Original subtitles

All right, you can stay here with Blackie. It won't be long.

Hey, Sarah, what you doing? I'm waiting for Aunt Hattie. She's in the post

office.

Uh, Sarah, you wouldn't happen to know what Aunt Hattie's planned for the big

mathematics test next week?

No, how would I? Well, she must keep a copy of that at -earth cottage.

With the answers, maybe?

Felix King.

Do you think that I would stoop so low as to go through Aunt Hattie's papers

just for a stupid test?

Well, I just thought... Besides, she keeps it locked up in the schoolhouse.

If you would just study instead of always trying to find an easy way out,

maybe... I don't.

I just... Felix, look.

What? No.

Stop that.

Hello, Uncle Alan. Sharon.

I think I'd better be going. I'll see you later.

Alex King!

Morning, Abner.

The man I want to see.

Huh? I'm going to have a word.

Are you still looking to buy a horse?

Well, I've been thinking about it. Because if you are, I heard of one for

at the racetrack over Somerset.

Oh? You have to see it today, though.

I understand.

Pat Shores leaves for Halifax right soon.

And he has to sell.

From what I hear, it's a deal of a lifetime.

Well, I could hardly take Felix to the track janitor have my hide Alec King

delivery another day like this. Well, thanks for the tip after Come

on Felix, we got one more stop me

is like how majestic Murphy is some horse.

What are you going to do with all that money you want?

Wait till Mother finds out.

Uh, it might be best if you didn't mention anything about this to your

We'll just keep it a secret between us.

What?

Oh, you can count on me.

Besides, I didn't come here expressly to bet.

No, no, of course not.

I didn't. It was a horse I heard about I wanted to have a look at. Of course.

Don't see you at the track very often?

Oh, just looking around.

This little Felix?

Sure is.

Never too young to learn the horses, eh, Alec? Yeah.

Thank you.

Did you see all that money?

Boy, I'll bet there was more than you won.

We gonna bet again, Father?

No, I think we should quit while we're ahead, don't you?

I wouldn't be selling them, but I need the cash. I'm moving to Halifax, and I

can't afford to take him with me.

He's a pretty hefty size, huh?

Oh, he's a big one, all right. But, you know, he was quite a racer in his day.

You'll get your money's worth out of Caesar there.

What do you think, Felix?

I guess he's okay.

That means we'll take him, Mr. Shaw. Well, I'm glad to know that he'll have a

good home.

Uh -huh.

See, I'm too late.

Ain't so, Hank.

I was thinking of expanding a bit, you know?

Two wagons, two drivers.

I hear your business is thriving.

Can't complain.

I'm delivering clear across the island now. But, uh, first come, first served.

You got yourself a real deal, Alec.

Pat, I'll see you later.

We've got Blackie.

Well, Felix, Blackie's getting on, you know. He is not.

He's the smartest horse in the lot. He knows every word you say.

Smart or not, I'm thinking of selling him. Sell him?

Sell Blackie?

You see, he heard you.

What do you even think of such a thing?

He's part of the family. Blackie's going to run forever.

Exactly, Felix. He's getting old.

Soon he's going to be too old to be of any use at all.

It's fine, isn't it? Would you tell me if I couldn't do my work around the

If that was the case, we'd have sold you years ago.

Please, Mom, this isn't funny. We have to keep him.

Let me have him, then.

I'll take care of him.

Oh, you will?

How are you going to pay for his keep, then?

I don't know. I just will. You can hire us. We do work for you.

Felix, I'm not paying you to do your chores.

Maybe someone else will hire us to do theirs.

Aunt Hetty or... Hetty, come on, Felix.

Home chores done. Never mind handle a job.

It'll only be part -time.

I know I can do it. It keeps blocking feed.

Oh, please.

I don't want you to tell them.

Well, I don't know.

They're always telling me I should take on more responsibility.

All right.

But only... Thank you, Father. Thank you. Now, you listen to me. This is on a

trial basis.

It mustn't interfere with either your schoolwork or your chores.

I won't let you down, Father.

Blackie won't either.

Mother, guess what?

I'm going to start a delivery service with Blackie. Oh, that's nice, dear.

Really, Dan, it'll be easier to dress a slipper eel.

It's going to be my responsibility.

I'm going to earn money to keep him.

I'll take Blackie from a buggy father.

Don't worry. I'll make sure he's safe in the barn. Fine, son.

Felix, a delivery service? Alec, he's only a boy.

How can he handle something like that all by himself?

