02x27 - The Long Quest

[bunniefuu]

[ theme music playing ]

A year ago, you'd have
trouble lifting that.

Guess I'm
growin' up fast.

Don't be too fast
about it.

Sure you don't want
to go into town?

I'm going over to Shiloh.
Unless you need me.

Well, go ahead.

But don't you be
a nuisance over there.

I'll be back by sundown.

All right, Mom.

You having trouble?

Nothing serious.
Horse picked up
a stone, is all.

Come on, boy.

[ barking ]

Anybody home?

[ moos ]

You ain't givin' him
enough time

to get his head
in the bucket.

Well, it tickles.
Besides,

who's weaning
this calf, me or you?

Well, you ain't doin'
such a good job of it.

Come on, stick your head
in this doggone bucket.

[ whistling ]

Whoa! Whoa!

Hi, Cricket!Hi!

I came over to help.

Well, good.
We can always use

another top hand
around here.

You rode him yet?

No, he's too young
to ride.

Put all that weight on him,
you might break him down.

I don't weigh
very much.

Maybe I could
ride him.

Cricket, if I put you
on a green colt,

your ma would nail
my hide to that barn door
over there.

Not if she didn't
know about it.

She'd know about it,
all right...

when we carried you
into the house.
Stay with me, now.

[ whistling ]

Come on. Whoa! Whoa.

He'll make
a real fine horse.

You're breakin' him
to rope?

No, he won't make
a roper.

Just look at him, Cricket.

Tall in the hindquarters,

deep in the chest,
and look at those ankles.

Somewhere along the line,
this boy's picked up
some thoroughbred.

He'll make
a runnin' horse.

Run all day
and half the night,
won't you, boy?

Yes, sir.

Let's turn him out
over there in
the other corral.

Come on, come on.

[ dog barking ]

What in thunder's that?

He's my new dog.
Name's Partial.

Where'd you get him?

Livery stables. The man
who gave him to me

says he's a real
valuable dog.

Ha ha!
You don't say?

Yes, sir.
He's the champion biter

west of the Mississippi.

If he feels like it.

Lucky for me, he's in
a good mood, huh?

Good dog!

[ barking ]

Hi, Ma.

Hello, Mary Ann.Hi.

Oh, Cricket,
put that horse away.

In a minute, Ma.

Now.

All right, Ma.

We're going into town
at the end of the week
for supplies,

if you need anything.

Could you come in
a minute, please?

Sure.

Every room like this
when I got home.

Why?

It wasn't robbery.

I had money in this box
and they didn't take it.

That's what frightens me.

Who would do a senseless
thing like this?

I want to send
a telegram.

I figured that's why
you come in here.

Nice night.

Due for a little rain,
though.

"Judith Holly,
Spring Hotel,
Kansas City.

"Mighty warm
in Medicine Bow.

Signed, Corbett."

That'll be a dollar
and four bits.

Only it ain't that warm.

That's what you think.

Here's the list.
Have them start gettin'
the stuff ready.

Where are you
goin' now?

Down to the depot, see if
our freight's come in.

Howdy.Hello.

How's the 12:15
doing today?

Due any minute now.

A man could just about
set his watch by this
railroad, couldn't he?

MAN: Medicine Bow next.

Oh!

Thank you.Not at all.

I'll get this, ma'am.Thank you.

There you are.

Freight for
Shiloh Ranch?

No freight for Shiloh
in this car.

According to the invoice,
it was supposed to be here
two days ago.

I just work
for the railroad.
I don't run it.

Excuse me.
Could you tell me

where I could hire
a rig that would
take me to the hotel?

Kind of silly
to spend money
just to go two blocks.

I'll be glad
to take you over.

That is, if you don't
mind riding in a wagon.

No, that's fine.
Thank you.

Was someone
supposed to meet you?

I thought so.

Well, they'll know
where to find you.

It's the only hotel
in town.

Good.

MAN: All aboard!
All aboard!

[ train whistle blows ]

First trip
to Medicine Bow?

Yes, uh-huh.

Planning on stay awhile
or just passing through?

Oh, well,
that'll depend
on several things.

You'll find us a nice,
friendly little town.

Matter of fact,
those two ladies there
are so friendly

that by suppertime
there won't be a person
in Medicine Bow

doesn't know
about this little drive.

Some freight.

Thank you.

This'll be just fine.
Thank you very much.

Well, I hope you enjoy
your stay in town.

Perhaps I'll see you
again before you go.

Perhaps.

Hello,
I'm Judith Holly.

Mr. Corbett made
a reservation for me.

Oh, yes, Miss Holly.

If you'll just sign
the register, please.

Hi.Hello, Danny.

Hear you got yourself
a new girl.

Have those two nice,
little old ladies
been in here already?

What are you
talkin' about?

