Original subtitles

I'd like to propose a toast. To our

Elizabeth, whose choose the most noble profession a woman

could choose. I pray that you shape the minds of a new

generation of our citizens. Congratulations. Elizabeth.

Elizabeth.

Thank you daddy.

Bon apitit.

Dear sis, I'm so pleased that John and I

could celebrate with you before we head home to New York.

So what now, Elizabeth?

When will you receive your school placement?

I meet with superintendent Higgins,

tomorrow to discuss it.

I hear he's very handsome...

And he's very unattached too.

Surprising as it might seem,

little sister, a school where I can do the most good is

more important to me than what Mr. Higgins looks like.

Here, here.

Speaking of handsome, a little bird

told me that Edward montclair has returned home.

From where?

Becoming a mountie.

A mountie?

Well, his father thought he was

fittering his life away, so persuaded him shall we say,

to enter in the academy.

I'm told that academy can be hard on a young man.

Please, we're speaking about Edward.

A perpetual idler if ever there was one.

You're just being blase about him because he's

the opposite of you. He's carefree and you don't like

anything you can't control. Which includes men, at least one

worth being with. Isn't that right mother?

Don't ask me, ask your father.

Well your mother has certainly tamed

this old merchant marine.

William!

It's true and I thank you for it, without

you I would not have been blessed so abundantly.

And look at your handiwork.

A devoted mother and wife.

A devoted soon to be teacher.

And, god help us, our very own young spirited adventurer.

Better to be an adventurer than end up an

old schoolmarm never taking any chances in life and love.

Julie Thatcher, apologize please.

This evening is for your sister.

Valedictorian. Graduated summa cum laude.

Impeccable marks from all of your professors.

This is very impressive, miss Thatcher.

Thank you. And just so you know, I am fully equipped

with all the latest teaching theories, such as the

fore-grounding method as a means of explaining the

difference between the poetic and everyday language...

Yes, yes... trust me, I'm aware of how

well-equipped you are.

What I mean is, I have a confession,

miss Thatcher.

I've been following your aspirations for some time.

You have?

There was a symposium at the teacher

college some months ago and I noticed you.

I hope you don't mind, but I inquired about you.

Well, I suppose that's...

Miss Thatcher... may I call you Elizabeth

...the truth is, I am very pleased that I now have

the opportunity to enter your life at

a time when I can be... helpful.

Thank you, Mr. Higgins.

In terms of your obligations, are

there any distractions... Say any hobbies

or suitors at the moment?

None whatsoever.

There is an opening at Weston day school.

Grade six class.

Weston? Oh, Mr. Higgins, to teach at a school

with such an abiding regard for truth and

excellence among its students...

You won't be disappointed, I promise.

Please, you must call me 'Thomas.'

thank you... Thomas.

Now in return for such a fine placement there are

obvious favors that would demonstrate your gratitude.

Mr. Higgins...

Uh, uh..

I mean, Thomas...

I will do my utmost to instill a love of learning

in my students which will make you proud you hired me.

Yes, ah... actually, that's not the kind of

gratitude I had in mind.

Oh. Oh, my.

Hmm?

Mr. Higgins, I am only interested

in a teaching position. Not in... anything else.

May I expect the paperwork for my placement

to Weston in the post?

Well that is entirely up to you.

Perhaps I need to speak with my father

about this conversation.

I see. Clearly we have the wrong impression

of each other. I apologise.

But just out of curiosity, when the children in your

classroom aren't behaving up to snuff, will you also

call on daddy to straighten them out?

Oh yes, yes I'm sure we can find just the right

school for a woman of your... integrity.

Waiter!

Miss Elizabeth? A letter for you just came in the post.

From Mr. Higgins.

Yes, thank you Emma.

Yes maam.

A train ticket?

It's west of here, still further west. Ah! Coal

valley, just west of the rockies.

Everyone, look who I found down at the club.

May I have the pleasure of introducing constable

Edward montclair.

Mrs. Thatcher.

Oh, my. You actually graduated.

Yes, ma'am.

Which has turned him into quite a bore.

He's so serious now.

Congratulations.

That's quite an achievement.

Thank you, sir.

Edward, now that you're part of the north-west

mounted police, would you please explain to our

daughter that the west is no place for a refined young lady.

Constable montclair's opinion

is not necessary, mother.

I am capable of making my own decision.

And I have a mind to say yes to Mr. Higgins.

Wait. Are you saying

gave her an assignment out west?

In the middle of god-forsaken nowhere.

Mother, the west is hardly god forsaken.

I've read there are plenty of people there.

For instance, cowboys, whiskey runners,

outlaws... men so eager for wives that they might even

steal them if they have to...

Young lady how do you know all of this?

