Little House on the Prairie

Bye.

Bye, Mrs. Ingalls!

Good morning, Mrs. Oleson.

Oh! It is not!

Oh, it can't be that bad.

Oh! Will you just look at this!

What is that supposed to be?

Bread! What do you think?

Here. Let me start over.

Oh!

I will be so relieved

when Nellie gets back from New York.

Oh. Between working at the store and working over here,

I am a nervous wreck.

Have you heard from her?

No.

Heavens, when they called,

you would have thought that he was on his deathbed!

They've been gone for 4 weeks now and he's still breathing.

I think the whole trip was just a plan to get them to visit.

Well, I hope you're right.

I bet they won't even let poor Nellie telephone me.

Why on earth not?

- Cheap, that's why. - Ha ha!

Well, it's true.

Do you know that when that woman calls

to find out how percival is,

she won't even talk to him.

What?

Yes!

Yes, she makes a person-to-person call to Mr. Sonny,

and then Nellie or percival answer the phone,

and they say that Mr. Sonny has gone for a walk,

which means he's fine.

Or if he isn't fine, they say he's asleep.

I think that's rather clever.

Ha!

Morning, Nels.

Caroline.

Nels, anything from the children?

Yes.

What's the matter?

Percival's father passed away.

Oh, no.

Yes. In his sleep, thank god.

Ohh.

Poor percival. Tsk tsk.

Did they say when they'd be back home?

Harriet, I think you ought to read Nellie's letter.

Harriet.

No, I just want to be alone.

Nellie and percival are staying back east.

For how long?

Permanently.

He's the only... the only son,

and he feels it's his responsibility

to take over the business

for the sake of the rest of the family.

They want us to send the remainder of their things.

Oh, Nels, I'm so sorry.

Well, you, uh,

you can't keep your children with you forever.

It's, uh...

It's just that New York... it's so far.

I've got to get their stuff ready.

Harriet, would you like some soup?

I made some potato and leek.

I know that's your favorite.

No.

Maybe later on.

Harriet, you know, I've been thinking.

There's a lot of things that we can do now

that we could never do before,

places that we could go to.

We don't have to worry

about looking after grandchildren or...

Oh, Harriet, I'm sorry.

Oh, please... Please.

Oh, Nels.

They're all gone.

My Nellie's gone, and my babies are gone.

Nobody n-needs me anymore.

Harriet, I need you.

And Willie. Willie needs you.

Oh, Willie.

Willie doesn't need me.

You do the cooking. He needs you.

No. No, you don't understand.

A woman needs a...

a little girl.

A little girl that she can put bows in her hair

and dress her in pretty dresses.

I feel so alone.

It's hard to imagine Mr. Dalton gone.

He was so full of life and energy.

That's why you have to live every day. You just never know.

Poor Mrs. Oleson.

Nellie and her grandchildren,

why, they were just her whole life.

She'll get over it. She can always visit.

New York? That's thousands of miles.

Well, if we were in New York,

I'm sure you'd find a way to visit.

So would we.

Well, thank god you're not.

We're going to be.

Adam, not tonight.

Mary, we've put it off long enough.

Hey, what's this all about?

Charles, I've been in walnut grove almost 6 months,

and in that time, I've had exactly 5 cases.

Aside from the first one involving Mr. Mills and the land swindle,

my most exciting case was Morgan vs. Swenson,

concerning the theft of an outhouse.

I just can't make a living here.

We've put off saying anything

because we were hoping things would change.

But they haven't.

So, last week I contacted my father's old law firm.

They wrote me back last week

and told me that they had an opening.

Well, it...

this comes as a surprise.

I wouldn't go if I didn't think I had to.

No, no. I... I know. I'm happy for you.

I mean, you've studied hard.

It's not right that you're not able

to use your abilities to their fullest.

Of course not.

From what I hear, folks in the city sue each other every day.

I'll make us some more coffee.

Ma.

I don't know what's the matter with me.

I do.

I've been crying all week.

Oh, Mary.

Oh!

Oh, Ma, don't cry.

It's all right.

Please don't cry.

You know, I'm really sorry about upsetting Caroline like that.

She'll be all right.

Just kind of sudden for her.

She's a strong lady. She's had to be.

I don't know, I just feel like now's the time to make my move.

The state's taken the blind school under its wing.

They're secure financially.

So, now it's time for me to get my feet wet.

And, look, who knows?

I may go back there and fall flat on my face.

Oh, no. No, not you, Adam.

You're bright, and you're not afraid of hard work.

You Mark my words... it's those other lawyers

that are gonna have to be on their toes.

You know, I really appreciate that coming from you, Charles.

I mean it, son.

And I'm going to miss the heck out of both of you.

There you are.

Aha. Thank you.

What can I get you to drink?

Uh, coffee, please. Black.

Could you help me, please?

Be right there.

Uh, this steak is well-done.

Oh, I'm sorry.

You know, I'm here all alone today.

I'm trying to cook and wait on tables. It's really...

I understand.

Thank you.

I'd like to order, please, if I may.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

That's all right.

I'd like your stew and a glass of milk.

Stew and milk. Coming right up.

Thank you.

Hey, hey. Slow down a minute.

I can't slow down.

Yes, you can, and you will.

Come on. Come on, now.

Just sit for a minute.

You know what?

What?

I think we're going to close this place

until Harriet can work again.

I thought I could handle it myself, but I...

but you can't. Nobody could.

How's Harriet?

No change.

Got a call from Nellie last night.

Harriet heard her voice, she broke into tears...

couldn't even speak.

Just takes time, I guess.

I'm going to ask around about getting you some help here,

but in the meantime,

I think we should just close the place.

I can't argue with you.

You finish out the day and lock up.

All right.

Oh, the switchboard.

You get that. I'll serve up the food.