Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983): Season 6, Episode 22 - Sweet Sixteen - full transcript

On Eliza Jane's recommendation, Laura gets her first teaching job out of town. Almanzo offers to drive her to and from the school, and their relationship continues to blossom. But a hitch is thrown into the whole thing when he sees one of Laura's students touching her in a seemingly romantic fashion, causing a misunderstanding that could jeopardize their relationship.

THERE YOU ARE,
MR. WILLIAMS.

THANK YOU.

MS. WILDER, I'LL COME
RIGHT TO THE POINT.

A TEACHER
DOWN IN CURRIE,
MS. TRIMBLE,

HAD AN ACCIDENT,
BROKE HER LEG.

OH, THE POOR DEAR.

Williams: I'M GOING
TO NEED A TEMPORARY
REPLACEMENT FOR HER

TILL SHE MENDS,
AND I--

I THOUGHT PERHAPS
YOUR BEST STUDENT OF
THE REQUIRED TEACHING AGE

WOULD FILL THE BILL.

MY ONLY STUDENT
WHO'S 16



IS ALSO
MY POOREST STUDENT.

MY BEST STUDENT
IS ONLY 12.

I'M SORRY.

SO AM I.

Ms. Wilder:
JUST A MINUTE.

THERE'S LAURA INGALLS.

SHE'S MY BEST
STUDENT NEAREST
THE REQUIRED AGE,

AND SHE'LL BE 16
IN ONLY TWO WEEKS.

WELL, I MIGHT BEND
THE RULES A LITTLE
FOR THIS ONE ASSIGNMENT.

[CHUCKLES]

AFTER ALL, A TEACHER
WHO IS ALMOST 16 IS BETTER
THAN NO TEACHER AT ALL.

DO YOU THINK SHE'D BE
INTERESTED IN THE JOB?

I'M SURE SHE WOULD.

I HAPPEN TO KNOW
SHE'S MOST ANXIOUS
TO BECOME A TEACHER.



WELL, LET'S GET
OVER TO THE SCHOOL
AND TALK TO HER.

[CHILDREN SHOUTING]

THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS
THE THIRD PRESIDENT.

AS WELL AS WRITING
THE DECLARATION
OF INDEPENDENCE,

HE ESTABLISHED RELIGIOUS
FREEDOM AND PRIVATE
PROPERTY IN VIRGINIA.

HE ALSO FOUNDED
THE UNIVERSITY
OF VIRGINIA

AND BOUGHT
FOR THE NEW COUNTRY

THE LAND BETWEEN
THE MISSISSIPPI
AND CALIFORNIA.

CONGRATULATIONS.

YOU ARE NOW
A TEACHER.

I AM?

AND I'M GOING TO FILL
OUT THE CERTIFICATE
RIGHT NOW TO PROVE IT,

MS. INGALLS.

MS. INGALLS.

Williams: IT PAYS
$20 FOR THE MONTH,
PLUS ROOM AND BOARD,

WITH $10 IN ADVANCE
FOR INITIAL EXPENSES.

YOU'LL BE
STAYING IN CURRIE

WITH THE DISABLED
TEACHER, MS. TRIMBLE.

IT WILL BE NICE
FOR THE OLD LADY,

AND SHE CAN BE
VERY HELPFUL TO YOU.

Eliza Jane:
AND YOU NEEDN'T WORRY
ABOUT TRANSPORTATION.

I'LL SPEAK TO ALMANZO.
HE'LL BE DELIGHTED
TO TAKE YOU.

HE WILL?

HERE YOU ARE,
YOUNG LADY.

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT.

I'M A TEACHER.

I'M A TEACHER!

[LAUGHTER]

CONGRATULATIONS!

PA! PA!

I'M A TEACHER!

- WHAT?
- I'M A TEACHER!

HOW ABOUT
THIS ONE, MA?

I LIKE IT.
THE COLOR
SUITS YOU.

MM-HMM.

WHY DON'T YOU
TRY IT ON?

YES, DEAR.
IN THE BACK
ROOM, HMM?

- THANK YOU.
- YES.

OH, CAROLINE,
CAROLINE...

WHERE HAS
THE TIME GONE?

OH, I DON'T
KNOW.

[LAUGHS]

IT SEEMS LIKE
ONLY YESTERDAY

THIS LITTLE CHILD
CAME WALKING
INTO MY STORE.

SHE COULD BARELY
REACH THE COUNTER.

[LAUGHTER]

OH, IT MAKES ME
FEEL SO OLD.

IT DOESN'T
PARTICULARLY
MAKE ME FEEL OLD.

IT DOES MAKE ME
FEEL PROUD, THOUGH.

WELL, IT MAKES ME
FEEL OLD.

I'LL NEVER
FORGIVE NELLIE
FOR GROWING UP.

[LAUGHTER]

OF COURSE, I'M NOT
REALLY THAT OLD.

