08x15 - Uncle Jed

[bunniefuu]

The members
of the school board

Have unanimously
chosen the winner

Of this year's
poetry contest.

And that winner is...

Cassandra
cooper.

Oh!

I never won
anything before.

Well, you sure
do deserve it.

Laura: she certainly does.

You might want
to have that framed.

Oh, yes.
Thank you.

Class dismissed.

Cassandra: let's
go tell ma and pa.

Willie: oh, hey, albert.
You want to play some ball?

Albert: no, I got to
get caught up in chores.

Excuse me, sir.

I'm looking for
the ingalls' place.

Nels: that's about 3 miles
straight down the road.

If you're looking
for charles ingalls,

He's over digging
an irrigation ditch
at the thompsons' place.

That's about
a mile and a half
straight down.

I'm much
obliged.

This is some rig,
mister.

Well,
thank you, son.

Where would
the hotel be?

Right across the street,
over the restaurant.

Oh. I've got
a reservation
over there.

The name's
cooper,
jed cooper.

Now, uh,
why don't you
take this bag

And put it
over in my room?

Yes, sir!

Driver.

A dollar!

A whole dollar!

Jed: mr. Ingalls!
Mr. Ingalls!

Yes, sir.

Could I speak to you
for a moment?

You bet.

What can I do
for you, old-timer?

I guess you
don't recognize me.

Well, no, sir.
I'm sorry. I don't.

Well, it was
near a year ago

That I was
panning for gold
up in hiramsville

When you came up
with james and--

Wait a minute!
Jed cooper?

Yes.

Ha ha!
I'm sorry. I didn't
recognize you.

Well, I guess I did
look different then--

Ragged
and kind of poor

And not so well-fed.

Ha ha ha!

Tell me, how are
my grandniece
and nephew?

Oh, they're just
fine, just fine,

And they're going
to be so happy
to see you.

Well, I want
to tell you...

They've weighed
heavy on my mind

Ever since I had
to turn you down
about caring for them.

How I kept
fretting all the time
they was in some orphanage.

So, it came as
a great relief to me

That the records
showed that you took in
the young'uns after all.

Oh, we tried to write to
you a couple of times,

But the letters
just kept coming back.

I guess
we just didn't have
the right address.

Listen, can you
come over to the house
for supper tonight?

Well, if it won't
inconvenience you.

Not at all.

I've looked forward
to this trip
for a long time.

I'll be
over at the hotel,

And if
you'll stop by,
I'll follow you out.

Be my pleasure.
I'll see you
around suppertime.

Yes, yes.
Uh, driver.

I'll be darned.

Yes, it was the biggest
gold strike I ever seen

And the biggest the folks
ever seen in hiramsville.

James: does that
mean you're rich?

Well, enough money
to spend for two lifetimes,

So, I guess you could
call me rich.

Charles:
I'd say so.

Well, anyways...

When the excitement
was all over,

I bought everything
I wanted,

Moved into the big house
in minneapolis,

And then,
I got to thinking

About the one thing
I couldn't buy
with my money,

And that's my family.

Cassandra: can you
stay long, uncle jed?

Jed: well, I ain't in no rush,
if that's what you mean.

Oh, good.

If it would
be all right,

I'd like to see some
more of the children
while I'm here,

Maybe take them
out to explore the woods

And maybe
have a picnic, huh?

That's fine,
long as they
have enough time

For their chores
and their homework.

Well, I'll
see to that.

Cassandra, did you
tell your uncle jed

About winning
the poetry contest?

Not yet.

You won a contest?

Yes.

She got this.

Oh.

Caroline:
it's quite an honor.

Well, if that
don't b*at all.

Would you read us
the poem?

Yes.

I'll go get it.

Cassandra:
it's all right.

I think
I remember it all.

It's called
"a miracle from god."

Once, I was lost
and scared and cold.

"You have no
family," I was told,

Except a brother
to keep me warm

In any winter
or any storm.

