05x02 - Hearts and Minds

[bunniefuu]

Julie!

That's really good.

Thank you.

I mean, I always knew you loved art,

but, lately,

you seem downright inspired.

I think it's being around the children.

Something about the openness
of their minds, it's very...

...freeing.

They make it easy to feel creative.

You're doing really well.

Don't sound so surprised.

I'm not surprised at all.

Care to do the honors, Miss Thatcher?

[GIGGLES]

Why, thank you, Miss Thatcher.

[COWBELL CLANGING]

[JULIE]: Come along, everyone,

and bring those beautiful
minds with you!

Good morning.

[LAUGHS]

You could cut the budget
for new bunks in the jail.

Those mattresses are so old and thin.

It's the jail, not the Ritz!

Can I help you?

You can, if you're Mayor Stanton.

I am.

I'm Jacob Weston,

with the National Pacific Railroad.

It's nice to meet you finally.

We've been waiting.

This is our Sheriff, Bill Avery.

Of course. Bill Avery.

Heard a lot about you.

Hope I get a chance to defend myself.

[LAUGHS] No need.

Everything that was said was positive.

So, you're here to talk
about our new depot?

I am indeed.

Great. Now that the
line's been completed,

we'd like to see it open
as soon as possible.

The town's been waiting a long time.

Yes, well...

I'm sorry to say they're
gonna be disappointed.

What do you mean?

I mean...

we've decided not to build
a depot in Hope Valley.

You can't do that.

We can,

and we did.

♪♪

Mr. Weston, why aren't you
building a depot here?

Because there are greater cost benefits

to build it in Jameson.

But we have a contract.

And we have lawyers.

Look, this was a business decision.

It wasn't personal.

You're wrong.

It's personal to everyone in this town.

A lot of people didn't even

want your company to lay
tracks through our valley,

but once it was voted on,

everyone worked to welcome the railroad.

And it's a betrayal of
all of their trust.

Look, it wasn't my decision.

I'm just the messenger.

I always liked the way
that the Greeks dealt

with people who brought bad news.

Lucky for me,

they say this town has
an honorable sheriff.

Well, you might've heard
wrong about that.

Mr. Weston...

let's go somewhere where we can talk.

I own the cafe.

It's quiet this time of day.

We'd just be wasting our breath, Mrs.
Stanton.

The decision's been made.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I
have an office to clear out.

I can't believe this is happening.

He's got an army of lawyers

on his side.

Then we've got to persuade him

without going to court.

How are we gonna do that?

I don't know, but I need you

to keep him from leaving this town.

♪♪

I can do that.

For our art class today,

I'm going to show you the
secret to the perfect face.

First, you draw an oval, then...

divide it into quarters.

Divide the lower half again...

the nose goes here,

the mouth, here,

and the eyes... go here.

Miss Thatcher,

is it a girl or a boy's face?

It can be whichever you
want it to be, Anna.

You choose.

And then you add the eyebrows,

and ears...

♪♪

Oh! Dottie! I love this
new space we have.

The bank having to relocate

is the best thing that ever
could've happened to us!

How are the new designs coming?

Great! You're going to love them.

These sketches would impress
Madame Chéruit herself.

Good, because I have news.

I received a telegram

from a high-end boutique in Union City.

They heard about the gowns

that we're selling Cape Fullerton.

And?

And they'd like to place an order!

Oh, ho, ho! Oh, Dottie! Congratulations!

That's wonderful!

I couldn't have done it
without your designs.

Oh, I can see it now... Union City,

Hamilton, then New York,

and someday... Paris.

Oh!

One step at a time.

I'm off to Buxton to buy fabric.

Clara's busy finishing
a dress in the back.

The shop is yours.

Oh. And good luck with
the sketches, Madame.

Ladies. I'm off to Buxton.

- Oh! Have a good trip.
- Thank you.

Oh!

Good afternoon, ladies.

Can I help you with anything?

Oh, we were just admiring this dress.

Oh, well, you have good taste.

That's one of my original designs.

Elegant,

yet subtle...

wouldn't you agree?

You're so talented!

I've never seen such a stunning dress.