I WAS PRACTICALLY
A BABY MYSELF
WHEN I HAD HER.

IT MUST HAVE
BEEN A DIFFICULT
DELIVERY.

[LAUGHS]

YES, IT WAS.

OF COURSE, I STILL
HAVE MY WILLIE.

HE'S STILL
MAMA'S BABY BOY.

[LAUGHS]

HE'S SUCH
AN INNOCENT
LITTLE TYKE.

Laura: WILLIE OLESON,
YOU OUGHT TO BE
ASHAMED OF YOURSELF.

GET OUT OF HERE.

WILLIE!

WHAT'S GOING ON?

HE WAS HIDING
IN THE CLOSET,
WATCHING ME CHANGE.

OH, FOR HEAVEN'S
SAKES!

THAT'S NOT TRUE.
TELL ME THAT'S
NOT TRUE.

IT'S NOT TRUE.

HE'S LYING.

WILLIE OLESON,
ARE YOU LYING
TO ME?

NO, NOT REALLY.
YOU'RE THE ONE THAT TOLD ME
TO TELL YOU IT'S NOT TRUE.

OH, MY GOODNESS!
THEN IT IS TRUE.

OH, HOW DISGUSTING!

I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING.

WELL, WHAT DID YOU
EXPECT TO SEE?

I DON'T KNOW.

I HAVEN'T SEEN
ANYTHING YET.

OH, YOU GET
UPSTAIRS TO YOUR
ROOM, RIGHT NOW!

WILLIE, WHAT--

WHAT'S ALL THE COMMOTION
DOWN HERE?

Harriet: OH! OH,
IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT.

WELL, IT USUALLY IS,
BUT WHAT IS IT?

[CRYING]
OH! YOU--

YOU'VE TURNED HIM
INTO A--

YOU'VE TURNED HIM
INTO A--

WHAT?

A MAN!

Harriet:
OH, WILLIE!

HE'S HERE.
TIME TO GO.

I MADE YOU
SOME SANDWICHES

IN CASE
YOU GET HUNGRY
ON THE WAY.

THANKS, MA,
FOR ALL YOUR HELP.

WELL,
HOW DO I LOOK?

YOU LOOK
BEAUTIFUL.

WHAT DO YOU
THINK, PA?

I THINK I'M LOOKING
AT A LOVELY YOUNG WOMAN.

YOU CALLED ME
A WOMAN.

I LOVE YOU, PA.

I LOVE YOU.

I SURE AM GLAD
THE ROADS AREN'T
TOO DUSTY.

I WOULDN'T
WANT TO RUIN
MY NEW DRESS.

WELL, I DIDN'T THINK
I'D SEEN THAT ONE BEFORE.
IT LOOKS REAL NICE.

THANK YOU.
THIS IS A NEW
HAT, TOO.

REAL NICE.

THANK YOU.

MY PA SAYS HE DOESN'T
LIKE MY NEW HAIRSTYLE.

HE SAYS IT MAKES ME
LOOK TOO MATURE.

WELL, I THINK
IT LOOKS REAL NICE.

THANK YOU.

DO YOU THINK
IT MAKES ME LOOK
TOO MATURE?

NO, I DON'T THINK
IT MAKES YOU LOOK
MATURE AT ALL.

THANK YOU.

[SIGHS]

Almanzo: WHOA.

WELL, THIS LOOKS
LIKE THE PLACE.

WHITE HOUSE
AND GREEN TRIM.

THANK YOU,
MANLY.

OH, YOU'RE
WELCOME, BETH.

YOU KNOW, YOU REALLY
DIDN'T HAVE TO GO
TO ALL THIS TROUBLE.

NO, NO TROUBLE AT ALL.

MATTER OF FACT,
I'VE BEEN REALLY LOOKING
FOR A CHANCE LIKE THIS.

YOU HAVE?

SURE. IT GIVES ME
A CHANCE TO GIVE BARNUM
HERE A GOOD WORKOUT.

Almanzo:
LISTEN, WE'LL
SEE YOU FRIDAY.

SEE YOU.

HYAH.

[KNOCKS ON DOOR]

THE DOOR
IS UNLOCKED!

CLOSE THE DOOR
AND COME ON IN.

WHAT'S THE MATTER,
YOUNG LADY,
CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE?

NO, I--

I JUST DIDN'T EXPECT
TO SEE YOU--

SMOKING A PIPE?
NASTY HABIT.

MY PA SMOKED ONE,
GOD REST HIS SOUL.

I JUST GOT TO LIKING
THE SMELL OF IT,
I SUPPOSE.

YOU MUST BE
LAURA INGALLS.

YES, MS. TRIMBLE.

CALL ME MINNIE.
WE'RE BOTH TEACHERS,
AREN'T WE?

WELL, I HOPE I AM,
OR WILL BE.

