Original subtitles

- Lansford... - Huh?

You're up and dressed already.

I wanted to get to the post early in case there was a letter.

I'll fix you breakfast before you go.

I've already been.

Land sakes, what time is it?

Oh, never mind the time.

Looky here.

Is it...?

It's from your boy. It's from Charles.

Well, read it, for heaven's sakes.

Hold on, now, while I get my spectacles.

Yeah. Yeah.

"Dear ma and pa,

"sorry it's been so long since my last letter,

but you know I never was much for writing."

Same old excuse.

Shh. Let me just...

"Caroline and the children are all well."

Is she with child?

I only started reading.

Go on.

You read the whole letter on your way back.

Is she having a baby?

It doesn't say so in the letter.

What's the matter with those two?

They'd better get on to having a son

to carry on the name of Ingalls.

I'm sure they're doing their best, mother.

Now, can I continue?

I never asked you to stop in the first place.

"Our crops look good this year,

"and barring drought or grasshoppers,

"we should have some good money banked come winter.

"The children are growing so fast,

"you can almost see it daily.

"Mary is close to being a woman,

"and the young men are already buzzing around her

like bees to honey."

That child is still a babe.

I hope your son has sense enough

to keep the boys away.

"Tell ma not to worry.

"I'll see to it anyone comes courting her mind their manners

or I'll take the stick to them."

Well, thank goodness my son has his wits about him.

First he's my son, then he's your son.

Go on reading.

"If all goes well with my crop,

"I'll be able to add on to the house.

"I talked it over with Caroline,

"and she and I hoped you might think about

"moving west and live with us.

"There's good folk here and a fine church,

"and we miss you both.

"When I play the violin at night,

"we all think about dancing grandma.

"I got to close. Please think on it.

"We all love you.

Your son, Charles Philip Ingalls."

He signs his whole name, Charles Philip Ingalls,

like a letter of introduction.

Dancing grandma...

Yeah. There wasn't a soul could keep up with you

in them big woods...

Not at dancing a jig, they couldn't.

I want to hold it.

But you can't see in this light.

I know.

I just want to hold it.

I'll heat you some broth.

Lansford.

Yes, mama?

Tell me we can go.

Oh... mama.

I know.

Please...

Tell me that we'll go...

In the spring.

Tell me that I'll see my babes again.

You will, in the spring.

You're not just saying it this time?

I promise, mama.

Mrs. Colby: Lansford...

How long till sunup?

Ha ha ha!

She's sure having a hard time making up her mind.

Well, it's a big decision, Brewster...

Picking out the birds you're going to raise for Thanksgiving.

It may be Thanksgiving before she picks one.

Ha. I know what you mean. I think I'll hurry her up.

You got any idea yet?

No. There's so many.

There is a bunch of them.

They just all look alike to me.

Not to me.

Oh.

Should I pick a girl Turkey or a boy?

Uh, let's see. I think you ought to get a Tom.

Which one's name is Tom?

No, it's not the Turkey's name.

It's just a word they use to let you know it's a boy Turkey.

What's a girl's Turkey's name?

Hens.

Just hens? No name?

Charles: Afraid not.

Is that a Tom Turkey?

Yeah.

I'll take him.

All right.

Ah, he's a nice one, huh? Come on.

Whoa.

Caroline!

Hey, come on over here! See what we got here!

A Turkey!

Got a little surprise for you right here.

Look it here. Look at that Turkey.

Carrie picked him out all by herself.

His name is Tom.

He's a fine Turkey.

You bet he is!

Now, come on.

We'll go in the barn and build a proper pen for him.

Boy, you wait and see how big he gets.

Charles...

I want to talk to you.

Carrie, you go ahead and take the bird inside.

Yeah, you go on inside.

Can I help build you a pen, too?

Why, you bet you can.

Just go on in there. I'll be in in a second.

What's the matter?

A letter came from your father today...

Oh. Decided not to come already, huh?

He's as stubborn as I am.

Charles...

I know you're disappointed.

He still may change his mind.

You wait till ma works on him a little bit...

She'll get...

Oh, mama...

It's my mama.

There we go.

Ma...

Yes, Carrie?

Pa cried.

I know.

Carrie: Because his ma went away?

That's right.

Where did she go?

She went to heaven.

Is god up in heaven? Jesus is there.

Yes.

It's beautiful there.

Why did pa cry?

Well...

It's like when your brother died.

Your pa and I cried.

I cried, too.

Caroline: I know.

But we cried because we missed him,

because we wanted him to be with us.

Do you understand?

A little bit.

I wish Tom could sleep with me.

There will be no Turkey sleeping in your bed.

Now close your eyes.

Good night, ma.

Good night, Carrie.

Charles, some more coffee?

