Original subtitles

Laura: It's pa!

Ma, pa's home!

Hi, pa!

Charles: Hey, wait till you see what I got.

The new plow.

Oh, never mind the new plow.

I'll show you what I got... A telegram for your ma.

- For me? - Mm-hmm.

Well, open it, ma.

Oh, I don't believe it!

What is it?

Ma and pa are coming from Wisconsin.

They want to see their first great-grandchild.

How's that for news, huh?

Oh, Charles!

Oh, I got to go tell Mary and Adam.

What about the laundry?

It goes in the basket,

and don't let any of it fall in the dirt.

Oh,

will he ever stop growing?

I'm really thinking of considering

the names titan or Goliath.

Or both. Uncle Theodore had twins, you know.

Twins?

Yeah. I even heard of an aunt

on my mother's side had triplets.

Are you sure?

No. I guess she could have miscounted.

You're teasing me.

Laura: Mary! Adam!

Laura, what's wrong?

Oh, not a thing.

Guess who's coming to visit.

The stork.

No. That's the right reason, but the wrong name.

Grandpa and grandma holbrook.

Really?

Oh, Adam, we haven't seen them since we left the big woods.

And we were just babies, then, ourselves,

and now they're coming to see your baby.

When are they coming?

They'll be here Thursday.

Oh, Adam, you'll love them.

I just can't believe

they're going to be here to see our baby.

Babies, remember?

Many, many babies.

Many babies?

Don't worry. He's just joking...

I hope.

It's so quiet.

Mm-hmm.

I can't believe she'll be here tomorrow.

You're saying your mother is noisy?

She never was one to tolerate idleness.

Ah, even in church, she'd be tapping her feet to the music.

Well, she's going to keep you hopping, that's for sure.

Oh, I know.

I can't wait.

We've got so much to talk about.

And father...

Dear, sweet pa.

I don't know how your dear, sweet pa keeps up with her.

He doesn't try to.

He just sits back and enjoys her.

I've never seen two people more in love.

Well, wait a minute. I have.

I'll make a walnut cake.

Mother always loved my walnut cake.

That's really very romantic.

I give you a kiss and you talk about a walnut cake.

Oh, Charles.

That's all right, that's all right.

Charles, come on.

Mmm.

Mmm.

Hey, you know what I'm thinking about?

Mmm.

Tell me.

Pot roast.

- Oh, you! - Ha ha!

Excuse me. I wonder if you could help me.

I'm looking for a Mr. and Mrs. Holbrook

that are supposed to be on this train.

Are you a relative?

Yeah.

I'm sorry. Uh...

Mrs. Holbrook died en route.

Man: We, uh, put Mr. Holbrook

in a private compartment in the last car.

I'm sorry.

Well, what do you want done with the body?

In my wagon. It's around the corner.

Pa!

Oh, pa!

Oh, I'm so glad to see you.

Ma?

Ma?

Ma...

Oh, mama!

Oh, no!

Oh, no, no!

Earth to earth,

ashes to ashes, and dust to dust,

in sure and certain hope

of the resurrection into eternal life.

Mr. Holbrook.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for thou art with me.

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

And I will dwell in the house of the lord forever.

- Amen. - Amen.

Amen.

Laura, narrating: In the weeks that followed,

grandpa stayed in the soddy.

He grew more depressed and frightened.

He seemed to be just waiting to die.

How's pa?

He said he wasn't hungry.

All right, I'll talk to him again.

No, please, uh,

let me go.

I told Laura I wasn't hungry.

You didn't eat any breakfast this morning, either.

Hmm.

Pa.

Please.

If you keep this up, we'll lose you, too.

What loss?

Life will go on same as it has for a thousand years.

What are you saying? Why are you talking like this?

We're born, we live, we die.

And then it's just a memory.

Pretty soon that's forgotten.

That isn't true.

Nothing changes, Caroline.