I LIKE THAT.
IT SHOWS YOU'RE
NOT COCKY.

YOU'LL BE A GOOD
TEACHER, LAURA.
I CAN SENSE IT,

AND I'VE BEEN AT IT
LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW.

[LAUGHS]

NOW, YOU MUST BE
TIRED, YOUR TRIP,

THE EXCITEMENT
OF YOUR FIRST
TEACHING JOB,

SO, WHILE I WHIP
US UP SOME SUPPER,
YOU CAN SETTLE IN.

YOUR ROOM'S AT
THE END OF THE HALL.

THANK YOU, MISS--
MINNIE.

WE'RE GOING
TO GET ALONG
JUST FINE, LAURA.

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

I'M ALMOST 16.

16?

REMEMBER WHEN YOU
WERE 16, TRIMBLE?

YOU GET SETTLED,
AND I'LL START
SUPPER.

16!

[CHILDREN SHOUTING]

HEY, LOOKIT!

THAT MUST BE
THE NEW TEACHER.

GOOD MORNING.

SHE'S JUST A KID.

[CHATTER]

THE SCHOOL
WILL COME TO ORDER.

[CHILDREN QUIET]

I AM MS. INGALLS.

I WILL BE
YOUR TEACHER UNTIL
MS. TRIMBLE RECOVERS.

SHE'S GIVEN ME
A LIST OF YOUR NAMES,
ASSIGNMENTS, AND PROGRESS.

I WILL GET TO KNOW YOU
AS I CALL ON YOU,

AND WHEN I DO,
PLEASE RAISE
YOUR HAND.

MAY I ASK
A QUESTION?

OF COURSE.

HOW OLD ARE YOU?

WHY DO YOU
WANT TO KNOW?

WELL, BECAUSE YOU SEEM
AWFUL YOUNG AND SMALL
TO BE A TEACHER.

[LAUGHTER]

I'M OLD ENOUGH
TO TEACH,

AND I HAVE A TEACHING
CERTIFICATE FROM
THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

BESIDES, BEING BIGGER
DOESN'T NECESSARILY
MEAN YOU'RE SMARTER.

IT DOESN'T MEAN
YOU'RE DUMBER, EITHER.

I AGREE. THE SIZE OF THE BODY
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH
THE SIZE OF THE BRAIN.

YOUR NAME, PLEASE.

CHAD BREWSTER.

CHAD BREWSTER,
THANK YOU.

RUBY DOBKINS.

Ruby: HERE.

TOMMY DOBKINS.

Tommy: HERE.

MARTHA HARRISON.

Martha: HERE.

WELL,
HOW DID IT GO?

WELL, THE BECKMAN
BROTHERS GOT
IN A FIGHT.

MARTHA HARRISON IS GOING TO
NEED ALL THE PATIENCE
I CAN MUSTER IN ENGLISH.

RUBY DOBKINS
TRIES SO HARD.

CHAD BREWSTER
DOESN'T TRY AT ALL.

BUT, HOW DID IT GO?

WELL...
ALL I CAN SAY IS...

I LOVED IT.

I KNEW IT,
I JUST KNEW IT.

CAN I COOK SUPPER
TONIGHT TO CELEBRATE?

IS THAT A REFLECTION
ON LAST NIGHT'S MEAL?

[LAUGHS]
NOT AT ALL.

I DON'T LIKE
TO DO DISHES.

I'LL DO THOSE, TOO.

WELL, DON'T JUST
STAND IN THERE.
GET TO COOKING.

WHAT'S IN
THAT PACKAGE?

Laura:
I STOPPED BY THE STORE
ON MY WAY HOME

AND BOUGHT SOME SHOES
WITH HEELS.

THOUGHT THEY MIGHT
MAKE ME LOOK OLDER.

I'M GOING TO LEARN TO WALK
IN THESE DUMB SHOES
EVEN IF IT KILLS ME.

"NO REWARD IS...

"OFFERED...

"FOR IT IS...

"GONE FOREVER."

YOUR READING HAS IMPROVED
THIS WEEK, TOMMY.

THAT WAS EXCELLENT.

NOW, WHO WOULD LIKE
TO TAKE THE NEXT PASSAGE?

MR. WILLIAMS.

MS. INGALLS.

I JUST HAPPENED
TO BE PASSING
THROUGH TOWN,

AND I THOUGHT
I'D DROP IN
FOR A FEW MINUTES

TO SEE HOW THINGS
ARE GOING.

WELL, IS THERE
ANYTHING SPECIAL
YOU'D LIKE TO HEAR?

WELL, I ALWAYS LIKE
MENTAL ARITHMETIC.

HOW ABOUT POSING
A PROBLEM

TO A STUDENT
IN YOUR HIGHEST
GRADE?

DIVIDE TWO DIGITS
INTO 6.

