[instrumental music]
Was that Abby's car?
Huh?
Oh.
No, no, I was just, uh..
Somebody else driving by.
I have to ask Abby
something important.
Well, why don't you ask me?
After all, I'm your father.
Who better to ask
than your own father?
Go ahead, ask.
Okay.
Remember this morning
at breakfast
that history question
that I asked Abby, who he was?
Who who was?
Who who was what?
What you wanted to know?
I wanted to know who, not what.
Who what?
- Who he was?
- Who who was?
Who who was what?
Oh, come on, Nicholas
this is no time to start playing
"Who's On First?"
No, dad, who's on second?
What's on first?
Get to bed.
Yes, sir.
[instrumental music]
Gotta keep an eye on that kid.
[theme music]
[music continues]
[music continues]
[dramatic music]
Good morning, Mrs. Bradford.
Goodbye, Mrs. Bradford.
Stop. Tom, wait.
Oh, no, no, I can't wait.
I've to get to the office early.
I have a special project.
Early? Early, what time is it?
Oh, no. No, I'm late.
Do you think that maybe you're
burning the candle at both ends?
Oh, no, my being this busy
is not that usual.
It'll all let up.
(Tom)
'Yeah.'
Maybe you should have
started last night.
That little ring
around your finger
could act as a homing device.
You know a husband
with eight children.
Oh, Tom,
you're absolutely right.
But it's not that simple, I mean
PhDs aren't that easy to come by
I mean especially part-time.
'And when you work
part-time too'
'well, we've talked about it.'
I know, I know,
and I wanna be fair about it.
It's just that..
Well, maybe you..
...might need some help
in the kitchen
the kids could handle it.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
Remember my homing device.
You didn't do the shopping.
You're right.
I didn't do the shopping.
I'm sorry, I just clean forgot.
You know
I had the list in my purse
and I just..
I forgot but I'm,
I'll do it today, I promise.
I cross my heart
and I hope to starve.
Mm-hmm.
Now I remember why we're here.
Hm, give the lady a break, okay?
Yeah, listen,
what was that question
that Nicholas asked you
yesterday morning?
You know, kid number eight.
Kid number eight.
Oh, I should have
known it right away.
It just slipped my mind,
yeah, but I did look it up.
And the answer is..
John Quincy Adams that's who.
Thanks, dad.
- That's who what?
- Who he was.
- Who who was?
- Oh, please, Nancy.
I'd love to play the game
a second time.
But I'm late for work.
'What's for breakfast?'
No, dad, what's on second?
There's practically,
nothing for breakfast, dad.
We're almost out of cereal
and milk.
And only three eggs.
Yeah, if Abby doesn't
go the supermarket pretty soon
I'm gonna have to go next door
and borrow a cup of dinner.
Come on,
let's give the lady a break.
I mean PhDs
are not that easy to come by.
Especially part-time.
And when you're working
part-time on top of that..
Well, the family has discussed
it before.
[all murmuring]
Oh, Mary, please
go borrow a cup of coffee.
Nicholas, who who was?
[chuckles]
[knock on door]
Oh, uh, come in
- Morning.
- 'Hi, Elizabeth.'
Can I talk to you a second?
(Abby)
'Well, yeah.'
I mean it'll have to be
in-in short hand.
I mean, say seconds.
See, I-I stayed up
late last night.
Ironing your father's shirts
and, uh...I overslept.
But it's pretty important, Abby.
Oh, oh, well, uh,
in that case, uh..
Well, can we talk later?
'I shouldn't be too late.'
Sure. Okay.
But it's good,
that is good, because, uh
I'll come back here
before my evening class
and then, uh, we'll talk then.
Scout's honor.
'Is there any hot water left?'
I doubt it.
Gotta be fast around here.
[shuts door]
Huh-oh. Where's Abby?
She's in the shower.
Good. Shh!
(Elizabeth)
'What are you doing?'
Shh!
(Elizabeth)
'What are you doing?'
I'm taking these shirts
to the laundry.
Uh, didn't Abby already do it?
Yeah, that's the problem.
I have to get them de-starched.
You see Abby tries very hard.
But sometimes
she tries too hard.
- Feel that.
- I did.
You don't say
anything to anybody.
I don't wanna hurt her feelings.
Quiet!
Oh, Mary, listen.
