Original subtitles

[ theme music playing ]

♪♪

Well, Toomey says she should be rounding

Glover's Point just about now.

So it'll be another two minutes or so.That's right. Just about.

Just about two minutes less than the last time you asked.

Yes.

Well, I guess I am a little excited.

Just a little.I don't blame you.

20 years is a long time between handshakes.

Yes, it is.

[ whistle blowing ]

So I look all right?

Yes, honey, you look fine. Just fine.

She has all her clothes made for her in Paris.

Who?Melanie Kohler.

Jim.John, good to see you.

I can't tell you how good it is to see you.

Well, you look fine. You look just fine.

Father.Oh.

This is my daughter, Melanie.

This is John Grainger.

Very pleased to meet you, Mr. Grainger.

I'm very pleased to see you, my dear.

This is my granddaughter, Elizabeth.

We're so happy to have you here.Thank you.

And this is Trampas.

How do you do?

Trampas will take care of your luggage.

There's quite a bit of it, I'm afraid.

That's all right. We brought the buckboard.

Jim, the rig's out here.Thank you, John.

So this is Medicine Bow?

It's not a big town, but we love it.

Really?

I hope you will too.Thank you.

Not the small one. I'll take that.

Paris, London, Rome...

Have you been to all those places?

Yes.

Oh, could you put the brocade bag on top of the others?

Thank you very much.

You're welcome.

Hey...

♪♪

I hope this will be comfortable for you.

Fine, thank you.

There's a needle and thread in this top drawer

and towels in the bottom one there.

Is there anything else you might want?

No, thank you.

Excuse me.

Oh, I can manage. If you could just put those two on the bed.

Thank you.

Thank you, ma'am.

It's been a long time since I looked out a window

and saw green.

I got a beautiful view of a concrete mountain from my office.

Thank you, John.

It's one of the finest buildings in Chicago.

Took the whole top floor for myself. It's six stories up.

Built your own mountain.Yeah.

Jim, your wire didn't say how long you were staying.

No. [ chuckles ]

I, uh...

I'm thinking of making it permanent.

Permanent?Yeah. Why not?

Business has gotten so it can run itself, and I'm not getting any younger.

Or any older either, from the looks of you.

Tell you the truth, I'm getting a little cramped in that concrete mountain.

I've been daydreaming lately about open country,

getting a ranch, run some beef...

Can't put a saddle on a desk chair.

Are you trying to tell me

that you're thinking of making this move after 20 years?

Why not?

Nothing strange about that, is there?

I was brought up in a place like this. Always had it in my blood.

Funny, I always thought from your letters

that you were perfectly happy back there in Chicago.

Had everything you wanted right there.

That town house on Lake Shore Drive,

that club you belong to.

I made a good life for myself back there, John,

but I had enough of it, that's all.

Can't blame a man for getting a little tired of something after 20 years, can you?

A lot of men do.

All right, Jim, if you're really serious about this,

I know of a couple of spreads that might be worth looking at.

Good, good, good.

MELANIE: Is the bar still open?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Mmm. Good.

I heard out west they drank something awful called, um, red-eye.

Times have changed, John.

Nowadays, the woman's trying to shove the man aside, make a place alongside of him.

They'll be wanting to vote next.

They're already voting in Wyoming.

Quality of the wide-open spaces, good whiskey...

What more could a woman want?

How about a refill?

Sure.

I'll bid five.

[ whistles ]

Call.He made a believer out of me.

Jacks and sevens.Jack...

Kings up over eights.

and here I sit with three deuces.

You should've known he was bluffing.

Usually that calf-eyed look means he's sitting on something big.

[ chuckling ]

Good evening.

Good evening, Miss Kohler.

Anything we can do for you, Melanie?

I was just passing. Please, don't let me interrupt your game.

Do sit down.I don't believe you've met Belden.

This is Melanie Kohler.Ma'am.

Hello.

Well, what are you playing? Guts?

Uh, no, ma'am.

It's just a little friendly game. Jacks or better.

Let's see if I can't deal myself a good hand this time.

BELDEN: You're not dealing too well to me, Trampas.

"Trampas." What an odd name.

Tell me, do they call you Mr. Trampas or just plain Trampas?

Just plain Trampas.

