The Donna Reed Show (1958–1966): Season 2, Episode 18 - The New Mother - full transcript

Hold still, Mike.

It tickles.

All right, now,

let's have a good laugh
and then quiet. Hmm?

Because I can't
hear unless it's quiet.

Okay.

Okay, are you ready?

Okay.

Am I going to die?

No, no. Mikey, you'll
live to be a hundred.

Excuse me. Hmm.



Donna, would you do
something about that.

Yes, dear, I'll try.

Mary, would you do something
about that dog, please?

Yes, Mother.

Jeff, will you please do
something about that dog.

What about you doing it?

Well, he's not my dog.

Well, it's not mine
either. It's Eddie's.

Well, you brought him here.

Have I got to do it?

Now, see what you made mom do.

Jeff, has this dog been fed?

Oh, I bet Mary forgot.

I forgot?



Jeff, when I agreed to
let you keep this dog,

you are to take
complete charge of him,

wasn't that it?

Yeah.

Well, who's had to feed him?

Who's had to clean up after him?

Who's had to let him out
at night when he barks?

Me.

Well, that's what I
like about you, Mom.

You're kind to animals.

How about a little
kindness for your mother?

Honestly, Jeff, the
least you could do

is take care of the dog yourself

and earn the
money you're getting.

Money? What money?

Why can't you mind
your own business?

In case I'm boring you,

may I repeat, what money?

Didn't I tell you?

Well, you see, Eddie's
mom, she insisted.

Oh... but... but, I said,

"Gee. Mrs. Garber, you
don't have to pay me."

But she insisted so naturally
I couldn't embarrass her.

So you turned this house
into a boarding kennel.

Well, they'll only be
gone for four or five days.

And 25 cents a day,

that's a buck and a quarter
right there without even trying.

What do I get out of this
besides paying for the food?

You get to use of the dog.

Jeff, I should think you'd
be ashamed of yourself.

You take advantage
of Mrs. Garber,

you take advantage of me,

you... you even take
advantage of that dog,

that poor animal.

You don't feed him.
You neglect him.

Put yourself in his place,
how do you suppose he feels?

He probably feels he
is lucky he is not me.

David.

Come on in, Dave.

- Now, what are you
doing here?
- Shh!

What for?

I ran away from school.

Again.

I'm never going
back there either.

They beat me. They
like to torture me.

I won't go back.

Does your dad know?

What would he care?

You wouldn't tell your
dad, that I'm here, I mean.

Well, gee, he's going
to find out, Dave.

Listen. Don't tell him.

Hide me or something.

If he finds I'm here,
he'll send me back.

Gee. Dad is not a bad guy.

What did you come here for?

I didn't know any other place.

You're the only people that
have ever been nice to me.

Listen. Let me
sleep here for tonight

and tomorrow, I'll beat it.

But where will you go?

Your dad is still in
the air force, isn't he?

Yeah. He is at Pope Field.

Are you going to him?

Him. Nah.

All he'll do is send me back.

Maybe I'll get a job.

Maybe I'll join the navy and
make a whole lot of money.

That will make him good
and sore, if I join the navy.

Maybe I'll get
myself tattooed, too,

maybe an anchor or something.

Listen, Dave. I don't think
you got this whole thing

figured out very good.

You know, Mom or
Dad could walk in here-...

- Jeff? Jeff?
- Shh.

What do you want?

Let me in.

Tell me what you want first.

I want the dictionary.

Well, I haven't got it.

You have so. You had it last.

Ask Dad. I think he took it.

Jeff, Daddy has
already gone out.

And besides what
would he be doing with it.

Now, let me in.

Oh, wait a second
until I get my robe on.

Jeff!

You better beat it.
Out in the window...

- What will I...
- Shh!

Now, just sneak down the
trellis and go around the back.

There's a cellar door and go
down there and wait for me.

I'll think of something.

But, Jeff, I'm hungry.

I didn't have anything to eat.

Well, I'll get you
something. Go on now.

Shh. Be quiet.

Jeff, what are
you doing in here?

Talking to yourself?

Yeah. I'm kind
of funny that way.