Do me a favor.
Smuggle these to the laundry
on your way to school.
- But, dad, I--
- No, no, no.
Elizabeth will explain.
I'm late, I have to go.
Oh, and be careful.
Don't cut yourself on the edges
they're very sharp.
Don't ask.
- He's just being cute.
- I won't, I won't.
[imitating car revving]
I got it, dad.
I'll back it out.
[tires squealing]
Listen, you didn't learn that
in driver's training.
Where do you think you are,
Indy?
Oh, dad, you know
what this car could really use?
- A four barrel carb--
- Yeah, sure and headers too.
Goodbye. Thanks a lot.
Oh, dad, dad,
I was just trying to help.
Pfft!
(female #)
'Yeah, and they did too.'
Well, anyway,
when her parents found out
they went wild,
do you think it was s.
Well, I just told my mom,
not to hassle me.
She knows,
she's seen 'em in my room.
But, uh, we just don't talk
about it.
It's a good idea.
How about you,
do your parents hassle you?
About what?
About what? About the pill.
The pill?
Uh, no, nobody hassles me.
What for?
You know, I'm my own person.
I mean, why even discuss it?
Oh, I see.
Ronnie!
Hello, little girl.
Oh, come on, Ronnie, cut it out.
Why do you always call me that?
Because it's cute.
'Cause it fits.
I don't know
what do you want me
to call you, little woman?
You're impossible.
Oh, um...here's the cassette.
You said you didn't have.
Outta' sight.
You wanna hear it on my stereo?
I'll think about it.
Heavy.
[instrumental music]
- 'Good morning, sir.'
- Good morning.
- Calls?
- Not yet, sir.
Coffee.
No.
I wasn't giving
an observation, Donna.
I was giving an order.
You know, Mr. Bradford,
I've been getting
your coffee for you for
quite a few years now, right?
Well, I-I no longer feel that
sexist coffee making
is a part of my job.
Because I was hired
as a secretary, not a waitress.
You're absolutely right, Donna.
And if you would like to remain
in that capacity
you would do
very well to appease
my chauvinistic priorities
by bringing me some coffee!
Okay. Yes, sir.
Whatever happened
to bra burning?
It was so much more meaningful.
Tom, Tom.
Please, no Indian music.
It's a bad morning.
Would you like Donna
to get you some coffee?
Oh, uh, no, no.
I'm used to getting my own.
Uh, Tom, I gotta talk to you.
Oh, I can't this morning.
I have a meeting,
a special project.
You know, uh,
I'm your special project.
Mm, what are you talking about?
You're the special project?
Why are you dressed
that funny way?
Oh, well, that's the point see.
Uh, the point is
I'm going on vacation.
'I knew you wouldn't
be happy, Tom.'
It wasn't my idea.
Upstairs, huh.
You're my replacement.
What?
What do you mean?
You mean I'm Dear Miss Dinah?
[chuckling]
Miss Dinah?
How about some coffee, ma'am?
Well, I-I, this is ridiculous.
I mean, I have
a column to write.
I don't know how to give advice.
You've got eight children.
You're married, see.
I'm alone and I do it.
'Now, one suggestion though.'
Don't push anybody
over the edge.
Over the edge?
Now, look, Folly, I don't
want this responsibility.
Oh, come on.
I haven't lost one yet.
[chuckles]
I had some close calls though.
'You'll be fine, Tom.'
Hey, I'll bring you some fish.
If I catch one.
I don't believe this.
Oh, Mr. Bradford, listen
really, I want you to try to
think of this as a challenge.
So, I like to think of it
as a challenge.
I think of it as embarrassing.
Will I have to call you
Miss Dinah, dad?
What is a Miss Dinah dad?
It's somebody that answers
questions from weirdoes.
- That's not true.
- That is true, dad.
It's real put down to have to
write that kind of stuff.
You know, we all have
each other to talk to
and to listen to
and give advice to.
But there's a lot of people
out there
that are as not
as lucky as we are.
I mean to them, Miss Dinah
is very, uh, real
with very real advice.
Besides it's by rotation.
I was next on the list.
[phone ringing]
I'll get it.
[phone ringing]
Hello?
Oh, hi, Abby.
When're you gonna be home?
Oh, okay, here's dad.
Oh, yes, dear.
Oh, that late.