Well, Trampas, about what happened

at the station this morning, if I offended you--

No. Forget it.

Forget what?

Nothing. All right, I call.

Didn't anybody ever tell you not to call

with anything lower than a pair of tens?

[ men laughing ]

♪♪

That looks like fun.

"Fun"? It may look like fun, but that's hard work.

Takes a special kind of man, a special horse.

It's a cutting horse.

MELANIE: Is that a cutting horse?Yes.

Trampas.

Well, you're up early this morning.

Yes, the last time I saw the morning sun was in a Russell painting.

That so?

I'd better get back to the branding. Excuse me.

Before you let him up, let me check this calf.

Melanie!

Hey! Hey!

Crazy rock-head.

You all right?

Just a little bruised dignity.

Well, you could've been killed, you know that?

Buck could've wrapped you around a tree or drove you into that boulder.

It's a miracle you're not hurt.

Well, I always wanted to be part of a miracle.

You know, you are the most, uh, uh...

the most, uh...Go on and say it.

I'll go round up the horses.

[ animal snarling ]

Don't move.

A moment ago, he...

he was alive.

Now he's dead.

He didn't know it was coming.

It... happened so fast.

Ma'am, he could've killed you.

Then I guess I should thank you for saving my life.

Well, don't put yourself out.

Let me see where those horses have gone to.

[ groans ]What's the matter?

I, uh...

Your ankle?

Looks like you twisted it.

I've got to get you back to the house.

I really didn't mean to cause you all this trouble.

We've been after that cat for months.

It took you to bring him out in the open.

Do you think you can ride?

Sure.

Careful of that ankle, now.

♪♪

♪♪

A cutting horse, Melanie, is a very special kind of animal.

He's not bred for pleasure riding.

So I found out-- the hard way.

You know, it was a good thing

that Trampas was there when that big cat showed up.

Would've been a pretty bad thing--

Let's just don't talk about that, huh?

Do you know this is the first morning we've had breakfast together in three years?

And I must say it's a great pleasure.

[ knocking ]

Come in.

Oh. Excuse me.

I didn't know you were having breakfast.

That's all right, Trampas. Come on in.

I brought the herd count for you, Mr. Grainger,

to look over.

Still some in the canyon, maybe 10 or 12 head.

Trampas, I want to thank you for taking care of my daughter yesterday.

That's all right. Any of the men would've done the same.

Really?

Some eggs, Trampas?

No thanks, Liz. I've already had breakfast.

Well, a cup of coffee then?

No, thanks.

Trampas, would you like to ride into town and see if there's any mail?

Sure.

Good morning.

Excuse me.

Trampas,

about yesterday, I...

How's your ankle?

Oh, it's a little sore, but that wasn't what I was talking about.

I meant--It was an accident.

Like your fall.

Trampas, um,

I haven't really seen Medicine Bow yet.

May I come with you?

If you want to.

I'll go and change. I won't be five minutes.

There's not much to see in Medicine Bow.

It's not Medicine Bow I'm interested in.

What are you interested in?

You.

Why me?

I don't know.

Well, let's see if I can figure it out.

Uh, wealthy, spoiled

Eastern girl comes West,

finds things kind of dull,

meets cowhand.

Might stir up a little excitement.

Something she can tell her friends about back in Chicago.

Hmm?

Well, maybe.

But... I don't think so.

Well, what about you? Why did you kiss me?

I don't know.

Oh, well, maybe I can figure it out.

Hardworking, hardheaded cowhand

gets a little bored with pretty little girls in calico.

Meets wealthy, spoiled Eastern girl,

stir up a little excitement,

something to tell the boys back in the bunkhouse.

Well, let's find out.

[ chuckles ]

I don't know.

I think it's kind of pretty.

All the news that's fit to print.

And some that's not.

Now, over here we have...

Yes?

Well, back East, a nice young man

would ask a lady to lunch this time of day.

Oh. Well, out West too.

Hmm.How does the lady like her steaks?

Well done.

"Well done"?Mm-hmm. Why? What about you?

Well, there's only one way to eat a steak: that's rare.

"Rare"?

All right.

You try it rare,

and I'll try it well done.

Fair enough.

Well, like the man said,

it seemed like a good idea at the time.

What man?

That's a saloon. A real, authentic saloon.