Because of the di... I mean...

Her romance novels.

I'm not ashamed to open my mind to the

literature of the world.

And it's not only cowboys and outlaws and mounties.

There are Indians all over the west.

I'm sure most are peaceable, although you might

want to consider bobbing your hair in case any of them feel

the need for a fresh scalp...

Julie, that's enough! Is this

what she says true?

Well, obviously cannot speak

from first hand experience.

But my training suggests that the dangers out west

are indeed real.

We all know Elizabeth is afraid of her own shadow. She's

not going anywhere especially if it's not within

walking distance from home?

Is that so?

Well as far as i'm concerned we are through

discussing this ridiculous idea. Is that understood Elizabeth?

No, it is not, mother.

This is a decision I will make alone.

But I will take your position into

consideration. Good night.

Auntie Elizabeth

When I stepped off the train in pine Springs,

I was greeted by a small, precocious young girl

named perlie, along with her father, Mr. Leverly.

Wearing gold rimmed spectacles and dressed all

in black, Mr. Leverly loaded my suitcases onto

his black wagon of death, also known as... a hearse.

He was, in fact, the undertaker.

As the hearse continued traveling across the wide

open prairie, the little girl wouldn't stop talking.

She covered every topic under the sun,

from pickling pickles to her father's occupation of

pickling people, and everything in between,

speaking of pickles, do you like pickles?

Uh, yes, yes I do.

Me too, the saltier the better but I hate it when one of

my hairs gets in the pickle jar, don't you?

I bet you've got long pretty hair underneath that bonnet.

We finally arrived at the place

I would call home for the next year.

They referred to it as the teacher age...

That's everything.

Thank you for all your help.

Good day miss. Thatcher.

See ya tomorrow for school, teacher lady!

I look forward to it perlie.

A teacher... she was a teacher...

...out west.

Only moments after the hearse had left,

I eagerly made my way from the teacher age to the

gleaming new schoolhouse so I could begin preparing

for my first day of school.'

good morning, children.

My name is miss Thatcher and I'm very pleased

to be your new teacher.

Yes, Johnny.

Well that is a wonderful question.

- A - proportion is a special

form of an algebra equation.

Let me give you an example.

Let's say you have a crate of apples and oranges

and they are the ratio, four-to-five.

Now if we have seven apples, then how many oranges

do you think that..

Excuse me? Is someone there?

Excuse me?

Oh, I'm so sorry...

Undertaker asked me to bring you some firewood.

When I came in before you were... talking...

I didn't want to disturb you...

I was just... only pract... thank you.

I'm Elizabeth Thatcher. The new teacher...

But I suppose you've gathered that much.

Yes, ma'am.

I'm sorry, I'm not accustomed to small-town

thinking. Not that the thinking is small,

but the town itself is quite small, so one would assume

that everyone knows everyone else's business.

And um... forgive me I'm rambling.

I wouldn't know, ma'am.

However, if there are any supplies you might need,

I'm heading into town Saturday.

Oh no, I'm quite alright, thank you.

Then I'll be on my way.

Why did I just turn him down?

- Mister! - Whoa!

I'm embarrassed to say I think I was

too quick in declining your offer.

I'll be by Saturday around eight, to get you.

I'm sorry I didn't catch your name.

Wynn. Wynn Delaney.

Well then Mr. Delaney I would be much obliged.

Ma'am.

Well I can clearly see where this is headed.

No wonder she was keeping it hidden...

It's no different than a romance novel.

I worked long into the night, making

lists of all the school supplies I would need from

town, along with preparing my first lessons.

I wanted so badly to make a strong first impression

on my students and their parents.

Wolves!

I knew it! Where did you find that?

The question is where did you find it?

In mother and father's safe.

Do they know?

Do you really have to ask that?

So you stole it.

I borrowed it. Then you stole it from me.

And mother's going to be furious when I tell her

you were reading it.

Really? You don't think she'd be even more

disturbed knowing her little adventurer read it first?

Our secret then.

What I don't understand is why it even

has to be a secret. It was so many years ago.

I know. How far have you gotten?

The wolves.

No wonder you jumped out of your skin.

Just imagine if you were truly there.

You don't think I could rise to the occasion?

If our auntie was in over her head trying to teach

school on the prairie... You would be drowning.

Please. You have no idea of what I'm capable of.

I know what you're not capable of.

For example, sleeping with the lights off...

It's because I need light to read and

study late at night, and then I sometimes fall

asleep with it on.

You wouldn't last one week without the

comforts of home.

Without having mama and daddy there to keep you safe.

You're wrong!

Fine. Then prove it.

How am I supposed to do that?

Spend the next week alone in the old

grounds-keepers' cottage.