And a film too?
Oh.
Well, alright, I'll see you
when you get here, right.
Bye bye, now.
I'm gonna go to the study.
I have a lot of work to do.
So, please, no noise.
[instrumental music]
No dessert either.
Boy, am I getting
jumpy vibes from you?
Yeah.
Yeah.
Hey, we're more than
just sisters, we're roommates.
If you've got a problem,
Elizabeth, you can tell me.
Well..
It's kind of hard to get into.
You see, uh..
...Abby's not here,
Mary studying and..
...well, Joannie and Susan,
they're busy.
I just happen to be
the only one available, huh?
Thanks a lot, kid.
You really know
how to hurt a guy.
No, no, it's not that.
It's just that, um..
You really are uptight,
aren't you?
What's the matter?
I, um..
Well, I, uh..
I just thought..
I just thought
that maybe I should
start thinking about, um..
Well, about going on the pill.
Oh!
Who is it? Ronnie?
In a way.
I mean not yet.
But you know
I'm not a little girl anymore.
Well, the way you're going
about this thing
sure makes you sound like one.
- Nancy.
- Mm-hmm?
What do you do?
I mean, are you? Have you?
Come on, Elizabeth.
We're not talking about me.
What does my personal life
have to do with you anyway?
Nothing.
It's just that
if you were doing it
then I thought
that maybe you know..
Uh, okay.
Look, Elizabeth
you know the facts of life.
You've seen
the health films at school.
I can't tell you
more than you already know.
So let's just stay clear
of my personal life.
Okay?
Look, don't get all shook up.
You're the one who asked.
Dear Troubled.
Eighteen years of marriage
is not a thing
to be taken lightly.
Trust.
That is the important thing.
Give him a little
breathing space
and you'll both breathe easier.
Okay, Can I help you?
Anything special you wanna know?
Uh, yeah,
can I ask you something?
Sure, you've caught me
at a good time.
Anything, anything at all.
Go ahead.
Well, if almost everybody
was doing something
and you weren't doing it..
...do you think
you'd feel left out?
Oh. Well, I mean that depends.
Well, I mean this thing
that you want to do.
Is this something very important
or is it just a whim or what?
It's pretty important.
Well, uh, why don't you tell me
what it is.
There were never any walls
between us.
Daddy..
...I wanna go on the pill.
[dramatic music]
Y-you want to go
on the pill?
[chuckles]
I see you, uh, um-hmm..
You, uh, and y-you want me
t-to tell you
that it's okay
for you to..
...go on the pill.
- It's not okay.
- What?
Indisputably, indubitably,
irrefragably, it's not okay!
Why do you always use such
big words when you're mad.
Okay, how 'bout a small word?
No!
- But dad--
- I don't wanna discuss it.
Because there's nothing left
to discuss. N-O.
I sure hope
you are a better Miss Dinah
than you are a father.
[instrumental music]
Goodnight, my love.
Oh, goodnight.
- Abby?
- Yeah.
There's something I wanna talk
to you about.
- Oh.
- It's Elizabeth.
Not now. Tomorrow, okay?
[mumbling]
Oh, boy.
Oh, I forgot I have to get up
early in the morning.
I've gotta shop.
[sighs]
I'll call you, alright?
[snoring]
[instrumental music]
[groaning]
Oh!
'Hey, would someone go out
and get the oranges?'
I just dropped all the oranges..
Well, right.
Um, Abby..
Let me help you here.
Here. Oh, they're heavy.
Here, but don't drop..
Wait.
I told you I was gonna shop.
Yeah, well, we're just trying
to help, Abby.
Yeah, we know,
how busy you are.
I had a list in my purse.
Y'all knew that.
(Joannie)
'Yeah, well, we were just
getting kinda low'
'on bread and water, you know?'
It's nothing to be upset
about, Abby?
Yeah, I mean, we didn't know
when you're gonna shop
and kids gotta eat.
(Joannie)
'Yeah.'
Oh, Abby, come on.
Don't worry about it.
Once you come to know us better
you'll find out
we can be pretty
self-sufficient.
I guess you can be.
Um, Abby..
They don't really go in there.
Here.
Why don't you just
let us do it, huh?
- Hey, everyone.
- Hi, David.
- Hi, Abby.
- Hi, David.