I'll help him get started. It'll be good for him. A little responsibility.

Oh, and I bought another horse today.

Good deal.

Horse? A horse?

You boys grow up so fast.

Felix King, it's about time you showed up.

Felix, here. This is your job. You finish it.

Felix, do you hear me?

I'm sick and tired of doing your chores as well as mine.

Where have you been all day?

What are you doing?

Certainly do with a fresh coat of paint. But it's perfect.

Perfect for what?

My delivery service.

Your what?

Well, if you want to fix it up, you're welcome to it.

Thank you.

I can't wait to start.

Here.

But only after I finish my chores, of course.

Of course.

Thanks, Sarah.

Did the lettering better than I would have.

Here, Blackie.

I made this especially for you.

No, Blackie.

It's much too cold for that baby out here.

That horse will eat almost anything.

Just like you, Felix.

You two make the perfect couple.

You're just jealous, Felicity, because Blackie and I are going into business.

Felix King, quit dreaming.

You've never once in your life finished anything that you've started, and I

doubt that this newest whim will prove any different.

I'm going to make you eat your words, Felicity.

This is going to be the best delivery service in the whole county.

I'll believe that when I see it.

You'll see it, Felicity.

You'll see it. Come on, Blackie.

You were so right, Alec.

And I think it's wonderful that you encouraged him.

I've never seen Felix so enthusiastic.

About working, that is.

Well, I have to admit, it was a clever way to steer him in the right direction.

You're a simply wonderful father.

I can hardly share in this nauseating display of parental narcissism. I do

concede. It's about time Felix learned to show his thumb responsibility.

So what if he fails?

It'll be a good experience for him to have to answer to someone else.

Hide this family for a change. Felix won't fail. Anything that boy sets his

to is bound to succeed.

Felix, dear, I'd like you to know that, um, I'll be your first customer.

I'm extracting a basket of pears to arrive at the general store tomorrow,

I'd like the Felix King delivery service to pick them up for me.

For the going rate?

For the going rate.

Have you got anything that needs delivering, Aunt Hetty?

Oh, well, uh...

A few nights generally I like to look over purchases myself.

Oh, come on, Aunt Hattie.

But yes, you could pick up some jars of preserves at Farmer Steele's tomorrow

morning.

Flacky, finish my hat.

Whoa, whoa, easy.

Calm down.

What kind of horse is that, Alec?

Looks like it's never been hitched to a buggy in its life.

Well, not recently, but I'm getting him used to it slowly. He'll calm down soon.

Well, you get what you pay for.

Easy, easy, easy.

As my father always used to say.

Whoa, easy, fella. Digger, keep quiet.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, Caesar. That's enough for one day. Come on.

Come on.

I'll take care of you, Blackie.

You'll never have to leave King Farm.

No more ultra pasture for you.

Still got a lot of good ears left. Yes, sir.

Hold still.

There's a good boy.

Bet you haven't had a brushing like this for years.

Here.

Got a reward for you.

What an adorable cart.

Now, I think we'll have lots of odd delivery jobs for you, Felix.

I mean, it makes good business sense for the store to offer such a service, and,

well, we'd gladly pay for it.

Oh, uh, you know, no, no, no, no, no.

I think we've paid for part of it already.

No, now, come on. There you go. Say hello to your mother for me, okay? No

That's it.

Oh.

No

Every

careful

with

business. Can't complain.

Hard work, huh?

I hope this teaches you nothing comes easy in this world, put it there.

Remember, you only reap what you sow.

You know what, Aunt Hetty?

I couldn't agree with you more.

And you know how you're always teaching us to do things by whole, not by half?

There's going to be nothing halfway about this business.

That's good to hear.

There you are, my boy.

Cash on the barrel, as they say.

Thank you, ma 'am.

Aunt Hedy will do nicely. Thank you, Felix.

Oh, gracious providence, Felix King.

What's happened to my preserves?

I wouldn't buy preserves for Mr. Steele anymore if I were you.

I knew I couldn't trust a man the minute I laid eyes on him.

The vicious dog has something to hide.

Well, it's never happened before.

that horse.

Blackie, no.

Blackie. Blackie, no.

My flowers.

He's hungry.

I promised him something to eat when we got home. I see.

How's he feel about preserves?

Well, that wasn't so bad for the first day, now was it, Blackie?

Hope everyone doesn't have a vicious dog, though.

25, 50, 75, 85, 90, a dollar.

A whole dollar.

I might even have enough to buy Blackie some oats.

For a treat.