Didn't expect you
to be back so soon.

Oh, he's been
passin' the word, huh?

All I said was that you
went down to the station
to pick up some freight,

and the next time
I saw you, you were
right there--

All right, all right.
Monongahela.

How about buyin' me
a drink?

Sure. Danny, give him
a sarsaparilla.

Comin' up.

Well, I do
a growed man's work.

I think I ought to get
a growed man's drink.

When you've growed enough
to put me down on the floor,

that'll be time enough
for whiskey.

Well, I'd like to
try that right now.

Try what?

Puttin' you down.

Young man's privilege.

Danny, hold
the sarsaparilla.

Pass the sarsaparilla.

[ knock on door ]

Where have you been?

I expected to see you
at the station.

Couldn't make it.

Had a meeting
with your lawyer.

My lawyer?

Yeah, the best
the town has to offer.

Dignified, windy,
and honest.

You sound very sure
of yourself.

This time,
it's the real goods.

You'll see
for yourself.

When?

Tomorrow morning.

You better be right.

Nervous?Why should I be?

12 years
is a long time.

Don't worry about me,
Corbett.

I won't fall apart.

I didn't think
you would,

not for that
kind of money.

Corbett.

Next time you come
into my room,

why don't you
take off your hat, hmm?

Good morning.Hello.

May I join you?Of course.

Thanks.

You're up bright
and early this morning.

Mm. Early...
but not so bright.

Morning. How's the ham
this morning?

Off the left side
of the hog--
the way you like it.

Good. Ham and three eggs
over easy.

What did you
just order?

Ham and three eggs
over easy.

No, I mean
about the left side.

It's very important.

You ever watch a hog
scratch himself?

Not recently.

Next time you see a hog,
you watch him scratch.

Unless that's
a very unique hog,

he'll scratch
with his right hind leg.

So, there you are.Where?

It stands to reason

that all that scratching
with the right leg

is gonna build up
the muscle in it.

Which is why ham
from the right side
of the hog is tougher

than the ham from
the left side of the hog.

It's simple
when you think about it.

Safest thing to do
if you're not sure
is to order bacon.

Now, you take bacon--

It's been a very
interesting lecture.

We must continue it
sometime.

I've got the rig
outside.

Who was your friend?

Just someone I met.

I think he works
at a hog ranch.

Whoa.

I'll wait here.
There's the house.

Bye, Mom!
Bye, Partial!

Partial,
you stay home!

He'll be comin'
by here soon.

You get a good look
at him.

Ma, call the dog,
will you?

Come on, boy.
Come on, come on.

Cricket, you come home
right after school.

All right, Mom.

The woman's name
is Martin.
Mary Ann Martin.

Respectable type.
Sells bakery and
home canning in town.

Makes a delivery
once a week.

You seem to know
an awful lot about her.

That's my business.

Here he comes.

Hey, sonny. Which way
to Twin Forks?

It's up the road
that way, sir.

Thank you very much.

How does it feel
to look at a kid

you haven't seen
since he was a baby

and know
he's your own son?

What do you
expect me to say--

that I'm overcome
with motherly emotion?

It might help.

I don't have to
impress you.

I wasn't thinking
about myself.

I was thinking
how it's gonna sound
in court.

Look, let's get
something straight.

You're a very
competent detective.

You found me,
you found him.

But don't sit there
judging me,

because you are
no better than I am.

Quite a student of
character, aren't you?

I learned how
the hard way.

Now that we understand
each other,

why don't we get
back to town and get
this over with?

And what will you do
if Mrs. Martin swears,

under oath
in a court of law,

that the boy
is her own child?

She'd be lying.

Dear woman,
my years at law
have discovered

that litigants
frequently lie.

The question is,
can you prove
that they're lying?

We can prove that
Mrs. Martin is not
the boy's mother.

Documentary proof,
Mr. Corbett?

As unassailable
as the Gospel, sir.

Where did you acquire
this documentary
evidence?

Heh. I'd prefer
not to disclose
my methods, Mr. Cass.

Hmm.

Perhaps that's
just as well.

Very well. I'll start
proceedings immediately,
Miss Holly.

All right, Cricket,
give me that wrench.

Here it is.

There.

New share ought to do
the trick for a while.

He fixed it up
real good, Ma.

Good.
I feel awful guilty

about you spending
so much time here.

That's what
neighbors are for.

And if you're worried
about how to thank me,

I got a whiff
a little while ago

of something that smelled
an awful lot like
fresh apple pie.

And I just took it
out of the oven.

Well, now, Cricket,
isn't that a coincidence?

I don't know what
a coincidence means.

It means my liking
apple pie

and your mother
having one fresh
out of the oven.

She started makin' it
as soon as I told her

you were comin' over
to fix the plow.