(David)
'I noticed on the way in,
you're MG's leaking oil.'
Yeah? Lot or a little?
Uh, more than a little.
I was hoping you guys
could feed me.
I've a late date tonight,
thought I'd grab a bite.
Feed you?
We'll stuff you like a turkey.
(Joannie)
'Sit down, David, there's
plenty. Hey, sit down.'
- Look, what you guys--
- Plenty of bananas.
And a lot of bread.
Did you knock, did you knock
over a supermarket?
(Nancy)
'Uh, you want some milk?'
[indistinct chattering]
[instrumental music]
I suppose I'll have to get you
home by midnight, Cinderella.
I can stay out late
if I want.
You talk to me
like I'm a little girl
and you're only a year
older than me.
A year can make
all the difference.
The difference in what?
When you're older
you won't have to ask.
I still haven't played
the cassette you gave me.
What are you waiting for?
You.
We've still got a date
Friday night, right?
Yeah, sure. I said yes.
Well, maybe we can play
the tape then?
We'll have to hang
around the house.
My parents will be out of town.
Okay. Bye.
[cranks engine]
[instrumental music]
[knocking on door]
Come in.
Oh, hi, Elizabeth.
Have you got a minute?
Oh, sure, sure. Come on in.
- You're not busy?
- No. No, no.
Sit down.
What can I do for you?
Well, I've been wanting
to talk to you.
Mm-hmm.
This isn't easy.
Abby..
...I wanna go on the pill.
Well, the fact
that you're asking means
there's a possibility
that you might need it?
I suppose. Sort of.
Yeah, well see the first thing
that we've gotta do is
get you to a good doctor.
A gynecologist...for a check-up.
Do I have to?
Yeah, it's a good idea.
See because the pill
might not be
the right thing for you
and you've got to look
into the alternatives.
Then after we're absolutely sure
that everything's okay,
medically
then you and I
can get together again
for another good long talk
about the other issues.
What other issues?
Hmm, things like, um..
...commitment, morality,
responsibility..
...maybe even love.
You know I feel much better now
that I've talked to you.
This is the first time anybody's
ever asked me about that.
Especially a new daughter
and, uh..
Well, I've gotta tell you
that I, um..
I really appreciate
your confidence in coming to me.
Thank you.
Well, I hate that
you've been going through this
all by yourself.
Well, I tried talking
to other people, you know
but they just weren't much help.
Yeah, I remember.
Would you like for me to go
with you to the doctor?
Um..
No. No, I think
I better handle this on my own.
Okay.
I just wish
we could've talked sooner.
I tried, Abby..
...but you're just not around
that much.
[vacuum cleaner whirring]
Hey!
What's going on?
Uh, just routine.
(Joannie)
'But Abby, this is Wednesday.'
We don't usually do
the cleaning till Saturday.
(Abby)
'Until today,
I just hired myself.'
For house-work?
Yeah, but I don't do windows.
'Oh, and girls listen, um..'
If there's anything
you want, uh
anything you need, um..
Well, I-I'm gonna be
around a lot
so, um, any problem,
uh, big or small
'just call, okay?'
Okay, Abby.
- Bye.
- Yeah, thanks.
Bye.
'Oh, hey, Nicholas.'
Uh, is there anything
you want to ask me
uh, 'cause go ahead,
just ask me.
I-I'm here, ready to listen.
Are we getting a monkey?
Monkey?
All those bananas.
Boy!
[chuckles]
Bananas.
[vacuum cleaner whirring]
[instrumental music]
Hi. Uh, why the back door?
Oh, I, uh, thought
I'd pick up a few things.
You know, in case Abby forgot.
What'd you buy, dad?
Oh, um, nothing much.
Just, uh, some eggs
and, uh, a little coffee and..
I don't believe it. Bananas.
Elizabeth, I'm-I'm sorry
about last night
the way I blew up.
Dad, I want to tell you
that I--
No, don't say anything,
just listen
because it's been on my mind
all day and I..
I'm sorry. I overreacted.
I-I should've treated it
all much more delicately.
We understand each other.
You know how I feel.
So let's not talk
about it anymore, alright?
Unless you...wanna talk
about it.
No, I think everybody has talked
about it enough.
Good, good, we'll just let it..
...lie then for a while,
alright?
Where is Abby?
- Dining room.
- Oh.