Didn't have the dictionary.

What do you know?

Mary?

Jeff?

Jeff, what are you doing
with a sleeping bag?

Oh, this?

Well, I thought I'd
take down to Scratch,

you know, down in the cellar
so it'd be more comfortable.

Sleeping bag for a dog?

Well, sure, they're
very comfortable.

Up to now, you've been
perfectly happy for him

to sleep on cement.

Oh, yeah, but, you
see, I got to thinking

how I would like to
sleep on the cement floor.

I don't think you'd mind at all.

The sandwich, I suppose
that's for scratch, too?

Well, how do you like
eating dog food all the time?

You know, dog
should have a little fun.

I mean, if you're his friend,

I mean, he is your friend, you
shouldn't treat him like a dog.

Hello?

This is Pennfield
Military Academy.

Colonel Woodward speaking.

Is the doctor in?

Oh, no. He is
out. I'm very sorry.

Could I take a
message? This is his wife.

I'll tell you why we
called, Mrs. Stone.

You remember the Barker boy?

Oh, David, yes.

He stayed with us
a couple of times.

That's why we called.

He's disappeared from school.

Disappeared?

No.

We wondered if possibly
you might have seen him

since he stayed with you before.

No. No, I haven't seen him,

but if he shows up,
I'll certainly call you.

Goodness. I certainly
hope you find him.

Good night.

Good night, Mrs. Stone.

Somebody ran away or something?

What are you going
down there for?

I just want to see
what's down there.

Well, you know
what's down there.

Just a whole mess of junk.

I want to see what else.

Mom, it's dark down there.
You don't want to go down there.

Stand aside.

But, Mom, it might be burglars.

Out of the way, dear.

Oh, well, supposing Dave
was hiding down there,

only how could he be?

- But supposing he was?
- Well?

He must have had a reason.

Maybe they've been
mean to him at the school.

Torturing him even.

That's hardly likely.

Mom, you don't know.

Do you?

Donna?

Mom, it's dad.

- You're not going to...
- Going to what?

Well, you know, dad.

He is darn honorable
and everything.

He'll think he has
to call the school.

Of course he has
to call the school.

Donna?

Coming, dear.

- Oh, hello, dear.
- Hello, darling.

Any calls from the
hospital while I was out?

No. No calls from the hospital.

Foot in, you dope.

Hi, dad.

Hi.

Any other calls?

Come to think of it, yes.
There was one other call.

- Yeah?
- From Pennfield.

Oh, don't tell me I
have to go out again.

Oh, no, no.

I can't imagined
why they called you.

It seems that David Barker
has run away again. That's all.

Dear, would you like a
snack before you go to bed?

No, thanks.

I must say you don't seem
much concerned about it.

Oh, I'm concerned,
Alex, of course.

It's just it's obvious he
doesn't want to go back there.

Well, I just want to
learn about it before I-...

Before you what?

Well, I just think it's cruel
to keep sending him back

to a place he hates.

I mean, what that boy
needs is love and security.

He needs a home.

Now, wait a minute.
Nobody said he couldn't-...

I mean, you wouldn't
do that to a dog.

That's right.

Darling, a child isn't
the same as a dog.

The law enters into this.

The law.

You're always
dragging in the law.

Now look, the boy has a father.

Oh, he has. Well, where is he?

Well, wherever Major
Barker is, it's his responsibility.

Not ours.

Well, then, why are
you defending him?

I?

What I'm saying is
if the boy is found,

he has to be returned
to the school. That's all.

Well, they haven't
found him yet.

So, are we arguing about?

Yeah, what are we?

Darling, why don't
you go on up to bed,

you must be tired.

I'll be along in just a minute.

All right.

Dear, would you like to
take this down to the cellar

and share it with
your little pet?

Oh, thanks, Mom. He'll love it.

Jeff, would you like to leave
the cellar door open just a little bit

in case he gets lonesome
and wants to come up

and sleep with you in your room?

Okay, Mom.

Come along, dear.

- You know, it strikes me.
- What, dear?

There's nothing like a
love of a boy for his dog.

Shall we go up?

Say good night to Lassie.