Would you care to try it on, Wilma?

I can't.

Oh, why not?

You said you needed a dress,

and it would look beautiful on you.

It truly would. Your eyes

and that color?

I'd love to, but it looks expensive.

We should be going.

Thank you for your time, Rosemary.

Sorry to bother you.

Oh! No. Not at all.

If you change your mind,
you know where to find me.

Are you sure?

Yes. I really can't.

[JULIE, GASPING]: Nicely done, Laura!

[LAURA]: Thanks, Miss Thatcher.

Anna...

since you're drawing a girl,

try to make the lips a little fuller.

Like this?

That's it! Good.

Can I see?

In a minute.

Come on, let me see.

[ANNA]: Robert! You ripped it.

[ROBERT]: I...

Oh, dear.

It's ruined!

I-I really didn't mean to.

It's okay, Anna.

You can draw a new one.

True art is ever-changing.

A-Are you okay?

Good.

♪♪

I agree, and if the town doesn't grow,

neither does my business.

I was expecting to pick up
a lot of work at my shop.

How could this happen?

Well, first, Abigail
helps Gowen get parole,

and now the railroad is
walking all over her.

Maybe the job is too big for her.

Abigail is too ki...

[WORDS CATCH]

Is there a problem?

They're not happy about the railroad.

I see.

Well, if it matters, neither am I,

but we're not giving up.

They're a big company, Abigail,
and we're a small town.

How do we make them do
what they promised?

I don't know, but we will find a way.

Of course you will.

Thank you.

Certainly.

Florence, wait up.

[SIGHS]

They're just afraid,
Abigail, that's all.

To be honest, so am I.

The town will survive

if the railroad doesn't stop here.

Some merchants might fare a
little better than others,

yes, but it's not like we're
just gonna fade away.

Lee, I have bigger plans for this town

than just "not fade away".

Right.

Right.

[LAUGHING AND CHATTING]

Hello, Mrs. Hayford.

Anna, where did you go?
We were looking for you.

She came running home at lunch.

Why? Did something happen?

Robert ripped my drawing this morning.

I was working really hard on it.

Anna, I'm so sorry.
I'll speak with Robert.

Why don't you go and play?

I don't mean to make a fuss,

Miss Thatcher, but from
what Anna tells me,

your sister simply brushed
the whole thing off.

That's why Anna's so upset.

Julie is apprenticing with me.

She's still learning how
to manage a classroom.

I will have a word with her.

♪♪

♪♪

[STARTER SPUTTERING]

[STARTER CONTINUES FAILING TO SPARK]

You're sure you can't stay for dinner?

The special tonight's beef
stew at Abigail's Cafe.

You can't pass that up.

Well, thank you, but I have
dinner plans in Rock Creek.

Well, plans can change.

What's that old saying...

"the best-laid plans of mice and men"?

Car was running fine when I got here.

Mysterious machines.

I favor a horse, myself.

I don't suppose there's a
mechanic in this town.

Sadly, there's not.

There's one in Union City,
so, if you send a wire,

might be here in a couple of days.

Why so long?

Well, the stage from
Union City is very slow.

Too bad he couldn't take the train.

I guess I'd better get a room.

Well, let me remind you

about the beef stew
down at Abigail's Cafe.

Compliments of Hope Valley.

I don't think I have much choice.

♪♪

I was walking by.

And you noticed the dress again?

Is it for a special occasion?

It's our anniversary soon.

Kurt is taking me to a dance

in Benson Hills.

I wanted to buy a new dress...

Mm-hmn?

Something Kurt would like.

Feels like I haven't bought
a nice dress in years.

I'll tell you what.

Why don't you come inside and try it on?

Oh, I couldn't.

Don't be silly! Of course you can.

I don't know, Rosemary.

The price...

It doesn't cost anything to try it on.

Come on.

What's the harm?

There's the spirit!

[WESTON]: When we entered
into the agreement,

we thought Hope Valley

had the best growth
potential in the area.

Now we think Jameson does.

Well, then put a depot in both towns.

Unfortunately,

that's more than the railroad
is willing to invest.

