04x04 - The Handyman

[bunniefuu]

The water comes up through
this pipe, out of the pump,

And into the sink or
the kettle or bucket.

Now, whenever you
want to empty the sink,

All you have to do
is pull the stopper.

The water runs down through
this pipe, back into the ground.

And we never have to carry
water from the creek again.

Carrie: never?

That's right, honey. Never.

Laura, carrie, off with you.
You'll be late for school.

Thanks, ma.

Pa, will it be ready
when we get home?

I'm afraid not, darlin'.

Far from it. Have a
good day in school.

Girls: bye, pa. Bye, ma.

Bye-bye.

I know exactly what you're
thinking. You want to move

The kitchen around to
the other side of the house.

No.

Don't worry. It's not a problem.

All I have to do is drill a new
well, move the foundation,

Change all the drainpipes.

Charles, don't tease.
It's just... Such a big job.

It's so important.
It's got to be right.

Caroline, trust me.
It's going to be right.

You're going to
love this kitchen.

I'm going to go
stable the horses.

I'm going to knock a
hole through that wall.

Almost ready, polly.

This should be a juicy one.

Miss simpson's beau writes
just what's on his mind,

If you get me meaning.

Ain't that the pits?!

It's not from her beau.

It's a bill from a dress
shop in minneapolis.

Oh.

Ooh, she owes a pretty penny.

I'll say that.

Fetch me another one.

[Caw]

Oh!

Dr. Baker.

I hope it's not from one
of his doctor friends

All about people's
insides and nasty diseases.

Baker: mrs. Whipple?

Oh. Uh, enough
of this, eh, polly?

Coming!

Baker: mrs. Whipple.

I just lock the
door during lunch.

Ah, miss kezia.

Filling in for mrs.
Whipple again, hmm?

Just for a few days.

She's got a bit
of the was-wells.

The was-wells?

Oh, yeah. She was
well. Now she's sick.

Oh. Well, I'll drop
in and see her.

Do you have any mail for me?

Why, yes. Uh...

As a matter of fact,
I have it right here.

If it's a bit, uh,
sticky, I'm sorry.

Sweaty palms seem
to run in my family.

Mmm.

Good news, I take it.

The best. It's from hanson.

He got the big
contract he was after.

I can't wait to tell charles.

Thank you, miss kezia.

You're welcome.

[Cawing]

Oh, yes.

This should be a lovely one.

[Hammering]

Hey! How you doing, doc?

Baker: charles!

Did you come out here to
supervise or lend a hand, huh?

Caroline: hello, dr. Baker.

Caroline.

How are you?

You're adding on
to the place, huh?

Hanson gave me
those weeks off.

I figure it's now or never.

Baker: I'm afraid you're going to
have to change your plans, charles.

What are you talking about?

The railroad
accepted hanson's bid

On the material
for their new hotel.

That's great news. I'll get
back to work at the mill

As soon as I finish here.

You better read
the letter first.

Baker: if hanson gets
the full order to him

By the first of the
month, there's a bonus.

If not, there's a penalty.

How long will it take?

By the looks of this,
weeks, maybe more.

I can't go back to work
there till I finish here.

Charles...

Don't worry about us.

We'll be fine.

Besides, we could
use the extra money.

Yeah. I suppose you're right.

All right, I'll go into town,
start loading the first shipment.

I'll take it out in the morning.

Can you give me a
ride into town, doc?

Sure thing. I'll wait
for you outside.

Charles: appreciate
it. Thank you.

Look, as soon as I
finish at the mill,

I'll come back and put a
tarp up, cover up the hole.

Hey, I'm sorry.

No, no. Don't be. I'm
glad he got the bid.

Charles: see you soon.

[Sighs]

Laura: the wall's gone.

Carrie: where did it go, ma?

It flew away, like this.

Mary: like this?

Girls! Girls!

Come and fetch some
water for me from the creek.

Mary: all right.

Use the front door.