Eat and sleep there, cook your own meals, do

your own laundry, with no help from the staff.

And if I win this little wager, what of yours will

be mine at the end of the week?

My admission that I was wrong to underestimate you.

Along with my full blessing for you to pursue

this teaching position in the middle of nowhere...

Deal.

'A touch of comfort for you, sister.

With deep admiration, Julie.'

Well, this is a surprise.

Alright, auntie. It's just you and me now.

My first few days were filled with

every possible disaster. Starting with that pack of

ravenous wolves that kept me up half the night before my first

day of class.

Yes?

Coming.

One moment.

Yes.

I'm miss Thatcher and, and...

Yeah, we know.

The parents are wondering if you will

be coming to class to teach today?

Um... goodness gracious... um... um... yes,

please, please, please pass the message on that

I will be there momentarily. Thank you.

Shhhh...

Um... um... good morning... My name is Elizabeth

Thatcher and um..You of course may call me miss Thatcher.

Um.. I do apologise for my tardiness this morning.

This is not something we'll be encouraging here at school,

had a bit of a sleepless night.

I am very pleased to be your teacher and

very much hope to show you all the many joys of learning this

year at school. So um, let's begin then, shall we?

Then I had to deal with troublemakers like Carl

who take pleasure in goading unsuspecting teachers into

touching things they shouldn't.

See, children, the woods are

filled with interesting things we can learn to spell!

Well Carl, these do have three leaves,

but I don't think these are clover.

Oh, I guess you're right.

How do you spell poison?

Poison? P-o-i-s-o-n.

As in 'poison Ivy?'

no, she wouldn't.

To a lothario unfaithful to his wife.

Miss. Thatcher.

Mr. Delaney.

Hey!

Hey.

Hey! Is it still convenient for me to come by

and take you to town Saturday?

Yes, of course.

You ready go, son?

Phillip Delaney of course?

Uh, miss Thatcher? Phillip's mother and me are

grateful that you are here to teach the children.

I'm grateful for the opportunity.

Afternoon, then.

The plot thickens.

Where are the lovely flowers I left you?

From now on, I'm just going to call you Carl.

Evil Carl. Conniving Carl. Cruel Carl.

It wouldn't be an authentic wager if

I didn't introduce some of the shenanigans from... the diary.

Besides, the poison Ivy complemented

the orchids perfectly, don't you think?

Don't scratch. You'll scar.

Did you just come to gloat?

Or is there another reason for your visit?

I just wanted to let you know that while

you're apparently having boiled potatoes for

dinner, Frederick is preparing us a scrumptious meal.

Just admit it, Elizabeth.

It's not worth it.

Call it quits and come back to civilization.

Never. I'll never give in to you,

as I know our auntie never gave in to

that scoundrel wynn Delaney.

Don't be so sure of that.

Please tell me she doesn't fall for him.

That would make her too much like you.

For me to know and you to find out.

What on earth are you doing?

Relieving the itch.

A wild-west cure for what ails me.

Didn't know your pampered sister was

this resourceful, did you?

Like I said, I'm not losing this wager.

Good evening.

As I rode into town with Mr. Leverly,

I relished the thought of wynn Delaney finding my

note on the door.

I had successfully rebuffed the charms of

this rapscallion who believed himself to be so irresistible.

My apology for the inconvenience. Okay?

Good decision, auntie.

Once in town, my first order of business

at the mercantile had to do with rebuffing another kind

of pest. That of the mouse variety. I purchased

several of these killing devices, but arming them

proved to be more difficult than I anticipated...

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to...

I sort of did...

I'm a murderer.

This isn't a love story.

It's a horror story.

Good morning.

Good morning.

Good morning, dear.

The poison Ivy may have been a little too much.

You spoke to her?

I have my spies. I'm to the office.

We're taking on some new government shipping

business. I'll be back in time for dinner.

Good day, sir.

Your father is far too gentle with you.

I wanted him to disallow you from seeing boys for

an entire year.

Oh, mother, it was just a silly little prank.

Scratching could scar her beautiful complexion.

Not possible. The layer of potato paste

is like an elephant hide.

Besides, some day you'll be thanking me.

And why is that?

She's dug her heels in about this offer

of a teaching position out west.

That's what this is about?

She's trying to prove herself worthy in

you and father's eyes.

This 'silly wager' is my way of dampening her spirit.

I don't want her to leave home any more than

you do, mother.

I fear she is more serious about

this than I thought.

Miss Thatcher, is everything alright?

Oh don't do that it's going to cause..

It's going to cause the ash to com bust.

When the fire gets going well, you can turn

that over to slow it down some.

But to get it started you just turn that upright.

Thank you for

explaining the proper use of a stove.

Now, if you'll excuse me, i'm just going to go get cleaned up.

