Original subtitles

Hurry up, Mary. Pa'll be home any minute!

Mary: I'm coming.

Oh, my goodness!

Sorry, ma.

It's all right. It's out of the oven.

Mary: Oh... wow.

That looks so good!

Can I have the bowl when...

I want the bowl!

Did you bring the candles?

- Yeah, right here. - Oh, good.

I'll bet pa's going to be surprised.

I don't think he even remembers it's his own birthday!

- Aren't they pretty? - Oh, very nice.

He didn't say one word!

Well, I think your pa enjoys playing the birthday game

as much as we do.

Laura: I can't wait till he sees what we got him.

Mary: Won't be long. He's bringing the team in now.

I'll go with him.

Oh, all right, Mary,

but don't make it seem like anything special.

I won't.

I'll put the candles on the cake.

I'll clean the bowl.

Oh, no, you won't! I'll clean the bowl!

Oh, that's all right, girls. I'll clean the bowl.

Laura: Oh, ma, please!

Here.

How's the new horse, pa?

I'll be glad when Judy's leg's

well enough for her to work again.

This one's a little bit skittish.

Ma'd like you to get washed up

so you won't be late for supper.

All right. Tell her as soon as I unhitch the team.

Oh, I can take them into the barn... feed them, stable them.

I swear I can't figure out why

everybody's being so nice to me today.

Not some special day, is it?

Ha ha! All right, I'll wash up.

Oh, uh, p... pa,

Mary: Don't go in the house.

Why don't you get washed up in the creek?

Why, is something going on in the house I shouldn't see?

Well... not...

Don't worry. I'll wash up in the creek.

Come on.

Jack, stop it!

Jack!

Jack, go away!

Mary: Jack, move!

Whoa! Whoa!

Easy. Easy, girl.

Whoa, girl.

Whoa.

Mary: No, Jack!

Get out!

Ahh!

Mary?

Mary!

Mar...

Mary!

Mary, you all right?

I'm fine, pa. Honest.

Are you sure?

Yeah. I'm afraid Jack doesn't like that new horse.

Don't worry about Jack, as long as you're all right.

I'm just dirty. Now we both need to get washed up.

Why don't you go ahead? I'll put the horse up.

Okay.

You sure you're okay?

Yeah. I'm fine.

Go on.

Well, now, I wonder what we've got here?

Hurry up and open it!

I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying.

Well...

We picked the fabric.

Laura: Mr. Oleson had it on special.

You're kidding. He had this on special?

Well, what is this? Oh, I know what it is.

This is to catch butterflies with, isn't it?

Laura: No, it's a nightcap!

Oh, a ni... I should have known that. Yes.

It's got a little tassel on there. Let me just try it on.

Let's see. Get my tassel right. Fits.

- How's it look? - Perfect.

Me and Carrie made it.

Well, it's beautiful. I love it. Thank you, darling.

Happy birthday.

Thank you. I love my nightcap.

Happy birthday, pa.

Oh, thank you, lovey.

Charles: Oh, and I've got more here!

What... well, wait a minute.

What have we here?

Matching outfit, huh?

Ma cut the pattern, but I did most of the sewing. You like it?

Like it? I love it! Boy, nice and warm, too.

I'll tell you what my best present was today,

and that was your not getting hurt.

For me, too.

We're so lucky it wasn't worse.

Mm-hmm.

Well, now, come on.

Let's see how I look.

Huh? What do you think?

Won't have any trouble finding me on the way to the outhouse, will you?

I love it. Thank you.

Hello, Mary!

Mary: Hi, pa!

Girls: Ah!

90. I have 10 more than you, Laura Ingalls, 100.

I win.

You haven't won anything yet, Nellie oleson.

It's Mary's turn.

Any time you're ready.

I'll turn!

You play fair, Nellie oleson.

Start out slow!

You're afraid she can't do it.

Am not!

Mary: I said I was ready.

All right. Come on, Willie.

Laura: 1, 2, 3, 4,

5... come on, Mary, you can do it...

6, 7, 8...

Oh!