You're a lawyer, aren't you, Mr. Weston?

Chief counsel with the National Pacific.

Didn't they teach contract law
where you went to school?

Absolutely,

which is why I know that
contracts can be altered,

or even terminated.

Through negotiations, yes,

but that's not what you're doing,

you're dictating.

I'm doing what's best for my client.

And I am trying to do
what's best for my town.

And you're doing a fine job.

It's just not going to change anything.

Mr. Weston.

I'd like you to meet with the town,

explain to them why this is happening.

I'm sorry, Mayor.

I'm a lawyer,

I'm not a public relations executive.

Good day.

[DOOR OPENS AND SHUTS]

[ROSEMARY]: How are you
doing in there, Wilma?

[WILMA]: One second.

We're in luck!

It's almost exactly her size.

Look at you!

I could make a few alterations...

Oh, no, no, no, no!

The dress is absolutely stunning on you.

Really?

It's a beautiful dress.

But I don't think it's a good idea.

Well, since I'm the designer,

I think I should have a say
in who gets to wear my dress.

I can honestly say

I wouldn't want anyone to
wear it except for you.

We don't have a lot of money.

To be honest, I make most of
my family's clothes myself.

Well, what if I gave you
my designer discount?

% off.

Are you sure?

I'm sure.

I didn't think I could ever
own something like this.

Is that a yes?

Yes!

I hope Kurt likes it.

Oh, I promise you, Wilma,

he won't even remember his own name

when he sees you in that dress.

[BELL CLANGING]

[ELIZABETH]: Have a great day, everyone!

Be sure to show your parents

your beautiful artwork!

You did a great job.

Anna, may I see your drawing?

Oh... and the one that got torn?

Oh, well, I can see it's very good.

It really was.

I'm really sorry I wrecked
your picture, Anna.

You didn't mean to.

Thank you for saying that, Robert.

Thanks, Miss Thatcher.

♪♪

Being around young people
may be exhilarating,

but it's exhausting, too.

How do you keep this up, day after day?

Julie, we need to talk.

About what?

Well, Anna ran home at lunch

because Robert tore her drawing.

Really? She didn't seem
that upset about it

at the time.

Well, exactly what happened?

From what I could gather,

Robert was reaching to
see Anna's drawing,

and he accidentally ripped it.

But did she seem okay?

I suppose not.

Sometimes, children are
reluctant to speak up

when something's bothering them.

You have to do a little digging
to find out what's wrong.

Just when I think I'm getting
the hang of teaching.

Julie...

mistakes are how we learn.

I apologized to Anna's mother.

Robert apologized to Anna.

We'll move on.

[CODY]: Hey! You take that back.

- Make me.
- Take it back!

No!

[BOTH GRUNTING]

Robert! Cody! Stop that! Stop it.

Now, what is this all about?

He said my mom was a bad mayor.

What I said was my dad thinks

Mr. Coulter should be mayor

because he'll get us the railroad.

My mom will get us the railroad.

- No, she won't!
- Yes, she will!

All right, boys, listen
to me, both of you.

There is to be no fighting.

- But he said...
- It doesn't matter what he said!

No fighting, period.

Do you understand?

Yes, Miss Thatcher.

Yes, ma'am.

Now, you two are friends.

It's all right to disagree,

but you can't let what's happening

with the railroad
affect your friendship.

Why don't you take your seat, Robert?

Yes, ma'am.

Cody...

I know you want to defend your mom,

and that's admirable,

but fighting doesn't solve anything.

It only leads to more
anger and more fighting.

I'm sorry.

Being a mayor is a hard job,

but your mom knows what she's doing.

Okay?

[EXHALES DEEPLY]

♪♪

So, are you and Jesse still on a break?

I just want to be sure I'm
ready to get serious again.

Mm. I understand.

But does Jesse?

He's trying, but it's hard on him.

Hmm. Men aren't emotionally
sophisticated creatures.

Generally, the best you
can get out of them

is a blank nod.

But Lee seems to be
pretty understanding.

Oh, well, emotions are like a muscle...

takes work to make them strong.

Lee doesn't realize it,

but I have him doing emotional push-ups

at least twice a day.

