Original subtitles

If you don't get down here this instant, I'm going to feed your food to Digger.

I don't have time for breakfast.

Well, one should always make time for proper breakfast.

But I'm going to be late for work.

Felix, I don't think the White Sands Hotel is going to sink you to the ground

you stop to take a bite.

If I'm late, Mr. Tremaine, I'll have my head on a stick. No, I don't think he'll

go that far.

Yes, he will, and he'll put it in the kitchen as a warning to other slackers.

Hey, he said I should eat something.

Oh, no.

Oh, I'm sorry, Felix. I thought I'd have it fixed by now, but, uh, well, it's a

mite more complicated than I expected.

How am I supposed to get to work?

Well, I know somebody that'd, uh, get you there in a hurry.

Unless you prefer to walk to the White Sands.

And a boyfriend?

Oh,

I don't know why you want to sell this beautiful quilt after all the hours

you've devoted to it.

Well, I've promised it to the Harvest Fair.

This year's proceeds are going towards the purchase of new books for the

Not that the old ones are worn.

Well, why don't you simply donate some money for the books and keep the quilt?

That's hardly in the spirit of things.

You're going to deprive your family of this lovely creation.

Well, someone else will buy it and their family will enjoy it.

Why does everyone go to all this trouble, not to mention the expense, to

quilts, make preserves, bake pies for someone else to buy, when they could

simply buy the books directly and relax?

If everyone felt the way you did, there'd be no harvest there.

Oh, but there might be more new school books.

It's a lot of foolishness, if you ask me.

Hey,

Felix. Guess who's coming on the 215 train?

Ali Baba and his 40 thieves?

My big brother, Arthur.

We haven't seen him in ages.

Well, too bad Morgan's gone.

You'll be on your own.

On my own for what?

Stopping all the arguments between your brother and your father.

I'm hoping things go better this time.

Just stand between them. They won't dare take a swing at each other with a girl

around. It's a pity that you can't come. They can each take a swing at you.

Can you ask Mr. Tremaine to post that?

What is it?

It's a cross -country steeplechase.

Father's helping to organize it for the Harpst Fair.

There aren't many good jumpers in these parts.

Father's going to win.

How do you know?

He's always won in India.

He'll win here, and then he'll give the prize money to the new school book fund.

What prize money?

The grand prize.

See? Right here at the bottom.

Ten dollars.

Hello. Oh, hello, Felix.

How was work?

Oh, it was fine.

Mother, that's a beautiful quilt.

Thank you, dear.

I hope someone else likes it and buys it. Our goal for the school book fund

year is quite ambitious.

Oh, it's wonderful.

I suppose I better get started on supper soon, though. Oh, well, allow me to

make dinner tonight.

You've worked hard enough already.

Felix, what are you up to?

What do you mean?

Well, the last time you offered to help, you just dropped my best picture down

the well.

Oh, please, I'm just trying to be helpful.

I know you want to keep working with your quilt.

Oh, I almost forgot.

The first annual Avonlea cross -country steeplechase.

You're looking at the winner.

Felix, really?

Mother, I know I could win easily.

Prince, it's a tremendous jumper. He's faster than a bolt of lightning.

Felix, you are not riding in any horse race.

Why not?

Because you're not a jockey.

And princes never run that sort of race. And besides that, you're too young.

But horse racing is the sport of kings and more kings, so I owe it to my

forefathers. No.

Well, did you know that steeplechase was invented in England 200 years ago? They

were raced between villages, from steeple, from church steeple to church

steeple. So I thought it was sort of a religious event, like Easter or the Ten

Commandments. No.

Mother, please.

Mother?

You think I'm a good rider, right?

Oh, you are a fine young horseman. Felix, you are not running in that

steeplechase. What steeplechase?

Just last year, Alexander Ewing broke both his legs in some cockamamie race

in Markdale.

I'm a better rider than Alexander Ewing. What steeplechase?

I'll say it for the last time, Felix.

No.

Father.

A steeplechase.

You know Prince could probably win this. I told you.

Alec. Well, his sire was a jumper, you know.

Felix can't run in that race.

Felix? Of course not. He's too young. But I'm going to race.

You are?

A little excitement.

Why don't you tell father it's too dangerous?

Because he won't listen to me.

But you have to. And since you offered, you can still help me with supper. You

can peel the potatoes.

Welcome home, Arthur.

I'm glad to be here.

And I can't get over how Izzy's grown.

Oh, Morgan, you should be sorry he's met you.