Laura: yes, ma.

No, you can't get the bucket.

Come on, carrie. Try
to get the bucket.

No, you can't have it.

Can't have the
bucket. No, no, no.

Don't let her get the bucket.

[Carrie squeals]

Laura: help me pull her out.

Don't let go.

It wasn't her fault. She
just lost her balance.

I know, I know. It's all right.

You're not hurt,
darling, are you?

I'm all wet.

I can see that.

Aw, your new sunbonnet, too.

Mary, get her some
dry clothes, will you?

Come on. Hurry now.

Come on.

Ma, look.

Oh, no! Oh!

Come on, sparks. Come on.

Go back, go back.

This way, come on, come on.

That's it, mary.

Come on. Ohh!

Ohh, let's see you.

[Thunder]

Oh, no.

Hang on.

I lost it. Wait, I
got it, I got it.

Oh, no, I lost it again.

Go on, go on! Get inside.

Oh, thank goodness.

Do you want some nails?

You were gonna wash
the floors anyway.

Caroline: charles. Charles.

Oh...

Why didn't you wake me?

'Cause you looked
too pretty to wake up.

Why don't you go
on back to sleep.

I'm all set.

I have to make you some lunch.

I've already done it.

It's all right. I'll see you.

Oh...

Miss you.

I'll miss you, too. Take care.

Go to sleep.

[Someone whistling lively tune]

[Whistling]

Ahem. Hope I didn't
startle you, ma'am.

Who are you?

The name's nelson. Chris nelson.

I answer easier to chris.

And you'd be mrs. Ingalls,
now, wouldn't you?

I, uh, heard you might
be needing some help.

I'm a handyman,
general carpentry.

From the looks
of it, I heard right.

Where'd you hear that?

In town. I was doing some odd
jobs for oleson's mercantile.

He said you might
be needing some help,

So he sent me out here.

Um, I know a little
about most everything...

Masonry, carpentry, plumbing.

What I don't know, I figure out.

Carry my own gear.

I can't pay much.

I was working for
meals at the mercantile.

I don't know.

Oh, of course.

I came out of nowhere. You
never set eyes on me before.

Um, I can go to oleson's and
get some references if you like.

No. I'm just going there myself.

You ask him anything
you want about me.

In the meantime, if you got a
set of plans for this kitchen,

I can be looking them over and
get a start while you're away.

You come back with any doubts,

I'll say, "thank you kindly,"

Won't cost you
a cent, and I'll go.

All right.

I'll get the plans.

All right, mrs. Foster,

Here's your change
and your jelly beans.

Thank you, harriet.
See you tomorrow.

Nels: I'm sorry I can't tell
you any more about him.

He just turned up the other
morning asking for work.

He does a good job.

Took care of the lot of the things
that the missis wanted me to take care of.

And there was nothing missing...

And there's a deal
more to do, too,

But my husband seems to feel that
your needs are far more urgent than mine.

That's right. I still do.

You'd be raising cain
if you had a wall out

And nothing but a
tarp to shelter you.

Just don't let him dawdle, because I
want him back here as soon as possible.

My husband doesn't seem to be

Quite as handy about
repairs as your husband is.

I beg to differ
with you, my dear.

I think I'm very handy
around the house.

Oh. Well, then
please explain to me.

Why did we hire mr. Nelson
in the first place?

We didn't hire him,
dearest. you did.

Well, I had to.

Nothing was getting
done around here.

The whole house was
falling down around my ears.

Nels: well, I can't do
everything at once.

Harriet: oh, you can't do anything
at once if the truth were known.

What is that supposed to mean?

Have a nice day.

You should know what it
means. I said it in english...

Or don't you speak
english anymore?

I don't like to speak
any language with you,

Not that I get the
chance very often!

Well, you ungratef...

Oh!

Caroline: whoa.

Laura: come, bandit.

Come here, bandit. Come on, boy.

Caroline: easy does it.

Laura: yes, you're a good dog.