Well, it's working.

[CHUCKLES] Fit as a fiddle.

Oh! Mr. and Mrs. Lawson.

What brings you into the shop today?

Perhaps a new suit for you, Mr. Lawson?

I understand you have an
anniversary coming up.

Mm, thank you, but we're here to return

a dress my wife bought yesterday.

It's unworn, I hope it's not a problem.

Was there something wrong with it?

No, not at all.

She got a little carried away.

People like us, well,

we don't have the money for
fancy clothes like this.

I understand.

It is a shame.

Wilma does look beautiful in this dress.

I'm sure she does.

Very well.

I'll get you your refund.

[KURT]: We appreciate it.

[REGISTER BELL DINGS]

[BILLS CRINKLE]

Well, there you are.

Thank you. We should get home now.

Wilma?

I'm really sorry if I
caused you any trouble.

It's just the way you
looked in that dress...

You didn't do anything wrong.

We just can't afford it.

♪♪

[JULIE]: Remember...

I want to see a person

nice and prominent in your landscapes.

Miss Thatcher?

I'm done.

Oh, those are so beautiful.

♪♪

Thank you so much, girls.

Here you are. A few more for you.

[QUIET GASP]

Julie...

why are you giving Laura an "A"?

I don't see a person in that sketch.

Well, look at how beautiful her work is.

Yes, but we have to assess them based on

how well they follow directions.

Come on! Look at it.

I am... and I don't see a person.

Laura didn't include a person

because she isn't as
confident drawing them.

We have to guide and encourage her

to go beyond her natural abilities.

A letter grade is just one
of the tools of the trade.

You're not doing Laura any favors

by giving her an "A" when
she hasn't earned one.

I'm just not getting this.

That's not true!

The children are
learning a lot from you,

and they really like you. I can tell.

It's just that, sometimes,

we have to do the difficult thing

for their own good.

[JULIE]: This is hard.

Yes...

it can be.

♪♪

[ABIGAIL]: This whole
mess with the railroad

is getting out of hand.

The boys will be fine, Abigail.

It's just a part of growing up.

I know, but I still feel responsible

for them fighting.

You? How are you responsible?

After what happened with Ray Wyatt,

I should have been better prepared

to take on the railroad.

Abigail, you have a contract.

No one can blame you
for relying on that.

I guess not.

Look, you will find a way

to b*at the railroad, I know you will.

You're the best mayor
Hope Valley has ever had.

You have to say that.
You're my best friend.

And you should know by now

that your best friend
would never lie to you.

♪♪

[ROSEMARY]: I just feel
awful about Wilma.

She loved that dress.
And why wouldn't she?

She looked gorgeous in it.

I want her to have that dress!

Sweetheart, this is about
more than just money.

This is about pride.

People like Kurt and Wilma,

they want to make their own way.

They don't... they don't
want to take charity.

Still I wish there was
something I could do.

She said she hasn't had
a new dress in years.

And do you know,

everything she wears, she makes herself?

[GASPS QUIETLY]

Oh-oh.

I know that look.

If Wilma makes clothes
for her entire family,

she must be an excellent seamstress.

[GASPS] She could make
the very same dress!

And how can she do that?

I'm going to give her the pattern.

Well, is Dottie gonna be okay with that?

Doesn't it hurt her business?

Well, yes.... but...

you don't understand.

Sometimes, when you see someone

in a piece that you have designed,

you just know it was meant for them.

So this dress was just meant for Wilma?

Yes!

And if I get her the pattern,

she might just finish in time.

In time for what?

To finish it before her anniversary.

I want her night to be special.

She deserves it.

Well, she deserves it.

[CHUCKLES]

Cody, you should be in
bed by now, young man.

I was just finishing my prayers.

Well, that's a good reason.

Miss Thatcher told me about

what happened in school today.

I'm sorry, Mom.

I'm sorry, too, Cody.

For what?

For putting you and Robert

in the middle of this.

You're just kids.

You're too young to worry about
things like the railroad.

I didn't want to fight with him,

but he was being mean to you.

And I appreciate you wanting
to stick up for me,

but we talked about this.