How's he doing at military school? Top of the class, of course.

You mean top of the class, or else?

So, how's veterinary in school?

Have you saved any animals yet? Well, last week I had to operate on a bull,

the week before that I helped a mare give birth.

Speaking of horses, Arthur, I'd appreciate you taking a look at

riding her in the steeplechase at the harvest fair next weekend.

Oh, really?

Yes. Are you sure that's a good idea, Father? Why not? Annabelle is a fine

steed. Well, yes, but... Well, won't the competition be rather stiff?

I need to remind you that I've won many trophies, including the Kyber Cup, five

years running. Several years ago. And I fully intend to be in the winner's

circle again.

Father, after a certain age, bones become brittle.

And the muscles don't stand up to the exertion of a race the way they once

Young man, I'm in fine condition for a race, even at my certain age.

Many things improve as they grow older.

A sturdy cheddar, a fine port, and horsemanship.

And after a while, the cheddar grows mold, and the port gets cloudy, and...

cake gets stale.

Let's eat.

Father, please.

Look, you can take Prince to the hotel, but you're not riding in that

steeplechase. How many times do I have to say no?

Well, you don't really mean no.

Felix.

You have different ways of saying no.

You have the real no, and then you have the maybe no. And that was definitely a

maybe no. So that means you're still thinking about it. Well, let me spell it

out for you. N -O. No, that's a real one.

Morning, Mr. Wynn.

You're here bright and early, Felix.

I rode Prince.

Well, he certainly beats peddling a bicycle that long distance.

I rode him yesterday as well.

You should see us. We jump every ditch like it isn't there. It's almost like

flying. Prince is a fine horse, all right.

I just know I could win that steeplechase.

I've ridden in a steeplechase a time or two.

You have?

Most certainly.

I rode my first one when I was just about your age.

I had a horse that was winged Pegasus himself.

We soared over the hedges at full gallop and hit the ground to the side without

missing a step.

Oh, it was grand fun.

It's exactly the way I feel when I ride, Prince.

I just have to enter.

Well, Prince has the looks of a natural -born jumper, but a steeplechase is an

intricate business.

Could you teach me?

What about your father?

Shouldn't he help you?

I want to surprise him.

It's a date, then.

Nine o 'clock tomorrow morning.

That's the way you feel it.

Keep her as well between hand and leg.

Heels down. Heels down.

Shorten the range.

And push right down from the fence.

Whoa, Prince. Whoa, whoa.

Easy. Whoa, Prince.

Oh, no.

You all right?

What happened?

I don't know. Easy, Prince.

It's all right. I could feel his leg give away when he landed.

They're broken?

You better get the vet.

There's a good fellow, Prince. I know it hurts.

Now, it looks like the tendon is just bruised. That's not too serious.

What can we do for him? Well, the ice pack will help bring the swelling down,

and we'll get some liniment.

He should be back to his old self again in a few days.

Really?

Really.

Hey, he's going to be all right, boy.

I wish I could say the same for you, Felix King.

Sorry, Father.

I think you owe Mr. Tremaine an apology, too, for letting him believe you had my

approval. I'm sorry, sir.

Apology accepted.

Arthur, thank you for helping out with this.

Oh, I wouldn't worry.

He'll be fine.

Felix, what in heaven's name did you think you were doing?

I was going to challenge you.

Challenge me?

We'd set up a course, and we'd both take turns writing prints.

And the one with the best time would write them in the race.

You'd better take him in now.

Yes, sir.

I think the boy had more sense.

I was just like him at his age, anxious to prove myself.

Felix doesn't need to prove himself.

If you think that, you've forgotten what it's like to be 14.

But he's too young to be in a race like that.

And how old were you the first time you rode in a race like that?

Or played a game of cricket with your father's friend?

Or engaged in any kind of contest where you were up against men and not just

another group of boys? Well, I was about 14, but I was more experienced.

I'll bet your father didn't think so.

No.

No, he didn't.

There's still a great deal Felix has to prove to you.

And to himself.

Oh, he's fine, Johnny. He just needs a little time to heal, that's all.

But what happened?

Uh... Well, he, uh... Uh... Well, he stepped into a

hole and bruised a tendon.

Fortunately, there were no bones broken.

Here we go.

I know it smells like rotten eggs, but that means it works.

So, how's his leg going?

Well, the swelling's gone down.

You're going to have to wash up before you come into the house.

Yeah, I guess I should be lucky you don't make me sleep out here.

Why didn't you tell Mother what really happened?