You're a good dog.

Come on.

Come on, boy.

Mrs. Ingalls.

That's quite a group of
lovely ladies you got there.

Pretty as their ma.

Thank you. This is mary.

Hi.

Laura.

Hi.

And carrie.

Hi.

Chris: hi, carrie.

Mr. Nelson, if we can come
to terms, the answer is yes.

Good. I'd as soon
wait till I'm finished

To come to terms, though, ma'am.

Then whatever you're
willing to pay is fine.

That hardly seems fair.

I got no needs, no family,
no one to answer to.

I work at my own pace and eat
and sleep where I find myself.

You'll eat with us, and you
can sleep in that soddy up there.

There's a bed and extra
blankets if you need them.

I'm obliged.

Well... We'll let you
get back to work.

Laura: bye. Bye-bye.

Mary: bye. Bye.

Look, ma. He's dancing.

That's what he does
best. You want to try it?

Hold it right there and
hold it right there, then pull.

There you go.

You know what else happened?

When I put that mouth on
him, he opened it up, and he said,

"I want to belong to a
little girl named carrie."

[Laughter]

Mr. Nelson, would
you like some more pie

Or some coffee?

Oh, I'd like it, but
I just couldn't.

I don't know when
I've eaten so much.

I hope your husband
realizes what a lucky man he is.

Laura: he does.

I, uh, noticed that fiddle
before, ma'am. May i?

Oh, of course.

Laura: oh, goody! Music!

Oh, I can't promise
you anything.

These fiddles are
peculiar animals.

You realize that, don't you?

If they don't like you,
they won't play for you.

Now let me get this
thing tuned up here.

All righty.

Ah. Beautiful.

Ok.

Ok, here's the
big test. Let's see.

♪♪
♪♪

It likes me.

[Chris playing lively tune]

[Laughing]

Oh!

Oh! Ladies, you
dance beautifully!

Oh, you play beautifully!

It's the fiddle, ma'am, and
the people it plays for.

Well. Ahem. I best be
getting back to work.

Mr. Nelson, you've done
enough work for one day.

Besides, it will be
getting dark soon.

Oh, I like long hours and
working by lantern light.

It makes the nights
a little shorter.

Good night.

Laura: good night, uncle chris.

Good night.

I like him.

Mmm.

Laura: me, too.

You know what, ma?

He said that he reckoned he's tasted
the dust from every road in the country,

And he promised to tell
us all about his adventures.

I wish I could travel
and have adventures.

Seems to me a
lonely sort of a life.

Caroline: all right,
girls, it's time for bed.

Laura: can I read in bed, ma?

Caroline: all right. Minutes.

Laura: thanks.

Mary: good night.

Caroline: good night.

Carrie: good night, uncle chris.

Good night, carrie.

Laura: good night, ma.

Caroline: good night, sweetie.

Laura: good night, uncle chris.

Good night, laura.

Quitting time?

Mm-hmm.

Wouldn't want to
keep them awake.

You do very good work.

Well, I do the best I can.

Some I satisfy, some I don't.

Actually, I'm just trying to
match the work your husband did.

He'd appreciate that.

A house tells a lot about
the people who live in it.

I can tell what kind
of man your husband is

By looking at his
work, seeing you.

He's a man who cares.

You're very perceptive.

Well, you got be...
The kind of life I live.

You run into all
kinds of people.

You got to get on with them.

You just go from
town to town? Is that it?

Yes, ma'am. I like wandering,

Seeing what's on the
other side of the next hill.

Up till now, I
haven't found a place

I'd like to nail my
boots to the floor in.

Ahem.

I'll say good night
to you, mr. Nelson.

Good night, ma'am.

He's a bandit, huh?

Yeah, 'cause he's got black
circles around his eyes.

And my pa caught him stealing
the first time he saw him.

Is that right? That's
why you call him bandit?

What was he stealing?

He was stealing bacon.

Oh, well, he was
probably just hungry.