I've never been inside one.

Ladies aren't allowed.

I'll bet a wealthy, spoiled Eastern girl

could get in if she really wanted to.

Hey!

Hey, Trampas.

Hello, Tommy. How are you?

Fine.

I've been looking all over for you.

How's Miss Ann? I heard she's expecting.

Already happened.No. How many?

Seven.Seven?

Uh, Miss Ann is Tommy's dog.

Oh!

You just gotta come see 'em, Trampas. You just gotta!

Well, I guess I just gotta.

Aren't they something?

Well, looky here.

It looks like you've got a family all at once, Tommy.

Now you have to take care of them.

They'll look to you for their food, water,

and you have to take care of them when they get sick.

I will.

But that little one over there,

she's gonna die.

How do you know?

There ain't enough room for her to feed,

and the other ones push her out of the way.

You mustn't let her die, Tommy.

But she's one pup too many for Miss Ann to feed.

Well,

you can't just let her die without a chance.

Go and get some milk.

All right.

See? She's starved.

She's taking the milk!

You'll have to feed her, Tommy.

Be a terrible thing just to let her die.

I'll feed her three times a day,

just like you're doing.

She won't die.

Here. You do it.

Take her gently.

Now,

dip the tip of the handkerchief in the milk

and then squeeze it in her mouth.

That's it.

How many women do you have bottled up inside of you?

Then about two years ago, Mrs. Fenton died.

All the sons are married now

and got places of their own.

So he wants to sell out, go to live with his eldest son.

What's the acreage?About 800.

Not a big spread, but...

what there is of it is choice land.

I suppose a man could do a little farming on that, uh,

flat section we saw up there.

That's right.And maybe run a couple hundred head of black angus.

What's it all about, Jim?

Something's wrong.

I sensed it the minute you got off that train.

All this talk about buying a place

and moving out here?

I'd like to believe you, Jim, but I just can't.

Is it Melanie?

Yeah, she has a lot to do with it.

See, when her mother was alive, she saw to it

that Melanie had every advantage--

right friends,

right clothes, best schools in Europe.

She's grown up now,

and that bunch she ran around with in Chicago, well, they, uh,

they seem to have nothing on their minds except having fun and good times,

and I want her to see what

real living is all about.

I want her to be happy.

And you figure bringing her out here to live will make her happy?

She may feel a little strange in these surroundings at first...

John, it's something I've got to do.

She's a fine girl. I want you to know that.

She has to be.

She comes of good stock.

Now they're back,

and I'm glad of that.

I was beginning to be a little worried.

No reason to worry, Jim. Not with Trampas.

Well, you do that very well.

Well, it's all in the wrist.

That so?

Thank you for a lovely day.

Thank you.

[ knock at door ]Come in.

You look wonderful.

Simply wonderful. You must've enjoyed yourself today.

Yes, I did.

We didn't do very much.

We strolled down the street and picked up the mail

and looked in the windows and fed milk to this cute little puppy.

It was a... a wonderful, exciting day.

"Exciting"?

Why exciting?

It was a different kind of excitement--

something warm and real.

John seems to think a good deal of Trampas.

He's different than any other man I've known.

He's warm and gentle,

intelligent.

Just being with him...

I think I'm falling in love with him.

All I want is your happiness.

I just don't want you talking yourself into something,

believing in something,

just because you want it to happen.

Oh, but it isn't like that at all.

You know,

a long time ago,

when you were a very little girl,

a bought you a present, a stuffed dog,

just a toy full of cotton with a ribbon around his neck.

That night,

you took it to bed with you, and you dreamed for a few hours that it was real,

that it talked to you.

The next morning, you tried to get it to talk again,

and when it didn't, you cried,

and you cried for hours.

Don't let it be your loneliness these last few months,

your bitterness, all the hurt,

that's reaching out for someone--

anyone--

to hold on to.

For a few hours today,

just being with him,

I forgot who I was,

what I was,

and I felt alive.

Father, for the first time in my life, I...

I've found something real...

to hold on to,

and I'm not gonna let go.

Well, now,

what are you doing sitting here in the dark?

Oh. [ chuckles ]

Just, uh, thinking.

You know, it's funny. You can't see it or hear it or feel it,

but it's there, slipping away piece by piece.