Well, I suppose I should have, but... It was an accident, the damage was done,

and... You know how your mother fretted.

You had your heart set on being in that race, didn't you?

You should have seen us.

It was like we were melted together, flying over those hurdles.

It was fantastic.

You know, uh...

A steeplechase isn't just a walk down the laneway.

You think you can handle it?

I do.

Well... We'll see.

Do you mean I can race?

Now, hold on. Prince has got some healing to do first.

What about Mother?

Let's just worry about Prince for now, shall we?

Let's go, Annabelle.

Father?

The limping, I assume.

I just took a bit of a jolt, that's all. I'm fine. You can barely walk.

Don't you worry about your old father. I shan't disgrace you.

Well, how's Prince?

Great. His tendon isn't even swollen or sore.

Oh, that's good.

I think he's anxious to get out of the barn and run.

I think you're the one who's anxious.

Well, the race is only a couple days away.

I'll tell you what.

We'll get up early in the morning, and if Prince looks like he's up to it,

take him for a ride.

Great.

Oh, and Felix, try to be as quiet as you can when you get up in the morning.

How you feeling?

Let's have a look at you.

Doesn't look like it's hurting.

It seems as right as rain.

Keep low in the saddle, Felix, when you approach the jump.

And then sit back and balance them with your hands.

Try it again, son.

Heels down, Felix.

Heels down.

Yes. No refusal. Yes.

Good.

That lad can ride, Alec.

Yeah.

Yes, he can, can't he?

So, think we can win?

Indeed I do.

The Harvest Fair committee meeting shouldn't take too long.

Oh, Felix, hello, dear.

Oh, Mother.

Not when I'm at work.

Hannah!

You're Lely Bugle, just the person I wanted to see. I shouldn't be more than

hour. I'll be waiting.

So, uh, what'd you say?

Oh, I, uh, I haven't talked to her yet.

Well, when are you going to? Oh, when the time is right.

Alec!

Clive, good day.

Felix, Arthur tells me your horse took a nasty sprain jumping hurdles.

Oh, it wasn't that bad. He's fine now. Good.

I was afraid you wouldn't be racing.

I'll be the one riding, Mr. Pettibone.

You're not up to it, eh, Alec?

You think there's the slightest chance of a boy winning in a gentleman's

competition?

If we officially enter the steeplechase, Mr. Pettibone, I'm sure that Felix will

acquit himself honorably.

Oh, do enter.

The field currently stands at four. A five -horse race would make victory that

much sweeter.

You mean your victory.

I don't mean to boast, but I can't think of a single horse in Avonlea that can

match my Annabelle for speed and stamina. Certainly not a farm horse.

isn't just a farm horse. His dam was a champion racehorse and his sire's a

jumper.

There's a big difference between ancestry and performance.

Well, I've seen your Annabelle run, Mr. Pettibone, and I, for one, think that

our prince would leave her in the dust.

You're joking, of course. No, no, I'm perfectly serious.

That kind of boastfulness is usually accompanied by a wager of some sort.

Name it.

Father, I haven't even registered yet.

We'll arrange that, Felix.

You sure you don't want to reconsider, Alec? After all, Felix isn't a trained

equestrian. Oh, he's trained enough to give you a good view of his backside as

he crosses the finish line.

Name the stakes.

Well, uh, you know that, uh, new saddle that's in the window of McCleary's

livery? Yes, I've noticed it. Well, I've taken quite a fancy to that.

Exposite artistry.

Well, shall we say that the loser buys that saddle for the winner, then?

You're on.

Good day to you.

And to you, Master Felix.

Tomorrow morning? The back posture?

Yes. I got him in the race now.

Yes.

Yes, I suppose you are.

Five minutes flat.

Five minutes?

Five minutes, Felix. Now, that's the way to ride.

That's your best time yet.

Oh, there'll be no stopping us now, son.

What about Mother?

Well, it's... It's obvious Prince can run. I suppose... I suppose now would

be the right time.

Well, why don't I take Prince for a nice long run and...

Build up the endurance and all. You mean you don't want to risk coming home

until after the dust has settled?

I'll let you mention it.

Well, go easy on Prince.

Well, she's fine.

Good. Wish I could say the same for the rider.

I'm fit as a fiddle.

You're in pain.

Oh, it's nothing that a hot bath can't cure.

Father, listen to me for once in your life, please.

Like it or not, you're not as young as you used to be. I don't see how that's

your worry.

I worry that you hurt yourself.

I'm grateful for the concern.

You don't have to ride this race, Father.