It's coming down out there. I could give you

a ride over to the teacher age on my horse if you'd like.

The mud'll get deep real quick on the prairie.

I would not like. Excuse me.

If you'd like, I can take you to

the teacher age on my horse. Why certainly.

I'll just sit in front of the married man and he can

put his big strong arms around me to keep me safe and dry!

Are you sure you're okay?

Yes, I'm perfectly alright, thank you.

Good day.

This rogue of a man, Mr. Delaney, is in

need of a swift kick to his moral posterior.

And I am just the one to deliver it!

Oh, my. I didn't know... I was...

I'm afraid you'll have to excuse my daughter.

This deprivation in

preparing to teach out west has left her...

And a little unhinged... And very red.

Yes, well you need not deprive yourself any

longer, miss Thatcher.

I believe you'll find this opportunity more suitable

than the last.

Weston?

Why the change of... heart?

Let's just say I saw the error of my

ways and realized what a quality candidate you really are.

Well I'll need to think about it.

What's to think about?

It's perfect, and it's not out west.

It's alright, Mrs. Thatcher.

I agree, she needs to weigh up her options.

Well won't they be needing a speedy reply?

No, no. No I think we should let her think it over.

Hmm? Good day, miss Thatcher.

I'm not sure we should be doing this.

Well, I am.

It is her decision.

Yes, but she can be very stubborn and she

doesn't know what's best for her.

And you do?

Yes. And I'm not leaving anything to chance.

We're going to help save her from a life of misery,

and perhaps even death?

That's what a mountie is supposed to do, right?

All I know is, the old Edward would

have done this just for the fun of it.

Right broken window.

Mission accomplished.

Ahhhh! Ahhhh! Ahhhh!

Goodbye coal valley. Hello, Weston.

Ahhhh! Ahhhh! Ahhhh! Please help, they're everywhere!

This doesn't sound good.

She'll be fine.

Ahhhh! Help me! Mice!!

How many were in the box?

Ten.

Miss Elizabeth?

Please help me!

Miss Elizabeth?

Ahhhhh!

Are you all right?

Ahhhh! Ahhhh! Ahhhh! Ahhhh! Ahhhh! Ahhhh!

Please help me.

Oh, daddy!

What is it?

It was awful! They were everywhere!

What is it?! What's happened?!

What was everywhere?

Mice! The cottage is infested with them!

Mice! Oh, my word!

Elizabeth, are you all right?

When we heard screaming, we came running.

You win, little sister.

I'm not cut out for prairie life. It's too much.

I'll ring Mr. Higgins in the morning

to accept the teaching position at Weston.

I'm not made of the same stuff

as auntie Elizabeth.

Where did you get that?

I... I...

How dare you take something from

our safe without permission!

Elizabeth didn't take it. I did.

You had no right to steal from our safe!

Steal? Well, at least I don't bribe people...

What do you mean by that?

Perhaps I should take my leave.

- I - apologise, Edward.

Thank you for your concern.

I'm so sorry. Elizabeth

I was only trying to keep you from making a horrible mistake.

What have you done, woman?

I went to see Mr. Higgins, I offered him...

Remuneration... if he would find a position

for you that would keep you here... under my wing.

Oh, good lord.

You paid him to offer me a position?

- I - only did it to protect you.

You're only twenty-two.

I can't have you just out there somewhere,

all alone in that wilderness. The world is too dangerous.

It appears i'm not fit to go west.

Or worthy of teaching here either.

I was told you wanted to see me young man.

Yes, sir. I've made a tremendous error in judgment,

and I have a confession to make.

What happened to her, daddy?

Aunt Elizabeth? Why all the secrecy?

Did she meet with a tragic end?

The truth, Beth, is that we don't know.

Except for a short visit after her teaching post in pine

spring my little sister left home. And just never came back.

But we're her family.

Beth...

Sometimes life takes a young person

on their own path.

They receive a higher calling, a calling becomes

more important to them than everything else... even family.

So mother kept her from us because she

was afraid of losing us to the world like

you lost aunt Elizabeth.

Exactly. Not perhaps how nature intended for

the birds in the nest, but human emotion is more complex.

When I was reading her diary,

I found myself desperately wanting to follow

in her footsteps.

Perhaps it's no accident that

you are Elizabeth's namesake.

But when I consider who I am, I feel

unequal to the call.

I feel the fears rise up in me.

I wonder if all this bluster about going west

is just me trying to prove I'm not a shrinking Violet.

Edward came to me today,

to confess to stacking the deck against you.

How so?

Julie persuaded him to help her

release the mice into the cottage.

So, he hasn't changed.

Actually, he has. I don't believe

the old Edward would have had the moral fiber to face me.