Where does it go, John-- time?

I guess a lot of us begin to think about that at our age.

Five years-- five long, lonely years--

since Angela died, and there's not a day goes by I don't think about her.

I know the feeling.

You've been alone a long time too.

You're wrong about that, Jim.

I'm far from being alone.

I have my grandchildren,

the ranch, my work.

Keeps me pretty busy.

The only thing I have,

the only thing that really matters to me is Melanie.

Now, this fellow, Trampas...

I'm afraid that Melanie is becoming, uh,

involved with him.

What do you mean, "involved"?

She thinks she's in love with him.

It happens every day.

But not so quickly.

You have a short memory, Jim.

Look, he's a cowhand she hardly knows.

You were a cowhand yourself.

I didn't mean it that way.

Trampas is a fine man.

He was cut from the same bolt that you were.

I'd be proud to call him my own son.

It's Melanie.

John,

she's dying.

♪♪

I didn't want to burden you with this, but...

I have to confide in someone.

Sorry, Jim.

Mighty sorry.

I got the best doctors for her in New York and Paris,

Europe, everywhere.

About four months ago was the end of the line.

The last specialist, he gave her a few months in Chicago,

a year, maybe two, if she came out here.

She didn't want to come.

I insisted we try anything.

Does she know?

I didn't want to tell her,

but I had to convince her to come.

Anyway, I think she had a right to know.

I'd have done the same.

My daughter is dying, John, and I can't do anything about it...

but just sit back

and watch her die slowly,

a day at a time.

And now this-this Trampas thing, I...

Look, I can't see her hurt any more.

Why should being in love hurt her?

If she is in love.

But to hide behind the promise of something that isn't real...

Jim, I wish I knew what to say to you.

I can only imagine myself in your place.

She seemed happy this afternoon.

Yeah.

For the first time in months, with Trampas I think she was.

Whatever happens, Trampas won't hurt her.

Perhaps all you can do is to...

is to give her time to test out what she feels.

One thing I can't give her is time.

Then give her freedom

to live for whatever time she has.

♪♪

♪♪

Hello.

Afternoon.

Well, what brings you all the way out here?

Well, I thought you might like to have lunch with me. Turkey and potato salad?

Sounds good.

There's a gate in the fence about a mile down.

I don't think I'll need it.

Not if he feels as frisky as I do.

Hey-- Hey--

Come on.

Well,

that's what I call real good turkey.

It had a different taste to it--

kind of a... kind of a bite to it.

I basted it with brandy.

You cooked the turkey?

Mm-hmm.

Is there anything you can't do?

Well, you see, we spoiled Eastern girls

have many hidden talents.

When we're young, we learn to...

♪♪

You learn to what?

When to say something

and when to be quiet.

I think if I live to be a hundred,

I would never figure you out.

I hope it won't take that long.

I wouldn't mind.

I've never heard you mention your family.

Family?Mm-hmm.

Not much to tell, really.

My mother died when I was a kid,

and I was raised behind my father's chair at the poker table.

Oh, he loved me,

but making a flush or filling an inside straight kept him pretty busy.

Mm?

We drifted from one place to another,

living out of a saddlebag.

But if we were lucky--

I mean, real lucky--

a hotel room.

We tried to make a go of a little spread once,

but, uh, it didn't work out.

When Dad died,

well, I was angry, hurt,

and I went out looking for trouble.

Instead,

I found a home and a family.

Here at Shiloh?Mm-hmm.

Where do you go from here?

Oh, I've got plans.

I'm gonna have a place of my own someday.

A man needs roots,

some place he can call his own.

a reason for living.

"Reason for living"?

Life.

Life...

well, it's like a mountain.

You climb up to a plateau,

catch your breath, take a look around,

see where you are,

and you look up, and you climb up to the next plateau.

When do you stop climbing?

When you've reached the top of the mountain.

What's up there?

♪♪

Come on!

[ Melanie, Trampas laughing ]

He's with her every chance he gets.

I've noticed that.

You mean it's serious?

Ever see Trampas act that way before?

♪♪

I can't understand why a girl who's used to orchids

would want to pick wildflowers.

You know, I never even looked at a wildflower.

Or held one.

I've never really looked at an orchid before.

Or held one.