Let's go eat it
before it gets cold.

I like it
when you come over.

Oh?

I get a second
helping of pie.

Cricket, that's not
a nice way to put it.

One thing about kids--
you get the truth.

I didn't mean that was
the only reason.

No, just the most
important one.

I think that's
fair enough.

Would you like
some more pie?

I couldn't ride back
to Shiloh if I did.

I guess I'll have
some more.

I wasn't talking to you.

Thanks, Mary Ann.
That was awful good.

Can I go
with him, Ma?

Have you finished
your homework?

Oh, Ma.
What good will
that stuff do me?

Cricket--

Next time, huh?

Oh, all right.

Real handful, isn't he?

He certainly is.
But it's worth
every minute of it.

You've done
a good job with him.
He's a nice boy.

[ horse approaching ]

Howdy, Earl.Hi, Earl.

Can I see you
a minute?

Sure, come on in.

Talk to you later.

I think you'd
better wait.

Hi, Mr. Lorne.Hello, Cricket.

Say, I wonder if
you'd do me a favor.

All right.

Go out and walk
my horse around

to cool him off,
give him some water.

Sure.

I rode him a little hard
comin' out here.

Mrs. Martin,
it's my job
to serve this.

What is it?

It's a restraining
order to keep you from
leaving the county.

Why would I want
to leave the county?

Somebody's filed suit
against you...

for custody of Cricket.

A Miss Judith Holly.

She claims
she's his real mother.

But that's ridiculous.

I'm Cricket's mother.

I don't know
anything about that.

But I think
you'd better get you
a lawyer, Mrs. Martin.

This Holly woman
has Andy Cass
representing her,

and he's
a pretty good man.

This is the most--

the most outrageous thing
I've ever heard of.

I wouldn't worry
about it.

I'm sure everything
will turn out
all right.

Earl.

I just don't
understand.

Who--Who is
this woman?

Why does she want
my son?

I don't know.

But I think you'd
better go into town
and find out.

Come on in, Sam.

Heh! How'd you know
it was me, Andy?

I heard Mrs. Martin
had retained you,

so I figured I'd be
hearing from you.

Sit down.Thank you.

Had your morning's
drink yet?

Never in the presence
of my enemy.

[ chuckles ]

Andy, what in thunder
are you tryin' to do
to Mary Ann Martin?

Did you read
the complaint?

I read it. Now, you know
that's a lot of nonsense.

Is it?

Mary Ann's
the boy's mother.

Is she?

Andy, what would you say
if I produced in court

a doctor's certificate
stating that Mary Ann
gave birth

to a male child
in 1872--

said birth taking place
in Union City, Tennessee?

I'd say it was a very
interesting document,

suitable for framing,
but not pertinent
to this case.

Are you denying
that she had a child?

No.

Then what in blazes
are you trying to say?

What's all this
supposed to mean?

Sam, you know
just as well as I do,

the court will recognize
this kind of evidence
in probate matters.

Entries in family Bibles
have been used many times

to determine
the rights of heirs and
to establish identities.

In the first place,
that isn't a family Bible.

It's a true copy
of entries from
such a Bible.

And in the second place,
that doesn't prove anything

about Cricket's parentage.

Good start.

Andy, where did you
get that, uh...Bible?

I'm not at liberty to say.

I'll bet you aren't.

But I can
tell you this, Sam.

My client didn't
come all the way
from Kansas City

without knowing
what she was doing.

Andy, now, you know
that Mary Ann brought
that boy up.

Now, right or wrong,
this could mess up
some lives.

We don't write the law,
Sam--you know that.

You'd better tell her
about the Bible.

She may want to settle
this out of court.

Well...I'll talk to her.

Sam?

Uh...no, I don't
think so, Andy.

You're not sore at me.

No, it's, uh...

just that I don't feel
like having a drink.

I heard you comin'!
What's the rush?

Come in the house,
Cricket.

Come in the house now.

What's wrong, Ma?

CRICKET:
What's wrong, Ma?

Cricket, I want you
to wash yourself

and put on
your Sunday clothes.

Where are we
goin', Ma?

Don't ask questions!
Do as you're told!

All right.

Ma, where are we going?

Just get in the wagon,
Cricket.

But what about
the rest of our things?

Forget about the rest
of the things.

Cricket, I can't explain
everything now.

I'll tell you
all about it later.

Ma!

Ma! Ma, wake up!

Ma!

Ma got hurt!
You gotta come with me!

She needs help!

You go into town
and get the doctor.

I'll go with Cricket.

She's gonna be
all right, son.

She's had
a bad concussion

and she's
pretty well bruised.

Is there anybody
that can come in here
and stay with her?

If she can be moved,
I'll have her taken
over to Shiloh.

Betsy can look
after here there.

That's a good idea.
She wants to see you.