He was as lost
and scared as i,

But brave enough
to never cry.

"We'll make
it through,"
is what he said,

"Even though
ma and pa are dead."

But in my heart
I could not see

How life without
them could ever be.

They lay
in cold silence
beneath the sod.

To save us would be
a miracle from god.

The miracle came
like a glorious dawn

Just when it seemed
all hope was gone.

We give
thanks to god
in his heaven above

For our new family's
unbounded love.

Darling...

Oh...oh, darling.

James: what are we going
to do today, uncle jed?

Jed: today we
are going shopping.

Shopping?

For what?

I couldn't
help noticing,

It seems to me you both
need a set of new clothes.

New clothes!

Why, sure.

Gee, uncle jed,
I don't know.

Now, what's
troubling you?

All the rest
of the kids
in the family.

Oh?

I'd sure feel funny
having new things
when they don't.

Oh, that's
right.

Well, I'll tell you.
I already thought of that,

So, come on.

Ha ha!

You--you mean
all of them?

You betcha.
One for school and
one for sundays.

Oh!

Well, now, of course,
I'll need all of
their sizes again.

You know
how children grow.

James: gee, uncle jed.
Sundays, too?

Don't you
need them?

Yeah, I guess.
I'm wearing one
of albert's old suits,

And that's already
getting too small.

Cassandra:
and my best dress
belonged to mary.

Jed: well,
then there you are.

Oh! Oh, well, of course,
now, it may take
several weeks

To fill the order.

Then we best
get started.

Oh! Yes, sir!

Nels, go
into the storeroom

And get the samples
for me, please.

[Whispering]
hurry up. This old man
has lots of money.

Ha ha!

These new shoes
fit just right.

And they look
good, too.

Thank you, sir.

Well, you're
welcome, son.

I hope you don't mind
my doing this,

But, I mean, I can
see where some folks
might take it wrong,

Like you don't
have enough to provide.

But please
don't take it that way.

I'm a humble
gentleman myself,

And, well, I plain
enjoy the pleasure

Of buying them
these things.

Of course.
We understand.

Just don't spoil them
too much, huh?

Oh, that might
be asking a lot.

Ma, pa,
uncle jed, look!

This is the suit I want,
and this is the cloth I want.

Well, aren't you
the handsome lad?

Charles: oh,
that he will be.

Caroline: it's
very nice, james.

Cassandra: ma, come
look at this material!

James: do you think
this will make a good suit?

It'll make
a fine suit, son.

Caroline: it's sweet.

Cassandra:
it's awfully expensive.

Jed: honey, you just
pick out anything you want.

Jed: I ain't never seen
two people as much in love

As your ma and your pa.

Why, it was always
a honeymoon for them

During the good times
and in the bad times, too.

And there were some really
bad times, I can tell you--

Ruined crops and livestock
getting sick and dying,

But nothing was ever
too bad for them two

As long as they had
each other.

Well, then, you two
started coming along,

And I didn't come around
so much anymore.

Cassandra:
why not?

Well, I figured
they had their hands full

Without tending
to an old drifter like me.

Oh, that's
not true.

They were always
telling stories
about you,

Always wishing
that you'd
come back.

Is that a fact?

Oh, yes.

Well, then
maybe I was wrong

Not to come around
so much.

Oh, those were
the good times, then,

Just like they are
right now.

And you two, you remind
me of your pa when
he was a little boy

On the picnics, fishing,
walks through the woods,

And taking him
to horse races.

Say, are there any
horse races around here?

Oh,
I don't know.

Well, we're sure going
to find out, ain't we?

Sure!

Uncle jed?

Yes?

I don't ever
want you to go,

Not ever.

[Chuckles softly]

Reverend alden:
for the past few weeks,

We have enjoyed
the presence
in walnut grove

Of mr. Jedediah cooper.

And before we end
today's service,

I want to publicly
thank him
for his generosity

In donating funds
for a new church roof.

