Little House on the Prairie

Well, Mr. Gray, what do you think?

Don't know. I want to sell you the land, almanzo,

but I'd sure feel better if you could come up with some more cash.

Well, that's every penny I've got saved.

You see, my problem, son...

I need some hard cash coming in in the next 6 months.

How much?

Oh, $1,000.

One good crop, and I've got it.

I can do it, sir.

I need it in writing.

Strictly business.

You don't pay on the note, the land's mine again.

I understand.

You just write up the papers, and I'll sign them.

All right, young man. You got a deal.

Come on up to the house. We'll get the paperwork done.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Ingalls, can I have supper over tonight?

Yeah, if you don't kill yourself first!

Most of the trouble you all had on the test

was in not remembering to carry over.

- Beth! Oh, Beth! - I got it!

Almanzo Wilder, do you mind?

I'm sorry, sis. I'm just so excited.

Can you come with me right now?

I'm in the middle of a math lesson.

I can't leave in the middle of a class!

Oh, sis, can you let her go just this once? Please!

Yes! Anything! Just so I can get on with the class.

Thanks, sis. Come on, Beth!

Come on, sue!

Willie!

Sorry, sis,

I just got a little excited.

In the corner.

Hey, almanzo! Hey! Hey, slow down!

That's my daughter you got in that rig!

Whoa!

What do you think of all this?

I think you drive too fast.

Forget that!

Where are you going?

- Look at all this! Look at up here! - Look at what?

Now, look, don't you think this is the perfect spot?

Perfect for what?

Now, I'm not set on it. I wouldn't make that decision without you,

but don't you think it's a perfect spot?

Perfect for what?!

For our house.

Almanzo Wilder, what are you talking about?

The land...

It's ours.

I bought it today.

All of this...

It's going to be our home.

Our home?

Our home?!

Oh, manly, our home!

This Mr. Gray drives a hard bargain.

If you don't pay on the button, you lose it all.

I know, but I didn't have much choice.

Besides, with this piece of land,

I don't think I have much to worry about.

It's got its own water, and I'm going to start digging irrigation ditches

as soon as I finish busting the soil.

I was here when the hail wiped us out.

One year out of 7. The odds are in my favor.

That they are.

It's a fine piece of land, there's no doubt about that.

Almanzo, how are you going to work your land, work at the feed & Seed...

well, it's our land.

How are you going to work our land, work at the feed & Seed,

and take care of your sister's place?

Well, I've made arrangements for that already.

A fellow I met in sleepy eye named harve Miller...

I think I mentioned him to you...

the one that's joking all the time?

Yeah. Well, he wanted to get out of the city.

I told him there might be a job, and he jumped at it.

He can keep an eye on sis' place, too.

Well, then everything's all arranged.

All you have to do is bring in the crop, build a house,

and, uh... Pray.

I'm going to do all three.

I feel like I could do anything.

Mr. Ingalls, I can't tell you how I feel

owning my own piece of land.

Our own piece of land.

Our own.

Well, Mr. Big landowner, why don't you and I go out and walk off some supper

and have a little talk?

- Yes, sir. - I'll put on another pot of coffee.

Thank you, darling.

He's so happy.

I know.

What about my girl?

I'm excited.

It's all happening so suddenly.

In 6 months, I'll be Laura Ingalls Wilder.

You told me a long time ago you knew you would.

I know.

What?

Hmm?

What are you thinking?

I don't know.

Yes, you do.

Come on.

What is it?

I just realized for the first time...

That I won't be teaching.

- Miss Wilder? - Oh.

Sorry to startle you, Ma'am.

I do talk kind of loud, don't I?

Comes from living in the city, I guess.

I'm harve Miller, I'm a friend of your brother's.

Oh, yes, Mr. Miller.

Almanzo wasn't expecting you until tomorrow.

I know, but I got a chance to leave all that noise a day early, so I took it.

I stopped off and saw almanzo out working his field,

and he asked if I could take you home.

Oh, that would be very kind.

Well, think nothing of it, Ma'am. It's just part of the deal.

Uh, you about ready?

Oh, yes. I can finish this in the morning.

Well, there's no need to rush, now. Can I help you with any of that?

Oh, no, I'm fine, thank you.

Miss Wilder?

Oh, Willie, I forgot you were in the corner.

I'm always in the corner!

You may go home.

That boy!

Not one of your prize students, I take it.

I'm afraid not.

His main concern in school is making jokes.

Kind of reminds me of me when I was in school.

I spent my share of time in the corner...

that and getting whuppings.

Then why on earth did you keep doing it?

I don't know. It's better than being ignored, I guess.

I wasn't too popular in school,

but being a clown at least gets you noticed.

So does studying harder than anyone else.

I suppose.

Good heavens! I've never heard of such a thing.

Are you sure that's a true story?

True as an arrow from Robin's bow.

Of course, the bobcat was really an alley cat,

and the next time I tell it, it's probably going to be a mountain lion.

Well, I'd better get your rig unhitched

and get on to my chores.

I want to thank you again for the ride.

I'd be happy to do it every day.

I finish up at the feed & Seed

about the same time school lets out,

and I'd be coming out here then anyway.

We might as well keep each other company, don't you think?

We might as well. Till tomorrow, then.

Mr. Miller?

Yes, miss Wilder?

Since we'll be seeing each other every day,

perhaps we should be less formal...

On a first-name basis.

Be happy to.

Good.

It'd be a mite easier for me if I knew your first name.

Oh.

Of course.

It's Eliza Jane.

Well, I'll see you later...

Eliza Jane.

See you later...

Harve.

Almanzo.

Almanzo!

Yeah?

You fell asleep again.

Finish your tea and get up to bed.

Yes, Ma'am.

How well do you know Mr. Miller?

Hmm, I know him pretty well, I'd say.

He seems very nice.

Well, he's always been a good friend to me.

He sure is a lot of fun to be around.

He told me one story after another on the way home today.

That's harve.

That's what I call him.

What?

That's what I call him...

harve.

He calls me Eliza Jane.

You don't seem surprised.

- At what? - That he calls me Eliza Jane.

Why should I be?

Who else calls me Eliza Jane?

- Lots of people. - Who?

The children call me miss Wilder.

Their parents call me miss Wilder.

The only one who doesn't call me miss Wilder is you,

and you call me sis.