Is that your list for tomorrow, Felix?

Yep, I'm going to be busy.

You should advertise, Felix. My father always said that advertising was crucial

to the growth of any business.

Where are you going to feed the chickens, Felix?

Where do you have to finish counting this money again?

Well, make sure you do. You know our bargain.

I know, I know.

Oh, Felicity, look at these.

I'll have to cut away half of them.

Oh, we must have a talk with Mrs. Lofton. These aren't up to her usual

standards.

Yuck, they look like they've been chewed already.

Look at all these bruises.

I wonder what could have happened to them.

I just want

to welcome you to the business community of Avonlea, son.

Don't we, boys?

Bravo! Sure, sure.

So you got yourself a little delivery business, huh?

Yes, sir.

You got to watch yourself there, Hank. He might give you a run for your money.

Well, I enjoy a little competition.

May the best man win, right, Felix?

Right, Mr. Webster.

Now, listen, why don't you... Why don't you call me Hank?

I mean, after all, you're one of us now.

Right, Mr... Hank.

I'm pulling in my horns.

I planted half the potatoes that I planted last year.

Well, that's a fool thing to do.

A business has to expand to stay healthy in these times. I've hired another

driver. The only way to expand any business is to advertise.

My card?

Tuck it up where you can see it.

Afternoon, gentlemen.

Well,

good for him.

this meeting.

Oh, I'm sorry, dear, but I'm just... Would you kindly knock before entering

the future?

Felix King, you watch the way you speak to me. I'm your mother. I shouldn't have

to knock just to put laundry in your bedroom.

This is an office by day.

As I was saying, based on the success of my first week in business, I've decided

to take on some partners.

It's my belief in these economic times.

Business has to expand in order to be healthy.

What do you mean, Felix?

The only thing expanding around here is Felix's head.

Don't you know how to knock?

Don't get fooled into working for him, Cecily.

You're just in a knot, Felicity, because, you know, I wouldn't give you

chance to be in my business even if you paid me. I wouldn't give you two cents

for your so -called business, Felix.

Just get out!

Gladly.

what I meant about expanding my business?

Well, it's really very simple, Sarah.

If I have more people working for me, I can make more deliveries. I make more

deliveries, I make more money.

So would you care to join me in my business?

What would our return be?

A small share of the profit.

An equal share of the profit split three ways.

What? I'm the one who started this business.

You can't have an equal share.

Felix, it will give us more incentive.

That's what my father always said.

Well, we'll do it on a trial basis.

That's what my father always said.

Agreed? Agreed.

Agreed. Partners. And Digger, too.

Here you go.

Don't you want it?

There you go, Daniel.

get you hitched up for delivery, too. And company.

That's better.

No, Digger.

Digger, hold still.

There's the good dog. Don't you look handsome?

You're gonna be rich.

Like you know.

There, there, Caesar. That's better.

Cecily, you keep Digger away.

Finally got him hitched up.

Yes, I did.

He'll never be a match for Blackie. Well, we'll see.

Dinner's ready!

Felix, you chase after him.

You go after him! Me?

Hey, there comes that.

Oh, hey.

That horse took off like a race horse.

Well, no wonder. You ring that bell.

What's a bell got to do with it?

Nothing.

Nothing. Peter!

Good morning, Mrs.

Wilkes. Right on time.

Here's your first customer, Sarah.

Mrs. Wilkes needs this parcel delivered this afternoon.

Well, that's what we're here for, Mrs. Wilkes.

Isn't it wonderful to see children being so industrious?

Well, thank you very much for letting us set up here, Mrs. Lawson. Now, Mrs.

Wilkes, I'll just need a little bit of information.

Ow! Ow!

What is going on?

All right, $1, $1 .05, $1 .10, $1 .15, $1 .35.

Where's our share? Shh, I'm going to lose count.

$1 .40,

$1 .50. Part of that is ours.

Put it back, Sarah.

I can't give you your share until I figure out how much it costs to eat

blackened food.

Oh, great, now I lost count.

That's not fair.

$1, $1 .05.

Felix, come on. Children, stop it right now.

I told you so, Cecily.

Felix, could you possibly do that someplace else? I'd like to set the

dinner. I've already lost count once.

Felix, do what your mother tells you.

For someone who can count money so quickly, I find it hard to believe that

practically failed that mathematics test we had at school today.

Felix King, now you promised that you wouldn't sacrifice your schoolwork for

sake of that business.

Or your chores.

I had to feed the chickens today because someone forgot to do it again.