But that still doesn't change the fact

that I was terrified.

People who live in fear tend to do plenty of

nothing, except perhaps Rob themselves of the

possibility of joy.

I don't want to be afraid anymore.

Then be confident of who you are, commit to

something... an idea, a vision of the world...

Something... something that is grander than yourself.

I don't want you to miss out on

god's purpose for your life. I love you Beth.

Today I had to put my foot down and

say enough's enough!

I thought we could use nature to help us with

our spelling. For instance this lovely little spruce. Spruce,

s-p-r-u-c-e. Now you all try it.

Spurce, s-p-r-u-c-e.

Good. Um, Boulder, b-o-u-l-d-e-r.

Yes, Andy?

May I use the privy?

Children please let's remember to use privy

before school so we don't have quite so many

interruptions, alright.

How do you spell accident, you know accident like someone

just had an accident in their pants.

Carl, perhaps you can spell accident for the

class? Andy you may be excused. Children eyes up here please.

Perhaps you can spell a synonnim for accident such as calamity or

misfortune or do you even know what a synonymy is?

Children it is easy to humiliate one another with our words or in

other ways but lets all strive to treat each other the way we

would like to be treated, with respect. Now I want you all to

stay right here and look around for other things we can learn to

spell together in nature. I will be gone for a moment.

While I went searching for Andy, who I knew

was hurting deeply from being humiliated I prayed for the

right words that would comfort him.

Andy, are you alright.

I didn't know what was happening until too late.

I want you to run home and get some

nice dry clothes, alright?

Are you going to tell the class what I did?

Oh no, of course not. Accidents happen to

everyone. In fact I have a secret of my own. When I was

your age I used to wet my bed because I was so very afraid of

the dark. So there, now we both know something about the other

that no one else will know.

You're a really good teacher miss. Thatcher.

Thank you Andy. I want to be.

Julie, wake up. Wake up.

- What is it? - I'm going.

Going where? It's the middle of the night.

No, I mean, i'm taking the teaching

job in coal valley.

No, you're not.

Now go to bed so I can go back to sleep.

I'm serious. I believe it's

what I'm supposed to do.

No. I won't listen to you.

I don't want you to go. I'll hate you if you do.

I mean it, I'll hate you if you leave me.

Julie, you're not losing me.

I'm going to write you about everything that

happens so that even though I'm so far away...

Neither one of us will ever feel alone.

Julie, please.

You have the list I made you?

Yes, mama.

For the hundredth time I promise to dress warmly

and keep dry and not go out after dark.

There is snow up there in the winter

on those prairie, so remember to wear your woolen socks.

Stay buttoned up. You don't want to catch cold.

Forgive me, I must keep this brief.

If I don't...

I'm already doing everything in my power to

hold the dam back.

- I - love you, daddy.

And I, you, Beth. And, I you.

All aboard.

Here I um, want you to take this so you can

embrace new frontiers without fear of getting lost.

And most importantly so you can always find your way home.

Now go, go and find out what

god has in store for you.

Elizabeth! Wait!

I'm sorry for what I said.

I do believe your story will have a happy ending.

You're going to get married, and have

children, and have adventures and hardships,

and more adventures for years and years to come.

Someone once said this to me: 'Better

to be an adventurer than end up an old schoolmarm.'

I can't imagine who said that.

My best friend did.

Alright, aunt Elizabeth, time for

us to get reacquainted.

Teressa?

Can you come see me, please.

Yes, miss Thatcher.

Andy's not having a good day, is he?

No, ma'am.

I think perhaps it's best if you

walk him home, alright.

Yes, ma'am.

He's really sick, ain't he?

His folks should take him to the doctor.

Dey ain't got no money.

It sounds as though things are

hard for Andy and teressa's family.

Well, maybe we could help them.

How?

We can take in a collection like they

did to build the school?

We could do one of them penny circuses?

I say be do a box social!

People like to eat good food.

Why can't we do both?

But do ya think, miss Thatcher?

Well I think that’s a fine idea.

Miss Thatcher?

I'm so happy to finally meet you.

I'm Lydia Delaney, Phillip's mama.

I'm so pleased to meet you as well.

I love having Phillip in my class.

Not half as much as him.

Neither he or wynn can stop talking about you

when they come home.

Alright folks. Folks gather around!

Time to get the bidding started on our box social here!

Now folks remember, we're raisin' money for little Andy

moran's hospital visit, so let's turn those pockets out.

Now our first bid will be on a box

lunch with our very own teacher, miss Thatcher.

Lets start the bidding at one dollar?

One dollar.

One dollar I hear one dollar do I hear two?

Two dollars!

Two dollars, well the undertaker's good

for two dollars. How about three dollars?

