01x17 - By Fires Unseen

[bunniefuu]

Audra, you're not going
into Stockton dressed like that?

- I was going riding.
- Nick asked us to meet him at the station.

- What could be so important?
- We're all going to be there.

Now go up and change your clothes
and poke your head in Jarrod's door.

I have a feeling he went back to sleep.
Good morning.

- This is supposed to be my vacation.
- I'm sure meeting Nick...

isn't going to ruin
it completely.

- Oh, good morning, Silas.
- Good morning, Eugene, Mrs. Barkley.

- Good morning, Silas. Have you seen Heath?
- Yes, ma'am.

He had something to do down at the corral.
He said he'd be right back.

- Thank you.
- Good morning, Silas.

- Good morning.
- Gene. Good morning, Mother.

- How are you feeling?
- I'll tell you as soon as I'm awake.

I just wish brother Nick could pick a more
convenient hour for his homecomings.

I'm not quite up to whatever good news
he's bringing us this time.

- Good news?
- Now you know perfectly well...

he's never come back
from one of these trips yet...

without bringing home
some earthshaking discovery.

- Gene, what was it last time?
- Some kind of machine...

that's supposed
to sew faster than by hand.

- That was it.
- Well, I'll tell you...

when Nick gets here,
if he has any more of those wild ideas...

we'll just ship him right
back to San Francisco.

Hello?
Where is everybody?

- Why that's Nick.
- I thought we were supposed to meet him at the station.

Well, that's Nick for ya.

- Mother.!
- Nick, we were going to meet you at the station.

I couldn't wait.
I took an earlier train.

- Mother, this is Hester Converse.
- How do you do?

How nice to meet you,
Mrs. Barkley.

And the gentlemen
on her right-

- I know. Jarrod and Eugene.
- How do you do?

Nick.!

And you must be Audra.

- Where's Heath?
- He'll be here soon.

You're all just the way
Nick described you.

That trip from San Francisco
seemed like a thousand miles.

Now that I'm here, I can't really imagine
what I was so nervous about.

Hester and I were gonna
save this until you...

well, you got a chance to meet her
and really know her...

We're gonna be married.

Well! Well, what do ya know?

- Congratulations, Nick.
- Thank you, Jarrod.

- Gosh, it's really nice-
- Ah. Age before beauty, my boy.

Well, Mother, aren't you
going to congratulate me?

Yes, of course, darling.

And, now, to a most charming,
gracious and completely captivating...

addition to our family.

Sorry I'm late.

Why, Nick, you weren't
due in till-

We werejust toasting
my prospective bride-

Miss Hester Converse.
My brother Heath.

What'd you do, knock her unconscious
and drag her here?

Welcome to
the Barkley family, Hester.

- Thank you, Heath.
- Well, what you waitin' on?

Why don't you go ahead and kiss her?
Might be your last chance, you know.

I'll get you some champagne.

I'm just off the range.

Nonsense. It's Barkley dirt.

And I love it.

- Tell me, has Nick mastered this step yet?
- Not yet...

but I intend to work on him.

- Wonderful, Jarrod.
- Thank you. Thank you.

- Who's next?
- How about Heath?

Yes, Heath! Come on.
It's the rage of the east.

Sorry, I'm not much
for dancin', ma'am.

Please, Heath, just for me.
Come on. Let me talk you into it.

Why don't you try Eugene? He's good at it.

Well, Mother, what
do you think of her?

She's lovely.

But?

- But?
- I've only known her a week.

- Oh, less than that. You were only gone five days.
- Five wonderful days.

Five of the most important
days I've ever spent.

I love her mother-
from the first minute I met her.

- Where was that?
- Oh, in a cheap saloon down by the waterfront.

- She was wearing a red dress.
- Oh, Nick.

No, I met her
at Dave Wallace's party.

Well, no, no. That's not
exactly true either.

I saw her at the party.
She was surrounded by men, three-deep.

I couldn't even get close enough
to ask her for a dance.

Dave told me she had an appointment
the following morning at his office.

Well, I made an arrangement
to be there too.

Finally, Dave came out. He said something
about being glad that we finally met.

And I said, "Not half
as glad as I am, Dave.

"Now, if you will properly introduce me
to this young lady...

I would like to ask her
to be my wife. "

At which point,
Dave laughed and we all laughed.

But Hester and I both knew
that I wasn't joking.

You do love her, don't you?