Son, you stay here
with me.

Mary Ann.

I was--

I was running away.

There wasn't anything
else I could do.

They're gonna take
Cricket away from me.

Oh, you know
better than that.

It's true.

The lawyer told me.

They got my Bible.

What Bible? Who got it?

The man--

The man that works
for Judith Holly.

The day he came
to my house,

he took my Bible.

I had it hid
up in the closet,

and he came
into my house,

and he tore
everything apart,

and he stole my Bible.

And now they're gonna
take Cricket away from me.

Oh, please,
don't let them.

He's mine.

Don't worry.

Is Cricket outside?

I'll send him in.

Don't worry.
Rest now.

I'll take care
of him.

Go in now, Cricket.
Don't stay too long.

I won't.

I'll send a spring wagon

and a couple of hands
over from Shiloh.

I'll stay with him.
Will you be coming
back here?

No, I got some business
with a man in town.

You gonna
call it a night?

It's been
a long day.

To motherhood.

Huh?

I'm celebrating
motherhood.

Oh, is that
a fact, now?

Mothers are wonderful.

Every boy
should have a mother.

Oh, yes, it sounds
like a fine idea.

It's not a new one.Oh?

No. No, you take me--

all my life I've been
livin' off bull beef

and sour beans.

And now, because of
a little mother,

I'm gonna cut into
a juicy tenderloin...

and little green peas.

Good night.Good night.

You following me,
mister?

That's right.

Look, friend,
I've got a g*n.

So have I.

What do you want?

You stole a book
from Mary Ann Martin.

I want it back.

[ laughs ] You're
out of your mind.

You want to talk
to the sheriff about it?

Housebreaking is a crime
out here in the West,

just like it is
back east, you know.

To the hotel?

Come on in.

Make yourself at home.

It's a little stuffy
in here.

What about the Bible?

You're not
very bright, mister.

Neither are you...

if you're planning
on using that g*n.

Nobody saw us come up here.
As far as I'm concerned,

you're just a prowler
I found ransacking my room.

I came in, caught you
in the act, and--

The only thing wrong
with that story is that
nobody will believe it,

including the sheriff.

You're pretty sure
of yourself, aren't you?

I just don't think
you're stupid enough

to want to get yourself
hung for m*rder.

But you think
I'm stupid enough to
give you that Bible.

Either that,
or I tell the sheriff
how you got it.

You'd better put
that thing away.

All right, cowboy.
No sh**ting.

But no Bible, either.

You want to
file a complaint,
you go right ahead.

Better yet, come to
the hearing.

It'll be offered
into evidence.

What's your interest
in this?

Strictly professional.

Miss Holly hired me
to trace her son.

And you think
you've found him, huh?

I know I have.

Let me ask you
a question.

Where do you
fit in?

I'm just a friend
of Mrs. Martin's.Good.

Maybe she'll take
some advice from you.

It's no use fighting.
We've got it cold.

I don't believe you.

I don't care whether
you believe me or not.

But if you're that curious,
take a look.

It's in the drawer.

You've got a lot
to learn, cowboy.
Now, beat it.

Whew.

What's going on here?

You?

Don't worry about him.
He'll live.

What are you doing
with that?

It belongs
to a friend of mine.

You work
for Mrs. Martin?

I said
she was a friend.

Not many men could
do that to Corbett.

He's supposed
to be tough.

So he told me.

Mrs. Martin is
very rich in friends.

Rough, tough,
devoted men

who will spring
to her side in times
of distress.

Must be splendid
having friends like that

who will stick by you
through thick
and through thin,

whether you're right
or wrong.

Mrs. Martin's friends
think she's right.

Of course you do.

That's why
you're here. Hmm.

You're here
to steal back a book

that could prove
you're wrong,

and you wouldn't
like that at all,
would you?

You wouldn't like to see
evidence presented in court

that could prove
that your precious
little Mrs. Martin

is nothing more
than a kidnapper.

You wouldn't like that
at all, would you?

Oh, I know you don't
believe me.

But what if I
tell you that...

it's all down
in black and white...

in that very book
that you're holding
in your hand--

all in Mrs. Martin's
own handwriting?

Would you have
the nerve to open it
and see for yourself?

VIRGINIAN: [ voice over ]
Peter Martin married
Mary Ann Clay

16th June, 1869.

September 18th, 1872,
Peter Clay Martin born

to Peter
and Mary Ann Martin.

Go on, turn the page.

Peter Martin, husband,
and Peter Clay Martin,

son of Mary Ann Martin,

died this day when fire
destroyed their home--

October 24th, 1872.

Her husband and child
were k*lled.

She never remarried.

Nor did she ever
have another child.

And Cricket?

Mine.

I was 17
when I had him...

and alone.

Very much alone
and afraid.