Three dollars!

Three dollars. Do I hear four?

Four dollars!

Four dollars, I hear four dollars. We have a

standing bid of four dollars. Do I hear five?

Five dollars!

Five dollars, ladies and gentlemen, five

dollars. Nicely done son. Now do I hear six dollars!

Six dollars!

Six dollars. I hear six dollars young man. Do I

hear seven? Do I hear six-fifty? Six-fifty, anyone?

Is six dollars all there is, folks?

Alright Mr. Leverly it's going once and it's

going twice and it's...

Seven dollars!

Well now we have a standing bid at

seven dollars. Do I hear eight?

I'm ready to go to my top bid of ten dollars.

Well um, Mr. Delaney, we've got a standing

bid of ten dollars. You have anything to say about that?

Fifteen dollars.

Fifteen dollars, fifteen dollars folks..

Mr. Leverly going once... Going twice... and it's

sold to Mr. Wynn Delaney for fifteen dollars folks.

Some of you younger men, you might

want to get your money out...

Sugar!

Miss Thatcher...

Yes... come in.

Edward, what are you doing here?

Just checking to make sure you're safe.

Comfortable in your car.

Yes, I am. But my question stands.

Why are you here?

Your father didn't inform you?

Inform me of what?

I'm your escort, Elizabeth.

He asked me to see you safely to coal valley on

my way to my first posting.

Well, he had no right.

And I don't need an escort.

Clearly, he thinks differently.

Clearly. But the fact remains that I can take care

of myself just fine. So feel free to get off the train.

Well it's moving a little fast.

I don't mean right this moment.

But at the next stop.

Oh very well, seeing as that's where we'll be

meeting the stagecoach at oh-seven-hundred hours to

taking us the rest of the way to coal valley...

I'd be happy to.

I don't think you heard me.

I don't need or want your company.

You can just pretend I'm not here.

But just so you're clear...

I will be on that stagecoach.

And I will see you safely to your destination,

rain or shine.

Good evening Elizabeth.

I never got a chance to apologize for the mice.

I don't feel like talking right now if

it's all right with you.

Of course, I understand.

Dispite the money we raised for Andy's

medical treatment, wynn Delaney had sunk to new lows bidding on

a picnic lunch with me. Now he's given me no choice but to

confront the situation head on. However I know doing that is

going to come at the risk of harming his

lovely wife and family.

Miss Thatcher?

Mrs. Delaney.

Oh, I feel just awful I didn't think to

invite you to our ladies' quilting.

I just assumed you would be busy.

Oh, no, not at all. That's not why I'm here.

But perhaps at a more continent time.

I see...

Miss Thatcher! You're here.

I was just about to leave to pick you up.

Let me just grab my hat out of the lean-to...

I have to tell you, i'm surprised wynn bid on

this picnic with you.

That is in fact why I'm here.

Mrs. Delaney, I want to make it perfectly

clear, I have never made any advances toward your husband.

My husband? What are you saying?

I'm sorry to have intruded,

I think it best I go.

Not until you explain yourself, miss Thatcher.

I only felt that if I confronted this

directly, perhaps we could stop...

Stop what?

Mrs. Delaney surely you see I know of no

other way to tell you. Your husband is a womanizing swine.

How dare you say such a thing!

My husband is the kindest, noblest soul on earth.

And the fact that you are at my door making these

horrible accusations while he lays in a hospital bed

is disgusting and pathetic!

Lydia? Is there a problem here?

Our dear teacher is either ill or has been

drinking, because she just called my Phillip a swine

and accused him of having romantic feelings for her.

You're not Phillip's father?

Uncle.

Oh my lord.

Oh, miss Thatcher, please come sit with us.

Let me get you something cold to drink.

No... uh... I'm very sorry. I don't know how...

I'm very sorry. I'll go.

My profound disgrace however did not stop wynn on

making good on what turned out to be a splendid picnic.

Thank you, I had a wonderful time.

Elizabeth... I'm sorry, miss Thatcher... I'm sorry.

Elizabeth, please.

I was thinking... I don't mean to be presumptuous,

but there's a very special dance next weekend and

I was wondering if you might like to accompany me

...if your time's not already spoken for.

It must be quite a dance.

Yes it is. You'd have to take the train and spend

the night in a hotel.

But my intentions are most proper and I'd be

seeing to all of your arrangements.

It would give me a chance to visit

Andy in the hospital.

Always thinking of your students.

I accept.

Okay, good.

Good.

Well...

So wynn Delaney...

You aren't just a farmer.

What is he then?

He's like you... a mountie.

He was caring for his brother's wife and child

while his brother was recovering from an injury,

and tending their farm.

Sounds like what a mountie would do.