Hmm.

Say, uh, you know that north section by Oak Creek?

Mm-hmm.

Well, I... I rode by there today.

You know, it's sitting there all by itself. Nobody's using it.

Why, it would make a nice spread all by itself, don't you think?

I guess so. You know somebody who's interested?

You comin', Trampas?Huh? Yeah.

Uh. no, I... Not off hand.

Hmm.

♪♪

You've always got that pretty little nose of yours

stuck in that book.

What does it say about us?

"Time: the sleepless wind

that sifts the sands and draws the rivers

o'er the lands has come, my love.

His breath is near and moves not tenderly.

So kiss the summer,

weep the autumn,

and remember me."

[ Melanie laughing ]

Aha!

For a minute there, I thought you were gonna get away from me.

I knew you'd catch me, especially if I slowed down.

Penny for your thoughts.Hmm?

Oh. They're worth much more than that.

Oh? How much more?

You couldn't afford it.

That enough?

It'll do for a down payment.

Tell me.

Oh.

I was thinking of a place near here,

a place I go to sometimes.

It's, uh... Well, it's not much now, I guess, but it's good land.

It's got water.

A fellow could run a couple hundred head there,

and...

there's this little rise where you could build a house.

Uh...

I make...

Well, I make $30 a month.

I guess you spend that much money on a hat.

Well, I know it wouldn't be...

wouldn't be easy at first, but it'd be a start,

something we could build on together.

It might take a few years, but...

♪♪

well, to build the ranch up to where it'd be easy for you.

Maybe bring somebody in to help you with the house.

I'd work hard for you.

Melanie...

you see, I...

I love you.

Well, I'm...

I'm asking you to marry me.

Well, I...

I didn't think I...

I just didn't realize that...

Neither did I.

I didn't expect it to happen.

But it has.

And all of a sudden it seems the most natural thing in the world.

I can't.

Not marriage.

I thought you felt...

Yes. You don't understand.

Maybe I do.

Oh, no, it's not what you're thinking.

Look, let's forget it.

I won't mention it again.

It just wouldn't work out.

Well, it was fun while it lasted, right?

Hmm? A week? Maybe two weeks?

But 30 or 40 years out here,

that's a lifetime.

Well, that's it, isn't it?

Something like that.

Nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live here.

[ sobs ] Please!

Look,

let's forget it.

I'll take you home.

♪♪

Did Mr. Grainger ever show you a place called Oak Creek?

No.

Well, it's got water,

good grazing,

perfect spot for a house.

What is it, Melanie?

I've got to get away. I don't trust myself any longer.

What do you mean?

He asked me to marry him.

Isn't that ridiculous? Me, married?

And for a minute,

I almost said yes.

You really love him, don't you?

Yes!

But I'm afraid!

I'm afraid if I stay, I'll give in.

Just to be with him. Just to feel his arms around me.

And that's the kind of pain I'm not used to.

Melanie, I thought you were just kidding yourself.

I thought you were just looking for a place to hide.

I was wrong.

Look, if...

if you love each other...

But two years. Maybe less.

I couldn't do that to him. It wouldn't be fair.

I've watched you these last few days,

laughing, dancing,

your eyes sparkling.

You've been happy.

I didn't think you could be happy after...

Why shouldn't you take

what you want?

But...

But it's such little time.

Maybe time isn't important.

Maybe it's only what you do

with time.

♪♪

[ knock at door ]

[ yawns ] Can't a man get any sleep around here?

I'm coming!

Gonna break down my door.

All right, all right. [ yawning ]

Trampas-- Where is he?

Uh, uh, uh...

Whattya-- Huh?

Melanie, what are you...

Trampas, I...

Can I change my mind?

♪♪

What's all the noise...

You're in the bunkhouse, and you...

Well, I don't care if it's the middle of Times Square.

Well, will you look at this one now?

Still here.

She had me up at 6:00 this morning folding napkins.

We aren't gonna have enough cups and saucers for 30 people.

You can borrow what you need.

But they won't match.

I don't know how I'm gonna have everything ready in time for the announcement party.

Honey, the party's three days away.

You have plenty of time.

Men!

Well, Jim,

happy about it?

I wasn't at first,

but just to see Melanie's face so radiant, so full of hope,

that means she's happy, and that's good enough for me.