We hope your stay
won't be too short.

James: what are we
going to do today,
uncle jed?

Jed: well,
go wherever you like.

James: fishing.
Could we go fishing?

Caroline: you'll have to
go home and change into
your old clothes first.

James: great.
Let's go, then.

Jed: I'd like a little
word with your folks
before they leave.

Charles: oh, sure.

Kids, why don't you
go off and play
for a while?

Let's go over here
to talk, eh?

Caroline: that was a wonderful
thing, donating a new roof.

Jed: thank you.

Charles: it was.

The old one
wouldn't have lasted
through the winter,

That's for sure.

It's the least I
could do to help
repay them back

For the many
kindnesses
I've gotten.

You know, you're
a fine people,
all of you,

And, well,
that's why
I want to say--

What I want to
talk about is--

Well, it's
really kind
of hard for me.

You see, these last
3 weeks I've been
with the young'uns,

I don't remember
when I ever been
so happy.

They've loved
every minute of it.

I know,
and that's what
a man dreams

His family
should be--

Close
and loving...

And caring.

Well, it's the kind
of happiness

That I just
can't stand
to leave behind.

Jed, why
leave it behind?

You could build yourself
a fine place right here
in walnut grove.

Oh, yes.

Then you could see
the children however
much you wanted to.

I know, and it could
be the reasonable
thing to do,

But--i admit it--
but, you see,

I've spent
near a lifetime
gophering around

In one gold field
or another,

Made some
good strikes, too,

But not
like this one.

Even I couldn't
find the means
to squander it away.

Well, anyways,

Having spent
most of my life

In out-of-the-way
places,

I have the ambition

To finally
settle down

In the center
of things,

In the city, with all
it has to offer,

And maybe go
traveling to europe

Or any other place
I'd a mind to,

And I'd like
james and cassandra

To go with me,

See those places.

Why, I can understand
that, jed, but--

Jed: look, charles
and caroline,

I swear to you,
I ain't planned it
when I come here.

It was just a visit,

And then...

It just happened.

What happened?

I love them two
like nobody
in my whole life,

And I know
they love me.

Well...

You offered them
to me once.

I'm ready
to take them.

Well, jed, it's--

It's too late
for that, now.

They're part
of this family.

We love them.
They love us.

I know that,
but I'm their kin,

The only blood
relative they have.

Leastways, ask them,

Or we won't know
how they feel
until you do.

Jed...

Are you sure you want
to put the children

In a position to make
a choice like that?

I just
can't help it.

When will you
tell them?

Right away, tonight.

After supper tonight.

Thank you,
thank you.

[Jed coughing]

James: uncle jed, why do
you cough so much?

Well, it kind of goes
with the territory--

Standing for
too many years
in too many rivers

Panning for gold.

Doesn't it
bother you?

Not especially.
I've had it too long.

I kind of
got used to it.

Uncle jed?

Mm-hmm,
yes, darling?

Were you ever
married?

Well,
almost I was.

What happened?

Well, she married
another fellow.

How do you feel
about that?

I was plenty
riled about it
for a long time.

Marrying betsy
and raising a family

Was all I
could think of.

You must have met
other ladies.

Oh, I did.
I did.

But they
wasn't betsy.

Gosh, you must
have really been
crazy about her.

I was.

Did you ever
see her again?

No, only
in my mind.

It's funny,
a thing like that.

It hurts so terrible
for a long time

And then, you start
building a shell
around yourself

And you don't feel
nothing

For an even
longer time.

Does that make
any sense?

Yeah. It's kind
of what cassandra
went through

When ma and pa
got k*lled.

It was like I was
walking in my sleep.

Well, what you went through
was a lot more terrible

Than what I've
been talking about.

You see, finding you two,
well, it's made up

For an awful lot.

Ah, us, too,
uncle jed.

No fooling?

Sure.

Well, you've been happy
with the ingalls, ain't you?

Yeah, but
you're special.

How special?