Girls! Mr. Nelson! Breakfast!

[Bark]

He's hungry now! Ha ha!

How about a ride?
You want a ride down?

When I grow up, I want
to travel far and wide.

Which part of the country
did you like best, uncle chris?

Well, there's a lot to be
said about most everywhere.

Not all good, of course.

Ma said it must be
lonely wandering.

Well, I got to know
a lot of people,

But not as you might say close.

I guess the best
friend I ever had

Was an old crow.

Leastwise he stayed
with me the longest.

A crow!

Yeah, I used to ride
him on my shoulders

Just like I'm doing you.

What happened to him?

Well, he found another
crow he liked better.

Did you miss him?

Yep. Huh.

Can you pass the biscuits, mom?

Mm-hmm.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

Ma'am, that was a
mighty fine breakfast.

Thank you. Thank you.

Uh, if you'll excuse
me, I'll get started.

Mr. Nelson?

Yes, ma'am?

This is sunday. You're not
going to work today, are you?

That's what I was hired to do.

Not today.

I got nothing else to do.

Well, you can come to
church with us if you wish.

But you're not doing work
around here on the lord's day.

Are you a church-going man?

Well, looks like I am today.

I'll go change my clothes.

My! How cozy.

Now, now, now, now.

Chris: there we go.

[Caroline laughs]

Good morning.

Harriet: good morning!

Nels: taking a day
off, eh, mr. Nelson?

Kezia, I don't believe you've met
mr. Nelson. He's finishing our kitchen.

How do, ma'am?

Howdy.

How nice to see that
you're a churchgoer.

I have my good spells, ma'am.

How do?

Isn't it a beautiful day?

Simply beautiful.

Oh, my. Just like one
of the family, isn't he?

Kezia: well, I wouldn't mind
having him in my family...

If I had a family.

Harriet: oh, really!

If you ask me, it isn't proper
to have a young man like that

Living in the house. I
know I wouldn't feel safe.

Kezia: well, I didn't ask you.

But if it will ease
your mind any, mrs. O,

I can guarantee you...

you'd be safe.

[Soft knock on door]

Who is it?

It's chris.

I saw a light on. I hope
I didn't disturb you.

That's all right.
I can't let you in.

Oh, I know. I understand.

Um, I guess I should
have waited till morning.

It's just that after what happened
with mrs. Oleson this morning...

Oh, well...

Never mind about her.

I'm used to her.

I guess I'm not.

You were so quiet at supper.

That had nothing to do
with mrs. Oleson. Believe me.

Are you sure?

Sure. Really.

Ok. All right.

I was just worried.

It seems silly now

To be worried about
something like that,

Make such a big thing out of it.

I don't think it's silly to worry
about other people's feelings.

Well, I'll let you
get some sleep.

See you in the morning.

Yeah. You look different.

What?

You look different.

It's your hair. That's
what the difference is.

Oh. I was just brushing it.

It's beautiful that way.

Well, good night.

Good night.

Laura: let's go eat
those jelly sandwiches.

Oh, boy. This one's yours.

What's in here?

Cookies!

Look at this.
Carrie, you take two.

When the cat's away,
the mice do play.

Isn't that what mother said?

Yeah. What's it mean?

I don't know.

Do you know what
that means, mary?

What?

No, I'm sure you wouldn't.
You're too young.

Willie: well, what's it mean?

Shut up.

I'll bet your mother knows.

What's she talking about?

Nothing. Just eat your lunch.

Some folks call
it monkey business.

I know what that is. It's
when a monkey goes...

Nellie: shut up.

I'll bet even mary knows
what monkey business is.

Don't you, mary?

Think hard.

Monkey business.

Monkey business.

Monkey business.

Monkey business.

Mother! She hit me!

What did you hit her for?

Never mind.

Well, if you don't
tell me, I'll tell ma,

Then you'll have to tell her.

Don't you dare!

I will if you don't.

You have to swear not
to say a word about it.