Jim, I know

your primary concern is Melanie,

but Trampas has a great deal to do with this too.

Don't you think he has a right to know?

What good would it do to tell him?

Well, supposing this were the girl that you were going to marry.

Wouldn't you want to know?

I hadn't thought of that.

I have,

and I've wondered if Trampas's right to know

isn't exactly the same as Melanie's.

I've also wondered if I have the right to tell him.

I haven't, Jim.

Perhaps nobody has

except Melanie.

♪♪

Melanie?Hmm?

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

Happy?

You're all I need to be happy.

Melanie,

I want you to have something.

Trampas, it's lovely.

It belonged to my mother.

The only thing I have to remember her by.

It's funny how a little doodad like that

can mean so much.

When I was a kid,

I felt lonely.

I used to fall asleep with this in my hand.

I guess nothing's ever meant so much to me.

Until you.

♪♪

Does it look all right?

It looks just fine.

Are you excited?Yes. About to burst.

Anything I can do?Be happy for me.

I am very happy.

Oh, I wish it were today.

In five minutes. Isn't that silly?

Most brides are scared to death, but I can't wait.

I can see that.

He's a lucky man, Trampas.

Is he, Father?

Yes.

Melanie?

Yes?

I think he has a right to know.

No.

I don't want him to get like me,

listening to the tick of the clock

and wondering how much time is left,

afraid to make plans in advance.

No, I want him as he is.

Melanie,

he'll have to know sooner or later.

Towards the end,

when your eyes begin to fail.

He loves you.

He's the kind of a man who can know the truth

and live with it.

Yes,

but I couldn't live with him if he knew.

I'm not that strong.

His love-- that's what gives me strength.

His pity would destroy us both.

It hasn't destroyed me.

When was the last time I heard you laugh?

You think you're the same man you used to be--

Big Jim Kohler, explosive, dynamic--

"Anything for a laugh," they used to say.

And look at you.

Look what I've done to you.

Well, I'm not going to do the same thing to him.

Whatever time we have left will have to be enough.

I'll make it enough.

Want you to know, son, I'm pleased with the wedding.

Well, you know something? So am I.

It happens.

Melanie tells me you've got your eye on a place called Oak Creek.

That's right. It's about ten miles from here.

Sit down, Trampas.

Thank you.

What... What do you think about the Fenton place?

Oh, it's a good spread.

Mr. Fenton and the boys have kept it real trim.

Yeah, it's real fine acreage. Good house,

plenty of room to build.

Be a big jump forward for a young couple just getting started.

Well, I'm afraid I can't afford that kind of jump.

Well, I don't need to tell you what my daughter means to me.

She's all I have, and I want her to be comfortable.

I'll try to see that she is.

So I'm gonna give you that Fenton place as a wedding present.

Mr. Kohler, that's...

that's very kind of you, but, uh,

I'm afraid I can't take it.

Why not?

Well, you see,

Melanie and I, we'll be starting out together.

Whatever we have will be ours.

Wait a minute, boy.

Where are you gonna live? It's gonna take you months to build a house.

You can't live in a tent.

Mr. Grainger has a cabin near the river.

He said we could stay there till the house is built.A cabin?

I don't blame you, boy.

That's how I did it.

Trampas, there's one thing I've got to say.

I had my wife almost 20 years,

and when she died,

I felt robbed.

You and Melanie...

You've got to make the most

of every day,

every hour.

Mr. Kohler,

I never gave much thought to marriage.

I sure never expected to find a girl like Melanie.

But now that I have,

I will make the most of it.

Like you say, every day,

every hour, as long as we live.

I think you will.

♪♪

[ laughing ]

Well, being way out here will certainly discourage any unwanted visitors.

This'll all be leveled off.

Now, the road's gonna come right up through here,

right to the front of the house.Uh-huh.

Right here.

Oh, the front door will be...

Where?

Oh, right about here.

Oh.

Uh, oh...

Have to do this right.

[ laughing ]

Uh, you are now in your living room.

Oh.

Um... Oh.

Over here, up here.

What's this?

This... This is your kitchen.

Uh, over here...

Chimney, front door, living room.

Living room.

Oh, uh...

bedroom.

Do you think it's proper?