No, no. I'm almost finished.

I want to get this pen done.

Carrie's so anxious to take care of that bird.

Why didn't he write us she was sick?

Then maybe I could have seen her bef...

He probably didn't want to worry you. Maybe...

He's a stubborn old man, that's why.

He wouldn't come out with us in the first place

because he was stubborn.

Ain't nothing left in those woods.

Lost everything, living in a shack,

and he still wouldn't come with us.

It was because of his pride.

Well, look where his pride's got him now.

He's just an old man, and he's living alone.

Look where it's got him now.

We'll be just fine while you're gone.

Well, aren't you going to bring

that stubborn, old, prideful father of yours out here?

I'm sure going to try.

I love you!

Charles!

Charles Philip Ingalls!

You come when I call you, boy.

Now!

Your ma says you're running away from home.

Is that so?

Lansford: Is that so?

Yes, sir.

Well, speak up. If you're old enough to be running off,

you're old enough to be heard.

Yes, sir. I'm running away.

That's better.

You should have come to me before you left.

You got 10 cents coming in chore money.

You'll be needing it to make a fresh start.

Which way you heading?

West, sir.

West? Oh, that's a good choice.

A lot of country out there.

You mind if I walk along with you a spell?

No, sir.

You mind my asking why you're leaving?

Lots of things.

For instance?

Well, school, for one.

Oh, yeah. Kind of a waste of time, huh?

Yes, sir.

Well, that's your ma's doing.

She holds great store in reading and writing.

Of course, reading can be kind of fun.

Oh, it's not just school.

It's Peter, too.

Oh, older brother, huh?

Yeah. He acts like he was you,

always telling the rest of us kids what to do.

Bossy, huh? I know what you mean.

I got the same problem with your ma.

- You do? - Of course I do.

Making me settle down...

Of course, I didn't mind at first,

but a man gets itchy to move on, like you're doing.

Get away from town,

see the world.

You know something, Charles?

You and me... we're in the same boat!

We are?

Yes, boy, we are, and, by golly,

there's no reason for it.

A man ought not to be doing things

that he doesn't want to be doing.

He should do just what he wants in this life

and the heck with the rest of the world.

By golly, boy, you've made up my mind for me.

I'm going with you!

What?

Listen, it won't take me more than an hour

to throw a few things into a knapsack.

You wait for me right here.

- Pa! - Yeah, boy?

Are you sure you know what you're doing?

Well, I do now, thanks to you.

Well, what about ma?

Well, what about her?

Well, she loves you,

and she'll miss you something fierce.

Well, she loves you, too,

but you're not letting that stop you,

so neither am I.

Well, what about Peter

and Lydia and Polly?

Well, you just said that Peter's always acting like me.

He can take care of your sisters.

He's not like you.

He ain't nothing like you.

You just said he was!

Oh, you shouldn't pay no mind to what I say.

I'm just little.

Well, you're big enough to be running off, aren't you?

Aren't you?

I wasn't going to run off, pa...

Not really.

Things aren't so bad,

and there's still room in the big woods,

and ma doesn't mean it when she's bossy sometimes.

Charles: It's mostly because she loves you.

You think so?

I know it.

Lansford: And you're sure you're not going to run off?

Sure, I'm sure.

Well... if you're man enough to stay,

I will, too.

By golly, all this talking's given me an appetite.

What say we go home?

I wouldn't be surprised if your ma's got

a fresh pie in the oven.

How's that sound?

Home sounds good.

Ticket inspector: Tickets, please.

Going a long way.

Yeah.

I'm going home.

Going home.

Eliza!

Charles?

Eliza Ann!

Charles!

Oh, darling, let me look at you.

The prettiest gal around except for your sister.

How is Caroline?

Oh, she's fine. She sends her love.

What am I doing, having you stand out here?

Come on inside.

I'll start us a good supper.

All right. Sounds good. I haven't seen papa yet.

I'll go see him after supper.

How's that brother of mine?

Oh, just as ornery as the day I married him.

How's papa feeling?

Not too well, I'm afraid.

Peter seeing a lot of him?

No. Things aren't too good between them.

Why? What's the matter?

I'd best let Peter tell you when he gets home.

Peter: You finished with your supper, Amelia?

Yes, sir.

Peter: You may be excused.

Can I wait until James is through?

Peter: He's through right now.

You're both excused.

Amelia: Nice to see you again, uncle Charles.

It's nice to see you again, Amelia.

Close the door.

Amelia: Yes, sir.

A fine supper, Eliza.

Thank you.

There's a bit more.

No, no. I've had my fill, thank you.

Well, I expect we better talk about pa now.

I appreciate your not saying anything

until the children were through.

I don't like to talk about it in front of them.

Go on.