Where are you going?

Let's have a
little air, shall we?

Oh, certainly, if you like.

Good night, Dad.
Good night, Mom.

Good night, sweetheart.

I thought I'd come in and
say good night to you guys

so you wouldn't have to come
in and say good night to me.

- Good night.
- Good night, Jeff.

- Oh, Jeff.
- Yeah.

Would you leave the
door open, please?

The door?

That's right. The door.

Leave it open so
we get a little air.

Oh, if you want some air, I'll
go open the window for you.

That won't be
necessary. Just the door.

Okay. You're the boss.

There you are, door is open.

Jeff.

Yeah.

Leave it open.

Like this?

A little wider.

That's the idea. Thank you.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Night.

Darn dog. I have to put him out.

No, I'll do it.

You go back to sleep.

David,

don't be frightened.

Now, what's wrong?

Tell me what's wrong.

I don't want to go back.
You won't send me back.

Back where?

They'll kill me if
they get me back.

But why?

What happened?

You can tell me, dear.

Well, it's my father.
He wrote me a letter.

He said, "How would
you like to have a mother?"

Not my old one. A new one.

He said he was going
to bring her to see me,

and he said we'll have
a great times together.

Private Willis, report
to the officer of the day.

Boy, this is the
last I see this place.

I will take it easy while you
guys are out there doing pushups.

How soon is your dad
coming with your new mother?

Any minute now.

That's why I got to get packed.

That was him on the
phone from the airport.

She isn't my mother yet,

but she will be as soon
as they get married.

Where are you going to live?

In a house. Where do you think?

A house like regular people

with a yard and a barn maybe,

maybe I have my own television,

all kinds of stuff,

even my own pony maybe.

Boy. You're lucky.

I wish my pop will get
married or something.

Only, he is already married.

Hey. Do you want
a shrunken head?

No, thanks.

I won't be needing it anymore.

You keep it.

Okay. Maybe I'll give it to her.

Who?

My new mom.

Do you think she'll like it?

Well, who wouldn't?

You know, how many mit
balls I had to knock over for that?

Gee. I must have
spent about 60 cents.

You can't tell. Women
are funny sometimes.

Yeah.

My mom is scared
of grasshoppers.

I hope she likes me.

Private Myers, report to
the desk on the double.

Hey. That's you.

Private Myers.

Okay. Okay. Well,
I'll be seeing you.

Hey.

- Hey, dad. Dad!
- Davie boy.

I'm sure glad to see you.

- Hey, you know, Mousie.
- Sure.

- Good to see you again, Mousie.
- Hi, sir.

Private Myers.

I'd better beat it.

Hurry back.

David, this is
Miss... This is Helen.

Hello, David.

Well, aren't you going
to say something?

Hi.

I hope you and I are going
to be very good friends.

Yeah, me, too.

Why, this is a nice
room you have here.

Nice?

Well, we could
fix it up a little.

What for? If I'm getting out.

Anyway, they wouldn't let you.

It's got to be all
according to regulations.

That's one reason I'm
glad I'm getting out of here.

I'm almost packed, Dad.

All I have to do is
close my suitcase.

Oh, David, I don't think
you've quite understand.

I wanted Helen to meet you.

I wanted you to meet Helen.

I want you to know
each other but-...

You mean, I'm not
coming with you?

Well, not right away.

You see there are a few
things we have to attend to first.

We have to get
married for one thing,

and then there's the honeymoon.

Why do you have to
have a honeymoon for?

Well, people do usually.

How long will that take?

Well, my leave will
be about 10 days,

and so we'll be...

I guess, I can stand
here for 10 more days.

Oh, sure you can.

We'll come to see
you now and then,

and when vacation time comes
and we're a little more settled...

Not until vacation.

Well, that's something
we'll have to discuss.

Paul. Didn't you tell him?

Well, I couldn't.
Not in a letter.

You see, son, the air
force keeps moving.

Me and Helen thought...

Well, I thought it'd be
better if you stayed on here

at school for a while until
we got a little more settled.

You understand,
don't you, David?

Yes, sure. It's okay.

You don't mind too much.