I want you to use your words
to solve a disagreement,

not your fists.

I know.

You're not mad at me, are you?

Never.

Mom?

I like being on your side.

I love you, Cody.

Get some sleep.

♪♪

Wilma! Wilma! I'm glad I found you.

Could I talk with you for a moment?

Of course.

If this is about the dress,

I am very sorry about what happened.

Don't be silly, no.

I shouldn't have pushed
you into buying it.

It's not your fault.

Your dress was lovely.

But I have to accept

that a nice dress isn't
in the cards for me.

Well, what if I told you

there was a way you
could have that dress

without paying so much money for it?

These are the patterns for that dress.

You're a good seamstress.

This is nothing you can't handle.

All you need is fabric.

This is so kind of you.

Are you sure this is okay?

It'll be on one condition.

What's that?

You finish it in time
for your anniversary.

Then I'd better hurry!

[BOTH LAUGHING]

♪♪

Feel free to stop in again.

♪♪

Rosemary, I just sold
one of your designs

from the traveling collection.

That's wonderful.

You don't sound enthusiastic.

We're partners, aren't we?

Well... yes.

So in the spirit of partnership,

I wanted to tell you

that I may have given away
one of our patterns...

to Wilma Lawson.

For free.

Uh, just now.

You may have,

or you did?

She fell in love

with one of our new evening gowns

and she tried it on.

Of course, she looked
absolutely beautiful in it.

The day after she bought it,
she came back and returned it

because her husband said
they couldn't afford it.

So you gave her the pattern

so she could make the dress herself?

Yes. I know,

I should've talked to
you about it first.

- It was silly of me.
- Rosemary.

But you should've seen
the look on her face!

It's their anniversary.

- Rosemary?
- All she wanted to do...

...was catch her husband's eye.

She needed to have
something new to wear.

If you want to dock it from my pay,

I absolutely understand.

Rosemary!

It's fine.

It is?

In fact, you're brilliant.

I am?

This is a completely new market for us.

Why didn't I think of this sooner?

Designer fashion at bargain prices.

Y-Yes...

We can call it...

"sew your own."

We provide the pattern,

the customer buys the fabric.

Oh, this is a can't-miss, Rosemary. Oh!

Just exactly what I had... planned!

Oh!

Here you go.

Thanks, Miss Thatcher.

I got an "A"!

I only got a "B-minus"?

♪♪

But Hattie got an "A".

I'm afraid you didn't follow directions.

I specifically said

there had to be a person
in your landscape.

But a "B-minus"?

I had to mark you down for that,

but the rest is beautiful.

You have the talent to
draw a person, Laura.

Just try.

It takes practice.

Yes, Miss Thatcher.

♪♪

I feel so mean.

Oh, you're not mean.

You're just being a teacher.

[ELIZABETH]: So, you are
still having a town meeting,

even though the man from the railroad

said he's not going?

Bill promises to get him there.

And if he shows up,

all we can do is state our case.

I have faith.

[CHUCKLES] I wish everyone
was as optimistic as you.

Cody tells me

that the children

have been talking about the meeting.

They've been asking me about it, too.

I think they're all scared

about what it means for the town

and their families.

I've tried to put their minds at ease,

but you know children.

Well, I hate to think

about them sitting at home,

worrying about it.

Maybe I could spend some time

with them tonight, during the meeting.

We could do an activity,

take their minds off things?

No, we couldn't ask you to do that.

And besides, you should
be at the meeting, too.

I want to be with my students.

Okay. Why don't you do it at the cafe?

I'll bake some cookies.

[BOTH CHUCKLING]

♪♪

[ENGINE PURRS]

What's this?

A citation.

Your car's illegally parked.

What?

No, it's a town ordinance.

No parking your car on city streets

more than hours.

This is ridiculous!

You know as well as I do

that this car wasn't running.

In fact, I think you sabotaged it.

Well, there'll be a judge
in town in a few days

to hear this outrageous accusation.

I'll just pay the fine and go.

You bribing me?

No, I said I would pay the fine.

Sounded like a bribe.

What is it you want?