My aunt had no idea until he took her to

a special mountie's ball.

I've been told it's quite the grand event.

From what I'm reading... it is.

I hope to get there someday.

I'm sure they have nothing like

that in coal valley.

Yes, probably not.

May I have this dance, miss Thatcher?

Oh, I don't think that would be a...

Please.

Just in case I ever make it to the mountie's ball.

I'm suddenly sleepy. I want to get a good night's

rest before our journey tomorrow.

Right. Of course. Night, then.

Good night.

'After the rapture of going with wynn

to the mountie's ball, I began to sense

he was pulling away from me.

Well you must be relieved to have

Mr. Delaney back safe and sound.

Yes but I couldn't have made it through

this without wynn's help.

And you're wondering what happens to

wynn now that Phillip is home?

I have feelings for him, and I

think he feels the same.

That's putting it mildly, dear.

Taking you all the way to calgary is saying

something on a mountie's salary.

Do you think he'll ever settle down?

He gave you the why-a-mountie-can-

never-marry speech, didn't he?

I can't lie to you. He believes it deeply.

I can't believe that a man and a woman who are

truly devoted to one another couldn't find a

way to make it work.

I agree but if anybody is going to prove that to him, I

believe it's you.

Whoa. Elizabeth.

Wynn.

I mended that part of the fence where the horses

keep getting out.

Good. Well then you can go get yourself cleaned

up and take Elizabeth back home.

Of course.

Do all monties fear falling in love?

Fear? No, why is that what happened to your aunt?

Yes. Wynn Delaney gave my aunt his

why-a-mountie-can-never- marry speech.

Well, if you think about it,

it would be quite hard. Raising a family, settling down.

Especially when you're constantly putting

your life on the line.

Moving about from post to post,

following a higher duty.

Someone's in a hurry.

Get off now.

- Argh! - Ah!

This can't be good.

Stay here!

Dear lord, please help us.

Alright put your hands in the air. Put your hands up.

A montie?

That's it, no sudden moves.

But what about them?

I believe that belongs to me.

Edward!

Believe it or not it was I who had the gun

pointed at his head, until they showed up.

Nothing but dresses, shoes and books.

Where's the money?

You don't think we'd be foolish enough to

travel with money?

Please, that's mine.

Not anymore.

It's just something my father gave me.

Its value is very little.

Please...

Where's the money?

I'll give you the money.

Elizabeth...

It's hidden under the coach bench.

Just lift the leather cushion.

That's more like it. Lets go.

Please. My compass.

Sorry, ma'am. I need it.

It's easy get lost out on this prairie.

But...

Heeya! Heeya!

Quick.

Glad my father had you come along to protect me.

You're a teacher, aren't you?

Yes.

So you can count. There were three of them and one of

me. And more the point, one of you.

What would have happened if I had taken

them on and lost.

How would you get to coal valley then?

I promised your father to get you there safely,

and I'm not shirking that duty.

I'm sorry. You're right. What do we do now?

We need to get moving.

How? They shooed the horses away.

You have feet, don't you Elizabeth?

You grab the other one.

We are not taking the trunks.

I can't just leave them here.

They're just things, Elizabeth.

They can be replaced.

Well, I just can't...

I need to at least bring my school supplies.

It contains all of my important teaching manuals,

my literature collection...

Look, I'm sorry. I truly I am

but they won't ever make it to coal valley.

They're too heavy and it's too far.

And the sooner you realize that the better. Come on.

I can't go any further.

Leave the trunk.

- I can't. - You must.

I'm not talking about the trunk.

It's my feet. I can't walk. I'm in too much pain.

May I?

I'll carry you. But I can't do that

and carry the trunk.

Okay.

Put this on, it will keep you warm.

What was I thinking? I just want to go home.

I know it's hard, but we need to keep going.

I'm not cut out for this.

Maybe it's Providence, this happening to us.

Oh, lovely. Please explain.

Maybe god's making you stronger, more resilient

for coal valley. Like your own basic training.

Is that what is was like for you?

For the first few weeks,

I hated my father for forcing me into the service.

I said what you said. I want to go home.

I didn't see the purpose of the pain, of pushing myself.

You know especially in light of my years growing up.

I thought life was to get as much you get out of the

world. You know what's my my share. Like it's my

birthright. And then one day Providence struck we were on

basic training and trekking across a pond, when suddenly I

broke through the ice and before I knew it, the

current had ferried me away from the hole.

Oh, my lord!

I remember seeing the blurry forms of my

comrades calling out to me through the ice and then

they were gone. They had abandoned me.

And as I started to run out of air, I realized

how small we are in the universe, how

every breath, every moment is a gift.

How did you survive?

My friends, they hadn't abandoned me as I had thought.