Heck, no. I might be
in the swimming team.

I wouldn't want to miss that.

I think we'd better go.

Maybe you're right.

Well, we'll see you, David.

I've got to go and
check in at the hotel,

and Helen have some
things she has to do.

I'll be back a little later

and pick you up
for dinner, okay?

Okay.

Good boy.

Good bye, David.

Helen, shall we go?

I don't care what happens.

I don't care what they do to me.

I'm never going back.

David, nobody is going
to do anything to you.

I'll see to that.

You can count on me, David.

Now, you try to get some sleep,

and don't worry.

We'll work out something.

Just go to sleep
and don't worry.

Okay?

Good night, David.

- Alex, if you call that
school-— - Darling, I have to.

It's the only thing I can do.

But we can't send
him back there.

That's not for us to decide.

Believe me. I feel just as
badly about this as you do.

Pennfield Military Academy.

Colonel Woodward speaking.

Colonel, this is Dr. Stone.

We have the Barker
boy here. He is quite safe.

Thank heaven for that.

They found him. He is all right.

But where? Where is he?

The boy's father is
here waiting for him.

He's been a little
upset, Colonel.

A little.

The major will come
right over. Good.

No. He can come for
him tomorrow morning.

Darling, I can't.

Nobody is going to
disturb David tonight.

Not even his father.

Darling, I can't tell him that.

If you won't, I will.

Colonel, you suppose it'd be
all right if the major came over

tomorrow morning
after breakfast?

I think it'd be a little
easier on the child,

and on everybody.

All right, fine. We'll
expect him then.

Good night.

Darling, there are times-...

Darling, would you
turn out the light, please.

Alex?

There are times what?

Never mind.

There are just
times, that's all.

Good night.

Good night.

Anybody know any funny stories?

Finish your breakfast, Jeff.

David, aren't you
going to eat your cereal?

I'm not hungry.

But you should try.

The current theory is
that if a child needs to eat,

he will eat.

Would you like some toast?

It seems to me there's a
new theory every week.

No, thank you. I'm not hungry.

- How about some more coffee?
- After you.

No, no. Please do.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Sure it's getting
polite around here.

What do you hear
from whose's, Mary?

Who's whose's?

What do you hear from anybody?

I don't seem to hear a thing.

That's funny. Me either.

- I'll get it.
- I'll get it.

What's going on?

Now, Darling, I'll handle this.

But if you don't, I will.

- Oh, come on, Major.
- Good morning, Doctor.

- Mrs. Stone.
- Good morning.

Nice to see you again.

Come in. Sit down.

Oh, have you had breakfast?
Would you like a cup of coffee?

Oh, no. Thank you. I...

David.

Well, what happened?

Major, you should know

that David has told
us the whole story.

So, you can speak freely,

and I think perhaps
you'd better.

Darling, this is
not our business.

I'm sorry. I can't
feel that way.

I'm very fond of David.

Please, both of
you, I'm very grateful

that you do feel the way you do.

I haven't been very smart
about the way I've handled things.

David,

if it ever came to a
choice between you

and anything else in
this world or anybody...

Look,

I've got two tickets to Maine

and a week's reservation
at a fishing lodge there.

Would you like to go?

- Just you and me?
- Just you and me.

Nobody else.

But what about...

Well, I found out
she doesn't like fish.

What about when we get
back, are you and her going to-...

No. No, David, we're not.

You got rid of her?

Well, the truth is
Helen got rid of me.

She said I was looking
for a mother for my son

instead of a wife for myself.

Is your heart broken?
Are you going to-...

David, there are times
when you don't ask questions.

You just do as you're told.

Thanks.

Well, when did
you find that out?

And when did you ever do it?

Would you excuse me
just a moment, please.

Jeff, has that dog
been fed this morning?

Oh gosh, no, Mom. I was-...

You're going to
leave it for me to do?

Mother, I'll feed the dog.

No, dear. Jeff will do it.

Young man, I'm through
running your kennel.

From now on, you're going
to take care of that dog.

You're going to see that
he is happy and comfortable

and you're going
to see that he is fed.

Well, golly.