Hi.
Wow.
Beautiful.
Just felt like a little
celebration tonight.
What are we celebrating?
Well, um, I've taken a leave
of absence from my job.
Why, what's wrong?
Oh, Tom, I-I just feel
I've had my priorities
a little messed up and,
and I wanna change all that.
Oh, wait a minute. I never asked
you to leave your work.
I know.
I asked me.
But I mean you'd be around
the house all day.
It's a big change.
Are you up to that?
Yes, I'm up to that.
From now on,
aside from my graduate classes
you're my favorite charity.
Alright. All donations
gratefully accepted.
Listen, why not, uh,
dinner will be ready soon.
So why don't you go change
into something more comfortable.
I've done all the laundry
and the ironing.
Boy, oh, boy, what other
surprises await me?
Starch in a golf shirt?
Boy, that is a big change.
[telephone ringing]
Hello?
Yes, this is
the Bradford residence.
Oh. Uh, doctor's appointment?
Well, uh, v-very..
Hold on, let-let me get
a pencil and paper.
Yes. Alright,
I-I have it right here.
Yes, go ahead. What is it?
Appointment, changed to Friday
at :.
Very good. Thank you.
Oh, well, wait a minute,
w-which doctor is this?
Dr. Clark.
Clark, that must be, uh
Mrs. Bradford's dentist?
Oh, gynecologist. Excuse me.
Well, don't worry.
I'll see to it that
Mrs. Bradford gets the message.
Thank..
Miss Bradford?
Which Miss Bradford?
Elizabeth?
Elizabeth?
Where's Elizabeth?
She's in the shower.
Elizabeth!
(Elizabeth)
'One second.'
Yeah, dad, am I holding up
dinner or something?
Why am I always
the last one to know?
Everybody knows
what's going on in this place.
- But not me.
- Not I.
Lets skip the grammar lesson.
If the telephone didn't ring
once in a while
I'd never know anything
that was going on.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
You don't know
what I'm talking about?
How could she know
what you were talking about?
She knew what
I was talking about.
Because you pushed her
into a corner.
She's in a corner?
Huh, I'm surrounded.
I mean if it isn't the crisis
about Miss Dinah
it's the crisis
around this house!
No, no.
You usurped my position.
I told Elizabeth no
and you told Elizabeth yes.
I did no such thing.
I told her about the doctor
so that she would have
the opportunity to figure--
Ah-hah!
You see what?
You just admitted it.
You countermanded my orders.
Oh, I'm sorry
about that, general.
You neglected to tell me
you'd ordered her.
I neglected to find out
your time schedule.
I can't tell whether
you're coming or going!
Or downstairs
cooking dinner for you.
Or falling fast asleep
snoring pleasantly away
while the whole house
collapses around you.
- I never snore.
- Oh, come on.
Everybody snores.
I even snore sometimes.
All the time.
You see,
you're exaggerating again.
Just the way you did
about the starch in my collar.
That's a golf shirt.
Not a guillotine.
I prefer the latter.
You know, you never told me
about this side of you
before we were married.
How could I? You were too busy
trying to trap me.
- I heard that.
- I meant for you to hear.
Yes, well, I did hear it
and I will remember it.
I heard it.
I never snore.
[instrumental music]
[honking]
Oh, David, what'd you do, man?
Free the trans?
I don't know what's wrong yet.
I just put it in neutral
and hauled it.
Oh, David!
David, thank you so much.
Oh, I can't thank you enough, I
just can't imagine
what it was like
being on the freeway.
I've never been so glad to see
a cop in my whole life.
- Yeah, what happened?
- Well, Gwendolyn just stopped.
Fine. Is she gonna be okay?
[imitating car revving]
Boy, oh, boy.
You'd think anybody
who's car leaked oil
would know enough to go
to a mechanic
before the red light went on.
Tommy, would you please
tell your father
that anyone who can't even
master learning to drive
an old-fashioned flipped over H
should be the last to talk.
Nicholas, you go tell him.
But I just got in.
Get out.
Hey, what's up?
Uh, they're not talking.
She said "some people,
flipped over H.."
Abby, what did you say?
People who can't drive
shouldn't throw stones.
[groaning]
You tell her that
there's an invention called..
..the telephone.
Considerate people call
when their car breaks down
and they're going to be out.