She's made me happy.

I can see that.

- Ready?
- Yeah.

- Good.
- Oh, wonderful! Wonderful!

Eugene, I've seen bears
that dance better.

Oh, wait till we get to San Francisco,
Nick Barkley...

and I start teaching you
how to dance.

You're going back to San Francisco?

Oh, Hester's got about nine million things
to do before the wedding, and...

well, anything that needs to be done
around here Heath can-

Oh, our trip to Indian Springs.
I forgot about that. I'm sorry, Mother.

Well, it's just that with Jarrod
tied up with the trial-

The trip won't be
very much fun without you-

Both of you, of course.

Hester, how would you like
to spend two weeks...

in the most beautiful mountains
that God ever created?

With a mountain stream
where the trout run-

- Nick.
- That big.

And the air so fresh and so clean,
you could bottle it and sell it.

- A camping trip?
- Camping and fishing and dancing.

Ah. Let's not forget
the dancing.

We've got a logging camp up there
and those Friday night dances, Hester...

you haven't lived until
you've been to a Friday night dance!

Of course, we don't do the same steps
that you were demonstrating.

Well, I'd love it. It's just that I have
so much shopping to do for the wedding.

I planned on going
to San Francisco and then-

Well, Nick, I just don't see
how I can-

- All right. We'll go.
- No, no, no. You've got things to do.

Nick, I want to go.

Please, keep on what you're doing.
Don't let me disturb you.

- Well, you're up early.
- I was so excited, I couldn't sleep.

Now that I've decided to make this trip,
I'm really looking forward to it.

- Well, I hope you won't be disappointed.
- I'm sure I won't be.

Nick said I was going to be
riding a horse named "Jingo. "

He suggested that I come down
and get acquainted with him before we start.

Oh, the sorrel
in the end stall.

He's beautiful-
and, I hope, gentle.

Gentle as summer rain.
From some of our best bloodline.

Breeding, beauty and strength, all the virtues
a woman could ask for in a horse-

and in a man,
for that matter.

What are the virtues you look for, Heath-
in a horse, I mean.

Those you mentioned
sound pretty good...

except if it were my own horse,
I'd add "spirit. "

I would too. So it
seems we think alike.

Were you surprised when you heard
that Nick and I were going to be married?

- I was.
- And did it please you?

Well, I've always found Nick
to be a pretty good judge of people.

Well, that's an indirect way
of telling me how Nick feels...

and I already know that.

So, you haven't answered
my question...

which is how
you feel about it.

Forgive me, Heath, I was just teasing you
because you seem so serious all the time.

You don't have
to answer me now-

At least not until you have a chance
to get to know me a little better.

Anyone here interested
in breakfast?

- I'm for that.
- Me too. I'm famished.

- You comin', Jarrod?
- No, no, Heath.

I've already had mine,
but I'll be up to say good-bye.

Hester,
you got a minute?

What is it, Jarrod?

Well, you know, I've just realized
that we've met before.

- Oh?
- Yeah, it was up in San Francisco-

I don't know, six,
eight months ago...

on one of those big,
fancy occasions.

Let's see. Could it have been
the Governor's Ball, maybe?

No, no.
I don't think so.

Or the reception
for Madam Ojeska?

No. No, I think it was one
of those charity affairs for a hospital.

- Hmm.
- Well, I'm not surprised you don't remember me.

I was only one of your many admirers
that danced with you that night.

Well, that's no excuse
for my not remembering you, Jarrod.

- I apologize.
- You're forgiven.

You know, Hester, I kind of get
the feeling this camping trip...

isn't really
your idea of fun.

Oh? Is that a feeling
or a conclusion?

Well, now, I don't know you well enough...

to draw
conclusions, do I?

Well, draw a few anyway.
If you're wrong, I'll object.

All right.

You know, Hester, Stockton
isn't exactly San Francisco.

It doesn't have the same
excitement or glamour.

I'm afraid you won't get the same kind
of attention you're used to.

I was wondering if you'd be able
to live without all that in this valley.

Well, I'm marrying Nick,
not the valley.

The adjustments to living on a ranch
will take a little time, but-

I'm not talking so much
about the ranch.

To be honest, I was wondering
if you'll be able to give up the game of...

well, suitors, if you will.

And on what
do you base your doubt?

I don't know. Maybe nothing.

Good, because you're wrong,
Jarrod.

Well, then in that case,
the prosecution rests.