Mary, what's the matter?

I don't know.

Nellie: She couldn't do it.

Nellie: I win.

She could beat you any old day, Nellie oleson.

Laura: It's just that she wasn't feeling very good right now.

That new horse of pa's really did hurt you, didn't he?

I don't feel good.

Nellie: Hurt by a horse?

Some people will say anything to excuse losing.

If I had the time,

I'd punch you right in the nose, Nellie oleson.

Let me try to help you.

No... I'll... I'll be all right.

Just... just leave me a minute.

I'm going to go get pa.

Pa! Pa!

Does that hurt when I press?

Mostly when you let go.

Mary, have you had any nausea the last few days?

What's that?

Doctor: Upset stomach.

Oh.

I don't remember.

Mary, the doctor can't help you

if you don't tell him everything.

Now, have you had an upset stomach?

A little, I guess.

Why didn't you say something?

I can't stand the taste of paregoric.

Ma was sure to give me some.

Well, we're lucky.

There's no sign of an infection.

I feel better now, doctor.

Truth of the matter is, I should have brought her in before this.

She had a little problem with a horse out in the barn.

Got kicked pretty good.

Well, that would explain a number of things.

Doctor: I'd say between that and trying to do 50 whatnots,

it's enough to give anyone a pain in the side.

Laura: 100 red hots.

Doctor: Well, whatever.

I'm sorry.

Don't be. I hate the taste of paregoric.

Charles, I think it would be wise to take her home now,

keep her in bed for a couple of days.

Could well be just a muscle spasm.

But you tell your pa if you have any more of those attacks.

Yes, sir.

Paregoric or no paregoric, you tell me.

Thanks, doctor.

Laura, you might check on the desk.

Doctor: I think there may still be

some sour balls left in that jar.

None for you.

Can I get one for Carrie, too?

Sure.

You keep doling out all that candy, doc,

you're going to have more patients in here than you know what to do with.

Well, it's the secret of my success, Charles.

If they don't get sick on the candy,

I get to work on their teeth later.

- Thank you, doctor. - Thank you.

Thank you, Dr. Baker.

I'll see to it she gets to bed right away.

Mary?

You shouldn't be up.

I... I just needed a drink of water.

Oh, Mary, you're burning up with fever.

Charles: Caroline?

Charles, this child is burning up with fever.

Hey. When did this start?

I don't know. Yesterday, she was fine.

Today I could hardly keep her in bed.

Do you have any pain in your side at all?

Charles: Mary, now come on, answer me.

Do you have any pain at all in your side?

A little.

But I'll be all right, pa.

Why don't you get her back to bed?

I'll get Dr. Baker. I won't be long.

Come on, Mary. I'll bring you some water.

I don't want to be any trouble, ma.

Oh, now, don't you worry.

Come on, I'll put you in our bed.

How does that feel?

It hurts a little.

More than when I examined you in my office?

A little.

How's she doing?

Well, fever's dropped.

She'll feel a lot better when she gets some of that broth.

Not too much, Caroline.

Don't want her losing her girlish figure.

Oh, we won't let that happen.

Since I got you up at the crack of dawn,

the least I can do is get you a cup of coffee, doc.

Thank you.

Carrie: Is Mary going to be all right?

Charles: She's going to be fine, sweetheart.

Why don't you and your sister scoot off to sunday school?

I don't want you to be late.

Laura: Aren't you coming?

Charles: Yeah. I'll join you there.

I'm going to talk to Dr. Baker.

All right, pa. Bye, Dr. Baker.

Carrie: Bye, Dr. Baker. Bye, pa.

- Bye. - Bye, darling.

Here you go.

Thank you.

All right, what is it?

Well, there's always a possibility of an error, Charles,

but I believe Mary has an infection of the intestine.

As long as you know what it is,

then you can do something about it.

I can't.

Frankly, I'm not capable of that kind of surgery.

Surgery?

Mary has to have an operation?

Well, I could be wrong, Caroline,

but I'd hoped her temperature

would drop back to normal,

the pain would go away.