I'll leave no Mark, no proof of my existence,

and I'm the last holbrook.

Not even the name continues.

Father, I don't want to hear you talking like this.

Then don't listen!

I told you, Caroline. Please, please leave me alone.

I was only trying to help.

Your mother's gone.

She was all I had, and pretty soon I'll be gone, too.

Nothing matters.

Caroline, please.

Go back to your family.

- Ma? - Mm-hmm.

Can I ride into town with you and pa?

Did you finish your chores?

Yep. All done.

What about that book?

What book?

It's a sleeping potion.

Can't read "Tom Sawyer" all your life.

Why not?

Because it's a school assignment and you'll have to finish it.

Oh, ma.

Oh, no.

Now, I read the same book when I was in school.

Maybe you could tell me the story so I wouldn't have to finish it.

Albert,

go read the book.

Yes, ma'am.

Did he eat any breakfast?

None to speak of.

He doesn't want to come with US.

It's been almost 3 weeks.

He's hardly come out of there.

It takes a little time.

- Grandpa? - Yeah.

I hate to bother you, but I need some help,

and you're the only one left to ask.

I don't see what I can do,

but you're free to make your request.

Have you ever read "Silas marner"?

No, can't say I ever did.

Guess you got lucky.

They must have written it just to make school kids miserable.

Sure wish I could have gone to school when you did.

Oh, now, we had our share of dull reading.

Times were different,

but the effect was the same.

Did you ever get through them?

Well... now, maybe I shouldn't tell you this.

Oh, please, grandpa. You can trust me.

We had a boy in our class

named Cornelius t. Sherwood.

Cornelius?

As I recall, he read all of "Plato's republic"

in less than 3 days.

So, whenever we got assigned a book like "Silas marner,"

we'd pitch in a penny apiece,

and cornie would read the book while we went fishing,

and he'd recite the story to US,

and we'd show up in class with smiles on our faces

and an unopened book in our hands.

What a great idea.

Now, don't you go getting any notions of your own, young man.

Oh, no point.

We haven't got a Cornelius t. Sherwood in our class.

Ha ha!

If I had the brains,

I'd go into business for myself and get rich.

Oh, cornie never got rich.

He had brains, but he had a weakness.

- For what? - Girls.

He spent all his money on candy and flowers.

There was one girl in particular...

A cute little redhead.

Samantha was her name.

Wait a minute, here. I'm talking a blue streak,

and you've got work to do.

Oh, I can finish that dumb old book anytime.

I promise.

Go on about cornie and his girlfriend.

Samantha?

- Samantha. - Yeah.

Well, Samantha could wrap cornie around her little finger

with a wink and a smile.

Samantha, as I told you, was a redhead.

She was kind of beautiful.

Willowy, I suppose, would be the right word.

Hi, ma. Hi, pa.

Caroline: Hi. Help me with the packages, will you, dear?

Sure.

Is your brother reading his book?

No, ma'am.

Charles.

I'll talk to him right now.

Laura: He's not in the house.

Oh, if he's gone fishing...

Oh, no, he hasn't.

He went for a walk with grandpa.

What? With grandpa?

Yep. He was telling Albert all kinds of stories

about when you were little.

Oh, yeah. He told me to tell you

to set a place for him at the table tonight.

I told you he'd be fine.

He'll be fine.

Heard you telling them about the time

that Marcie Dayton and I went picking blackberries.

I remember that. I was 7 years old.

- 6. - 7.

6, with one front tooth missing.

I remember every detail.

Including the fact that she got enough blackberries

for 6 jars of preserves,

while I had barely enough for a single pie?

Well, you pretended she found all the best bushes.

Didn't say a word.

You couldn't fool your pa.

I knew you'd eaten more than you picked.

And you never let on.

I didn't have to.

Your purple tongue did.

That's funny.

You know, I think I'm going to write that down.

Well, you better get some more paper, then.