Well, that's kind of
hard to explain.

See, it's not that we don't
like the ingalls family,

It's just that we love
all each other

As family.

Cassandra:
but that doesn't mean
we don't remember

How much we loved
our real ma and pa.

Having you with us,
uncle jed,

It's like having
a little bit of them
back again.

Bless you, child.

And bless you both.

Charles: so...
That's about it.

We felt you should
all hear about it
at the same time.

Well, why
didn't you say
anything today?

Your uncle jed thought
we should take a little
time to prepare you.

We love him
a lot,

But I don't want
to leave here.

Caroline: and we don't
want you to,

But it's
too important a decision

Not to give it
a lot of thought.

Charles:
that's right.

Now, there's an awful lot
of things your uncle jed
can give you that we can't--

Fine schools,
travel, big house...

Anything money can buy.

Caroline: it would be
a very different life
from what you have here...

And very nice, too.

Carrie: I'd miss you
something awful.

Yeah, I'll say.

Charles:
so, what I think
you should do

Is take your time,

Think about it,
talk it over.

Your uncle jed
would like to see you
after school tomorrow.

Uh, pa...

I mean, are you sure
you want us to stay?

I mean, we do cost you a lot
and take up a lot of space.

Caroline: james.

Don't you ever
question that.

We made that decision
a long time ago.

We don't have
to make it again.

We love you, son.

We love both of you.

So...

It's a matter
of what you really want.

Cassandra?

Yes.

What do you
think you'll do?

I don't know.

Ma and pa said
we should think
about it,

And that's
what I'm doing.

If you
went away,

Do you think
you'd have
servants?

Rich people
usually do.

I wonder
what that
would be like.

Would you
like that?

I can't even
imagine it.

Neither can i.

Albert?

Yeah?

What do you think
we should do?

I can't
tell you that.

I'm not you.

I guess it would
be something--

You know, having
everything that we want.

You wouldn't
have us.

Yeah, but, well,
we could visit.

Yeah.

It wouldn't
be the same,
though.

No, it sure wouldn't.

Your pa told me
he and your ma
talked to you.

Yes, sir.

Well, let's go
for a ride,

And we'll have
our little talk,
eh?

Driver.

Jed: now, after being
crowded up in that loft,

It will be a relief to have
rooms of your own, won't it?

James: yeah,
that would be nice.

Cassandra: I never had
a room to myself before.

Jed: oh, well, that's only
a small part of it.

You'll have fine clothes

And my servants,
mr. And mrs. Crawford,

To see to your needs
when I'm not around.

Oh, they're a fine couple,
and you'd like them.

Now, there could be
some things that you'll want

That I don't know about,

Like, uh, say, a pony.

Well, that
would be nice.

Cassandra's
a real good rider.

She is?

Well, then we'll
get two of them!

Jed:
what else?
What else?

Uncle jed, i--

There'll be the trips,

Trips to new york city.

I hear tell
the theaters there
are really something to see.

Oh, we'll go
lots of places
together.

You'll see,
you'll see.

Uncle jed--

Ah, I guess what
it really boils down to--

I can't face
the rest of my life alone.

Not all the money
in the world

Is able to ease the pain
of being alone.

The places I could go
and the things I could do--

What could it mean
if I can't share it
with the ones I love?

Do you see
what that
means to me?

Do you?

Oh, we're family!

We're real family,
and we belong together.

Uncle jed?

Yes, son.

Could cassandra
and I walk the rest
of the way home?

I think we should
talk about it
by ourselves.

Well, I think
that's a good idea.

Pull over, driver.

I'll be at the hotel,
anytime.

James: yes, sir.

Driver.

What are we
going to do?

I don't want
to leave here.

Oh, me, neither.

It would be nice
to visit him
sometimes, but--

Ah, but it means
so much to him.

I couldn't say
anything.

Neither could i.

You have a green
over there?

[Door opens]

How'd it go?