You don't have to prove yourself to anyone.

Yes, well, there's more to it than principle, Arthur.

It's a matter of a small wager involved.

What sort of wager?

I bet Alec King a new saddle that Annabelle would outrun Prince in the

steeplechase. But Prince has a bruised tendon.

Well, I suppose if Prince can't run and Alec withdraws from the race, I shall

win the bet by default.

Well, if you were through as well, then the bet would be off.

I'm not going to do that.

This is ridiculous.

Alec King risks injuring his horse. You risk injuring yourself all over a stupid

saddle. To the devil with both of you.

What is all this?

Tea time with...

Candied lemon peel. Muriel Stacy's carrying it at the general store.

you'd like to try some.

How sweet of you.

And the tea is almost ready.

Oh, I'd love to stay, but I just stopped back to get my quilting. Carapace is

expecting me.

We have to get the last of these quilts ready for the harvest fair, and I'm late

already. Well, I can save this for later.

I'll get that.

Good afternoon.

Come in.

Good afternoon, Mr. King. I've come to check on Prince.

Oh, he's doing splendidly.

Oh, I didn't see him in his stall.

Ah, Felix is out exercising right now.

Arthur, good to see you again.

Good afternoon, Miss King.

I want to make sure that Felix doesn't ride him too hard.

Well, he seems completely healed.

Well, nevertheless, I want to see him again before you start jumping.

Jumping? Training for the steeplechase.

Mr. King.

I'm worried about my father.

I don't think he should be riding in this race.

I wonder if you would consider calling off the bet with him.

What bet?

Good boy.

What a jump, boy.

Come on.

Whoa, boy.

Whoa!

Whoa!

Over here, please.

Now, these things almost always look worse than they are.

Basically, all Felix has is a nasty bump on the head.

You're very lucky.

My head still hurts.

I expect it will for the rest of the day, but you should be up and riding by

tomorrow. Oh, I don't think there's much chance of that happening again soon.

You spend the rest of the day taking it easy, all right?

Thank you, Dr. Stone.

Mother?

You angry with me?

Felix, I'm very disappointed in both you and your father.

You should have said something sooner.

There was nothing to say, dear.

I'd already said no.

Sorry. I'm sure you are.

I was going to tell you.

Before the race or after?

I wanted to make sure that Prince could run before I brought up the subject.

How thoughtful.

Look, we... You went behind my back, Alec.

We had made that decision together.

Well, I changed my mind.

Knowing what it meant to me.

Knowing what it meant to Felix.

He almost got killed today.

He didn't fall taking a jump, Janet. He fell while riding on the beach. It could

have happened any time. Now, are you going to forbid him from riding

My great Uncle Redmond, you know, almost choked to death on his cherry cobbler

now. Does that mean we should banish all cakes, pies, and cobblers from the

house?

Your Uncle Redmond is not the point, and you know it. It is.

It is the point.

Life is full of risks. You can't avoid them.

That doesn't mean you should court them, either. I mean, entering this race is

just asking for trouble.

He's too young.

He's not riding.

Good morning.

Decided to join us, have you?

Morning.

Where's mother and father?

They're doing their chores in the barn.

How are you feeling?

Better. Better enough for breakfast?

Yes, please.

How many eggs?

Two.

Two eggs coming up.

You're quite... Lucky, you know.

Really?

I don't feel lucky.

Well, you only landed on some packed sand.

It could have been much worse.

Can you imagine if there had been a rock where you landed?

Oh, it could have cracked open your skull like a ripe melon.

I didn't think about that.

Oh, supposing Prince would have landed on you.

You fall off, he gets frightened, he rears up and lands with both feet on

chest.

How much does a horse like Prince weigh?

About 1 ,200 pounds.

That much?

I had a girlfriend in England whose brother fell off his horse, caught his

in the stirrup and he carried him for a quarter of a mile before he stopped.

He spent two months in hospital.

Two months?

So you're really very lucky indeed.

Two eggs?

Actually, I'm not hungry anymore, Angeletta.

I think I'll go out to the barn and see if Mother and Father need my help.

I don't feel it.

Are you feeling better?

Ready to work.

Where do you want me to start?

Well, there's no need to overdo it today.

Why don't you just sweep out the stall there?

Felix?

I, uh... I'm sorry.

I wasn't watching where I was going.

You know, Prince hasn't been exercised today.

Why don't you take him for a ride now, just around the yard?

What's the matter?

Uh, my head's beginning to hurt again.

May I please just go and light out?

Of course.