Well, you haven't seen him for what... 4 years?

Well, it's almost 5, yeah.

Well, if you thought he was bad when he lost the farm,

wait till you see him now.

He just...

Don't do nothing but talk about failing

and dying...

Peter: Mostly dying.

Well, it's only been a month since ma died.

It takes a little time.

I'm not so sure it's good for him to be alone so much.

It's what he wants. It's his choice.

Well, maybe we shouldn't let him make that decision.

But what in god's name do you expect me to do?

- Peter. - No!

Who does he think he is, coming back here

and accusing me of...

Of not treating pa right?

It's well and good for him,

living halfway across the world away from all this!

Peter, I'm not accusing you of anything.

I'm just trying to figure out what's best for pa.

And I'm trying to figure out what's best for me and my family!

I'm not going to have him around here,

with his talking about failing,

about being useless.

He did that to ma for years,

up until the day she died!

Well, he's not going to do it to me,

or to my family.

Well, I think I'd better get on over and see pa.

I'll stop by and say good-bye on my way home.

Peter: Don't go and see him, little brother.

It won't do no good.

Just go on home,

remember him the way he was when we were little.

That's all I do, remember him, Peter.

And so I've got to go see him.

Papa?

Charles? Is that you, boy?

Yes, sir.

Where in heaven's name have you been, boy?

Your ma's had supper on the table for an hour!

I came home as soon as I could.

Well, that's no answer.

Where were you? Speak up.

I was doing some plowing for Mr. Holbrook.

I'll not have it!

Papa, we need the money!

The loan's come due!

As long as you live in my house

and under my roof, you'll do as I say!

And I say that you'll not work for holbrook

or for anyone else!

I'll take care of this family.

You and your ma think that I can't do it.

Well, I'll show you.

Had a bad run of luck, that's all.

But that'll change. It's bound to change.

And when it does, oh, we'll be living in a fine house,

and your ma will be dancing in store-bought shoes.

You hear me, boy?

Papa.

I came as soon as I could.

My son...

Oh, land sakes.

When I hear music like that,

my feet want to dance.

Then go ahead.

What'll it be?

Don't you dare.

I'll end up by dunking both of us.

Oh, you're the best dancer in all of Wisconsin.

Well, I was...

I guess.

Can't dance like that anymore, though.

Guess I'm getting old.

Oh, you'll never get old.

You're just out of practice is all.

Well, we haven't danced in a while, have we?

Charles: No, ma'am.

Your pa had great plans for us, Charles.

He wanted to do good things for all of us.

We don't need so much.

We can always make do.

Of course we can.

Then why doesn't he ever smile anymore?

Because he feels he let us down.

Because his great dream didn't come true.

It wasn't his fault we lost the farm.

Two crops lost on account of weather.

A man can't take blame on weather.

Well, he shouldn't,

but he does!

That's the trouble with dreams.

They only work out if things go just right.

I wish pa never had those dreams.

Wish we'd just stayed in one place and made do.

Oh, you say that now, but just you wait.

There's a lot of your pa in you, Charles.

Mrs. Colby: It wasn't your pa's dreams that were wrong.

It was just that he counted too much on them.

That's what was wrong.

Your older brother's more like me.

He's going to settle in one place

and stay put,

make do.

So will I.

I want to be like you and Peter.

The good lord might not want you to be.

But don't you be afraid to dream, son.

Mrs. Colby: And more important,

don't you be afraid to fail.

Because if you're not afraid and you fail,

well, it doesn't make you weaker.

It just makes you stronger.

Wish on a wildflower...

What?

I had a dream once.

All I had to do was wish on a wildflower, and it came true.

Oh, Charles Ingalls, you and your wishes and your dreams.

You just said don't be afraid to dream.

Seems to me I did say something like that.

There.

Guess we'd better go home now.

Got a good storm going.

Ma always did like a good storm.

Remember? She said it was god's way of showing us his power.

Church attendance always did seem to be up after a good one.

You know, I was telling you about my crop.

Well, it's going to be a dandy.

I wish you could see it.

Going to add another room on the place.

I've been wanting to do it for a long time.

And now with this crop, we'll be able to.

Take a little while to get it fixed,

but we could make a little place for you

in the soddy till it was ready.

Caroline and the girls sure are looking forward to seeing you.

Not a bad trip now, either.

Things are a lot different now with the trains.

Just easy ride all the way.

I can't leave your ma.

She's gone now, pa. There's nothing for you here.

She's here. I can't leave her.

If she were here, she'd tell you to come with me.

Go back to your family and leave me be.

I can't do that. You're my father.

You're part of my family.

Go home, and let me die in peace.

Oh, that's right. Start talking about dying.

That's all I want.

It's always been what you want.