ALL RIGHT.
WHO WOULD LIKE
TO TRY?

I WOULD, MS. INGALLS.

ALL RIGHT, CHAD.

DIVIDE 347,264
BY 16.

347,264
DIVIDED BY 16.

16 INTO 34
GOES TWICE.

Chad: CARRY 2.

16 INTO 27
GOES ONCE.
CARRY 11.

16 INTO 112...

GOES 7 TIMES.

16 DOESN'T GO
INTO 6.

BRING DOWN
NAUGHT.

16 INTO 64...

GOES 4 TIMES.

THE ANSWER IS 21,704.

THAT'S RIGHT.

Williams:
VERY GOOD, SON.

VERY GOOD,
INDEED.

Williams: UH,
MS. INGALLS, MAY
I SPEAK WITH YOU

FOR A MOMENT,
PLEASE?

CERTAINLY.

IS ANYTHING WRONG?

WHY, NOT AT ALL,
MS. INGALLS.

I JUST WANTED
TO COMMEND YOU.

EVERYTHING'S
GOING SPLENDIDLY.

I CAN'T REMEMBER
WHEN THE BREWSTER BOY

EVER VOLUNTEERED
FOR ANYTHING.

KEEP UP
THE GOOD WORK.

THANK YOU,
MR. WILLIAMS.

BYE.

GOOD AFTERNOON,
ALMANZO.

HI, MR. WILLIAMS.

CHAD...

YOU KNOW, YOU REALLY
SURPRISED ME TODAY.

WELL, I WAS ALWAYS
GOOD AT CIPHERING.
COMES EASY.

WELL, IT'S NOT
THAT YOU DID IT
THAT SURPRISED ME.

IT'S THAT
YOU VOLUNTEERED.

YOU ALSO MADE ME LOOK
VERY GOOD IN FRONT
OF MR. WILLIAMS.

WELL, YOU ARE GOOD,
MS. INGALLS.

I WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING
TO GET YOU IN TROUBLE
WITH YOUR BOSS.

THANK YOU, CHAD,

BUT...IF I'M SUCH
A GOOD TEACHER,

HOW COME I CAN'T
GET YOU TO STUDY?

OH, IT'S NOT YOU.

WELL, IT'S JUST THAT
I'M GOING TO BE A FARMER.
I DON'T NEED ALL THIS.

IS THAT WHAT
YOU WANT TO BE?

THERE'S NOTHING
WRONG WITH FARMING.

I KNOW.
MY PA IS A FARMER.

I WAS JUST WONDERING
IF YOU HAD ANY
OTHER THOUGHTS.

WELL...
MY GRANDPA WAS
THE TOWN DOCTOR.

I'D LIKE THAT,

BUT FOR ME,
IT'S JUST A PIPE DREAM.

YOU'VE GOT THE BRAINS

AND THE OPPORTUNITY
FOR SCHOOLING.

USE THEM.

YOU CAN BECOME
ANYTHING YOU WANT.

YOU REALLY THINK SO?

I REALLY DO.

I'LL TRY TO BORROW SOME
OF DR. BAKER'S MEDICAL BOOKS

FOR YOU TO START ON,
IF YOU'D LIKE.

OH, I WOULD,
THANK YOU.

HI, LAURA.

HI, MANLY. YOU'RE
RIGHT ON TIME.
THANKS, CHAD.

SEE YOU
ON MONDAY.

HOW'D THE FIRST
WEEK GO?

VERY WELL,
THANK YOU.

HERE, LET ME
HELP YOU WITH THAT.

WHAT'S WRONG?

NOTHING.

NOTHING'S
WRONG.

IT'S JUST...

JUST?

NOTHING.

NOW, THERE IS TOO
SOMETHING WRONG.

WHAT IS IT?

YOU LOOK DIFFERENT.

YOU LOOK OLDER.

WELL, I AM.

A WEEK OLDER.

[LAUGHS]

YEAH.

IF WE WANT TO GET
HOME BEFORE DARK,

WE BEST GET STARTED.

YEAH.

OKAY.
HUP.

MA! MA!

IT'S LAURA,
SHE'S BACK!

- HI.
- HI.

MS. INGALLS.

Caroline:
WELL? HOW DID IT GO?

PRETTY WELL,
I THINK.

I'VE GOT
YOUR BAGS.

Laura: OH, THANK YOU.

OH!

WELL? DON'T KEEP ME
IN SUSPENSE.

TELL ME
EVERYTHING.

WELL, MS. TRIMBLE
IS THE NICEST LADY
YOU'VE EVER MET,

AND FUNNY,
SHE SMOKES A PIPE.

A PIPE?
[LAUGHTER]

Almanzo: BETH!

I'LL PICK YOU UP
SUNDAY AT 3:00.

THANKS.

MY STUDENTS ARE ALL
REALLY WONDERFUL.

