The Green Promise (1949) Movie Script
Oh boy,
sure like this
country around here,
all the trees.
They smell good.
Everything looks like
it's just been scrubbed.
Probably as muddy as any
place else when it rains.
Mr. Matthews,
how did you happen to
decide to come to Millwood?
Well sir, I don't suppose
you ever had to watch
a good farm blow away
right out from under your feet?
No.
Well it ain't pleasant,
watching all your work
go for nothing.
The children's mama was sort
of in love with the place
and she wouldn't give up.
But after we collected the
money from the insurance,
she persisted we carry,
why we just up and sold out.
Must've been hard to leave
old friends and neighbors.
Oh, those folks weren't as...
Papa.
- Man might expect.
Say you know that ad you
had in the farm journal,
sounded to me just like
something I've always wanted.
Except that it'll take
nearly all the money we have
to fix...
- Debbie.
We're here to see if it's
all you cracked it up to be.
It's just the carburetor.
The float's sticking.
Carburetor.
The float's stuck.
Well anyway, it isn't a tire.
Hi, Mr. Larkins.
Need some help?
I'll add a motor stop.
Mr. Matthews, this is David Barkley,
our County agricultural agent.
I'm happy to know you, Mr. Matthews.
What seems to be the trouble?
Oh, the motor cut out all of a sudden.
It's the carburetor.
Cut out all of a sudden, huh?
Doesn't sound much like
the carburetor, sir.
You mind if I take a look at it?
No.
Around these parts,
when the human being isn't feeling well,
we call Doc Pomeroy.
But for anything else,
like farms, crops, animals,
and machines or whatever,
we hunt for David.
You know, I don't believe
there's anything he can fix.
If he believes that
ain't that carburetor,
he can't fix that truck,
'cause I can tell just by the wheeze of it
just what's wrong.
Well, Davey, what'd you find wrong?
Nothing.
Oh, oh you mean with the motor?
Yeah.
Yeah well, a distributor
wire jumped loose.
I figured it was that or the carburetor.
Well, I check it again
if you're planning to go very far.
Oh, not too far, I hope.
I'm showing Mr. Matthews the Brady place.
And if it suits him,
we'll have some new neighbors.
Say, that's fine.
It's a good farm, Mr. Matthews.
Yeah, That's what Mr. Larkins tells me.
I know better when I see it myself.
Well, Davey, thanks for your help.
Yeah, thanks.
I'd like to come by and see you
after you get settled
and have a talk with you.
Sure, sure, Barkley, anytime,
that is providing we buy.
Well, we'll try to make you feel welcome
if you do, sir.
I'll catch that hood for you.
Thanks.
Thank you.
So long, beautiful.
Watch out.
Don't you kids go nosing around.
Well, there it is.
Of course it hasn't been
lived in for six months.
A little fixing will put
it in apple pie shape.
Yes.
- uh huh
Let's take a look at the land.
Well, it's right over there.
Come on, come on,
I'll give you a ride.
What'd I tell you about nosing around.
Well, there's your big field.
80 acres.
Runs over around behind that barn.
There's 10 acres of fine
timber on top of that hill,
and over in back is Catfish creek.
I caught some big wins
there when I was a boy.
What else you got to show me?
Well, there's some nice grazing land
I'd like to have you see.
Then after that we can take
a look at the buildings
and the inside of the house.
Fine.
Oh, well, whatever furniture
you see goes with the place,
all it needs to make it
a home is people.
I feel sorry for houses
without people in them.
Hey, those kinds of
thoughts belong to a poet.
Oh, but Abigail's our poet.
Do you know she
can put words together
that rhyme the first time.
Can't ya, honey?
It just comes natural to me.
That's quite a gift.
Papa, can Mr. Larkins
show me the kitchen?
I guess so.
Why, surely, right this way.
There's a range that goes with it.
Good, now you get
your stove, Debbie.
It needs a bit of polish,
of course.
Yes.
Well, why do you think?
Oh so much work...
- I think it
just about fills the bill.
But you know,
I'm a great believer in
the democratic process.
A family, Mr. Larkins,
is just like a nation.
Everybody in it should
have his or her say.
Now I wouldn't think of
imposing my will
on important decisions
that affect all of us.
What we do is hold a
meeting and vote on things,
and whatever the majority rules,
that's what we do.
I'll show you what I mean.
All right, the meeting will come to order.