Thank you.

Come on. I'll walk you
back to the house.

- Well, are you holdin' up all right?
- Oh, I'm fine.

Well, we'll camp somewhere
pretty soon.

Oh, please, sir.
Not on my account.

From now on, lady,
everything I do is on your account.

Ow!
Hyah!

We'll camp on the other side. Go on ahead!

Well, this is it.


What do you think of it?

It's beautiful.

We're gonna camp
on the other side of that river.

I'll help you across.
It's kind of rocky.

Well, tell it
to Old Faithful, here.

Watch it! We're comin' through!

Hester! Don't hit her!

- Hester!
- I'm all right now.

Come. Come on.

- There we go.
- Thank you, Heath.

Thanks, Heath.

- Good morning!
- Morning.

If you're lookin' for Nick,
he's down by the stream.

Oh, darn.

I wanted to get up first,
cook breakfast and show him...

what a really wonderful wife
I'm going to make him.

See you later.

Hi. Whoa. I'm sorry.

All right now. You know
I have five hungry people...

back there
just countin' on me.

- Let them starve.
- Mm-hmm.

All right. You won your point.
Now, woman, you go away and let me-

May I try it, please?

What? Fish?

Well, you know, one of these days,
I'm gonna learn to say "no" to you.

All right. Come on.
Let me get rid of this beauty first.

- All right.
- Just get up?

Yeah.
Right up there.

Go on now.
Watch your balance now.

All right, now.
Hold it in the left hand.

That's it.
Now, take the line.

Hold this in your right.

That's right. Now,
bring it back real slowly...

and just lay it
right out there.

Now, see?
It's all in the wrist.

I've been told my wrists
are magnificent.

All right. Let's try it.
Here we go. All right.

Hold the string. No.
Watch it. No!

Oh!

Come on. Come on.

Whoa!
Come on. Here we go.

Come on.

- What happened to him?
- Claude? Oh, let me see.

Oh, yes.
That's when I met Franz.

He was a Viennese pianist.

- Oh, what was he like?
- Oh, let me think.

He was very short, dark,
very intense...

and very-

Viennese.

Yes!

You know, it's funny.
You're not that much older than I...

and, yet, it's as though
I haven't lived at all.

It'd take me about 10 seconds
to list the men in my life.

- Oh, well, you've got time.
- Oh, time, yes...

but I'm beginning to wonder,
is the valley the place?

Oh, not that my social life
is completely barren.

Tomorrow night we'll be
up at the lumber camp.

You haven't lived until you've been
to a dance at our lumber camp.

I'd rather dance than-

You were saying you'd rather
dance than-

Than clean trout.

Well, outside of cleaning trout,
what have you two been up to?

I'm sure they could hear you giggling
clear back in Sacramento.

We took a short, merry journey
through my past, Mrs. Barkley.

I'll get breakfast started.

- How do you like it up here?
- Oh, it's beautiful.

It's really beautiful.

Thirty years ago, Tom and I crossed
those mountains for the very first time.

It's a different world now,
but here and now...

it seems like yesterday.

Some things never change,
do they?

After that first time, Tom and I decided
that we'd make the same trip every year.

And the year
I was carrying Nick, well...

it had been
a bad time for us.

Tom suffered business losses.
I had been ill.

Jarrod-Jarrod was only four years old.
He'd had pneumonia and we almost lost him.

Anyhow, one morning,
Tom and I woke up...

and it was as if
we had read each other's mind.

And he turned to me
and he said, "Victoria"-

And I said, "I know. I know.

We're going to make
that same trip again. "

And it was right for us.

You know...

on this trip I kind of feel
that you've been testing me.

Do you mind?

No. I don't think so.

No, I don't mind.
I think, in a way, I'm glad.

Maybe I needed
to test myself.

I don't imagine I'm going to pass
with flying colors.

- But you'll survive?
- Yes, Mrs. Barkley.

I know what I must
look like to you-

A fish out of water.

But if you'll-
If you'll help me-

I'm going to teach you to make the best
Western breakfast in the whole world.

Audra, would you mind going in there
and seein' if she-

- She said she'd be just a minute.
- An hour ago.

- That'll be enough of that.
- I'll check.

I guess I should've brought along
a full-length mirror.

It's lovely.

Well, it's about- Oh, now,
on second thought, it was worth it.

- Well, we better be going, huh?
- Mm-hmm.