IT'S SUCH
A BIG CLASS,
THOUGH.

I DIDN'T EXPECT
THAT MANY CHILDREN.

IT'S NOT SO MUCH
WHAT HE SAID.

IT'S HOW HE SAID IT,
THE WAY HE LOOKED AT ME.

OH, I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT.

[CHUCKLES]

I KNOW, AND I
UNDERSTAND.

I HOPE I'M RIGHT,

THAT IT'S
FINALLY HAPPENING
BETWEEN HIM AND ME.

OH, NOW,
WAIT A MINUTE.

I MEAN, HE'S
LOOKING AT YOU
IN A NEW WAY,

BUT IT'S NOT EXACTLY
PROPOSING MARRIAGE.

OH, I KNOW.

IT'S SO EXCITING.

LIFE IS EXCITING.

I MEAN,
I'M A TEACHER NOW,

AND ALMANZO SAID
I LOOKED OLDER,

AND HE DID LOOK AT ME
KIND OF MOONYLIKE.

[LAUGHS]

WELL, HE DID.

I BELIEVE YOU.

BUT IT'S KIND OF
SCARY, THOUGH.

I MEAN, NOW THAT HE IS
FINALLY NOTICING ME,

HE'LL BE LOOKING
A LOT CLOSER,

AND I'M AFRAID I MIGHT
SAY SOMETHING WRONG, OR--

OH, I DON'T KNOW.

YOU JUST BE YOU,
LAURA INGALLS.

APPARENTLY THAT'S
WHAT HE LIKED

IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND JUST BECAUSE
HE'S LOOKING MOONY

DOESN'T MEAN
THAT YOU HAVE TO.

BOYS LIKE TO PURSUE
A LITTLE BIT,

SO, YOU JUST
LET HIM PURSUE.

OKAY, MA.

GOOD NIGHT, TEACHER.

PURSUING.

HE'S PURSUING ME.

I HOPE.

I'M JUST
MAKING A SNACK.
WANT A SANDWICH?

HMM, NO, THANKS.

I THOUGHT YOU TWO
WOULD TALK ALL NIGHT.

OH, WELL, SHE
NEEDED A CHANCE
TO UNWIND.

JUST ALL WOUND UP
ABOUT EVERYTHING.

WHAT WERE YOU
TALKING ABOUT?

OH, TEACHING AND...

THINGS.

THINGS. YOU MEAN
ALMANZO, RIGHT?

OH, CHARLES,
NOW--

I KNOW, I KNOW.
I LIKE THE MAN, HE'S
A PERFECTLY NICE MAN,

BUT I DON'T LIKE THE MAN
DRIVING MY DAUGHTER
BACK AND FORTH TO WORK.

I MEAN, BY THE TIME
THEY GOT HOME TONIGHT,
IT WAS ALMOST DARK.

OH, CHARLES,
IT WAS NOT.

BUT IT COULD'VE
BEEN. HE COULD'VE
LOST A WHEEL.

THEY COULD'VE BEEN
CAUGHT IN A STORM.
THEY--

OH, WELL, THEY COULD'VE
BEEN ATTACKED BY
A HERD OF ELEPHANTS.

[LAUGHS]

WELL, I THINK
YOU'D BE THANKFUL.

WITH JONATHAN AWAY,
YOU'VE GOT TWICE YOUR
NORMAL AMOUNT OF WORK TO DO,

IT'S YOUR
BUSIEST SEASON.

YOU NEED
A DAY OF REST.

AFTER ALL, YOU'RE NOT
GETTING ANY YOUNGER.

NEITHER IS ALMANZO.

AFTERNOON,
ALMANZO!

GOOD AFTERNOON,
MRS. INGALLS!

LAURA'S PACKING.

SHE'LL BE OUT
IN A MINUTE.

OH, NO RUSH.
I'M A LITTLE BIT
EARLY.

OH. WOULD YOU
LIKE A COOL DRINK
WHILE YOU WAIT?

OH, NO, MA'AM.
MR. INGALLS.

YEAH.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S
THAT CHURCH SOCIAL NEXT
FRIDAY NIGHT AT NELLIE'S.

YEAH, I KNOW.
WE'RE PLANNING
ON GOING.

ME, TOO, AND I WAS
WONDERING IF IT
WOULD BE ALL RIGHT

IF LAURA
ACCOMPANIED ME.

AFTER ALL, CHARLES,
IT'S A CHURCH SOCIAL.

HERE COMES LAURA.
YOU'LL HAVE TO ASK HER.

HI, MANLY.
READY TO GO?

YOUR PA SAID I SHOULD
ASK YOU IF YOU WANT
TO COME WITH ME

TO THE CHURCH SOCIAL
THIS FRIDAY NIGHT.

HE DID?

I MEAN, I ASKED
HIS PERMISSION
TO ASK YOU.

YOU DID?