Now we've seen
the farm and the house
and I've told you the terms.
Now I'd like to hear a
motion that we buy the place.
I make a motion that we buy.
Do I hear a second?
I second the motion.
No discussion.
All those in favor, hold
up their right hand.
Good, passed by unanimous decision.
You'll get the papers Mr. Larkins.
Huh?
The papers.
Oh yes
Now while Mr. Larkin and I
are going over the details,
you kids can start unloading that truck.
It's Helen.
Benedicta The Blessed!
It's Helen!
It's Benedicta!
It's Benedicta!
Let me up.
Benedicta.
Susan! Abigail!
Stop that fighting, do you hear.
Now what's started this one?
She wants named Helen.
Get what named Helen?
Benedicta, the blessed!
It's gonna be Helen!
Susan!
Papa, you did buy her,
you did bring Helen.
Helen?
Her name's Benedicta.
Bene what?
Benedicta the Blessed.
What are you kids talking about?
Benedicta, our new cow.
But Papa, you as good as
promised I could name her
and I've chosen Helen.
It's a beautiful name.
It stinks.
It does not.
It stinks.
- Cut that out, you kids.
Neither one of them names will do
because what I bought ain't a cow.
You can name that if you want to.
Take him to the pin, Phin.
Be careful son,
he's kinda mean.
Debbie, can't you keep these kids
out from under foot?
I thought you're buying a cow.
You'll get you a cow,
Debbie, a pair of them.
Mr. Claiborne here's letting
me have two at a bargain.
Oh, and about that
tractor, Mr. Matthews,
I'll let that go at a good price too,
terms if you like.
Tractor?
But we can't afford a tractor.
We spent so much money already.
And Mr. Clairborne, I'll
talk to you about that later.
I like to think it over.
Accommodate yourself,
Mr. Matthews.
Only a buy like that don't
wait long for takers.
Yeah, I know that, Mr. Clairborne.
Imagine the young ones we
started school right away.
No, I thought I'd keep
modern until next term.
We're gonna need all the
help we can get, you know.
Suspect you will at that,
seeing the season's far advanced.
A tractor would be mighty handy.
Sure would.
Well, so long.
So long, Mr. Clairborne.
Now Debbie,
about that tractor.
Papa.
Susan, Abigail and Phineas
are not staying outta school.
You need help,
and we can't afford to...
I'll manage.
We promised mama they'd
get their education.
Phineas can help you
before and after school,
and girls and I'll divide the chores.
We'll hold a meeting and decide.
No, they're going to school.
Go away, you old bull.
Go away.
Go away.
Go back.
Stay away, do you hear.
I'm wanna get by and go home.
What you doing?
Playing tag with Caesar?
He likes to play games.
Well you can just chase him
about his business, Mr. Smarty.
I promised I'd hurry home,
and I'm late already
on account of Ms. Milligan keeping me.
So chase him away, right now.
Well, if you're going
to act so bossy about it,
I'll leave you right where you are.
Take care of her, Caesar.
Oh, I was just teasing.
He wouldn't hurt a fly.
Look,
he's a purebred Angus,
imported all the way from Scotland.
Come on, scratch him.
He likes it.
What's the matter?
You scared?
Did He really come all
the way from Scotland?
Sure he did.
It cost me more than $1.000.
- $1.000.
And he's yours?
Sure, he's mine.
All the cattle in this pasture are.
And I raised him.
Do you mean they really
belong to your father
and he lets you pretend their yours.
Let me no such thing.
They are mine.
Dad gave me two Angus calves for a start,
I paid him back a long time ago.
Say, you're one of the new kids
that just moved around here, aren't you?
Yes.
What's your name?
Susan Matthews.
What's yours?
Peter Wexford.
But everybody calls me, Buzz.
Why?
I don't know unless it's because...
Because he's got bees in his bonnet.
What are you doing here, Jessie?
Spying.
Brothers are mostly
dopey, but interesting.
Say, I saw you at school today.
Susan, this is my sister, Jessie.
Jessie thinks I couldn't
find my way home without her.
You couldn't, you're dopey.
And you're an undersized snoop.
Well I can't stand here wasting
my time talking to girls.
I gotta get the cattle
headed home for their supper.
I'm grain feeding them to put weight on.
I gotta get home too.
Come on, I'll open the gate for you.
And all these cows and Caesar,
are they really yours?