Half the night and further more
the way she launders shirts
could be considered as*ault
with a deadly w*apon.
He said that?
That's what he said?
Well, I heard it
through the grapevine.
Mm-hmm.
The sour grapevine.
[instrumental music]
- I got you, dad.
- Don't "got you" me.
What the heck are those?
Oh, these are dice
and this is a brodie knob.
Oh, you know Steve Brodie
the guy who jumped off
the Brooklyn Bridge?
Bridge jumping and
a brodie knobs are both illegal.
'and they're both very hazardous
to the health.'
I read you loud and clear, dad.
Elizabeth?
It's almost four.
(Elizabeth)
'I'm coming.'
I'll make it.
I've got plenty of time.
Okay. We'll talk
when you get back.
- Okay?
- Okay.
You sure you don't want me
to come? 'Cause I'll come.
It's okay. Thanks, Abby.
Okay.
[dramatic music]
Go ahead.
You're still going?
My appointment's at :.
[cranks car]
[music continues]
[instrumental music]
Mrs. Rothman.
Hi.
Are you Miss Bradford?
Yes.
Go right in.
[music continues]
Miss Bradford?
This is your first visit.
Would you mind filling out
some forms for me?
[music continues]
Look.
You told me it was fixed.
I like you Elizabeth.
A lot.
But we're just
not gonna make it.
I don't know why I did it.
I-I just..
Please don't be mad
at me, Ronnie.
Sorry, little girl.
I got to get to work.
Catch you later.
Ronnie.
What about our date, tonight?
Like I said, I'll be home.
If you don't make it, well then
I guess that's just three
strikes, you know.
'And if it makes any difference,
I'll send your cassette back.'
'Don't sweat it.'
[instrumental music]
[instrumental music]
Abby will be happy.
It's only a loose oil pan.
Oh, I'll have this out
in just a minute.
- What?
- 'The generator.'
No, don't. I checked
the brushes. They're okay.
And it's not the regulator?
'No.'
- The thermostat.
- 'No.'
Wait a minute,
the mixture's too rich
and she's flooding out.
It's the carburetor, right?
Right. Good boy.
Give the man a brass ring.
Exactly what I thought.
[panting]
Well, ah, there you go.
Oh, Lord.
Well, don't worry.
We'll have it on the road.
Yeah, right to the junk yard.
Tommy, you just turn
this little screw.
You don't dismantle
the whole engine.
Go get me a cool drink, okay?
[chuckles]
[whispering]
Don't slam.
Okay.
Why are we whispering?
I have a cake in the oven.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
- That's okay.
Hey, don't worry
about your car
we'll get it fixed in no time.
Cake, remember?
- Hey, Abby, have you seen--
- Shh!
- What's the matter?
- I have a cake in the oven.
Oh!
What kind?
Angel food.
Oh, love it.
You know, I always thought
it was the vibrations
not the sound
that made it "pshhh."
Yeah, oh, well, not taking
any chances with my first cake
you can understand that?
Oh, yeah. I can understand.
Is David still there?
- Yeah, he's in the garage.
- Okay.
[crunch]
- The cake.
- Right.
[sighs]
[dramatic music]
[birds chirping]
[door opens]
[music continues]
- I've had it!
- My cake!
[slams]
I will not tolerate..
[hissing]
And you thought, that I was
gonna, when I went bang on the..
[indistinct chattering]
No, no, no, no, no.
You did that..
[indistinct chattering]
The flattest cake I ever saw.
Yes, it's a garbage cake.
What kind of a cake is that?
- Garbage disposal.
- No, no, no.
It's not a garbage.
No, no, the kids will eat it.
- The kids will?
- The kids will eat anything.
[sighs]
With this ring, I thee wed.
You're a nut.
Do you know that?
And, I love you.
I got to get you
out of this kitchen.
Somewhere else.
It's true, I'm not a baker.
- Just the two of us?
- Just the two of us.
Okay.
But first there's something
I've got to straighten out.
[knock on door]
Come in.
Hi, Elizabeth.
I, uh...thought you might like
a piece of Abby's cake.
Oh, it-it tastes a lot better
than it looks.
Appearances can be
very deceiving.
You sure you won't have some?
[instrumental music]
Yes, uh...deceiving.
Like a father who blows off
a lot of steam, but..
...loves his daughter very much.