Your grandpa's got a whole lifetime of stories in his head.

Well, then maybe you should do the writing, grandpa.

Oh, ho ho ho!

Charles: Ah, don't be so quick to laugh.

I bet you have more than enough stories to fill a book.

Hey, that's a great idea!

It's got to be better than "Silas marner."

Something to read to your grandchildren.

And your great-grandchildren.

Holbrook: Hmm. You kind of like that, huh?

A remembrance book.

Oh, grandpa, write it, please!

Oh, a remembrance book.

Yes, I think I might do that.

Yes, indeed. I think I might just do that,

but right now, I'm hungry!

I'm starving. Let's eat.

Well, good.

Oh, let's eat.

- Looks good. - Oh, ho ho!

Here's your chair, grace.

Here we go.

There we go, grace. That's right.

Here, grandpa. Want a sandwich?

Ah, thank you, Laura.

Looks good.

Ha ha!

You kind of like that, huh?

It's wonderful.

It all happened just that way.

Really did.

Ha ha!

Ha ha!

Ah, bessie.

Oh, how I remember that cow.

She and pa never did get along.

Here. Read this part.

Right here?

Mm-hmm.

This is good.

Of course it is.

No, I mean, this is really good.

You know, I bet if we got this to the right people,

they'd just snap it up like that to publish it.

You mean a real book with printed pages?

Sure. Why not? We're enjoying it.

I think a lot of people would.

You know, I got a mind to just take this to the printer's,

have a copy made, and send it off.

Oh, Charles, that's exciting.

Let's not tell papa, though.

If it works out, it will be a surprise.

If not, he won't be disappointed.

All right, Charles?

Charles?

All right?

Yeah, fine, yeah.

Who the heck is Herman Otis?

Who?

"Who?" what are you, an owl?

Herman Otis, it says right here.

I caught Herman Otis kissing Caroline...

Let me see that.

Charles, I was 10 years old.

It doesn't say here in the book

you were 10 years old.

Well, I think I can remember how old I was.

Oh, why? Couldn't you forget that night?

Oh, Charles!

How do you know you were 10 years old?

You didn't even remember how old you were

when you were picking berries

with, what's her face, that girl.

Ha ha!

Charles, I don't think there's any need to be jealous

of something that happened when I was 10.

I didn't say that I was jealous. I was asking a question.

Mm-hmm.

I'll take it off tomorrow

and have a copy made soon.

Good.

I'm tired, I want to sleep.

Sure I'd like to know why a 10-year-old girl

is kissing a fellow in the first place, I'll tell you that.

Pa!

Oh!

I'm so excited.

I ran almost the whole way.

Albert: What's all the excitement down here?

Charles: This should have been addressed to you, pa.

Why would anyone want to write me a letter?

Well, why don't you read it and find out?

Wh... what is this?

Caroline and I sent your book to a publisher.

That's the answer.

"We recognize the quality and exceptional talent

"in this demonstration of your authorship

"and would be profoundly honored

to accept your manuscript for publication."

Huh.

"Procedural details and contracts to follow in further correspondence."

They want my book.

They want to publish my book.

Oh, papa!

Papa!

I'm sorry.

I'm just so happy. I'm so proud.

I'll be remembered.

I'm an author.

I'm an author!

I'm an author!

Charles: Whoo!

Whoo!

Whoo!

Adam?

Adam.

Hmm?

Let's have a picnic.

Okay. Saturday.

No, no. Right now,

right here, just the two of US.

I must be dreaming.

I thought I heard you ask to have a picnic

right now in the middle of the night.

No, you weren't dreaming, I did.

Mary, there is a time for picnics

and a time for joking,

and neither one is this late at night.

But, Adam, I'm starving.

There's cold chicken downstairs

that's just calling me.

Well, you can have it for breakfast in a couple of hours.

Oh, but, Adam, my stomach's growling so loud,

I can't go to sleep.

Please.