My, don't we all
look handsome tonight.

- Well, we gotta get along.
- I hope it isn't far.

Oh, no. It shouldn't take too long.

If I went to all this trouble and get there
looking like the wreck of the Hesperus...

I'll hang myself!

Thank you, ma'am.

Now, don't tell me,
"I ain't much for dancin', ma'am. "

Not half-bad. You'd be the rage
of San Francisco...

if you'd only learn to hold your partner
a little more securely.

Don't worry. I won't break.

Thanks for the dance.

Now you've both
had your turns.

I was beginnin' to think
I'd have to marry you...

before I got a
chance to dance with you.

- What's the matter?
- I'm just so tired.

- Could you please take me back to the camp?
- All right.

- Hey.
- Oh, Nick, I love you so much.

Nick, can we be married?

I'd like to see anyone
try to stop me.

I mean, right away.
Now. Tonight.

We can leave a note for the family.
If I never saw another horse-

- I thought you were enjoying this.
- Well, I was.

I mean, I am.

Your family's wonderful,
they really are...

but I wanna be
with you alone.

- I wanna be married to you.
- I want that too. You know that.

The trip'll be over in a week.

Maybe less. I can arrange it.

Just as soon as we get back,
we'll be married-

The very day we get back,
all right? Hmm?

Hold me. Hold me.

Hester?

It was so warm I-
I couldn't sleep.

- Hester, you were crying.
- No. I'm all right now.

Hester, what is it?

Oh, Heath! Heath!

Oh, Heath.

Hester.

Nick!

Nick, Heath, stop it!

Nick.!

Nick, Heath, stop it.!

Nick, you don't understand.

- Stop it.!
- Nick, you're all wrong. It's not like you think.

Nick.!

Nick, Heath, stop it.!

Nick, Heath, stop it!

Please, stop them.

Nick, listen.

Nick, get offhim.

- Nick.
- My back. My back.

Hyah.! Come on.!

Come on.

Get up.! Get up.!

Stay up there!

Get up.! Get up.!

Nick!

- All right, Heath.
- Eugene.

It's all right. I know what it
must've looked like.

- We gotta get him to a doctor.
- Can he travel like this?

He's gotta be strapped down tight.
Let's get him into the tent.

You'd better change your clothes.
We can manage.

I know this looks like
some kind of t*rture, but...

we gotta keep him
as still as possible.

I hope his back isn't broken.

Help me saddle
the horses, Eugene.

Let's go.

You believe what you wanna believe,
Mrs. Barkley.

Now, may I...

sit with my fiancé...

alone, please?

I don't know what he'll be believing
when he comes to, but...

please give me
some time with him.

What happened, Heath?

I don't know-
At least not for sure.

- You were out there with her.
- Let him tell it, Audra.

I was comin' back from the dance.
I heard her cryin'.

I thought maybe she wanted to talk.
All I did was ask her what was wrong...

tried to comfort her.

- Did you tell Nick that?
- No. I didn't have a chance.

- He came at me like-
- Well, tell him now.

No. He's got enough
trouble now without...

- worrying what his future wife was cryin' about.
- Mrs. Barkley.!

Get me outta this.!

Nick. Oh, Nick.

- Don't touch me. Don't you ever touch me.
- You're only making it worse.

- Please, be quiet.
- Get me out of this.

- Oh.
- Get me out of this!

He's delirious. We'd better
get him to that doctor.

Hester. Hester,
get me out of this.

Whoa.

We'd better find out
how deep it is.

It's too deep for the litter.

What about the place
we crossed on the way up?

It's eight or 10 miles back.
All that bouncin' around, that's no good.

- I'll have to get a doctor up here.
- I'll get the doctor, Heath.

You put that thing together.
You see that it works, okay?

We'll set up camp here.
You hurry back.

Let's set up camp now.
It looks like we're gonna be here awhile.

- Nick.
- Where is everybody?

They're all asleep.

- How do you feel?
- Better.

Will you loosen these?
My arms are startin' to get numb.

A little more. That's it.

Nick, we must talk.

Will you get the legs?

About last night-

You know, Heath
just heard me crying.

- He-
- A little more.

He just heard me crying. Nick, you mustn't!

- We gotta get out of here... before it's too late.
- Nick.

- We can't!
- We've got to.

- No.
- Well, you wanted to get married.

We'll get married as soon
as we get down off this mountain.