They had simply raced ahead of the current and chipped

through the ice just in time to pull me out.

And as I was being hauled out I realized that every one of

them had all put their own lives on the line for me.

I mean they could have all drowned, all of them.

I knew then, I knew it was my purpose... to put my life

on the line for others.

Knowing your purpose...

My father said very much the same to me.

I took the Liberty of reading ahead, I hope you don't

mind. I'd like to read something to you.

'I devoted all of my energy to my beautiful

students but there was a deep void in all of us. Dispite the

best efforts of the doctors our fund raiser had provided it

wasn't enough to save little Andy.

Why did he have to leave?

Why didn't god make him better?

For a boy, he was real nice.

Yah, miss t'atcher, Andy was real nice.

Why didn't god make him better?

'Cause god don't care, that's why.

That's not true, Carl.

I agree with Carl.

We can't all assume that god doesn't

care because Andy passed on.

What's assume mean?

Assume means to believe something

when you don't have any proof.

Like you assumed uncle wynn was my daddy.

Yes, like that. We all assume many things

but sometimes we're not right to do that.

Mama assumed it's her fault. Because she didn't take

Andy to the doctor when she first saw he was sick.

You see, we all assume much of the time.

And maybe we do that with god as well.

So if we can't assume god don't care,

then we can't assume he does. Right?

Yes Carl, that's right. But all of us, including

me, need to dig for what is true. For example, I care about

you all and I love you so very much. And where does

that love come from if not from god?

This is you. If there is one thing I learned doing basic

training is recognizing the the good and bad in people.

You are going to change the world, Elizabeth,

with your gifts. Just like your aunt did.

Well, I guess there are some students

waiting for me.

Whoa... Elizabeth, we're here.

Next equation; Four times five times eight...

Can I help you?

Yes... I'm Elizabeth Thatcher.

Well, miss Thatcher. You're two days late.

Yes, I... you see, our stage was robbed.

We were left stranded by three outlaws.

We had to come most of the way on foot.

Constable montclair braved all to me safely here.

Constable, do you mind if I have a word in

private word with miss Thatcher?

Yes, of course.

Mrs. Stanton, join us please.

Next equation... seven times three times six.

Miss Thatcher, I'm sorry for your

hardships getting here. I'm Frances tunnelcliffe.

And this is Abigail Stanton.

It's very nice to meet you.

You might say we're... The school board.

You're very...Young to be a teacher.

I'm realizing i'm perhaps not what

you were expecting.

But to be honest, I wasn't expecting the town to be

so empty, or the school to be in a saloon.

Yes, well a schoolhouse would be far more

appropriate if it hadn't burned down.

Miss Thatcher, superintendent Higgins did

tell you what happened here, didn't he?

Tell me what?

Not three months ago...

We had a terrible explosion at the mine.

Forty-seven brave men lost their lives. Many of

these youngsters became fatherless that day.

Yes, along with my three.

We asked Mr. Higgins to send us his

very best teacher.

One who would not shrink at the challenges of coal valley.

This teaching post is one of the only

things in this entire town the coal

company doesn't own anymore. The mothers...

All of us who have managed to hang on...

Decided we weren't going to let pacific northwest

mining be responsible for our children's

education any longer.

So if you take this job, it'll be us paying your salary.

Miss Thatcher, please understand something.

We're all very proud of the work our husbands and

sons did in that coal mine.

We know it was an essential risk for

the good of our growing nation.

But for many of the women in this town, these

children are all they have left.

We want them to grow up having choices about what

they do, where they go.

Even if it means leaving this town behind.

So, whomever we entrust them to has got to be

fearless in their ability to reach their dreams.

I believe in those same ideals, ma'am.

You won't just be teaching them

how to read and write.

You'll be fighting for their future.

To put it bluntly, are you woman enough, miss Thatcher?

Miss Thatcher, I know I speak for

everyone in saying that we are most grateful for your

love of our children this year.

Thank you.

Children, may I have your attention?

My name is Elizabeth Thatcher, and it

will be my great joy to be your new teacher.

I hope you will never be afraid of

approaching me with your questions.

The first rule in my classroom will always be...

There are no bad questions.

Miss Thatcher, may I have a word

with you... immediately?

Excuse me, children.

The men who held up our stage are just leaving town.

So if you'll excuse me... I have some money...

And a compass to retrieve.

But there are three of them.

I like those odds.

Edward, I don't care about the money, and

I can live without the compass.

I know. But it's my duty to apprehend the bad guys.

Just as it is for you to teach these children.

Now if you remember, I read ahead?

Some mounties do end up settling down.

Excuse me again, children.

I'll be right back.

Edward! Edward!

I didn't get to tell you I...

I... I just wanted to say please come back safely.