Thank you.

Phoenix.

I'm all right, Mother. I just need to light out.

Are you all right?

It's not his head, Janet. He's scared.

If he doesn't get back up on that horse now, he may never.

You should know that.

He's just asking for trouble.

I don't know why you're being so hard on Father. I'm not being hard on him. I'm

being realistic. He's going to get hurt.

I mean, if he wants a saddle so badly, I'll buy him one.

But he already has one.

No, I mean, like the kind he bet Alec King for.

That's what I mean.

He bought a new saddle two months ago.

Well, then, why... Why what?

Why race?

Because he likes it.

He told me that he learned to ride before he learned to walk.

Is that true?

In his case, quite possibly.

He said that when it's his turn to go, he doesn't want to die in bed.

He'd just as soon be riding Annabelle.

I guess if you love something that much, having to give it up would feel like a

kind of death.

Huh?

I understand what you mean.

He just likes it.

How are you feeling, sweetheart?

Better. Good.

You know, your father thinks you're a pretty fair horseman.

Does he? Oh, he told me he thought you had a good chance of winning that race.

I suppose.

I feel so strongly about you.

Not racing because of what happened to me when I was eight.

What happened?

My father had a big black stallion named Andrew and Abigail dared me to ride

him.

I managed to stay on for about a quarter of a mile before he threw me.

And he threw me.

Did you get hurt?

I was more scared than anything else.

So scared, in fact, that, well, I wouldn't get back up on any horse.

You know, I'd make excuses and take buggies or walk.

I told myself that it was just a matter of time before I got back up on a horse,

but days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months.

How long did it take you to get back on him?

I never have.

How much you love riding.

And I'd hate to see you talk the way I did.

Why don't you come up to her and get back up on breath?

And if you still feel like it, then you can ride in that race.

You, uh... You wouldn't want to?

To see you get back up on that horse again.

You behave yourself, huh?

Well, here he is, son.

You've ridden him countless times. He's no different.

You're no different.

There you go.

How are you feeling?

Can't complain.

I thought you might be a little stiff.

Arthur. No lectures, I promise.

Here.

What is it? A colleague of mine gave it to me. Take it.

Rub it into the part of your body that's sore.

Smells like rotten eggs.

Yes, but it works.

On horses and men.

Thank you.

I hope you win tomorrow, Father.

I intend to.

I know.

Now just remember to keep low in the saddle when he starts to jump.

And sit back when he lands to keep him balanced.

And don't take him too fast, too soon.

Make your run after the last jump.

And try to stay out of trouble, all right?

Good day to you all.

Good day.

Good day.

How's the old noggin?

Well, it's still in one piece, more or less.

Good luck.

You too.

There's that odor again.

Smells like rotten egg.

Muriel, I have my quilt. Oh, wonderful. Let's just put it here with the others,

and I'll go and get a tag so we can put a price on it.

Don't bother.

It's already sold.

Sold? But no one's even had a chance to see it.

I bought it myself.

You know, I said it should stay in the family.

But, uh, here you are then.

You can pay you lately, Bugle. Thank you.

You'll have to carry it home for me.

My basket's already full.

I bought some of Mrs. Sloan's preserves, some cobbler from Mrs. Laban, and a

sweet crocheted pillow from Edith Turner.

And two lovely handmade beeswax candles.

I thought you considered our harvest fair a lot of foolishness, Aunt Liza.

It's for a good cause.

How are you feeling, Father?

Never better, thanks to you.

Will all the riders please approach the starting line.

Good luck, son.

See you at the finish line.

Good luck, Felix.

All right, gentlemen.

Get your horses into position.

You all know the rules.

When the white flag goes down, the race will begin.

You must follow the stakes out of course, and you must jump over all the

hurdles. If the horse refuses to jump, you will be disqualified.

Come on, get ready!

Good work.

Thank you, Mr. Pettibone.

Mr.

King, I guess our wager will have to extend to next year.

And as for my half of the prize money, I intend to donate it to the Avonlea

School Book Fund.

Oh, that's a very commendable idea. Thank you, Mr. Pettibone.

Felix.

Now, don't you think that's a very commendable idea?

Mother, my prize money for books?

No. You wouldn't want Annabelle to do more for your school than Prince, would

you?

I'll donate that money.

You do one thing for me first.

What would that be?

All right, Prince.

You be good.

Don't worry, Mother. You can do it.

You sure you want to do this, Janet?

Yes, I am.

Well done.

Thank you, dear.

Felix?

It's worth it.