But that hasn't happened.

All right, what do we do now?

She needs a fine surgeon

and a good hospital.

To be safe, you should take her to Rochester.

How much time do we have?

It's hard to say,

but I don't feel comfortable about this.

The sooner the better.

I understand. We'll take the night train to Rochester.

Good.

When I get back to town,

I'll see that a wire gets to Rochester.

They'll be expecting you.

Thank you.

If I had just taken care of those horses myself,

this never would have happened.

Charles, you don't know that.

I asked her if she was hurt in the barn.

She never had any pain before that.

Well, if it was, it was an accident,

pure and simple.

Got a lot to do if I'm going to take the train

from Springfield tonight.

Caroline: I'll get the girls' things together.

I'm sure grace won't mind if they stay with them.

Going to see sprague at the bank. We'll need money.

Pick up the girls on my way back.

I'll be packed when you get back.

Mr. Sprague?

Onward, Christian soldiers

marching as to war

with the cross of Jesus

going on before

Christ, our royal master

leads against the foe

forward into battle

see his banners roll

onward, Christian soldiers

marching as to war

with the cross of Jesus

going on before

no, Charles, we can't take your donation today.

Dr. Baker explained the trials facing Mary

and the cost that's going to accompany you.

It's for Mary, pa.

A special donation

to pay for the hospital.

Reverend: It's a gift of the lord, Charles.

May we all be mindful of his blessings.

Shall we pray?

Reverend: Dear heavenly father...

Watch over this sick child

for whom our prayers we're offering...

And Grant that she may be restored

to that perfect health

which is thine alone to give.

Through Jesus Christ our lord, amen.

Got the sack set in the wagon.

Good.

Won't be a featherbed,

but make your ride to Springfield a little better.

Mr. Edwards: You know, that, uh, Rochester doctor...

He's a lucky man to have a patient as pretty as you.

You know what, he'll have you as frisky as a cold

in no time at all.

That's what pa said.

Well, your pa's right.

Time he gets through with you, you'll feel so good,

you won't want to come back on the train.

You'll want to run all the way home.

I sure hope so.

Why don't you girls go out and play?

Just don't go real far.

We're going to be leaving soon.

Laura: I'd rather talk to Mary.

Everything's going to be all right.

They have the best doctors in the world at Rochester.

I know everything's going to be all right.

Shh.

Don't.

I'll be all right.

I will. I'll be all right.

Laura will help with the chores,

and Carrie will try to.

They'll be fine.

We're happy to have them.

Mary's going to be fine, too.

Yes. Well...

Grace, I thought my heart would stop

when they told me she'd have to have an operation.

Grace: "Operation" is a scary word, Caroline.

But I'm sure the doctor in Rochester's

done a hundred of them, and successfully.

That's what I keep telling myself.

Grace: You're afraid for Mary.

Any mother would be.

But you can't let Mary know that.

She needs your strength to get her through all this.

We're ready.

- Caroline. - Hmm?

Smile.

That's better.

I know she'll be all right.

You just hold on to that thought

in your heart and in your prayers.

Thank you.

There we go. You going to be warm enough?

Yeah.

I got you tucked in good.

I'll go nice and slow. May be a little bit bumpy.

She's fine. We're all ready.

Now don't forget. Let me know if it gets too bumpy for you.

- Okay. Thanks, pa. - Come home soon, pa.

I will, half-pint.

Soon as we can. Love you.

Caroline: Thank you, Mr. Edwards.

Mr. Edwards: Don't worry about a thing. I'll pick up

the team and wagon in Springfield tomorrow.

I'll look after your place.

Thank you. Hope it won't be for too long.

If you write to me, I'll write back.

Okay.

Bye, Mary.

Bye, Laura.

Charles: Hyah!

What's the matter, darling?

I'm just cold.

There. Is that better?

Yeah.

Pa, I'm sorry to be so much trouble.

Trouble. You're no trouble, sweetheart.

Oh, good. You're awake.

The butcher boy had some hot cider.

I thought you might like some.

Thank you, ma.

