?

He was sure.

Ohh!

My babies!

My babies!

Oh.

I must see the children. I have so much to do.

I'll take you into town, then I'll go get the children.

No.

No, I must get back to the wagon train.

Mrs. Lindstrom, I can have you in town in a few short hours,

then I'll go get the kids and the wagon and I'll bring 'em to you.

Isn't that more sensible?

Please take me back to the wagon train.

Didn't the doctor think anything could be done?

I'll need your help.

I'll do anything I can.

You mustn't tell anyone.

I want the children to hear it first from me.

Don't you worry, ma'am. I'll tell nobody.

And so that's all I know about it.

Dr. Monroe is a good doctor and a good man,

and there's no reason not to believe him completely.

And we must face the truth.

Are they having another one of those family powwows like you were talking about?

How long we gonna wait for 'em?

I don't know how long.

We may have to rot here as far as I know.

Just mind your own galdarn business, will you?

Yes, sir.

Now, tell me,

do you understand exactly what I've said?

Margit.

Who's gonna take care of us?

Well, it's very important that we find an answer to that question.

What do you think we can do, Stig?

I'll take care of all of us.

I know.

You and Inga are both almost grown up,

and it's a very good idea,

but I'm not sure it's the best idea.

We should find foster parents.

Nobody would want all of us.

We could find one home for the boys

and one for the girls.

No.

I think it'd be a better idea

if no more than two of us went with one family.

That'll be hard enough.

That's very practical thinking, Inga.

How do you find foster parents?

They have a home in Boston that the kids live in

till someone takes them out.

I know the place. It's just like a jail.

MARGARETHA: I don't want to go to jail.

See how smart you are, Lenn.

You've upset Margaretha.

Mother, we can't even get to Boston before...

Do you think Dodge City will have enough families to take care of us?

Oh, I think it would be very difficult in Dodge City.

You see, we don't know anybody there,

and they don't know us.

We should stay with the wagon train.

We know everybody...

The families, the children...

And they know us.

If we were to tell them our problem,

I'm sure they'd help us.

Inga, that's a good idea.

If we stay with the wagon train,

we'll still see the ocean.

I think you should see the ocean, Margit.

I think you should all look as far ahead,

as far across the horizon, as you can.

If you look a big way, you'll be big people,

and if you look a little way,

you will be unhappy little people.

I want to be real big.

I betcha I could live with Mr. Meecher.

He's a real nice man, and I know he'd like a boy,

'cause he only has two girls.

I like the Crowder family.

I think we're ready to make some plans.

These are very important plans,

and I don't want to rush you,

but the wagon train is waiting to move,

and there are other people to consider.

So, let's decide.

Inga.

We should stay with the wagon train

and make our homes with the people we know.

Stig?

I think that's the best idea.

Lennart?

The people on the train are nicer than the people in the city.

I think we should stay with them.

Britt?

I'm really not afraid of Indians.

Margit?

I want to see the ocean.

Margaretha.

I don't want to go back to the city.

They laughed at Bo,

and now they'll laugh at all of us!

Stig,

will you go and tell Major Adams

the Lindstroms are staying with the wagon train?

Yes, mother.

Thank him for his patience. Tell him we're ready to move.

I think we should keep this problem in the family.

You see, if people knew,

they might accept you out of pity.

You must search for love, not pity,

so let's keep it a family secret.

Major Adams.

Mother wants you to know our plans.

We're staying with the wagon train.

She wants me to thank you for your patience,

and she said to tell you not to wait on us any longer.

We're ready to go.

Thanks.

Well, I'll be.

All right, let's get.

Come on, folks, load up.

Mount up, we're gonna roll.

All right, come on, get ready to roll.

I didn't even try to argue with them this time.

I felt that they were right all the way,

and whether I liked it or not,

I was in the family's confidence.

I knew their plans.

I knew the children were searching

for foster homes for themselves

among the wagon train families,

and I knew that, guided by Mrs. Lindstrom,

they would find the right family for each child.

The only thing I didn't know... And the thought plagued me...

Was what was to become of,

who was going to take care of little Bo?