Whenever things didn't turn out just right,

you saw to it everybody was just as miserable as you were.

You watch how you talk to your father.

Why, pa? Am I telling a lie?

You know, you told me once a man could say anything he wanted

as long as he was speaking the truth.

Well, that's what I'm doing now.

You're staying here, mourning,

talking about dying. - I want to be with her!

You're with her now!

If you just had that faith you were always talking about,

you'd know that.

God forgive you for saying that.

Oh, no. No, pa, god forgive you for wasting the life he gave you

feeling sorry for yourself.

You know, all ma ever cared about was you being happy.

I pray to god she can't see you now.

Mama...

I'm sorry, mama.

I didn't mean to hurt him.

I just didn't know what else to do.

I love him, you know...

I just...

Didn't know what else to do.

Oh, my god!

Papa!

Pa!

Papa!

Papa, get up!

Papa, come on!

Papa, get out of the bed!

Papa!

Come on!

Why didn't you let me die?

Why?

Not this way, papa...

Not this way.

Charles: You've done enough to mama already.

Pa, we're going home.

We're going home.

Pa.

I got us a ride with Mr. Hilyard.

Oh. That's neighborly of him.

We're going now, ma.

I wish things were different.

I wish you were going with us.

I know how much you wanted to see those grandkids of yours again.

You'd be proud of them, too, ma.

You'd really be proud.

Pa doesn't want to go, you know. He...

Just wants to stay here and die.

And I don't know what I'm going to do about it, but I'm going to try.

I promise you that I'm going to try.

So just be happy, ma...

And try not to worry about anything.

Because you did everything you could,

and it's up to us now.

I sure love you, ma.

Come on, Tom!

Come on!

Come on! We've got to go for a walk.

Come on, Tom!

Come on!

You'd better be good. Come on.

Carrie, what are you doing?

I'm taking Tom for a walk.

Carrie, turkeys don't go for walks.

Then why do they have legs?

So people can eat drumsticks.

You can't eat Tom's legs.

He's my own Turkey. Pa said so.

Well, why do you think pa gave him to you to raise?

So he could eat supper with us on Thanksgiving.

Carrie, it's so we...

Laura. You can take Tom for his walk, Carrie.

All right. Come on, Tom. Let's go.

I just can't believe it.

She doesn't know.

I guess not.

Well, pa must have told her

that we're going to have a Turkey for supper.

That's it! That has to be it.

Carrie thought he meant we were going to have him for supper,

not that we were going to have him for supper.

Charles: Hey!

- It's pa! - And grandpa!

Grandpa!

Oh, grandpa, we missed you.

Oh, I missed you too.

Now, let me look at you.

Look at the two of you!

You've all grown up!

I told you, didn't I?

Papa Ingalls!

Caroline!

Oh!

Ha ha ha!

How nice to see you!

Oh, and you!

Welcome home.

Thank you.

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha!

Faster this time.

Faster next time, pa.

All right, you asked for it.

I think I'll sit this one out.

Ooh!

I don't know where they get the energy.

Look at that Laura.

She reminds me so much of mama.

When she went to dancing,

there wasn't a partner could keep up.

I remember.

Ah, Laura.

You certainly picked the right name for her.

I did pick it, didn't I?

You insisted on it.

You said any babe who could move her feet that fast

had to be named after grandma.

Well, you got to admit I was right!

You were right.

I wish grandma could have seen her one more time.

Caroline did the best job she could

with this place on short notice.

I'll have that new room of yours

fixed up before you know it.

Oh, I could sleep on a bed of nails tonight.

Oh, you must be tired.

Probably shouldn't have had those folks over tonight.

Oh, nonsense. I had a fine time.

That Edwards and his family... they're nice folks.

There are a lot of nice folks around here.

You're going to like it.

Well, I better let you get some rest.

Oh, Charles.

Yeah?

Um...

Don't get started on that room just yet...

Not just yet.

Why not? This is going to be your home now.

Well, it's hard to explain.

I feel kind of strange

living in the house with you...

Just yet.

I don't understand.

Oh, I think you do.

We didn't say more than two words to each other

all the way back from Wisconsin.

Well, it's different now, pa. You're here.

I mean, tonight...

Oh, tonight was different.

There were lots of people,

and there was music.

But...

On the train, coming back with you,

I realized...

We don't know each other.

I love you, papa. I...

Oh, I'm not talking about loving, boy.

I'm talking about knowing!

Oh, I knew you when you were little,

and you knew me

the way a little boy knows his pa...

Always right, always strong,

always needed.

We'll start the room anytime you say.

Is there anything you need? Anything I can get you?

No, I'm fine.

You sure?

You don't have to worry.

It'll be all right.

I'll see you in the morning.

See you in the morning, pa.