I told you they were, didn't I?
Well, bye Buzz,
bye Jessie.
Bye Suzie
Goodbye, Susan.
See you at school tomorrow.
David Barkley's very handsome
David Barkley's tall and slim
David Barkley's very handsome
Bet the girls all fall for him
What kind of a song is
my little girl singing?
Something she just made up?
What Papa?
That song you were just singing,
about somebody named David Barkley.
Why, I hardly knew that
anyone would hear it.
Surely you remember David Barkley, Papa.
He's the County agent.
You know the man that knew more
about your truck than you did,
the one stared so at Deborah?
What about him?
Why nothing, Papa.
At least nothing that
means anything, I'm sure.
Well if it doesn't mean anything
that all the girls fall for Mr. Barkley,
why don't you tell us what you know?
I'm sure we'd all like to hear.
I don't know how Abigail would know it,
but I think what she wants
to tell you is that I met
and talked to Mr. Barkley
in Millwood today.
Henry Larkins told me when
he delivered the groceries.
It'd be much nicer, Abigail,
if when you wish to tell
things on the rest of us,
if you'd be more straightforward about it.
Oh, I don't even think
what's going to become of us
if these suspicions in
bickerings and keep up.
Maybe you'd like to tell us
what you found
so interesting to talk about
with the so attractive, Mr. Barkley.
It was just about the farm.
After all he is the
County agricultural agent.
And I asked him what crops
he thought we oughta raise.
And I imagine he was very
happy to offer his advice.
He did suggest that we plant potatoes.
Oh, didn't care for soybeans, huh?
Oh, you said the summers
here aren't hot enough.
I don't suppose Mr.
Buckley got his knowledge
from working a farm.
He studied in college.
Well, after all 40
years of actual farming
is apt to give a man more know how
then he can get from reading about it.
But he is in touch with all
the farmers in the county.
And the state university supplies him
with the latest information and ideas.
I've got all the ideas we need.
Now I've got something
important to take up.
Phinney.
Yes, Papa.
Sit down here, we're
going to have a meeting.
Yes, Papa.
Meeting will come to order.
Now before I get to what I have in mind,
is there anybody got
anything they want taken up?
Alright, Susan's got the floor.
Speak up.
Papa, I,
I'd like to borrow enough
money to buy two lambs,
like these.
I wanna raise them for my very own.
When they're grown,
I can sell the wool, and pay you back.
And after a while,
I'll have a lot of them, like Buzz.
Buzz?
Buzz Wexford.
His Papa gave him two calves,
and now he's got a whole herd,
and a prize bull named Caesar
worth more than $1.000.
And they're all his very own.
Only I wanna raise lambs.
Please, Papa, may I?
I met Buzz.
He's a swell guy.
One fella told me that Buzz
made over $800 last year
just in his cattle.
His, I think that's a good idea, Susan.
There's something in this
far more serious
than the borrowing of money
to buy two expensive lambs.
And I'm surprised that you, Deborah,
and you too Phineas,
that you didn't notice
it before you spoke up.
Well, Susan, we put your idea to a vote,
but I've got to go against it
because I think it's purely selfish.
I don't suppose you understand that.
Or if you did,
you wouldn't want to
go on possessing things
all by yourself and
shutting the rest of us out.
Or is it that you don't want to share
because you don't love
us like we love you?`
Well, you heard Susan's plan,
and the discussions about it.
Now we put it to a vote.
All those against?
Shouldn't those in favor vote first?
What difference does it make?
Those against?
Good, I guess that settles that.
Now, if there's no other business,
I've got a plan I'd like to propose.
One that'll be good for all of us.
You know, we need that
tractor of Mr. Clairborne's
in the worst way.
Of course he'd be
willing to rent it to me.
But you know, we believe
in owning things outright.
Wouldn't it be better to rent it?
I believe I can make
it the way we can buy it.
How Papa?
We cut that timber
at the top of the hill
and sell it for lumber.
I've already spoken to Mr. Gail
about it at the lumber mill,
and he's willing to pay
us a good price for it.
Then we make a down
payment in the meantime.
All right.
Out with it baby.
What's wrong?
He isn't fair.
Papa isn't fair.
He got his tractor,
but I didn't want those lambs for my own
because I don't love all of you.
I wanted them because,
because I.
I think I can help you say why.
It's because
you want to be an individual.