I'd like a little justice
in the world, Mr. Weston.

Seems like we're in short supply.

Do you think that if I go
to this town hall meeting,

that bad things will
stop happening to me?

I've been known to be a betting man.

My wager would be... yes.

♪♪

Good evening, Mr. Lawson!

Evening.

You haven't seen my
wife around, have you?

She left me a note, wanting
me to meet her here.

I just spoke with her.

She wanted me to tell you
she'd be along any minute.

Oh. All right.

I heard you two are celebrating

your anniversary this evening.

How many years?

Ten years.

Oh! Congratulations

I'm sure they've been very happy.

Oh, they have.

Uh, where exactly is Wilma?

We have to be getting on
to Benson Hills soon.

She's just making

a few adjustments in the dress shop.

Adjustments? To what?

Well... take a look for yourself.

[EXHALES]

♪♪

What do you think?

Wilma, we talked about this.

It's not the same dress.

I made this myself,

with Rosemary's help.

Don't you like it?

Oh, honey, it's not about
whether or not I like it.

The way you looked at me just now,

when I walked over here...

I miss that.

You don't need a dress
to be beautiful...

but I gotta say...

this one is really nice.

And you look handsome as ever.

We'd better get going,

if we want to make it to
Benson Hills in time.

You don't have to worry about a thing.

Your ride... approaches.

Our ride?

[ENGINE CHUGGING]

[WILMA GASPS]

It's a special night.

We wanted you to ride in style.

Oh!

♪♪

Come on in.

Okay, here we go.

Don't worry.

He drives for me at the
mill all the time,

and I'm sure he'll be very careful.

Won't you?

- Of course!
- Right.

[LAUGHING]: Happy Anniversary!

Be careful with my car!

[BOTH LAUGHING]

And we are all going to suffer

if you don't build that
depot like you promised.

Thank you, Ned.

I'm relying on it.

I just moved my dress
shop into a larger space.

Look, we're all worried about
our economic interests.

Unfortunately, the railroad's interests

dictate building the depot in Jameson.

[CROWD MURMURING]

[ELIZABETH]: Would anyone
like to hear another story?

[KIDS, GRUMBLING]: No.

How long do you think
the meeting will be,

Miss Thatcher?

I don't know... but what I do know,

is that none of your parents

would want you to worry about anything.

But my dad is worried!

[ALL AGREEING]

My parents don't want
to leave Hope Valley.

- Mine either!
- [ALL AGREEING]

Why isn't the railroad building a depot?

[OVERLAPPING]: Yeah!

Yeah, didn't they make a promise?

They signed a contract, which
is like giving their word.

Then why won't they build it?

Yeah!

I wish we could see

what's going on in that meeting.

Me too.

Wait. Could we, Miss Thatcher?

- Could we?
- Yeah!

You know...

it's time we showed Mr. Weston
just how much this means to us.

Follow me.

- [ALL CHEERING]
- Yeah!

I agreed to attend this meeting,

but it's getting late.

Unless someone has
something new to add...?

[ALL MURMURING]

I do.

As a businessman,

I, uh, cannot fault you
for valuing profits,

but you need know

that this decision

will affect your bottom line.

If the railroad reneges on its promise

to build a depot here in Hope Valley,

the sawmill will no
longer use the railroad

to transport its lumber.

[WESTON, SCOFFING]: Don't be ridiculous.

How will you get your lumber to market?

The old-fashioned way.

Horse and wagon.

Your costs will go through the roof.

Mm-hmm. And the money that
you've already laid out

to build a spur line to my sawmill

that's out the window, too.

But you're right.

I will make less money.

But there are things in this world

that are more important than money.

Like doing the right thing.

[ALL APPLAUDING]

I love you.

Mr. Coulter...

I don't have a choice,

so if you want to run your
sawmill into the ground,

that's... that's your business.

[DOOR OPENING]

Unless there's anything else...

♪♪

I have something I'd like to say.

Now, before you close
the railroad office

and leave us for good,

I thought you should have a look

at the faces of those most
affected by your decision.

[ELIZABETH, FORCEFULLY]:
Look at them... please.

Now, these children are not
numbers on a financial sheet.