All right, all right.

it will hardly matter that I made a few mistakes on a mathematics test.

Or I forgot to feed the chickens all day.

Aunt Abigail's trying out on the three o 'clock train.

Mr. Gillis at the sawmill. This is hot.

Sarah, I'd like a few words with you.

I'm sorry, I can't, Aunt Hattie. I have to copy these out. I'll need your help

polishing the silver. I'm having a few of the ladies over, and... Sarah,

there's constant confusion. Will you stay in one spot while I talk to you?

I don't think they see these orders.

Sarah?

So, Felix, first do the order at the lumber mill, then do Mrs. Potts' order

the general store. She's apparently too sick to pick it up.

Then to the train station, Fran, Abigail, and Cecily.

You have three pickups at the general store, including at Hedy's Groceries. I

can't do all that.

Sarah, there's way too many orders for me. You'll have to do some.

I can't. I'm too busy.

Do you have any idea how hard it is sitting at a desk all day taking orders?

I mean, you're lucky. You got to be outside.

Uh, Cecily?

If I have to put up with you three swarming around like bees, the least I

expect is for my groceries to be delivered first.

Now make sure you're back with them by four o 'clock.

The ladies from the Improvement Society are coming for supper, and I have a stew

to make.

Phillips King, have you any idea how many germs lie festering within a

mouth?

Next thing you know, you'll be getting lockjaw.

I hope he does.

Sarah, I'll need your help to set the table.

I can't, Aunt... Hattie, I have to go back to the general store. Sarah, I'll

drop her off then, Hattie.

Whoa, Blackie, whoa.

Here you are, Mr. Gillister.

Good. Good man. I've been waiting for this.

Thank you.

Eddie will be mad if you...

have any business lined up for the next few days.

Why? We don't have any orders, Felix, because all I've heard all day are

complaints. Even in my own household.

Aunt Hattie was furious. Her groceries ended up in the pond.

The pond?

How could you do such a stupid thing?

It wasn't my fault.

Digger isn't used to being hooked up to a stupid cart.

You should have been in charge of that stupid dog.

Digger's not stupid.

Well, somebody is.

You are so smart yourself, Felix King.

You're the one who got all Mrs. Lawson's deliveries mixed up.

Well, if you had the delivery straight in the first place, this wouldn't have

happened.

I guess this is what I get for letting you two be part of my business.

Is that so?

What a mean thing to say, Felix.

We quit. Right, Cecily? Right.

So does Digger.

Having trouble, Mr. Big Businessman?

It's that mutiny I smell in the air. Felicity, be quiet.

You shouldn't blame Sarah and Cecily for your lack of business.

Would you just get out, Felicity?

Oh, dear, Felix. I think it's time you listened to your older sister before you

really get hurt.

You thought you were such a big shot.

Didn't you realize that your only customers were your relatives and

And couldn't you see that they were only doing it to humor you?

Not true.

Oh, yes, it is.

They were all laughing behind your back.

Everyone but you knows that.

How many times did you think you could deliver damaged goods?

If you were a real delivery company, you wouldn't have lasted a day.

All right, we're coming.

Eddie, what brings you here?

What's this?

A bill.

One hat.

Eight jars of preserves and four bags of groceries. They ended up at the bottom

of the pond, and I ended up serving leftovers to the ladies of the

Society. Well, I wasn't going to say anything, but I have a set -up and a

all evening, listening to Sarah's tale of woe, and I'll not let it pass without

saying something.

What are you talking about?

Your son, Alec King, that's what. Oh, this delivery business has gotten right

out of hand.

I don't know what kind of father you are not to have noticed.

I am certainly relieved that Sarah no longer has anything to do with it.

What are you talking about, Hetty?

I'd like to be reimbursed. Oh, Hetty, you're making such a fuss over nothing.

Adults should stay out of children's affairs. It's far better they straighten

out their own problems themselves.

Oh, they can straighten out their own problems as much as they like. But when

comes to my problems, I expect a little adult intervention.

Oh, Janet.

I know that this is beyond your experience, but I think you should

boys have to learn to do things the hard way before they learn to do things the

right way.

That's what Father always said.

Like most things Father said regarding children, God rest his soul.

It's a load of hooey.

Too much.

Lockie?

Felix? I want a word with you.

This delivery business of yours has gotten out of hand.

At least a little blabbermouth.

Cecily hasn't said a word.

Nobody thinks I can do anything around here.

They're all just waiting for me to mess up.