Cross my heart, hope to
die, stick a needle in my eye.

It's that mrs. Oleson.
I can just hear her.

"If you ask me, there's some
monkey business going on there."

Well, what's that
supposed to mean?

I don't know.

Then why'd you hit her?

Because I felt like it.

Oh.

And I don't want to
talk about it anymore.

[Crash]

You all right?

Chris: yeah. I'm fine.

Oh.

Caroline: are you all right?

Yeah. I'm all right. I just
knocked the wind out of myself.

No. You're hurt.

It's just a scratch.
Don't bother with it.

That's no scratch. Now, you
come inside and take your shirt off.

It's not worth fussing with.
Besides, it's my own fault.

I wasn't paying attention
to what I was doing.

Please, mr. Nelson.

I told you. I answer
easier to chris.

All right! Do as I say, chris!

Yes, ma'am.

You're lucky you
didn't break your neck.

Oh.

If I'd have known I was going
to get all this attention,

I'd have fallen the first day.

Very funny.

You always wear
your hair up like that?

Uh-huh.

Looked mighty
pretty last night...

Down and spilling
over your shoulders.

Not that it looks
bad now, mind you.

It's just that I'm partial to
it down and... Loose, I guess.

It wouldn't be very practical
working around here

With it like that.

It may not be very practical, but
it sure would be pretty to look at.

Ahem.

Do you have another shirt?

The one I wore to church.

I'm going to have to wash
and mend this one for you,

But you can wear one of
charles'. You're about his size.

There's no cause to do that.

Caroline: while I'm about it,

I may as well do the
rest of your laundry.

Now, look, I can do my own mending
and my own laundry, all right?

Thank you very much.

Don't argue with me.

Yes, ma'am.

And from now on, keep your
mind on what you're doing.

Yes, ma'am.

Laura: hi, uncle chris!

Hi!

Laura: my pa has a shirt just
like that. Mary made it for him.

Then it's mary I'm owing
for the one on my back.

Why are you wearing it?

It's kind of a long
story, but if you're

Willing to listen while I
work, I'd be glad to tell you.

Laura: sure.

Caroline: hello, mary.
How was school today?

Why is he wearing
pa's shirt? What?

I want to know why he's
wearing the shirt I made for pa!

Because he fell and tore
his and got blood on it.

Now, suppose you tell me

Why you're using
that tone of voice.

I'm sorry.

Apology accepted.

Now, what happened today
to put you in this mood?

Nothing.

Nothing?

Come, now. Something
must have happened.

Laura: hi, ma.

Caroline: laura,
maybe you can help.

Your sister can't
seem to remember

What happened at school today.

Well?

I got into a fight today,
and I didn't want to tell you.

Ok, who was it with?

Nellie.

What was it about?

You see, nellie stepped
on mary's sandwich,

So mary pushed her.

I asked your sister.

That isn't exactly
the way it hap...

No. You see, when mary
pushed nellie down,

She fell right on her backside.

I guess I was in a bad mood.

You guess?

You know, you're going to have
to learn to control your temper.

Yes'm.

All right, go do your chores.

Ok?

Ok.

Where's your sister?

She's outside talking
to uncle chris.

Charles: hyah! Laura: pa's home!

Mary: hi, pa!

Laura: hi, pa.

Caroline: oh, charles,
I'm glad you're back.

Laura: oh, pa, we
missed you so much.

Mary: can you stay?

Charles: whoa! One at a
time. Hold on a minute.

I want to take a look and see
how the handyman's coming along.

His name is uncle chris,

And he made me a dancing man.

Is that right?

He's a good workman, charles.

Pa, how long can you stay?

Just hello and good-bye.

Got another shipment to
take out this afternoon.

Hey! Lookit here!

You know, I hate to admit it,

But I think he's a better
carpenter than I am.

Do you have to go back, pa?

Yeah. We got a
deadline, darling.

Where is he? I'd
like to meet him.