They are the future of Hope Valley,

and this is their home.

And the consequences of
your actions will live on

long after you've driven
away, counting your money.

So, if you are determined
to break your promise,

the very least you can do

is look these children in the eyes

and explain to them why.

[CODY]: I'd like to say something, too.

Cody...

Yes, of course, go right ahead.

♪♪

My mom told me

I should solve things with
my words and not my fists,

so that's what I want to do.

My name is Cody Stanton.

It used to be Cody Hastings,

but then my parents d*ed

and my sister and I were orphans.

Miss Abigail adopted us.

She didn't have to, but she did,

and she made a promise to us,

that she would love us, and raise us,

and teach us right from wrong.

And she's done that, every day.

Miss Thatcher is my teacher.

And she's taught me that
my word means everything,

that it's more important
than money or being popular,

so I try not to make any
promises I can't keep.

And, well,

I know the railroad isn't a man,

but you are.

And it seems to me that
if a promise is made,

it should be kept,

so I think the railroad
should keep their promise,

like everyone else is supposed to do.

[APPLAUDING]

♪♪

[ELIZABETH]: All right, everyone,

we have a busy day today,
so let's get started.

Would you all please
open up your readers?

Could I say a few words, Miss Thatcher?

Of course, Miss Thatcher.

[JULIE CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY]

First of all,

I want to thank you

for welcoming me into your classroom.

I have learned so many
things in my time here.

Well, I learned that teaching

is one of the most challenging...

and rewarding

professions there is.

It requires so many different skills.

It's a calling.

And it's not for everyone.

So... [DEEP BREATH]

...with that in mind,

I'm announcing that, after today,

I will no longer be your
apprentice teacher.

- Oh!
- Aw...

Instead...

I will be pursuing my true destiny,

which is to be an artist.

[ALL, STILL DISAPPOINTED]: Oh...

Are you sure this is what you want?

I'm sure.

Well, we'll miss you, won't we, class?

[CHILDREN, RESOUNDINGLY]: Yeah!

Oh! I'll miss you, too.

Why don't you all continue reading

where we left off yesterday, all right?

Julie...

how did you make this decision?

Teaching art in your classroom

made me realize something...

that the thing that I most
want to do with my life

has been under my nose all along.

Well, I'm so happy for you.

But I want you to know something...

I think you could have
been an excellent teacher.

You're the teacher in
the family, Elizabeth.

I need to find out

if I have what it takes
to be the artist.

I'm willing to bet you do.

[DOOR OPENS]

Sorry she's late.

It's no problem.

Laura, why don't you take your seat?

Laura was up late, working
on a drawing of me.

Oh!

She's really quite good.

Yeah, she is.

♪♪

Sorry. Um...

could I just look at that, please?

Oh. Sure.

Thank you.

♪♪

_

[MULTIPLE WAGONS RUMBLING OVER GRAVEL]

Lee! What's going on?

Just got word this morning...

the railroad needs wood to
start building the new depot!

Oh! We did it!

We did it!

[LAUGHING GIDDILY]

♪♪

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION]

Just hang on a second.

Mr. Weston, you changed your mind?

Actually, your whole
town changed it for me.

We're a strong community.

That you are.

And you should be very
proud of your son.

I am.

You know, he and I have
something in common.

I was an orphan, too.

And when he talked about how
you kept your word to him,

to adopt him, to...

raise him right,

it really got me thinking
about my own life.

I wasn't as lucky as him.

Well, you seem to have done
pretty well for yourself.

Our childhood never leaves us.

That's why it's nice

to have a loving hand to
help show you the way.

I wired National Pacific

and I got them to agree
to honor the contract.

We're going to build a depot here

and in Jameson.

Thank you.

I'm sure your investment will pay off.

You're a great Mayor, Mrs. Stanton...

and an even better parent.

♪♪

Elizabeth! What's wrong?

The battle's coming to a head

in the Northern Territories.

There's a fierce fight going on,

and the Mounties have had
a lot of casualties.

Oh, Elizabeth.

[SOBBING SOFTLY]

It's going to be okay.

I hope so.