HOW ABOUT IT?

WELL, I HAVE TO THINK
ABOUT IT, MANLY.

OH.

Laura:
CAN I LET YOU KNOW FRIDAY?

SURE.

WELL, WE BEST
BE GOING.

BYE, MA.
I LOVE YOU.

- MMM. BYE.
- BYE, DARLING.

BYE, PA.

THANKS AGAIN,
ALMANZO!

WELL...

AT LEAST MY DAUGHTER IS
SHOWING A LITTLE GOOD
COMMON SENSE, HUH?

YOUR DAUGHTER?

AND I SUPPOSE
IF SHE HAD SAID,

"YES, ALMANZO,
I'D LOVE TO GO TO
THE CHURCH SOCIAL,"

SHE'D HAVE BEEN
MY DAUGHTER.

RIGHT.

[SIGHS]

WHAT'S TROUBLING
YOU, MANNY?

NOTHING.

WELL, SIT DOWN
AND HAVE YOUR TEA
WHILE IT'S STILL HOT.

SINCE WHEN DO YOU PUT
6 TEASPOONS OF SUGAR
IN YOUR TEA?

I WASN'T EVEN
THINKING.

COME ON,
WHAT IS IT?

IT'S LAURA INGALLS.

WHAT HAS SHE DONE?

NOTHING.
IT'S WHAT I'VE DONE.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?

I ASKED HER TO GO WITH ME
TO THE CHURCH SOCIAL.

OH.

WHAT'S WRONG
WITH THAT?

WELL...

SHE SAID SHE
WAS GOING TO
THINK ABOUT IT.

OH.

I'M TRYING TO BE NICE,

AND SO I ASK HER
TO GO WITH ME.

AND SHE SAYS...

"I'LL THINK ABOUT IT."

I MEAN, SHE'S JUST
A KID. DON'T YOU THINK
SHE'S JUST A KID?

NO.

NO.

NEITHER DO I.

GOOD NIGHT.

GOOD NIGHT.

OOH!

DARN THING ITCHES
SOMETHING FIERCE.

HOW LONG DO YOU
HAVE TO WEAR IT?

OH, THE DOC SAYS IT CAN
COME OFF NEXT WEEK.

I CAN'T BELIEVE
IT'S WEDNESDAY
ALREADY.

SO, AFTER A WEEK
AND A HALF, HOW DO YOU
FEEL ABOUT TEACHING?

GREAT. I LOVE IT,
MINNIE, MORE AND
MORE EVERY DAY.

YEAH. TEACHING HAS
A WAY OF HOOKING YOU,
ALL RIGHT.

SEEING THEIR EYES
LIGHT UP WHEN THEY
UNDERSTAND SOMETHING

YOU'VE BEEN TRYING
TO POUND INTO THEIR HEAD
FOR A MONTH OF SUNDAYS.

WELL, I SURE DON'T
HAVE TO POUND ANYTHING
INTO CHAD'S HEAD.

I'VE GOT ANOTHER
MEDICAL BOOK
FOR HIM.

HE DEVOURED
THE FIRST ONE.

THIS ONE'S
ON ANATOMY.

WELL, HOW'S HE
DOING OTHERWISE?
[CLOCK CHIMES]

UH-OH.
GOT TO GO.

CAN'T HAVE THE TEACHER
BEING LATE. SEE YOU!

WHEW, LOOK AT HER GO.

BUT SHE OUGHT TO BE ABLE
TO GO. SHE'S 16.

OH, STOP TALKING
TO YOURSELF, OLD WOMAN.

YOU'VE ALREADY WENT.

- HI, MR. INGALLS.
- ALMANZO.

I WAS JUST OVER
AT THE HOUSE.

YOUR WIFE SAID
YOU WERE OUT HERE.
HOW ARE YOU DOING?

FINE, IF I CAN
GET THIS ORDER
OFF TO SLAYTON,

GET ANOTHER
RUSH ORDER OVER
TO SLEEPY EYE.

WELL, THAT'S
WHAT MRS. INGALLS
WAS SAYING.

SUPPOSE I MAKE
THE SLAYTON
DELIVERY FOR YOU.

HEY, I'D REALLY
APPRECIATE THAT.

IT WILL BE
MY PLEASURE,
MR. INGALLS.

LISTEN, CURRIE
IS ON THE WAY.

I THINK I'LL STOP BY
AND SAY HI TO LAURA.

WHY DO YOU WANT
TO DO THAT?

YOU'RE GOING TO PICK
HER UP TOMORROW,
AREN'T YOU?

YEAH, I KNOW. I JUST
THOUGHT SHE MIGHT BE
FEELING A LITTLE HOMESICK.

OH.

SAY HELLO
TO HER FOR ME.

SURE THING.

I'LL TELL MR. MILLER
I'M TAKING THE DAY OFF.
I'LL BE BACK IN A JIFF.