I'll go see about putting on some more wood.

Excuse me.

Mind if I put some more wood on the stove?

Never heard a man complain

of someone else doing his work.

Thank you. How long till we get to Rochester?

Well, the way we're running,

we should hit the switch at mankato ahead of schedule.

Course, you and the missus and the little'un

will want to rest up tonight.

No, no. We're going straight through.

Hmm, straight through.

That would make it another 8 hours.

Thank you.

Be another 8 hours.

Doctor: You have very pretty eyes, young lady.

Thank you.

You don't feel pretty now, do you?

No, sir, but I'm not hurting very much,

if that's what you mean.

But you're hurting more than you let your parents know.

Is that right?

Yes, sir. I guess so.

The main thing is,

from now on, you tell me everything.

No secrets. Agreed?

Okay.

Now then, we're going to put you in this wheelchair.

There we go.

And nurse Johnson will take you to your room.

Doctor?

Yes?

Am I really very sick?

Yes, you are, Mary.

Do I have to have an operation?

Yes, Mary.

Thanks... thanks for telling me.

Everyone seems afraid to talk about it.

Well, they're... they're just trying to be kind.

But you know, now.

I'll see you in a little while.

Ask Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls to come in, please.

Yes, sir.

Mary.

I'm fine, ma.

Dr. Mayes just examined me.

Dr. Mayes would like to see you both in his office.

Room 11.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

We'll come down and see you

as soon as we talk to the doctor, all right?

Okay.

We'll go right in.

Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Ingalls?

- Yes, doctor. - Come in, please.

Your Dr. Baker is to be commended.

He was right to send your Mary to us early.

He said she had some kind of an infection.

A paratiflitic abscess, to be precise,

but that's just a long name

for a terrible stomach ache

that's going to get worse unless we do something.

Then you're going to have to operate?

We have to drain the infection.

Now, after that, what we do is determined by how she responds.

How dangerous is it?

I'm not going to lie to you.

No operation is easy,

especially in the presence of infection.

But your daughter is strong,

and above all, you got her here in time.

When...

When will it be?

Tomorrow morning.

But first of all, I have to have your consent,

and then you have to make financial arrangements

with Mr. Benson, who handles all the hospital business.

Of course you have our consent.

And I'll talk to Mr. Benson right away.

Can we talk to Mary?

Uh, just for a little while.

I want her to be well rested for the morning.

We won't be long.

If you're worried about telling her, don't be.

She knows.

You'd be proud of her, you know.

She's, um, she's a brave young lady.

Thank you.

Thank you, doctor.

You can only stay a few moments.

- Thank you, nurse. - You're welcome.

- Hello. - Hi.

Hey, sweetheart.

Pa...

Did the doctor tell you?

Yeah, he told us.

The nurse told me this is the finest hospital

in all of Minnesota.

Well, it is. Dr. Mayes is the best doctor, too.

I... I'm glad you know.

I didn't want you to worry.

Now, don't you worry about us.

You just do what the doctor tells you.

Your ma's right.

They don't want us to stay very long.

They want you to get your rest.

We'll come back and see you soon.

I love you.

Rest well, darling.

Thank you.

We'll be back soon.

Okay.

Thank you, Mr. Ingalls. And here's your receipt.

Thank you, sir.

And you understand the room rent is due

in advance of each week.

Use of the operating room, medicines,

and special nursing care

is, of course, additional.

Your... prices are a lot higher

than Dr. Baker led me to expect.

Well, this is now a private institution, Mr. Ingalls,

finest equipment and staff this side of Boston,

and that takes money.

Yeah, I'm sure it does.

Our costs have increased, Mr. Ingalls.

We have no choice but to pass them on to you.

When it comes down to it,

you wouldn't want anything less than the very best for your daughter,

would you?

No, of course not. I'll...

See to it that I keep my bill up to date.

Thank you.

Good day.

Hey.

I hope Mary's getting more sleep than you are.

So do I.

She's facing surgery. She must be very frightened.

Now, you listen to me, all right?

She's in the best hospital in Minnesota,

and she has the best doctor in Minnesota.