I wondered how this woman,

who seemed to be able to overcome any obstacle,

was going to overcome the future

for that little fellow.

Of all the families, Lennart and I think

that the Sanfords would be best for us.

Isn't that right, Lennart?

Mr. Sanford has bad rheumatism in his back,

and he told me that he didn't know how he got along

without my helping him with the chores.

He keeps wanting me to take money.

I think the Sanfords will be real nice foster parents

for Margit and me.

I'll talk to the Sanfords.

I'm pleased you chose them.

I think they'll be very good for you both.

And so, arrangements have been made for Inga,

Stig, Margaretha,

and now, if the Sanfords adopt you and Lennart,

we'll all know where we're going.

Except for Bo.

My precious Bo.

Children, you must get ready for bed.

Inga.

Inga, what's happened?

Why are you treating me like I did something wrong?

All right, maybe I did.

If I did, I don't know what it is.

I'll apologize anyway.

Honest, Inga, you've been like a stranger for days.

Look, if you don't like me anymore, just tell me.

I promise not to trouble you.

If you weren't such a baby, you'd have enough decency to at least answer me.

That's what you're acting like...

Just like a baby with no tongue!

Oh, leave me alone!

Inga, would you do me a favor, please?

Will you tell your mother I'd like to talk to her alone?

Tell her I'll wait for her out here.

Thank you, Inga.

Hey, what's the matter with you, Bub?

You kind of look like a sick calf.

Well, I am sick, Major.

I'm sick and tired of the way Inga's been treating me.

The whole Lindstrom family's carrying on

like the rest of the people in the train are feuding with them,

all picking friends and sides

like there's gonna be open war.

You'd better mind your tongue, boy,

and your temper too.

I'm liable to sting your ear

till you won't be able to judge people so loosely for a while.

Will you do me a favor, Major Adams?

I'll do nothing unless you change your manner.

Will you tell Inga...

'Evening, ma'am. 'Evening.

My apologies, Mrs. Lindstrom,

for not coming straight to you, but...

what I have to say to you,

I didn't want anyone else to hear.

There are no apologies needed, Major.

I just wanted you to know that I have no worries

about your children being welcomed into

the homes of their foster parents.

There's a lot of nice people on this wagon train.

They're going to be eternally grateful to you

for entrusting the care of your children to them.

Thank you.

I hoped it would be so.

Otherwise, we wouldn't have burdened you

by staying with the train.

But you didn't call me out here to talk about that, did you?

No, ma'am, I-I didn't.

It's like I said,

lot of nice people on this train,

but they're practical people too,

getting settled in their new homes and all that sort of thing.

And, well, what I'd like to say to you is that...

I don't think you should blame them too much if they...

You want to know who's going to take my seventh child.

That's right.

I've been afraid to ask myself that question,

let alone you.

But we've done pretty well so far,

facing the issues squarely as they come up.

I see no reason why we shouldn't go whole hog.

I-I don't know.

I just don't know.

And he needs more love and care than all the others.

You said you'd help me. You said you'd do anything.

What can I do, Mrs. Lindstrom?

Do you want me to take Bo?

You want me to raise him?

I've thought of that.

I've thought about it seriously, believe me.

But how can a man who lives on a different piece of ground

every day of his life raise a child?

It just won't work.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Lindstrom, it won't work.

But I can guarantee you one thing.

This is why I've asked you out here to talk to me.

Maybe this'll give you some peace of mind.

I'll take the little fellow,

and I'll put him in the best school I can find.

If he ever has to be boarded out,

I'll look in on him just as often as I can,

and I promise you, he'll never want for money

or anything else that I can give.

Give Bo your love.

If you can't give him that,

we don't want anything from you.

As for a school or boarding him out, I...

I'd rather see him dead!

By the time we had traveled a few more miles

and a few more days had gone by,

I was growing desperate.

I couldn't forget the words Mrs. Lindstrom spoke:

"I'd rather see him dead."

I knew that she had made

all of the adoption arrangements

for the other children.

If there was anything sad about a mother

having to give away her children,

it was lost in the bigger problem

of what was to become of the one she couldn't give away?

Mrs. Lindstrom's time was running out,

and so was mine.