THANKS.

I SHOULD HAVE SENT HIM
TO SLEEPY EYE. IT'S
THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

Chad: THE WAY GOD DESIGNED
THE HUMAN SKELETON
IS REALLY SOMETHING.

LOOK HOW THE RIB CAGE
PROTECTS THE HEART
AND THE OTHER VITAL ORGANS.

JUST GOES TO SHOW
THAT GOD KNEW WHAT
HE WAS DOING.

SURE DOES.
HEY, LOOK,
LET ME SHOW YOU.

SEE, IT'S STRONG
AND FLEXIBLE.

REAL STRONG.

HI, MANLY.

YOU KEEP
YOUR HANDS OFF HER!

WHAT IS WRONG
WITH YOU?

WELL, IS THAT ANY WAY FOR
A TEACHER TO CONDUCT HERSELF
WITH A STUDENT? HUGGING!

YOU ARE ACTING LIKE
A CHILD, ALMANZO WILDER,

Laura: HITTING THAT BOY,
INTERFERING WITH MY JOB!

AND YOU'VE GOT
A DIRTY MIND, TOO.

ARE YOU
ALL RIGHT, CHAD?

I THINK SO,
MS. INGALLS.

COME WITH ME.

HE'S STUDYING
MEDICINE,
MR. WILDER.

HE WAS JUST
DEMONSTRATING

HOW FLEXIBLE
THE RIB CAGE IS.

Almanzo: WHOA.

YOU MADE
PRETTY GOOD TIME.

YEAH.

GET A CHANCE
TO SAY HI TO LAURA?

YEAH, I--
I SAW HER.

THANKS FOR MAKING
THE DELIVERY FOR ME.

LISTEN, MR. INGALLS,
IF YOU HAVE A MINUTE,

I'D LIKE TO
TALK TO YOU ABOUT
A PERSONAL MATTER.

WELL, SURE.
WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

LAURA.

LAURA?

NOW, I KNOW HOW
YOU'VE ALWAYS FELT

ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE
IN OUR AGES.

I ALWAYS FELT
THE SAME WAY, TOO.

I ALWAYS FELT
THAT SHE WAS JUST
A NICE, YOUNG FRIEND.

BUT NOW,
I DON'T KNOW,
SOMETHING'S--

SOMETHING'S DIFFERENT.
SOMETHING'S CHANGED.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN,
SOMETHING'S CHANGED?

WELL, TO TELL YOU
THE TRUTH...

I'M FEELING SOMETHING
DIFFERENT FOR LAURA...

DIFFERENT THAN
JUST FRIENDSHIP.

IN AN HONORABLE WAY,
OF COURSE.

I DON'T KNOW,
IT DOESN'T MATTER
AFTER WHAT I DID.

YOU DID?
WHAT DID YOU DO?

I MADE A FOOL
OUT OF MYSELF TODAY.

I PUNCHED A STUDENT
OF HERS BECAUSE
I THOUGHT HE WAS--

WELL, I THOUGHT HE WAS
MAKING ADVANCES TO LAURA.

OH.

SHE GET MAD
AT YOU, DID SHE?

YEAH.

ANYWAY, I JUST
WANTED YOU TO KNOW
SO THAT--

SO THAT YOU
COULD PICK
HER UP TOMORROW.

I'M SURE SHE DOESN'T
WANT TO BE SEEING ME,

ESPECIALLY SINCE IT'S
HER BIRTHDAY AND ALL.

WELL, THAT'S A SHAME.
I'LL PICK HER UP.

GOOD-BYE,
MR. INGALLS.

BYE, ALMANZO.

THIS IS THE END
OF MY SECOND WEEK,

AND I'D JUST LIKE
TO THANK YOU ALL

FOR MAKING MY FIRST
TEACHING ASSIGNMENT SUCH
A REWARDING EXPERIENCE.

YOU ALL DESERVE A LOT OF PRAISE
FOR THE FINE WORK YOU'VE DONE

AND THE PROGRESS
THAT YOU'VE MADE.

MS. INGALLS,
WE ALL CHIPPED IN

AND BOUGHT YOU
A PRESENT.

THANK YOU.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

Children:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

IT'S VERY SWEET
OF ALL OF YOU,

BUT HOW DID YOU KNOW
THAT IT WAS MY BIRTHDAY?

WELL, MS. TRIMBLE
TOLD US.

IT'S A PEN.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU, ALL.

Children: YOU'RE WELCOME.

THE GIFT IS OUR WAY OF
SAYING THANK YOU FOR ALL
THE HELP YOU GAVE US.

NOW, JUST A MINUTE.

DON'T SAY "GAVE"
LIKE IT'S OVER.

I'LL HAVE PLENTY OF WORK
PLANNED FOR YOU

COME MONDAY MORNING.