She's in Dr. Mayes' hands now.

Come on, now. She's going to be fine.

Believe me, she's going to be fine.

I know.

I know she is.

How's she doing?

Her pulse is steady.

Good.

Give her a little more.

This is going to take a while.

How is she?

She's doing as well as can be expected.

There was a great deal more infection than I anticipated,

but otherwise, it went very well.

Then she'll be fine.

Well, after the abscess drains, the fever stays down.

We should know in 10 days, two weeks.

Can we see her?

Well, you can look in.

It's likely that she'll be drowsy for a while,

but go ahead.

Thanks so much, doctor.

Dr. Mayes said that she came through it very well.

Well, your daughter's a very good patient.

She looks awful pale.

Please don't worry, Mr. Ingalls.

She's doing very well.

Ma...

Pa.

Hey, we're right here, sweetheart.

You can speak to her for a little while, but don't stay too long.

Right.

I hurt.

Charles: Aw, I know you do, but that'll pass.

You'll get well real fast now.

Mary, do you want anything?

Dr. Mayes says you'll be able to go home real soon.

I'll be glad.

So will your sister. You'll be able

to do your share of the chores, then.

Caroline: That's all right. Sleep now.

We'll see you later.

Okay.

Oh!

Ha ha ha!

Feel better?

I feel just plain wonderful.

All that worry for nothing.

You were worried, too.

Oh, no, just every minute, that's all!

Oh...

What's the matter now?

Well, I must write to Laura and Carrie,

and to grace and Isaiah...

No, no, no. You're not going to write

while I'm standing here starving to death.

Well, I suppose I could do it later.

I got a better idea. Why don't we send a wire,

then you and I go to supper,

and we celebrate?

- It's a very good idea. - It's a good idea?

Very good. Ha ha ha!

Come on.

Thank you.

Can I help?

Oh, I'm just about finished.

Sorry I didn't come home sooner.

I would have, but I stopped by our place.

No mail today?

No. No mail.

How was everything at your house?

It looked so empty.

House looks...

Lonesome.

I know somebody else who's lonesome.

You miss them a lot, don't you?

Yes.

I was hoping that there'd be a letter.

Maybe tomorrow.

You don't suppose that something happ...

I suppose that everything...

Is just the way it should be.

Until we hear different,

there's no point in borrowing trouble.

I've had these awful dreams.

Oh, forget them, Laura.

Dreams are just things that you make up while you're asleep.

What's the matter?

Well, I, um... I got some news.

Man come over from Springfield with one of them telegrams.

It's from Charles.

Well, what's it say?

I don't know.

Well, what is it?

It's good news.

It's the best ever, Laura.

"Operation successful.

Should all be home within the week."

Hooray!

Isaiah, you ought to learn how to read.

Oh! Ha ha ha!

I hope this lets up before we have to take Mary home.

Stop worrying. We have two days for it to clear.

My goodness, I don't think she'd mind.

Mary. Where is she?

Didn't they tell you at the desk?

No one told us anything. Where's Mary?

Where's Dr. Mayes?

He's in his surgery. He's waiting for you there.

Doctor, what happened?

Mary's fever went back up.

She went into convulsions.

Convulsions?

Now, don't worry. She's stabilized.

We've checked the fever.

The worst part is over.

She was doing so well. What happened?

The drainage was just not enough.

We're going to have to operate again

and remove the diseased tissue.

- Oh, Charles. - When?

Dr. Mayes: I can't say.

Mary is a very weak girl right now,

and I don't know how long it'll be

before she's strong enough.

3 weeks, a month,

maybe even longer.

Mr. Ingalls,

I know that there's a financial problem here,

and, well, you don't have to worry about my fee.

But I can't practice in this hospital

without a clearance from Horace Benson.

I'll talk to him right now. Is he in his office?

Yes, but...

A word of caution.

I've already tried to reason with him.

Yeah.

Why don't you stay here with Dr. Mayes?

Mr. Ingalls, this hospital is for paying patients.

This would hardly cover her bill.