Please.

I must be crazy.

Cold chicken in the middle of the night.

Should I serve formal style or should we just dig in?

Mary?

Hey, Mary.

Mary, whose idea was this, anyway?

Oh, here's one.

That's it. That's what I've been waiting for.

Mr. Holbrook's contracts.

The whole town's buzzing

knowing there's an author right here,

and Mrs. Oleson is so jealous, she could spit.

Not bad news, I hope.

No, no. I don't think so.

I'm just not used to reading these fancy contracts, that's all.

Oh, good.

Thank you, Mrs. Foster.

Good day, Charles.

It's all right, I just don't understand it.

It says right here they want US to pay them $32 to publish the book.

I always thought the idea was that they would pay US.

I wish you'd come to me before you sent it.

I just didn't see any harm in it.

Well, there isn't if you know who you're dealing with.

You see, companies like this one profit

by appealing to hopeful authors.

Eliza: They will publish your father-in-law's book.

Yeah...

For $32.

I'm afraid so.

They probably never even read the manuscript.

Well, at least you're not obligated in any way.

I just wish it was that easy.

Thank you very much, Eliza.

Me and my big ideas.

Well, you believed in him.

He is a good writer.

I just think the reason we thought it was all so important

was because the stories meant so much to US.

Caroline: Well, what's wrong with that?

Charles: Nothing, but how much meaning are they going to have

for a storekeeper in Wyoming who's got a family of his own

and children of his own and stories of his own?

I suppose you're right.

If only we hadn't said anything.

If only I hadn't said anything.

I'm going to have to tell him.

It might...

Come better from his daughter.

No. That wouldn't be fair to you.

This was my idea.

I'll tell him in the morning.

I'm going to go for a walk.

Come in.

Good morning, Charles.

Beautiful morning, isn't it?

Is breakfast ready?

Yeah, it will be in a few minutes.

I've been up for hours. Couldn't sleep.

I got up early to write a letter to Wendell

about my new book.

Next thing you know,

I was writing letters to half the people in big woods.

Promised them all a copy.

Oh, I know it seems a little bit like showing off,

but at my age, a man doesn't usually have too much to show off about.

Something on your mind you wanted to talk about there, Charles?

No, no. I just wanted you to know

breakfast will be ready in a few minutes.

I'll be right down.

You know, I think I might walk into town after breakfast,

see if those contracts have come in.

Well, look, I have to pick up some supplies at the olesons',

I'd be happy to stop by and check with Mrs. Foster for you.

I'd appreciate that. Uh, Charles?

Since you're going to the post office anyway,

maybe you could drop those letters for me.

Yeah. No... no problem at all.

And, Charles...

I want to thank you

for all you've done for me.

If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be sending those letters.

I'll see you at breakfast.

Be right out.

Your father gave me a whole bunch of letters

to mail back to his friends.

You, uh... Didn't tell him, did you?

I couldn't.

Caroline, he's so happy,

I just couldn't disappoint him again.

Well, what are we going to do?

We just have to raise the money.

$32?

I have the plow. It's brand-new, never been used.

It's worth about $25. We'll just have to raise the rest.

I couldn't tell him.

Whoa.

This shouldn't take too long.

Can we walk around some?

All right, but don't wander off.

Okay. Let's go.

I don't want to.

Come on, Laura.

Okay.

You're up to something, aren't you?

We've got to raise some money to help pa.

And I suppose you know just how to do that.

Follow me.

But I'm telling you, the plow is brand-new.

It's never been used.

If you just come outside and take a look at it...

Look, mister, I told you...

If it's used, it's used.

It's secondhand, and I'll only offer you $12.50.

That's it. Now excuse me.

Come on. $12.50 is just half-price.

That's my best offer.

Well, this isn't the only hardware store in town, you know.

Suit yourself.

We close at 6:00 if you change your mind.

Thanks.

Lady... lady...