And to prove that you are one,
you got to do something all by yourself,
to own something that's wholly yours.
Is that wrong?
I don't think so.
But how will I ever be able
to do anything like that?
Abigail always votes the way Papa does.
And if Papa even looks at Phinney,
Phinney gets too scared
to vote against him.
It's sort of like
fighting the pillow, honey.
You can't win.
You dent it in one place,
and it just fills out in another.
All you do is exhaust yourself.
I found that out.
But, who knows
what can happen tomorrow?
I got work to do.
Wanna ride with me?
That's better.
Hello?
Hello, Mr. Barkley.
Hello.
Hi, Susan.
Hi.
I hate to do this.
Ms. Matthews,
with the power vested in me
by the United States government,
I must ask you to keep an
eye on this young woman.
Why, Mr. Barkley, what do you mean?
I mean that a certain young farmer
named Buzz Wexford found your sister
trespassing in his pasture
and frightening his prize bull, Caesar.
No.
So that since that day,
neither he nor Caesar
have been quite the same.
That's a big fib.
Susan
Here's something
I want you to look over.
What have you decided about
your crops, Ms. Matthews?
I told Papa,
my father what you said,
and he figured he'd rather work a crop
which is more familiar.
Oh.
Well, I can understand how he feels.
I see you've started your plowing.
Yeah.
I just hope I can keep
the furrows straight.
Would you mind a suggestion?
No.
The furrows would be more
effective in holding water
and preventing erosion
if they were running across the field.
The one bad place on
your farm is that hill.
There's a soil condition up there
that should be protected
by some drainage ditches.
What kind of soil condition?
An old fault runs across the top,
the water seeping into
it might tend to loosen
the front of the hill.
You that the whole face of that cliff
could fall onto our farm?
Well.
Mr. Larkins never told us about that.
I doubt if he knows it.
It's an old fault.
There's no active danger with the trees
and their roots to hold soil.
But Papa's cutting down the trees.
Mr. Barkley, would you mind
telling my father about this?
By all means, I certainly
think he should know about it.
He's up on the hill now.
Papa.
Look out!
Get back!
You remember Mr. Barkley?
Oh yeah.
What's on your mind, Barkley?
It's about these trees, Mr. Matthews.
I'd suggest you leave them standing, sir.
I expect you county agents
gotta make some sort of
suggests to hold your jobs.
Well, if you don't mind,
I'd like to show you something, sir.
It's right over here.
Look at this. Mr. Matthews,
that ground has slipped down and away
from the earth we're standing on.
Yeah, but that looks to me
like it happened an awful long time ago.
It did.
But there's no telling how
deep this fracture goes.
Look,
here is the face of your hill.
This fault runs across here
as a natural drainage into
a dry ravine down below
that points directly at your farm.
Without these trees,
the whole top of this
hill could erode away.
But by keeping the trees in,
putting in some drainage
ditches along here
to protect the fault
could save your money.
It might even save your farm.
Well.
Thanks again for your interest Barkley,
but I ain't going to let
a crack in the ground
stop you from making
several thousand dollars.
And now as a man who's got work to do,
you'll excuse me.
Well, thanks for listening, sir.
That's all right.
It won't be long now
before I'll be able to show you
what a real farm looks like.
I'd like to stop by and see you...
Anytime by...
Debbie, if Mr. Barkley don't mind,
I'd like to speak to you.
Private.
Thank you.
Mr. Barkley, Mr. Barkley.
Can I,
may I walk to your car with you?
Well don't you think it
might cause people to talk?
There aren't any people.
Oh.
Well, in that case come along.
Has Deborah a steady boyfriend?
Deborah?
What's so surprising about that?
She's a very pretty girl.
Deborah?
Well, yes, don't you think so?
No.
You can take my word for it,
she is.
She is?
Uh huh.
She ever go out with any of the fellas
back where you came from?
Only Charlie Gidget.
Charlie Gidget?
What'd he look like?
Oh, he was tall
and kinda skinny.
And his teeth stood out like this.
He didn't have much hair.
Sounds kind of unattractive.
Did Deborah like him?
I don't know.
She laughed at everything he said.
How many times she go out with him?
Just once.
Well, Susan,
thanks for accompanying me.
You can follow this creek bed
right down to your house.
But I wanted to ask you something.
You did, what?
About this, the 4H Club.
Oh yes, the 4H Club.
Susan, the theme of the 4H Club
is show, not say
You got time to take
a little ride with me?