You see, he didn't
have a father.

I mean,
not a legal father.

He died before
we could be married.

So, that's why
I gave my baby

to a foster parent.

Someone who had lost
her husband and her baby,

and could
take care of mine.

I don't expect you
to take my word
for all of this.

All I do ask is that
you keep an open mind.

Will you do that?

Good night, Miss Holly.

All right, Corbett,
you can get up now.

I've been awake.
I didn't want to
spoil your act.

Heh.

Judith,
I can't understand

why you ever left
the stage.

Hmm.

Good morning, Betsy.

Well, you look like
you've had a bad night.

It was a long one.

I know.
I heard you ride in.

Do you suppose
I could see Mary Ann?

If you don't
stay too long.
All right.

Tell her I'll bring
her breakfast
right up.

All right.

[ knock on door ]

Come in.

Well, how are you
feeling today?

Well...

I feel like a woman
who just...

tried to do
a very foolish thing.

Where did you think
you were going?

I don't know.

Just away someplace--
anyplace.

We caught you
and brought you back,
I'm afraid.

I know.

I just got panicky.

I went into town
last night.

Did you see her?

Mm-hmm. I saw her,
all right.

I also saw
your family Bible.

Mary Ann, don't you
think it's about time

you started telling me
what's going on?

I want to help.

Then you know about
my husband and baby.

Mm-hmm.

Well, after
they died, I--

I moved to Memphis.

I was alone and sick.

In a sort of
shocked condition.

I had a room
on Union Avenue.

There was a woman
who lived down the hall

who was friendly to me,
she tried to help me.

She was a professional
midwife,

and she told me
about this girl--

and actress--who had
gotten into trouble

and had a child.

My friend told me she
wouldn't even look at it.

Wouldn't nurse it.

Didn't want it.

And she asked me
if I would take it.

I didn't want
another woman's child.

But one day, she brought
the baby home...

and put him on my bed.

He was so tiny
and beautiful...

and so helpless.

And for the first time
in months,

I forgot my own troubles.

It's funny how
we needed each other,

that baby and I.

He needed me to
take care of him, and...

oh, I needed him to...

fill that awful
emptiness in my life.

I--

I was afraid she might
change her mind

and want the baby back.

But after a couple
of years,

when she never came,

I put that thought
out of my mind.

Cricket wasn't
her baby anymore.

He was mine.

Being a mother
is much more

than just bearing
a child.

She never did come
after him, huh?

No, not once.

Did you ever
hear from her?

Never.

Have you ever told
Cricket about her?

Oh, I told him
part of it.

He knew something
was wrong.

I thought I'd better
prepare him...

in case...

Well, I don't know
how the law reads,

but I don't see how
she can come here
after 12 years

and take him away
from you, even if
she is his mother.

But she can.

I looked it up once.

She has the right.

I'm going back into town.

Take it easy, Mary Ann.

This thing
isn't over yet.

That's right pretty.

I guess.

You worried
about something?

No. What's
to worry about?

You just seem worried,
that's all.

Randy...
what's "custody"?

"Custody".
Well, that's, uh--

Oh, you mean custody.

What is it?

Let me see. I want to
get this right for you.

You see that horse
over there?

Suppose I took that horse
and turned him over to you

and says, "Cricket,
I want you to take
care of this horse

and clean it, feed it,
see it stays healthy."

Is that custody?

That's about
what it is.

Do people have custody?

Sure they do.

Other people, I mean.

Could I have custody
of you?

Well, it'd probably be
the other way around.

It don't seem right.

What's wrong with it?

Passin' people around
like they was horses
or something.

Well, it's the law.

I don't care
whether it's
the law or no law,

it ain't right.

Morning, Cricket.Morning.

Why don't you go on
up to the house?

I think your mother
would like to see you.

Yes, sir.

Cricket.Yes, sir?

Never mind.
I'll see you later.

It's tough
on a kid, ain't it?

Get your team
to the surrey.

I'm goin' into town.

Young man,
if you dropped in

for a drink
of good whiskey,

or to talk about
world affairs,

or cuss out
the administration...
sit down.

But if it's about
the Martin case,
I'm busy.

Sam, you're gettin' old.

You're admitting
your licked before you
even get into court.

Son, I'm just old enough
to know when I am licked.

Mm-hmm. Well,
it occurs to me

that we've
all been so busy

finding out how
Mary Ann Martin's
been lying to us

that we've forgotten
all about the other
party to the case.

You ever wonder
why Judith Holly

abandoned her child,

never gave
a thought to him
for all those years?

That's not
what she says.

I know what she says,
and I don't believe her.

So?

After never even
thinking about the boy

for all that time,

why is she in such
a sudden sweat

to gain custody of him?

She doesn't have
to give a reason.