Honey.
You know, unless people listen
to what the other says
deep inside..
I mean...if you don't read
between the lines..
...sometimes it's-it's very
difficult for a father
to-to deal with certain things.
Perhaps, it's-it's because,
he's afraid that..
...ultimately, he's letting go.
It's very hard for a parent
to let a child grow up.
Make her own way.
'Her own life.'
I know what you mean, daddy.
No, you don't.
But you will.
I know how you feel
about this boy.
Believe it or not, I-I haven't
forgotten what it was like
to be young.
Impulsive.
But, a mature relationship
isn't something
to be taken lightly.
You'd have to be ready to
accept the responsibilities
for the freedoms that..
...that go with it.
Elizabeth, I trust
your value judgments.
But don't let our...relationship
get the point where all I do
around here is
pay the rent
and...buy your food.
[door closes]
[laughing]
Ah, those pajama's could keep
you awake.
They're supposed to.
They're for Elizabeth.
She's going to a slumber party.
Hmm. I'd trade microbiology
for a slumber party any day.
Oh, brother.
Hey, Elizabeth, look
what I borrowed from..
Is that the new look
in slumber party attire?
Ronnie kept calling me
little girl.
I'll show him little girl.
Elizabeth.
So what if Ronnie said that.
He's a jerk.
You don't have to prove
anything to jerks.
Leave me alone.
I know what I'm doing.
Elizabeth,
would you please wait.
You didn't help when I asked
your advice, so butt out.
But I wanna talk to--
I can take care
of myself, Nancy.
Elizabeth!
Mary.
Nancy, you know
I'm trying to study.
- What're you doing?
- Where can I get a car?
Take the wagon.
Elizabeth just took the wagon
and dad took the sedan.
Well, Elizabeth's entitled.
She's .
She's only ,
that's the problem.
I've got to get a car.
I've got to get over there.
Get over where?
Oh, Mary, I wish I could tell
you, but I can't.
It's between Elizabeth and me.
Who're you calling?
Hi, don't you people
ever lock your door?
I need your van.
Well, wait.
No. Nancy.
Now, what's that all about?
I've got a date.
Hey, look. Don't look at me.
I just live here, huh.
But I've got a date.
[crickets chirping]
[instrumental music]
Well...Ronnie knows
I'm not a little girl now.
He also knows that a woman is
a person and not just an object.
Here's the cassette I borrowed.
- He didn't open it.
- That's right.
He doesn't deserve it.
Do you think
I did the right thing?
You did the right thing.
But I liked him so much.
Yeah, I know, Elizabeth.
I too.
But when the time's right,
you won't wonder anymore.
I'm sorry, I yelled at you.
Hey, I'm sorry,
I didn't come through.
- But I got an idea.
- What?
Why don't we go out
for pie and ice cream?
I know it's fattening,
but it'll be my treat, okay?
Okay.
- Nancy?
- Yeah.
If I wasn't outside,
when you drove up..
...what were you gonna do?
[laughs]
I don't know.
'Oh, gosh.'
Hey, what time is it?
'Uh, about nine.'
Wanna go to a slumber party?
You nut.
Hey, dad, you're really
getting with it.
Hey, listen to this.
"Dear Cynic, yes, there is
a water shortage.
"But is the tub half empty
or is it half full?
Uh, bathing can be fine,
together."
[cheering]
(Tommy)
'Yeah, pretty racy there.'
Dear Miss Dinah.
Do you think that a woman
who's been in
a career all her life can make
the adjustment to a family with
'eight children and still go to
classes two nights a week'
even though it'll take her
years to earn her PhD?
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
[indistinct chattering]
Come on. How would you all like
to write this column?
- 'Oh, yes.'
- 'Spare me.'
Hmm, my sentiments, exactly.
Dear Miss Dinah,
just a brief note.
Thanks, for being there
when you were needed.
And dear Abby..
(Tom)
'Oh, wait a minute.'
That's my competition.
What kinda house is this?
Doesn't even have a banana.
[laughing]
[theme music]
[music continues]
02x18 - Dear Miss Dinah
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The show was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Tom Braden, a real-life parent with eight children, who wrote a book by the same title.
The show was modeled on the life of syndicated newspaper columnist Tom Braden, a real-life parent with eight children, who wrote a book by the same title.