I know that, Mr. Benson. That's, uh...

That's why I'm giving you my personal note.

I'm going to go home and sell my farm,

and I'll pay that bill.

I've told you before, it is not the policy

of this institution to extend credit.

I'm not talking about credit.

I'm talking about my daughter's life.

I'm sorry. You don't understand.

I do understand, and you're not sorry.

But you're going to be if you don't sign this.

I'll pay you, Mr. Benson. I swear to god I will.

Please.

I'll expect payment at the end of the month,

or the board will overrule this paper.

You'll get your payment.

I wish I didn't have to go.

She's going to be all right.

She's got a lot of spunk. She's strong.

She's going to be all right.

- I love you. - I love you.

Springfield. One way, please.

There'll be a two-hour layover in mankato.

Yeah, I know.

4 minutes to train time.

Thank you very much.

Aboard!

All aboard!

Whoa!

Thank you very kindly for the ride.

Isaiah! It's Charles!

- Charles. - Oh, Charles,

you should have let us know.

The children were planning a big welcome home for Mary.

Well, Mary and Caroline didn't come back with me.

What, something go wrong?

Yeah. Soon as Mary's got her strength back,

she's going to have to have another operation.

Oh, no. Oh, the poor child.

I'll tell you all about it when I come over to see the children.

Right now I got to talk to sprague.

Oh, you can't.

Bank's closed.

Two years of bad crops. Sprague pulled out.

What about hanson's? I didn't see the mill working.

Working about one day a week now.

He's over there now.

I'll talk to him, then.

I'll go with you.

I wish I could help.

Look, Mr. Hanson, I'm not looking to make a profit with the place.

I'll sell you the land, the house, the barn,

even my equipment, my tools, for any money you can give me.

I can't buy your farm, Charles.

I don't know anyone in hero township who can.

All I've got in my safe is paper...

Accounts receivable, notes, all overdue.

Look... could you loan me some traveling money?

If I can't sell the farm, I got to get a job.

The railroad's hiring, but I can't get on the payroll

if I can't get there.

I wish that I could do more.

I appreciate that very much.

Thank you.

Good luck.

Going to have supper with us, ain't you?

I'd like to. I just can't spare the time.

Going to see the girls?

Yeah. I'll probably get my gear first,

stop by your place, say good-bye to them,

and get on that train, head west.

How much money you going to need, Charles?

That's hard to say. I don't know how long

Mary's going to be in the hospital.

You got a lot of friends here, Charles.

They'd all like to help. Maybe if I talk to them...

Ah...

They've given all the money they can.

I'll work it out. I'll get the job.

I'll see you at your place.

What's wrong?

Money. Charles needs a bunch of it.

He was trying to get hanson to buy his farm.

Oh, no!

Getting a job with the railroad.

Wish there was something we could do to help him.

Well, I better close up early.

We ought to be at the house to say good-bye.

Yeah.

- Hey, darling. - Pa!

Ha ha! My girls.

Oh, good to see you.

I'm so glad to see you.

Same here.

I wish you didn't have to go away again.

So do I, darling, but I have to.

Besides, the sooner I go, the sooner I'll get back.

Before you know it, mom and Mary'll be home, too.

We'll all be together.

Carrie: Can I go with you?

Afraid not this time, darling.

But I tell you what.

When we get back, we'll have a big picnic.

The whole family, all right?

Even Jack?

Well, sure, Jack.

It wouldn't be a picnic without him, would it?

Laura: Pa...

Just being home...

All of us...

Will be picnic enough.

We will be, too. You wait and see.

Now, come on. Let me say good-bye to the Edwards.

- Where you going? - Going with you.

We talked it over. It's what we both want.

Figured the money'd be coming in twice as fast

with both of us working.

It'll be our gift to Mary.

Ain't no way you can say no, so don't.

I put a lunch in Isaiah's pack.

It's enough for both of you.

Thank you.

Well, you best say your good-byes. It's time we was going.

Help your mama, now.

Take care.

You be good. You mind your sister, all right?

Love you.