Well, we hope
you meant
what you said

About how you
want us to stay,

Because that's
what we want,
too.

Ohh, that's wonderful!

Uncle jed's
going to be so
disappointed, though.

You mean you
didn't tell him?

We wanted to, but--

But he acted
so sure we were
going to say yes.

Well, he's got to
be told right away.

You two
want me to do it?

He said he'd
be waiting down
at the hotel.

I best get
over there.

Come on in.

Oh, we have a nice
supper tonight.

Charles: jed, I know
how you must feel.

I just hope
you can believe

We didn't try to
influence the children
in any way.

I'm sure you have
been more than fair.

[Coughing]

Here. Drink
some of this.

No.

Come on. One sip.
It will help you.

There you go.

That's it.

Maybe you ought
to see doc baker.

Oh, no, no.

No, I'm fine.

It always
acts up like that

Whenever
I get bad news.

I'm all right, now.

It's too bad.

I hoped it would
work out the other way

So no one needed
to feel that they
didn't have a choice.

Charles,
I want those children.

Jed: now, you can
make it easy for yourselves

And go along.

If not, I have telephoned
the circuit judge.

He can be here
in 3 days

And so can my lawyer.

That's if you
stand up against me,

Legal-like!

Jed, I can't
believe you're
saying this to me.

First, you talk about
giving james and
cassandra a choice,

And then you talk
about going to court?

Well, if things
had worked out
the way I planned,

Everything would
be kinder all around.

Kinder?

Don't you talk
about kinder.

Things
don't turn out
the way you want,

And then you
just want to take
my children.

I'm sorry, charles.

I really am.

But please...
Don't try to go
up against me,

Because
you won't win.

Well, we'll see
about that, jed.

You go on
and you bring
your judge

And you bring
your lawyer.

We'll see about it.

We best be going.

We're ready.
Bye, sweetheart.

We won't be long.

Let's go, children.

Carrie: bye.

Albert: pa?

Hmm?

I know we're
going to win.

We got to.

[Jed coughing]

I don't know
what charles ingalls
is thinking of,

That's all.

I mean,
there they all are,

Crammed together
in that little,
tiny house,

And he won't
take a--

Harriet,
he loves
those children.

Oh, nels.

[Jed coughs]

Oh, mr. Cooper.

Mrs. Oleson.

Nels: oh,
you sound worse.

It will
get better.

Have you got
any more of
that medicine?

Well, sure, but
I think you ought
to see doc baker.

He could prescribe
something a lot better
than what we've got.

Well,
that may be so,

But right now,
I got to get
to that hearing.

[Clicks tongue]

Well, mr. Cooper,
I certainly do hope
that you win that case.

Oh, I'll win.

I'll win.

Here you are.

Thank you.

Just put it
on my bill.

[Sighs]

Well, charles may
love those children,

But he
certainly doesn't
have the right

To deprive them
of the opportunity
to be rich.

[Sighs]

Uh, how much is
that cough elixir?

Oh, 19 cents.

This proceeding
will be quite informal.

I'm here to weigh
the facts as presented,

Consider them,

And reach what I regard
as, under the law,

A fair judgment.

Are both parties willing
to accept the judgment
of this hearing as final?

We are,
your honor.

Judge: mr. Ingalls?

Yes, sir.

Now, it is my understanding
that james and cassandra

Have already expressed
a preference to remain
with the ingalls family.

That is correct,
your honor.

I'd like the children
to answer, please.

Judge:
james, cassandra.

Is it your wish
to continue living
with mr. And mrs. Ingalls?

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

Judge: very well.

You may present
your case, counselor.

Your honor.

First of all,
I wish to state

That there is
one respect in which
this case is most unusual,

And that is that
there is no particular
animosity present

Between
the disputing parties.

My client has
the highest respect for
mr. Ingalls and his family

And is taking
this course of action

Solely in the best interests
of the cooper children.

Mr. Ingalls, would you say
that's a fair statement?

I won't argue
with that, your honor.