All she has to do
is prove her case.

Just the same...

I'd do some digging
into Judith Holly's
past if I were you.

You might come up
with something
very interesting.

Besides, Sam,
what have you got
to lose?

Think it over.
Don't take too long.

[ knock on door ]Come in.

Hello.

I thought
we finished saying

anything we had to say
to each other last night.

Not quite.

Well, it'll have to wait.

I'm on my way
to see my lawyer.

Thought you might
like to go for
a ride first.

Oh, now, really.

I don't mean just
a ride in the country.

The boy's
out at Shiloh Ranch.

I thought you might
like to see him.

There'll be plenty
of time for that...

after I'm awarded
custody.

Let's see...how would
that sound in court?

"I offered to take her
out to see the boy,

but she just
wasn't interested."

You're a clever man.

And I don't trust
clever men.

But...on the other hand,

you may have a point.

Shall we go?

Just how far
is this ranch?

We'll be there soon.

I don't suppose
you're trying to do
anything foolish,

like kidnapping me.

I'll leave that
kind of thing to you.

What I'm doing
is perfectly legal.

Sure. Legal kidnapping.

Has it ever
occurred to you that
I might love him, too?

Yeah,
I've thought of it.

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

What are we
stopping for?

What do you see
over there?

A bunch of cows.
What about 'em?

That's our brood stock.

Good blooded stock.

But there's a couple of
orphans over there, too.

Every now and then,
a young heifer

will have a calf,

won't quite know
what to do with it.

It'll be afraid of it,
run away from it.

If that calf doesn't
find a mother, he'll die.

Usually, he does.

Some old mother cow
that's lost her own calf

and has got enough
mothering in her for two.

She'll find the calf,

raise him,
and keep him alive.

As far as that calf
is concerned,

that old mother cow
is his mother.

She's the only mother
he's ever known.

You take him
away from her
when he's too young,

and he'll die.

End of lesson?

End of lesson.

Except for
one more thing.

If that young heifer
comes back and tries
to mother that calf,

he'll run away from her.

Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!

Betsy, this is
Miss Judith Holly.
Betsy Garth.

How do you do,
Betsy?

Very well, thank you.

Is Cricket inside?

Yes, but--Good.

Charming
young lady.

Are you afraid
to be alone with me?

Why should I be?

Hello. Remember me?

I saw you on your way
to school the other day.

CRICKET: Yes, ma'am.

Cricket, why don't you
go outside?

Oh, no, let him stay.

Cricket...

All right, Ma.

If you look
in the surrey,

you'll find
some candy.

A present
from me to you.

Ma doesn't allow me
to take things
from strangers.

You've trained
him well.

What are you looking at?

You're a very pretty
woman, Miss Holly.

Thank you.

You must've spent
a great deal of time
and money

keeping the lines
from your face.

I didn't expect
to meet you

under these circumstances,
Mrs. Martin.

But, now that we have met,

maybe we can settle
a few things between us.

What things?

You know what things.

I want my child.

Yours?

You know he's mine.

Why don't you
call him in

and ask him
who his mother is?

Well, under
the circumstances, I--

Under no circumstances
is he your child.

He's mine, Miss Holly.
He's mine.

Giving life to a child
isn't enough.

It's caring for him,
working for him.

It's waiting with him
through his childhood
miseries,

through the long nights
of croup and colic.

Dying a little inside

every time his breathing
seems uncertain.

It's watching him grow.

Feeding his hunger.

That's what makes
a mother.

I never had a chance
to do that.

But you had every chance.
You knew where to find him.

Why didn't you come
for him?

I was very poor.
I couldn't take care
of him.

Oh, yes,
you were very poor.

But you had
the money for...

the creams
and the ointments,

all your
beautiful clothes.

Look at me,
Miss Holly.

I'm old,
and I'm not pretty...

because I worked
to raise my child.

Not yours, Miss Holly!
Mine!

Mine!

We're not going
to get anywhere

bickering
like fishwives.

I'm sorry that
we can't be civilized.

It would've been
much better for the boy

if we could've
solved this amicably.

Poor child.

I think this
is going to be very
difficult for him.

Good-bye, Mrs. Martin,
until we meet again...

in court.

Out.

Get out of here!

[ sobbing ]

Good-bye, Miss Holly.

All right. Now that
you've had your fun,

let's get out of here.

I hoped when you saw
how things were,

you wouldn't try
to change them.

I guess
I misjudged you.

You sure did,
mister.

Oh, sit down.

Try the steak.
It's great.

I'm not very hungry.

You all right?

Fine, fine.

Just fine.

I didn't see you
around today.

I went to see
the kid.

You what?

I went out
to see the kid.

What's wrong
with that?

I thought there was
something the matter
with you.

Did he look at you
with his sad little eyes

and beg you
to change your mind
about the custody?