Could you just... just spare a penny or two?

Where is your home, child?

It was the fire, ma'am.

Albert: Took everything, it did.

And your parents?

Took them, too.

Please, ma'am. We're awful hungry.

Are you all right, dear?

She can't hear you.

She's deaf?

Ever since the fire.

Oh, how terrible!

Positively tragic!

If there's anything else I can do...

Oh, bless you, ma'am.

You've done more than enough.

Bless you.

Oh.

Hold still, you dumb bird.

Maybe he's not dead yet.

Uh, morning.

Nels: Good morning, Caroline.

What are you doing here?

You only work weekends.

Uh, well, I was hoping

that I might, uh, work every day for a while.

Well, that would be wonderful.

I don't know, father.

I hate to disappoint my regular customers.

Disappoint them?

I set a very high culinary standard

here during the week.

My cuisine has made a name for itself

as far away as mankato.

Yes, it's a name I can't repeat

in front of Mrs. Ingalls.

My customers swear by my cooking.

That's what I just said.

Well, when can you start?

Uh, as soon as possible.

Well, there's no time like the present.

Well, I expected you sooner.

Town ain't that big.

Oh, kept it real nice.

I'll say that for you.

What's there to keep up?

I told you I never even used it.

Well, I can see that.

Tell you what, uh...

I feel real generous today.

Are you going to raise the price?

I'll give you an even 13.

22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28,

29 dollars and 59, 60...

$29.68.

We made it.

Well, not unless ciphering's changed an awful lot

since I went to school.

Laura's right, pa.

Should be $2.88.

Where'd you get that money?

Where did we get the money?

Yeah. Where did you get the money?

Uh... people.

Caroline: What people?

People in mankato.

They just seemed to want to give it to US.

Yeah. It's kind of like a miracle, isn't it, pa?

I guess it isn't up to US

to question the ways of the lord, is it?

I should say not.

Especially when the miracle puts US 56 cents over.

I'll order the books tomorrow.

Half-pint! Tell your grandfather to come down here.

Laura: Are the books here?

You bet they are!

Grandpa!

Laura: Grandpa, the books are here!

The books are here, grandpa!

Eh?

Come on! The books are here!

Ah.

Caroline: You got them?

You bet I got them. Look at them all.

Albert: Wow!

Caroline: Oh, hurry, Charles!

Caroline, I'm hurrying, I'm hurrying.

There we go.

Holbrook: Never thought I'd see the day.

Oh.

Look, pa.

"My book of memories, by Frederick holbrook."

Ha ha!

Charles: Congratulations, Mr. Author.

Well, thank you. Thank you, all.

I wonder if anybody will buy it.

Well, sure, they're going to buy it.

Albert and I are going to bring some into the mercantile.

- Yeah? - Pa, maybe you should autograph them.

Autograph them?

Golly, I think I will!

I'll go get my pen!

If they sell very well,

we could have a second printing.

A second printing?

What will we sell now?

Uh, no.

No, no, no, no, no, no.

I'm afraid not, Mr. Ingalls.

Mrs. Oleson, you're the only store in town

that sells books.

I can't stock these at the feed and seed.

I said, "I'm sorry."

Mrs. Oleson: I have to consider

the kind of merchandise that I stock,

and, ha, I don't think this is really going to be very interesting

for our community.

Harriet, two or 3 copies, just to see how they go.

I said, "no."

I'm sorry, but I really have very limited shelf space.

Excuse me. Um, is there anything else?

No. There's nothing else. Thank you.

Come on, Albert.

Charles, I'm sorry. I don't know what to say.

It's all right, nels. I understand.

She's jealous because your father-in-law is famous.

Albert: Pa, I'll be back in a second.

All right, son.

Mrs. Oleson?

Yes! Oh, Albert!

If you've come back here to try again,

you're just wasting your time, and mine.

No, ma'am. I came back to thank you.

To thank me? For what?