I mean, being in the bedroom before we're married?

Worried?

Well, what'll the neighbors say?

Well, I could pull the curtains.

Oh, let them talk.

Well, it'll be a small house at first,

but, uh, after a year or so,

why, we'll just build on another bedroom right over there.

And then, uh,

we'll build another one right there.

It'll be a big house someday.

A long way from Chicago, isn't it?

It's where I want to be-- where you are.

Melanie,

you won't regret it.

I won't let you regret it.

What about you? You might regret it.

Well, if it looks like it's not gonna work out after 30 or 40 years,

I'll just put you out.

Oh, uh, over here

I'd thought I'd put one of those sewing corners.

Well, I have a habit of

popping a button once in a while

or splitting my britches from time to time.

♪♪

Hello there, Buck.

Getting a little nervous?

Uh, yeah, I guess so.

Well, that's natural.

Big step when a man gets married.

Probably the biggest step he'll ever take.

Makes him edgy.

Yeah.

Well, it's kind of like, uh...

well, uh...

You know, it's hard to explain.

Like a storm brewing inside.

Yeah.

I had that feeling a long time ago,

a few days before my own wedding.

Well, it's a good feeling.

You know, Trampas,

I didn't have too many years

with my own wife.

She died young.

But I've always been thankful for the little time we did have together.

You must've loved her very much.

She was a very special woman.

Very much like your Melanie.

Well, Trampas, I don't have to tell you how we all feel about you.

I'm happy for both of you.

Thank you.

[ dance music playing ]

Come on, Mr. Kohler.

Me? Oh, no, Elizabeth. No.

Oh, come on, Jim.

All right.

All that energy run in the family?

When's this gal of yours coming down?

Yeah. I wonder what's keeping her.

You'd better have a talk with her, Trampas.

Yeah, let her know who's boss.She knows who's boss.

May I have this dance?

What...

The music is a little fast for me.

I feel a little dizzy.

Well, you'd better sit down. I'll get you some punch.

Dance.

Hello, Tommy.

Gee, you look like a queen.

Oh, thank you.

I don't feel like one.[ music stops ]

Say, how's our puppy? Is she getting bigger?

I fed her like you showed me,

but it was just no use.

She died anyhow.

Papa said it just was her time,

so there was nothing nobody could do.

[ music resumes ]

[ garbled voices ]

Excuse me.

I'm the proudest man in this room.

I need a drink.Not here, Melanie.

I said, I need a drink.

May I have your attention, please?

Nervous?No. Why should I be?

I think most of you have a pretty fair notion of what this is all about.

For us here at Shiloh, it's a real occasion

because it concerns the daughter of my oldest friend

and what's probably the greatest top hand any man

could be privileged to have.

It's my pleasure to announce--Mr. Grainger.

I...

I know you've all gone

to a lot of trouble,

you and Elizabeth

and everyone,

and, well, I don't want to spoil the party,

but...

there's been a terrible mistake,

and I can't let it go any further.

My father and I are going home to Chicago.

Trampas, you said it yourself the other day.

Uh, what was it? Oh, yeah.

A nice place to visit,

but not for a lifetime.

And you were right.

I... I can't live here with you.

No, please, don't make it any more difficult.

Maybe... Maybe the idea

was... charming, appealing,

but...

but this...

this just isn't for me.

None of it.

Now, I need glamour

and excitement and life.

Trampas,

that little house of yours...

just isn't enough.

Well, this is a party. Where's the music?

♪♪

JIM: Melanie?

Daddy,

my time has run out.

♪♪

Well, let me hear from you, Jim.

If there's anything I can do...

Thank you, John.

About last night...I understand.

What a lovely day.

And I was sure it would rain.

But then things never turn out the way you expect them.

You've been very kind, Mr. Grainger.

So have you, my dear.

If you're ever in Chicago, I do hope you'll come and visit us.

Thank you.

He's in the stable.

♪♪

I wanted to say goodbye.

You just said it.

Trampas...

I'm sorry.

The men are waiting for me.

♪♪

You got a pair of pliers?Pliers?

One of our fence crawlers picked up a nail.

I ain't much smarter. I went out and forgot my pliers this morning.

Yep.Thank you.

[ train whistle blows ]

♪♪

[ theme music playing ]