Judge: proceed.

Counselor: we are aware

That at the time of
the parents' untimely death,

Mr. Ingalls went
to elaborate lengths
to place james and cassandra

In a suitable home
or institution.

Finding none, he took them
into his already crowded home

And subsequently
adopted them legally.

We are also aware
that custody of the children

Had been offered
to my client,
their granduncle,

At that time,

But that due to his
severely reduced financial
circumstances then,

He was unable to take on so
profound a responsibility.

That, of course,
is no longer the case.

What are
you doing?

Oh, uh...
Oh, I'm just watching
and wondering.

I certainly wish
I could be a little
fly on that wall.

So do i.

Flies have
a tendency
to get swatted.

[Groans]

And so, your honor,
james and cassandra are...

Part of a home
where they're loved,

And I think
they're very happy.

As far as my wife
and I are concerned,

That's all
that's important.

Judge: does anyone have
something to add

Before I make
my determination?

Very well.

I want to emphasize
that monetary
considerations

Have no place
whatever
in my finding.

Natural family ties
always take precedence,
under the law,

In determining
custody...

Unless, that is, it is
found that the family
member seeking custody

Is unfit by reason
of incompetence

Or shows evidence
of being a potentially
abusive parent.

There appears to be
no indications that
such circumstances exist

In this case.

Mr. Ingalls.

Yes, sir.

You are aware that
a waiting period of
one year after filing

Is required before
adoption papers
become final.

Yes, sir. I'm
aware of that.

Those papers are
due next month.

Well, had this hearing
taken place after that time,

There'd be no question
of its outcome.

Mr. Cooper.

Yes, sir.

The law is sometimes
a very narrow
instrument of justice

And sometimes
a very cold one.

In my view,
it shouldn't even be
exercised in this case.

I don't think
I'm follow--

I am making
a recommendation,

But it is only
a recommendation,

That you leave the children
in their present custody.

No, your honor.

I want them.

Judge: then, since
final adoption papers
are still pending,

It is my duty to rule
that on saturday next,

Legal custody
of james and cassandra

Be transferred
to mr. Cooper.

No!

Cassandra!

Cassandra, don't cry.
Please don't cry.

Child, child.

It's going
to be all right.

It will be
all right,
you'll see.

You lied to us.

You lied!

Jed: well,
thank you, philip.

I'm grateful you
could spare the time.

With what
you pay a man, I'd
be a fool not to.

I hope everything
works out for you
and the children.

Well, they're
very young.

Do you think
I've made a mistake?

Probably not.
As you say,
they're young.

We best be going,
mister.

Of course.

Remember to call
when you get back
to minneapolis.

Sure.

Driver: giddyup,
brownie.

Hup!

[Coughing]

[Jed coughing]

Easy, mr. Cooper.
Easy.

Let's sit down here
and relax, now.

That's it.

That's it.

Now, breathe slowly,
mr. Cooper. Slowly.

Easy.

Relax.

That's it.
That's fine.

There.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I ain't never
had it this bad
before.

Yes.

Nels oleson told me
you were suffering
from a bad cough,

But I had no idea
it was this severe.

Um, why don't you
and I go around
to my office,

And I'll
check you over.

[Crying]

Don't cry anymore,
please, cassandra.

I can't help it.

He's going
to take us away,

And we'll never see
ma and pa again.

Sure, we will.

They'll be
able to visit.
You'll see.

It won't
be the same,

And you know it.

Yeah, I know.

I hate him.

I used to love him,
but now I hate him.

No, you don't.

Yes, I do, and I
won't stay with him.

I'll run away.

You'll see.

I'll run away.

Mr. Cooper.

Will I live?

That depends.

What is it?

Are you a drinking
man, mr. Cooper?

Well, I used to be.
Not much.

I'd advise against
mixing the two.

What will it do--
make me sleepy?

Maybe a little.

It's braced
with laudanum.