Well, pa's been real busy lately,

and he hasn't actually read the book himself.

I'm hoping he never finds out what's in it.

Bye.

Wait a minute.

What do you mean?

What's in it?

- Well, stuff about my ma. - Oh?

I can't believe that my own grandfather

would write such things down for the whole world to see.

Really?

Like what?

Oh, I'm too ashamed to repeat them, ma'am.

Oh, Albert. You can tell me.

After all, your mother and I are old friends.

There isn't anything that you could tell me

that would change my opinion about her.

Hmm.

Well, there was this one part

where my ma was in a public place,

and she...

What? What did she do?

She didn't do anything.

Well.

She wasn't wearing anything, either.

You... you mean that she wa...

Naked.

Oh, my!

So, you see why I didn't want folks to be reading that book?

Oh, yes.

Yes. Ha ha!

Thanks again, Mrs. Oleson.

I knew I could trust you.

Mm-hmm. Yes.

Charles!

Charles!

Charles, how many books will I be allowed to purchase?

What?

How many of these books can I have?

I mean, I'll take all of them if I can.

Mrs. Oleson, you just said...

Well, I... I know.

It was just a matter of shelf space, Charles,

and I cleared a shelf.

I'll pay cash in advance.

You mean, for all of the books?

Yes! All of them!

I'll get the money!

You bring them in! Ha ha!

What in the world do you make of that?

I haven't the slightest idea.

Women. Who can figure them out?

Harriet, I'm surprised that you're taking such an interest

in the Ingalls family.

Well, why not?

After all, they're our neighbors.

Oh! Here it is!

Here it is! Listen!

"Caroline stood in front of the church, naked as a jaybird."

- Caroline? - Ha ha!

Well, I...

Listen. "Naked as a jaybird.

"Her diaper was..."

her diap...

Her diaper?

Good grief!

Oh, that scrawny little devil!

Who, Caroline?

No! Albert.

He told me that Caroline

ran around stark-naked in this book.

Ha ha!

Well, who cares? She was only a baby!

- Ha ha! - Oh!

Oh, shut up!

Ah, dear.

Oh, awful child!

Adam. Adam.

We've picked out a name,

and there's nothing to eat.

What do you want this time?

Dr. Baker.

Dr. Baker. Why?

Because I really don't want to have this baby

all by myself.

Baby? Are you sure?

Adam, don't ask questions. You're wasting time.

Right.

Adam?

Now what?

I really think you should put your pants on.

Right.

Charles! Caroline!

Whoa! Charles!

Caroline: What's wrong?

It's time. Come on. I'll see you there.

Giddy-up!

- Charles! - The team!

Oh!

Hello, grandpa.

It's a boy.

Charles: A boy.

It's a boy!

Company, Mary.

Mary: Ma? Ma?

Oh, Adam.

- Oh, honey. - Meet your new grandson.

Well...

Who's this?

Adam Charles holbrook Kendall.

Holbrook?

You're his family, too, grandpa.

You better get a closer look, great-grandfather.

Oh, come here, my little one.

Could I hold him just for a second?

Here's grandpa.

When grandma went, I thought my life was over,

but now I'm an author

and a great-grandfather.

You've made an old man very happy...

All of you.

Yes.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye. Give grandpa a kiss.

We'll miss you, grandpa.

I'll miss you, too.

Whenever you think of me,

you just read my book, and I will be right there.

Albert: We'll write to you.

I'm counting on you.

Bye, grandpa.

Good-bye. Good-bye.

Pa...

Pa.

Man: All aboard!

You'd better go, pa.

Good-bye, daughter.

You have a good trip.

I'll miss you.

Take good care of my great-grandchild.

He's a holbrook, my future.

You all are.

Laura, narrating: Two years after we said good-bye at the station,

grandpa holbrook passed on.

His tombstone read simply, "Frederick holbrook, author."

He will always be remembered.