Now, look, son, we had an agreement, and so far you haven't kept up your end of

it. You're not getting your schoolwork done.

I'm doing most of your chores, and Hedy just came by with a bill for damaged

goods a mile long.

I'll pay it. With what?

Besides, I thought this was about blackie, not money.

It is.

No, you're not doing this for Blackie anymore. You're doing this for Felix.

Well, it's finished. This is it.

What do you mean?

You're out of business.

As of now.

And if there's any more talk like that, Blackie will have to go.

Let him say what he wants, Blackie.

You and I are a team.

We'll show.

We'll show them all.

Felix, hurry up. You're going to be late for school.

I'll catch up with you in a minute.

Here, Archie Gillis is the proud owner of some pretty fancy undergarments.

Is that right, Felix?

I'm not going to give anything to be there.

And here, advertising ain't always a ticket to expanding your business.

Oh, heck no, it expanded my business.

Ever since Felix started advertising, I've never been busier.

Pay no attention to these guys, Felix.

It's better to go bankrupt with your age than mine. I mean, your father can

always help you out. I'm not bankrupt.

I'm not bankrupt.

Felix's delivery is still in very healthy shape.

Yeah, well, your horse looks like he's on his last legs.

Blackie?

Blackie is the best and smartest horse that ever lived.

You just tell him where we're going and he goes.

Hey, hey, Felix.

Hey, hey, Felix. Hey, come here, son. Come here. Come on. Listen, come here.

Now, we're just giving you the...

Son, huh?

No hard feelings?

All right, now listen, I got a little proposition for you. I got a contract to

move some bags of sand from the train station to Markdale later today.

Now, how about if I take half the load and you take the other half, and we'll

see who gets to Markdale first.

And the winner gets to take the entire fee.

How about that?

Great. All right, you're on.

Okay.

Here we go.

There you go.

Abner, where's Felix?

He's racing Hank to Markdale on a bet.

He accepted a bet? When did he leave?

He'll be halfway there now. About half an hour ago.

If you ever take a few minutes.

And I suppose it never occurred to anyone to try and stop Felix. He's a

And Blackie's too old to be racing.

Well, we're way ahead of that handgun shit by now, eh, Blackie? We'll show

We'll show everyone.

They won't dare laugh at us again.

Calm down. I've got to help him!

No!

No!

No!

No!

No! No, help him! Help, Blackie! No!

We've got to get him out!

Calm down.

Calm down. I will.

I will.

Felix Black, he's... He didn't make it.

He didn't make it. He's gone.

I made your favorite, strawberry rhubarb.

No, thanks.

I've got chores to do.

Felix can't wait to do his chores.

Something's up.

Here.

I fed them.

Boy, were those chickens glad to see me. I guess they were pretty hungry.

Mind you, they're lying a lot. I collected three dozen eggs. Can you

that? Three dozen.

I think it's some kind of record.

Can I give you a hand?

Oh, no, thank you.

Just cleaning up. I'm fine.

Well.

Really?

Well.

You know, my father...

He believed that boys had to learn things the hard way before they learned

right way.

But I don't think that anyone can learn the right way unless they have some

guidance.

And I should have given you more help.

So we both made some mistakes.

It's all right, really.

You sure I can't give you a hand?

No, just finishing up.

Stuff you just said?

Wasn't your fault.

I was responsible.

I took the bet.

Wish you just would have sold them.

You'd still be alive.

Oh, God.

I shouldn't have made you think that I...

Tell Blackie if the business failed, if I'd realized how much he meant to you,

I'd never have sold him.

And I'm sorry I made you feel you had to prove yourself.

But there are some things in life, son, that you just have to put behind you.

I know.

I will, but I love Blackie.

And I'll never forget him ever.

You go on. I'll be out in a minute.

So beautiful.

Is Felix around, Mrs. King? He's in the barn, Mr. Webster.

I just want you to know I feel real bad about what happened. It was a fool thing

to have done. Yes, it was.

But don't apologize to me.

I'd like to talk to the boy, Alec.

Oh, he's still pretty upset, Hank.

Oh, hello, Felix.

Mr. Webster.

I just want you to know I feel real bad about what happened to your horse.

I just want to make it up to you somehow.

His mother was a racehorse just like Caesar.

Felix, come and see. A racehorse?

Caesar's a racehorse.

Look how strong he is. He's the prettiest horse in Avonlea.

Good boy.

You're a hungry boy, aren't you, Star?

Star? I can't comb it. If you name like Star, your name should be Majestic

Majesty.

Or Prince.