I want you to take
one teaspoonful
every 3 hours

Or anytime
you have an att*ck.

What's wrong
with me, doc?

Sit down,
mr. Cooper.

You have
consumption.

Me?

A big fellow like me?

Well, the weight
will start
coming off.

It's in
the early stages.

How long have you
had that cough?

Well, uh...

Oh, more than
10 years, I'd say.

You've been
very lucky.

How long have I got?

Oh, you could have
a good many years.

Well, then why
did you say it depends?

Because I wouldn't
give you 6 months,
mr. Cooper,

If you tried to live
through another
minnesota winter.

But this is my home.

I just bought
this big house.

I know it.
I understand that,
and I'm sympathetic,

But you've
got to know
the whole truth.

Now, a man
in your condition needs
a warm, dry climate,

Like arizona
or parts of california.

That far, eh?

Will I get cured?

You'll get better.

Oh, lord.

It doesn't mean
that you can never
come back here.

Visits will be fine
in the spring
and the summer,

But you
must never try
living here again.

I'm sorry,
mr. Cooper,

But it's best
you know now, before
it's too late.

Oh, you're
right, there.

I'd appreciate it
if you don't tell
anybody.

All right.

Now, how much
do I owe you?

Oh, 50 cents
for the medicine
will be fine.

No, I'd, uh--
I'd rather
give you this.

Oh, I couldn't
take that much.

Ah, now, you listen.

I know you mostly
get paid in chickens
or bags of apples.

Ha ha!

Now, surely there's
some new equipment
that you could use.

Okay?

Oh, yes.

Thank you.

James, voice-over:
it's not that
we don't feel

Like the ingalls
are family.

It's just that
we love everybody
as a family.

Cassandra, voice-over:
but that doesn't mean

We don't remember
how much we loved
our real ma and pa.

Having you with us,
uncle jed,

Is like having
a little bit of
them back again.

Judge, voice-over:
it's my duty to rule
that on saturday next,

Legal custody
of james and cassandra

Be transferred
to mr. Cooper.

Cassandra: no!

James: cassandra!

Cassandra:
you lied to us!

You lied!

Dr. Baker, voice-over:
because I wouldn't give
you 6 months, mr. Cooper,

If you tried to live through
another minnesota winter.

Cassandra:
you lied to us!

You lied!

Caroline: cassandra,
please try to eat
a little something.

Cassandra:
all right.

I'm sorry
about yesterday.

You have no reason
to feel sorry.

You know,
I was thinking.

Maybe cassandra
and I shouldn't
even go to school

Since there's
only a few more
days left.

I think you probably ought
to make the most of them.

Why don't you go on
to school? It will
take your mind off things.

Yeah, I guess
you're right.

[Hoofbeats]

I'll see who it is.

Jed, I don't think
it's proper that you see
the children till saturday.

Charles, there's
been some changes.

What do you mean?

Well, I've been
thinking a lot
the whole night long.

I ain't
even been to bed.

I'd like
to see the children.

All right.
Come on in the house.

Your uncle jed
has something
he'd like to say.

Cassandra.

I want you
to stay and listen.

Well, I got
some news yesterday.

It seems like I have
important business
that's too far

And too out-of-the-way
for me to take
you young'uns.

So, I would be obliged
to you two

If you stayed
here with the ingalls...

As, uh...
As their children.

Jed: now, I guess
I've been a selfish old man,

Always thinking of myself
instead of you two,

And I'm sorry.

Well, my bag is packed,
I'm ready to leave,

And like I said,

It is important business
that can't wait.

James: uncle jed?

Yes, son.

How long
will you be gone?

Oh, a long time,
a long time,

So I'm pulling up stakes
and selling the house.

Now, uh...

I know how you feel
about me,

Especially james
and cassandra here,

But I would like you
to know that, uh...

My feelings,
they ain't changed none.

Well, for land sakes!

Thank you,
uncle jed.

Well, thank me?

For what?

Letting us
love you again.

Oh.