Children: OH!
[LAUGHTER]

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND.

GOD BLESS YOU.

Children: BYE!

[CHILDREN SHOUTING]
[BELL RINGING]

IT'S SURE EASY TO SEE
THOSE YOUNG ONES LIKE YOU.

I FEEL LIKE
THEY'RE MY CHILDREN.

YOU'RE A LITTLE BIT YOUNG
TO BE HAVING CHILDREN.

JUST A MANNER
OF SPEAKING, PA.

ALMANZO DIDN'T WANT
TO COME FOR ME, HUH?

I THINK HE FIGURED
BECAUSE IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY,

YOU'D PROBABLY PREFER
TO HAVE ME DRIVE YOU BACK.

HE TOLD ME
WHAT HAPPENED.

I WOULDN'T HOLD IT
AGAINST HIM.

DO YOU THINK
HE WAS RIGHT?

OF COURSE NOT.
NEITHER DOES HE.

REMEMBER I TOLD YOU ONCE
THAT A FELLOW MADE ME
JEALOUS OVER YOUR MA?

YEAH.

SHE WAS MAKING SHEEP'S
EYES AT ANOTHER BOY

SO YOU WOULD
ASK HER TO A DANCE.

RIGHT.

YOU KNOW WHAT IT MEANS
WHEN A PERSON GETS JEALOUS?

WELL, SURE I DO.

I WAS JEALOUS
THAT TIME THAT ALMANZO

WAS GOING WITH THAT
SNIPPY CHRISTY.

WHY DO YOU
SUPPOSE
YOU WERE?

WELL, I KNOW WHY.

BECAUSE I LOVE
ALMANZO, AND--

OH, PA.

DO YOU THINK THAT ALMANZO
COULD BE IN LOVE WITH ME?

I DON'T KNOW
FOR SURE.

BUT WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I THINK THERE'S
A DARN GOOD CHANCE.

OH, PA!

Charles: I ALSO THINK
A GIRL SHOULDN'T GET
MARRIED TILL SHE'S 18.

YES, SIR.

IN CASE YOU'RE
WONDERING,

ALMANZO WILL BE AT
NELLIE'S PLACE FOR
THAT CHURCH SOCIAL.

IS HE BRINGING
SOMEONE?

AFRAID SO.

WHO?

HIS SISTER.

PA, HURRY!

WHAT FOR? YOU'RE
NOT GOING TO BE 18
FOR TWO YEARS YET,

BUT I'LL HURRY,
ANYWAY. COME ON.

[WALTZ PLAYING AND CHATTER]

I DON'T SEE MANLY.

WELL, THERE'S
MS. WILDER
OVER THERE.

I'LL GO CHECK
WITH HER. EXCUSE ME.

EVENING,
ELIZA JANE.

IS ALMANZO HERE?

OH, YES,
HE'S HERE
SOMEWHERE.

MAY I HAVE
THIS DANCE,
MS. WILDER?

OH!

YOU CERTAINLY MAY.

HERE, I'LL TAKE
THAT FOR YOU.

OH.

WELL, HE'S HERE
SOMEPLACE.

YOU JUST HAVE TO
LOOK AROUND FOR HIM.

SHALL WE?

OH, I'D LOVE TO.
EXCUSE US, DEAR.

HI.

HI.

I DIDN'T THINK YOU WERE
GOING TO BE HERE TONIGHT.

WHY NOT?

DIDN'T YOU
THINK ANYONE ELSE
WOULD BRING ME?

I DIDN'T MEAN THAT.

I DON'T KNOW
WHAT I MEAN.

I'M SORRY ABOUT WHAT
HAPPENED THE OTHER DAY.

I DIDN'T MEAN
THAT, EITHER.

I KNOW.

[MUSIC ENDS]
[APPLAUSE]

[NEW WALTZ BEGINS]

WHO DID YOU
COME WITH?

MY PA.

I CAME WITH
MY SISTER.

I KNOW.

SINCE WE'RE
BOTH HERE...

MAYBE I COULD KIND OF
BE YOUR ESCORT.

YOU MAY.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU
WERE GOING TO BE
HERE OR NOT.

BUT I BROUGHT
YOUR PRESENT
ANYWAY,

JUST IN CASE.

IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

IT'S LIKE I'M
WEARING YOUR COLORS.

I HOPE SO.

SWEET 16.

[MUSIC ENDS]
[APPLAUSE]

["BEAUTIFUL DREAMER" BEGINS]

HOW WOULD YOU
LIKE TO DANCE
WITH THE TEACHER?

I'D LOVE TO.

I HAVE A TERRIBLE FEELING
I'M ABOUT TO LOSE A DAUGHTER.

I HOPE SO.

WELL, I'M DYING
TO CALL YOU GRANDPA.

[LAUGHS]

SAME TO YOU, GRANDMA.

[LAUGHTER]