I just had to make a decision.

"The buffalo is a species of wild ox

that is found only in North America."

See?

STIG: Aw, that doesn't look like 'em!

Oh, it does too.

"Its long, shaggy mane gives it

a heavy and sullen appearance..."

Yes?

Mrs. Lindstrom, may I come in?

Of course, Major, come in.

I'd like to talk to you.

I, uh...

it occurs to me that...

maybe this is none of my business... I don't know.

If you think I'm talking out of turn,

please stop me, but something has occurred to me that...

That makes me think that I've found the solution

to all of our problems,

and it's so close, it's right under our noses.

With all your troubles, Mrs. Lindstrom,

you may not have noticed that your young daughter, Inga, here,

has sufficiently grown up to accept the serious attentions of a young man.

I don't see that that's any of your business, Major Adams.

Besides, if there was anything between Fitz and me,

it's all over with.

Well, that's not what Fitz told me.

Now, what could he have told you?

Well, he...

he, uh, told me that he loved you,

and that he wanted you to marry him.

Oh, that's not true, Mommy.

He never asked me to marry him.

He never even told me he loved me.

Honest, Mommy.

Well, what kind of a young man is this

who tells you he loves Inga and wants to marry her

but doesn't tell Inga?

He's a very fine young man, Mrs. Lindstrom,

strong, healthy, capable,

and I assure you he's able to take a wife.

The only reason that he hasn't asked Inga before

is because that, right from the first

when you told your family what was ahead of them,

Inga thought that she must give up everything.

Is this true, Inga?

Yes, Mommy.

But what difference does it make now?

Oh, it could make a lot of difference.

I'm truly sorry I wasn't the mommy you needed

to help you through your first love.

I ask you to forgive me.

Oh, Mommy, I love you so much.

Do you love Fitz?

That is his name, isn't it?

James Fitzpatrick.

Yes, I love him very, very much.

If he were to ask you, would you marry him?

Mrs. Lindstrom,

I'm afraid I broke my promise to you.

I had to tell young Fitzpatrick.

He was so lovesick,

that if I hadn't have told him,

he'd have left this train.

We'd never seen hide nor hair of him again.

I didn't want him to leave Inga

until he knew exactly why you had treated him as you had.

He didn't go away?

No. No, he hasn't gone away.

As a matter of fact, I think he's probably

walking up and down just outside this wagon, waiting for you.

But he wanted me to say...

He said, "Major, please ask her

if she'll please become my wife."

And he wanted you to bring with you

a dowry,

and that dowry is to be...

little Bo,

so that he can grow up with the rest of the Fitzpatricks.

Oh, Mommy!

Oh!

Oh, Mommy, what should I do?

Yes.

Stig? Yes!

Lennart? Yes!

Britt? Yes!

Margit? Yes!

Margaretha?

I want to get married too!

MARGARETHA: Mommy, when can I get married?

STIG: Can I get that bed?

Life is real, life is earnest,

and the grave is not thy goal.

"Dust thou art; to dust returneth"

was not spoken of the soul.

♪ Roll along, wagon train ♪

♪ Rollin' over prairie where there ain't no grass ♪

♪ Rollin' over mountains where there ain't no pass ♪

♪ Sittin' on a board, eyein' the weather ♪

♪ Prayin' to the Lord we stay together ♪

♪ Side by side on the wagon train ♪

♪ Wagon train ♪

♪ Roll along ♪

♪ Pickin' up a passenger in every town ♪

♪ Wonderin' if he's ever gonna shoot you down ♪

♪ Lookin' for a pal, ain't it a pity ♪

♪ Lookin' for a gal, needn't be pretty ♪

♪ If she'll ride on the wagon train ♪

♪ Wagons ho! ♪

♪ Gotta keep 'em on the run ♪

♪ Time to go ♪

♪ And follow the sun ♪

♪ Roll along ♪

♪ Wagon train ♪

♪ Never had a cabin near a general store ♪

♪ Only had a wagon and a .44 ♪

♪ Sittin' on a board, eyein' the weather ♪

♪ Prayin' to the Lord we stay together ♪

♪ Side by side on the wagon train ♪