Oh, shut up, Corbett.

What did he do?

None of your business.

It is my business.

Listen, Judith,
and you listen good.

I spent a lot of time
and money on this deal--

my time and my money--

tracing you
and tracing the kid.

And when I found you
in that dump on the
New Orleans waterfront,

you jumped at this.

There's a lot of money
involved in this.

And we're partners--
fifty-fifty.

So don't go
gettin' soft on me.

I'm not going soft.

Just the same,
keep away from him.

Kids got a way of turning
some people into jelly.

Yeah, well,
I'm not some people.

Nothing makes
my eyes water
except an onion.

Oh, relax.

I'll relax when we're
on our way back to
civilization...

with the kid.
I don't like this town.

What'll you have, miss?

Try the steak.
It's great.

The steak.Yes, ma'am.

From the left side
of the cow.

It's a very
interesting theory.

Remind me to tell you
about it someday.

Hi.Hi.

Mr. Bowman rode out
to talk to Mrs. Martin.

They'll be holding
a hearing tomorrow.

Tell me honestly--
do you really think
she has much of a chance?

Honestly?

Not much.

Cricket, what are you
doing with the light on?

You should be asleep.

Ma?

Yes, dear.

Am I gonna have to
live with Miss Holly?

Whatever put those ideas
in your mind?

If she wins tomorrow,

do I have
to live with her?

Yes, Cricket,
it's possible.

But I don't want
to live with her.

I want to live
with you.

I know.

Now, you lie down
and go to sleep

like a big boy.

Come on,
close your eyes.

Good night.

Shh.

[ knock on door ]

[ knocking ]

Who is it?

Cricket Martin.

Just a minute.

What on earth
are you doing here?

I've come to see you.

Well, come on in.

We're going to have
to teach you not to
call on ladies

at this hour--
we're not at our best.

Well, what did you
want to see me about?

Are you my mother?

Yes.

If you're my mother,

why haven't I
seen you before?

I'm going to have to
explain that to you later,

when you're
a little older

and can understand
a little better.

That's what grown-ups
always say

when they don't know how
to explain something.

Well, uh...sit down.

Would you like
some candy?

I think I have some.

No, thanks.

Are you gonna
take me away?

Yeah.

You're gonna go
with me.

Even if
I don't want to?

Little boys don't
always know what's
good for them.

That's another thing
grown-ups always tell you.

Well, it happens
to be true.

I know, it's hard
for you to believe
all that just now.

But you'll see.

Yes, ma'am.

I guess I'd better
go home now.

Wait a minute.

You can't go out
at this time of night.

Tell me the truth.

Did she send you here?

My mother?

She's not your mother.

Yes, ma'am.

But she still
didn't send me here.

You mean you came
all the way over here
by yourself

in the middle
of the night?

I couldn't sleep.

I thought maybe
if I asked you,

you might
change your mind

and let me stay
with my--I mean--

I know what you mean.

But you're wrong.

So, you might as well
just get used to
calling me Mother.

Understand?

Yes, ma'am.

Everybody rise.

Be seated.

Is this the boy?

It is, Judge.

Bailiff,
take him outside

and hold him
in readiness.

Now, this is a hearing

on petitioner's motion

in the matter
of Holly vs. Martin.

Mr. Cass, you represent
the plaintiff in this matter.

Are you ready?Ready, Your Honor.

Mister Bowman?

Anytime, Judge.

Very well, Mr. Cass.
You may proceed.

In brief, Your Honor,
this is an action

by the woman claiming
to be the natural mother

to obtain custody
of a male child,

known as Cricket Martin.

And you say
that you were engaged

to the child's father?

What happened?

He was k*lled
in an accident before
we could be married.

And this was in
Memphis, Tennessee?Yes.

And subsequently,
the child was born
in Memphis, Tennessee?

Yes, in December
of 1872.

Your Honor, I present
as plaintiff's exhibit

the following documents--

an affidavit from
the attending midwife,

stating that a male child
was born to Miss Holly.

Another from
the same person

stating this newborn child
was taken and placed
in the custody

of one Mary Ann Martin.

Mr. Bowman?

No objection,
Your Honor.

Miss Holly...

was this newborn child
placed with
a foster mother

with your consent?

Yes.

Tell the court why
you permitted this.

I wasn't able
to take care of him
at the time.

No further questions,
Your Honor.

Mr. Bowman?

Just a few
minor questions, Judge,

to clarify the issue.

Miss Holly,

when did you start
your search for the child?

Well, I, uh...

I don't remember.

Well, was it
ten years ago?

Nine? Eight? Seven?

Miss Holly,
will you tell the court,

when did you start
your search for this child?

Is this material,
Your Honor?

I think an exploration

into the depths
of her devotion
to this child

is quite in order,
Your Honor.