- Your back. You shouldn't.
- Come on. Come on.

Nick! Nick.

I'm all right.

Nick. Nick.

I'm all right.

- Nick, we can't.
- I'm all right.

Nick.

Nick!

Nick.!

He made me do it, Mrs. Barkley.
I had no choice.

- You always have a choice.
- He tricked me into untying him.

Did he also trick you
into leaving with him?

No, I- He was in such pain,
such need.

I didn't- I couldn't think.

Couldn't think beyond your own selfish
need to be Mrs. Nick Barkley?

You were ready to risk
his life for that.

No, Mrs. Barkley,
I was afraid.

I was afraid if we waited...

I'd change my mind.

- Can you talk about it?
- I don't know.

To Nick?

Yes.

Hester.

H-Hester.

What time is it?

It'll be dawn
in a few hours.

- How long have I been asleep?
- A long time.

All seems like a bad dream.

A nightmare.

There's a doctor on the way.
He should be here very soon.

Heath.

What was all that about?

Nick, I tried to tell you.
He just heard me crying.

Crying? Why?

It's traditional. It's a woman's right
to cry before she's married.

So, you were crying-

And Heath came over
to find out what was wrong.

I must be a-

Well, you name it.

Hester, I love you so.

Oh, Nick, I know.

When all this is over,
I'm promise I'll-

I'll make you so happy.

Nick, do you wanna know
the real reason why I was crying?

It was for the parties, Nick,
the dancing, the champagne and the fun.

- You won't be living in a monastery.
- No, it won't be the same.

The valley's not San Francisco
or New York, but parties-

Oh, Nick, I love being beautiful.
I love beautiful clothes.

- You'll get over that.
- If you could just make be believe that.

Oh, please,
make me believe it.

Nick, you'll help me,
won't you?

Nick, please help me.

I'll help you, but, Hester,
you've gotta be sure...

very sure.

You don't wanna be...
tied down.

Be sure.

I'm sorry I took so long
getting up here, Mrs. Barkley...

but I was kind of tied up-
triplets as a matter of fact.

- Doctor, will he be all right?
- Oh, he'll be fine.

Just give him these
for the pain.

I don't think he'll need them now.
He's been through the worst of it...

but whoever thought up
that contraption?

I don't think it saved
his life, Mrs. Barkley...

but it sure saved him
a long stretch on his back-

a good, long stretch.

I wouldn't move him
for four or five days...

then he should be able
to make it on his own.

- Thank you, Doctor.
- Doctor.

Would you mind
if I rode down with you?

It'll be a pleasure
to have your company, miss.

Nick?

Nick, I've come to say something
and I hope-

Well, I hope
you'll understand.

You told me last night to be sure
before making up my mind.

Well, I stayed awake
all night trying to be sure...

trying to be honest with myself
like I've never been before.

I know now that I wasn't crying
because of the parties...

the champagne
or the pretty clothes.

- Hester, I-
- Please, don't try to say anything, just listen.

The truth about Heath...

is that I wanted to find
a way to make him want me.

I needed him to want me,
as I've...

always needed the attention
of attractive men.

Seems I have to keep
reassuring myself-

Only I'm never
truly reassured.

If I had come here with Heath,
then I'd have wanted your attention...

and I'd have done anything
to get it.

It's a weakness,
a terrible flaw...

but at least, now,
I can admit it to myself...

and hope someday I'll-

I'll be ready to devote
myself to one man.

And I hope he'll be
somebody like you.

- Hester-
- I'm going now, Nick...

because I don't wanna hurt you
more than I already have.

I only ask that you try
to understand, and...

maybe someday you'll find it
in your heart to forgive me.

Good-bye, Nick.

- Dinner is served.
- Oh, thank you, Silas.

Hold it! Hold it.

- Now, Nick, the doctor said-
- I know what the doctor said.

That's why I said,
"Hold it. "

Whoa.

Thanks, Heath.

Oh, now, don't everyone start applauding.

I've been practicing this little stunt
for the past three days...

with pretty fair success.

Well, well. Now that he can walk,
I'd say there's certain catchin' up...

to be done around here,
wouldn't you, Heath?

Like bringing up
that herd from Sonora.

We didn't tell ya nobody's been able
to break your new Appaloosa.

- It's your turn next.
- And I'm going to school tomorrow...

so that means you have to
fence in the new pasture.

Silas, bring me
my wheelchair!