I don't know. Chris?

Chris?

He was here just a minute ago.

Maybe he went up to the soddy.

Laura, will you run up and see?

Sure, ma. Thank you.

This is really good work.

Can't you stay, pa?

I wish I could,
but by all rights,

I ought to be loading
at the mill right now.

Can't you even stay for supper?

No. I'll tell you what.

I wouldn't mind taking something
baked along with me, though.

I must have guessed.
How about rhubarb pie?

Mm-hmm! Love it!

Come on, carrie.
I'll wrap it for you.

Make it a big piece! I will.

What do you think
of the new kitchen?

It's all right.

Hey, what's the matter?

I don't want you to go.
I want you to stay here.

Now, look, I want to
stay, but I got to work.

Look, I've been gone
longer than this before.

I know.

I just want you to stay.
We... We miss you so much.

And I miss you,

So don't make it any
harder on me, all right?

Come on. Give me a smile.

Big one, like this.

That's it.

Well, here you go.

Ah, thank you, darling.

Ah! Smells good, as usual.

He's not there.

Oh, he must have had to
go into town for something.

I'll have to meet him on
the next trip. I got to go.

You be good. Keep smiling.
All right, bye, lovey.

You'll never guess who told me you
had somebody helping you out here.

Mrs. Oleson.

Right. She came running out of
the store when I rode into town.

Told me he was about my
age, a good-looking guy,

And you were treating him
just like one of the family.

What did you say?

I told her, "thank you very
much for easing my mind."

Old biddy thought she was
going to make me jealous.

What's the matter?

I...

I just miss you.

I'm getting missed an
awful lot on this trip.

You're always missed.

I always miss you.

Now I got to go to work.

I'll see you soon.

Laura: bye, pa!

Mary: bye, pa!

All right, girls, go on
back to your chores.

[Hammering]

Chris?

Chris, where were you?

Around.

Didn't you hear me call you?

Charles wanted to meet you...

Especially to thank
you for your fine work.

Yeah, well, I'm glad
he was pleased.

Excuse me.

Why'd you stay
away? What's wrong?

I've been around families enough to
know when an outsider isn't wanted.

You're not an outsider!

This is not my house
and not my family.

Laura: don't worry.
We got dibs on it.

Come on.

Let the little
ones get on first.

Oh, boy, you hop on
there really well.

Ok.

Whoo!

Nellie: all right,
laura, it's my turn.

Laura: no, it's not because we
had dibs on it first, nellie oleson!

Mary: come on, laura.
We got to get home.

Laura: we do not.

Ma said we could stay a little
longer after school and play.

Mary: I know, but I
got homework to do.

Laura: what homework?

Just homework. Are you coming?

Laura: no. I want to play.

Carrie: me, too!

Mary: all right. Suit yourself.

Laura: let's go faster.

I'm sorry about what
happened yesterday.

The way I talked to you, I mean.

That's all right.

No, it's not.

I don't know what got into me.

No, that's not the truth either.

Look, I know it
sounds foolish, but...

These past couple of weeks...

Go on.

No, no.

It's... It's foolish.

I'm the one who's
listening to you.

Why don't you let me decide?

Well, these past
couple of weeks,

I started feeling like
you really were my family...

All of you.

Like I said, it's foolish.

I don't think it is.

I just think it shows you're not the
kind of man you thought you were.

You don't like wandering
as much as you say.

Never bothered me before.

Besides...

Who'd want to settle
down with me anyway?

Here. Let me help
you with those.

No. I can manage.

Not while I'm still
the man of the house.

Oh!

Caroline: thank you. I
almost went for a swim.

Wouldn't do it in
this weather, ma'am.

[Both laugh]

Here. Let me carry that.

Caroline: no. It's all right.

Chris: are you sure
you're all right?

Gracious, yes.

Here. Let me have that one, too.

Thank you.

[Soft knock on door]

Mary.

I want to speak to you.

Sure. Come on in.