Proceed, Mr. Bowman.

Was it about a year ago?
Was that when you decided

to find your
abandoned child?

Objection, Your Honor--
counsel's language.

She did abandon
the child, Judge.

She admits it
herself.

Well, tone down
your voice, Mr. Bowman.

It was
about a year ago

when you took up
your search for
the child, wasn't it?

[ softly ] Yes.

Speak up, Miss Holly,
let us all hear you.

Was it about
a year ago?

Yes.

Now, let's go back
a few years.

Do you remember the name
of your child's father?

George Pemberton.

George Pemberton?

Hmm. Now, I believe
the Pemberton family

is well known in Memphis.

Your Honor,
this is irrelevant!

Are you making
a point, Mr. Bowman?

I hope to do so, Judge.

I'll reserve decision
on these questions.

Go ahead.

Miss Holly,
just how prominent

was the Pemberton
family?

Well...they were
wealthy, were they not?

Yes.

As a matter of fact,
your interest

in restoring your child
to your yearning arms

dates back to less
than one year,

when you discovered
that your child's
paternal grandfather

had provided very
substantially for him
in his will.

Your Honor!

[ bangs gavel ]
Be quiet, Andy.

Sam...

can you substantiate
that statement?

I have here
a telegram, Judge,

that I received just
before the court convened.

It's from the Pinkerton
Detective Agency

in answer to
an inquiry I made.

And it states
they're trying to locate
a Miss Judith Holly

and her son

so that the boy may
claim his inheritance.

Now, as his mother,

Miss Holly will be
the custodian of
the boy's money--

a fact that
I'm quite sure
she's well aware of.

Your Honor, even if
this is true--

Oh, it's true, all right.
You can verify it.

It is immaterial
to this suit.

On the contrary,
it is quite material

to learn the motives
of this woman's sudden
interest in the boy.

I maintain, Judge,
that this interest
in the boy--

All right, Sam,
you've made your point.

You may step down.

This court will recess
for ten minutes.

BAILIFF:
Everybody rise.

Bailiff,
bring in the boy.

I'm prepared
to announce my decision.

While the motive of
the petitioner in this matter

may be subject to question...

it is beyond the province
of this court

to truly determine
what emotion lies
in the hearts

of the woman
and the mother.

Miss Martin does not claim
to be the natural mother
of the boy,

only that
she's brought him up
as her own son.

In considering such cases,

the court must consider
primarily the welfare
of the child,

and only secondarily
be right of the litigants.

However,
this court is also bound

by certain rules.

The law holds that
the rights of the mother

are supreme in such cases,

except, whereby deficiencies
of moral conduct

or mental capacity,
she may act in such a way

as to harm the boy.

With neither
of these exceptions
having been established,

the court therefore
has no choice

but to award custody
to the natural--

Judge!

Yes, Miss Holly?

I'd like
to say something

before you make
a terrible mistake.

Well, to keep it
short and sweet,

I'm not
the kid's mother.

Wait a minute!
Don't listen to her,
Judge! She's lying!

Sit down, sir.

She's lying!

Sit down, or I'll
hold you in contempt.

Go ahead, Miss Holly.

Don't be too hard
on him, Judge.

I had him fooled, too.

Go on.

The kid's real mother--

the real Judith Holly--
died about three years ago.

We worked a couple of
shows together,

and I got to know
the long, sad story
of her life.

You know how girls talk.

Well, anyway,

when Corbett here
came looking for
a missing heir,

I said to myself,
"Why not?"

I mean, I'd have been good
to the kid and all that.

I sure could've used
the money.

Anyway, like I said,

he thought
he had the real thing.

This court will
entertain a motion to
dismiss the petition.

CASS: I so request,
Your Honor.

Granted. This court
is adjourned.

Thanks.

It seems I'm always
saying thanks to you.

It's me who should be
thanking you.

For what?

Causing everyone a lot
of unnecessary worry?

Turning everything
upside down?

If you'll let me know
where you are,

I'll drop you a line
every now and then.

Let you know
how he's doing.

That would be very nice.

[ train whistle blowing ]

MAN: All aboard!
All aboard!

This seat taken?

Not at the moment.

That was quite an act
you put on in court.

Judith?

You weren't
paying attention.

I told them Judith Holly
died almost--

I know what
you told them.

You almost had me
believing it myself.

What makes you think
it wasn't the truth?

Because I'm
a good detective.

You know something?

All the while, we had
that money practically
in our hands,

I didn't like you
one bit.

Oh?That's right.

I didn't like you,
either.

[ chuckles ]

Well, maybe there's
a lesson in that
for both of us...

if we're not
too old to learn.

I don't think we are.

I don't, either.

[ train whistle blowing ]

[ theme music playing ]