03x06 - Journey in the Spring: Part I

[bunniefuu]

- 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?

[Turkeys gobbling]

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?

[Chuckles] 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.

[Gobbles]

Is that a tom turkey?

Yeah.

I'll take him.

All right.

[Gobbles]

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...

[Sobbing] 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.

[Train whistle blowing]

I love you!

[Train whistle blowing]

Charles!

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?

[Quietly] yes, sir.

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

You're old enough to be heard.

[Louder] yes, sir.
I'm running away.

That's better.

You should have come
to me before you left.

You got 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.

[Train whistle blowing]

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... Years?

Well, it's almost , 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...

[Violin playing]

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.

[Thunder]

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.

[Thunder]

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.

[Thunder]

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.

[Thunder]

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

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

[Thunder]

[Thunder]

Mama...

I'm sorry, mama.

I didn't mean to hurt him.

I just didn't know
what else to do.

[Thunder]

I love him, you know...

I just...

Didn't know what else to do.

[Thunder]

Oh, my god!

[Thunder]

Papa!

Papa!

Pa!

Pa!

Papa!

Papa, get up!

Papa, come on!

Papa, get out of the bed!

Papa!

Come on!

[Thunder]

[Thunder]

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!

[Squawk]

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

Come on, tom!

Come on!

You'd better be good. Come on.

[Squawk]

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.

[Squawks]

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.

[Fiddle playing]

[Clapping]

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha!

Faster this time.

Faster next time, pa.

All right, you asked for it.

[Clapping]

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.