Mighty late. It must
be awful important.

It is.

Well, I'm listening.

I want you to go.

What?

I want you to leave
here and never come back.

I don't understand.

Yes, you do.

No, mary, I don't.

You love my mother, don't you?

Mary, i, uh...

Just answer my question.

You love my mother.

Mary, your mother's
a fine woman.

You don't have to tell
me about my mother.

Just answer my question.

I'll be gone by morning.

Mary, come on in and clean up.

It's time for breakfast.

Laura: ma! Ma!

What is it?

Uncle chris is gone... His
clothes, his tools, everything.

But that doesn't make
sense. He wouldn't go.

Well, he never said a word.

I haven't even paid him!

Laura, take these eggs
in the house for me.

Sure.

Mary, did you see
chris this morning?

No, ma'am.

He's gone!

He just packed up
his things and left.

Well, no matter.

We don't need him
around here anyway.

Pa will be back soon.

Mary...

Mary, you weren't surprised
he was gone, were you?

I've got to get finished here.

You'll finish after we talk!

You knew he was gone.

Yes!

Well, then why didn't
you say something?

I didn't know he was
that important to you.

Just a minute, young lady!

Why are you speaking
to me like this?!

Because I saw you, that's why!

Saw me?

The two of you, together, by
the creek, holding each other!

Mary!

Oh, mary.

I didn't tell laura.

Now he's gone, and it's over.

I'm surprised that you
would ever think that i...

That he loves you?!

He does, you know.

He does, and so do i!

I asked him last night,
and he couldn't deny it.

Then that's why he's gone?

Yes!

Yes, and I'm glad.

I never want to see him again.

Now, you listen to me!

What you saw was not an embrace.

I slipped on the creek
bank, and chris caught me.

That's all there was to that.

I love your father...

More than anything
in this world...

And I always will.

Chris is a... Kind, loving man

Who would never do
anything to hurt me...

Or you!

I am shocked and hurt to think that
you would ever think such a thing!

Ma!

[Both crying]

I'm sorry.

Ma, please forgive me.

Oh.

I was so scared.

Please love me!

Oh.

I do love you.

Mary...

Mary, it will be all right.

I was so mean to him.

I was wrong, and I hurt him.

Maybe...

Maybe we can go after
him, ask him to come back.

I could tell him I'm sorry

And it was all a mistake.

You want to?

Please.

Ok. We'll try.

I'm sorry about last night.

I...

I said things.

I'm sorry.

We'd like you to come back...

If you will.

No, i, uh...

I'm a wandering man.

Weeks in one place
is like a lifetime for me.

It's because of me, isn't it?

No, child.

It's just me.

Time for me to be
moving on, that's all.

We still owe you for your work.

You don't owe me.

Room and board and the
chance to get to know you all...

That's payment enough.

Where will you go now?

I don't know.

Maybe I'll try to find
me a woman like your ma.

Good-bye.

Bye.

[Chris whistling lively tune]

Caroline: dry it in here.

Charles: anybody home?!

Caroline: it's your pa!

Laura: pa's home!

Hey, everybody!

Oh, charles!

Whoa! Wait a minute! I'll
hug everybody in a second.

I got an inch of dirt on
me. The road was so dusty.

I'll just wash up.

Laura: what do you think
of the new kitchen, pa?

Charles: it's looking
good. He's doing a nice job.

Where is he?

Caroline: he's gone.

When will he be back?

Uh, he won't. He had
something he had to do.

Oh, well. I can finish it up.

Nels said the new sink came in.

He'll fetch it out
here tomorrow.

I got full weeks
to finish up the job.

No, thanks, darling. I'm
not doing any good here.

I think I'm going to go
wash up right in the creek,

Just jump in.

[Sighs]

Hey, your hair looks
pretty that way.

Oh, charles!

Charles!

Oh!

Hey! Hey, what's this all about?

Oh, I missed you.

I missed you, too.

[Caroline laughs]