Sure.
You may be the key to open the door
and let the sunshine in.
Huh?
We can get to my car right up here.
Come on, sweetie.
That's a funny name for a club.
4H.
Each one of the letters
stands for something.
The first H stands for head,
second for heart,
the third hands,
and the fourth health.
And the four leaf
clover is for good luck.
I think 4H club members
make their own luck.
Can people do that?
Sure if they use their
head, hearts and hands.
You see Susan, the 4H club
was started for kids just like you
to help them learn better methods
of farming and homemaking.
So when they grow up and have
farms and homes and their own
they'd know how to run them successfully.
As county agent,
it's part of my job to
help the club members
with their projects.
Huh?
Each member has a project,
a piece of work that he plans
carries through all by himself.
Oh.
It can be almost anything.
Oh raising rabbits,
a garden,
a calf, chickens, fruit trees.
Baby lambs?
Sure.
Or sewing, cooking, canning.
There are all kinds of projects.
Is Buzz Wexford a 4H member?
Buzz?
Oh, he's the star of the Millwood club.
He's already made enough
money from his Angus herd
to put himself through college.
They look fine, Dell.
Thanks a lot.
Say these are new hutches.
Yeah, I built them myself
from those plans you got for me.
It's a nice job.
Tell me how are your books?
I can tell you Mr. Barkley.
He hasn't kept them up.
Got to keep after that, Dell.
Keeping books is as important
as any other part of a project.
I'll do them tonight, for sure.
Good.
What do we have here?
Canned pears.
They're for you to sample.
Oh, well, thank you.
How's your canning project working out?
Mr. Larkins took 50 mix
quarts on consignment.
And the Franklin store in Barton
has over 30 pints of my piccalilli.
You'd better say some of
those for pop or he'll be sore.
Oh, those are beautiful.
You know something, Herb,
I think she's going to
win you some ribbons.
That is, if you take good care of her.
Gee, Mr. Barkley,
I treat her just like a mother.
Did you get the lime
I suggested, Roberta?
Yes, and I used the
proportion you gave me.
Does my garden look good
enough to win an award?
Well...
Later, I mean.
It probably will if you
work like the dickens.
Well, I don't mind doing that.
You see this is mine.
It's something I've done all by myself.
The things you create for yourself
always give it the most satisfaction.
And you've got the
makings of a fine garden.
Mom and dad is so glad you talked me
into joining 4H, Mr. Barkley.
I wasn't very happy before.
Well 4H is happy you joined.
Susan, there's one more place
I thought we might stop.
Benny Tilton's project is raising sheep.
He's got a couple of fine
lambs I promise to look at.
No!
No, I don't want to see them.
I want to go home.
Please.
Okay, sis.
Home it is.
Ms. Matthews, I'd like...
If it's about the furrows,
Mr. Barkley, my father...
It's not about the furrows.
They're having a dance
in town Saturday night,
and I wondered if you'd
like to go with me?
I'm afraid that'd be impossible.
Why impossible?
I don't like to toot my own horn,
but most folks around here
think of me as a pretty solid citizen.
The remark wasn't meant to be personal.
My invitation was.
It's just that social
activities don't interest me.
Wait a minute.
I'm not speaking now as county agent.
This will be a purely
personal observation.
You're a coward.
You're a father, who's
probably ruined several farms
and is setting out to ruin this one,
seems bent on running his family as well.
Don't interrupt me.
I just brought Susan back from
showing her some of the work
being done with the 4H clubs.
She pretended she didn't like the idea
for the same reason that
you just turned down
my dance invitation
because you're both afraid of your father.
Some excuse for Susan,
she's just a little girl.
But there's no excuse for your quitting
without putting up a fight
except cowardice.
Mr. Barkley,
If you don't get off
this property right away,
I'll run you off with this tractor.
You haven't got the
gumption. Ms. Matthews
Hiya beautiful.
Hi.
Stick around after church,
I got something I wanna tell you.
I can't talk now,
I have to pump up the
bellows on the organ.
Don't forget.
Well, well, the Matthews.
Good morning, Mr. Larkins.
Ms. Matthews, Mr. Matthews.
How are you?
We thought we'd try out to see
what kind of a preacher you got.
Welcome to our church.
It's a nice church, Mr. Larkins.
- yes
Looks friendly.
- We mean it to be.
Our Reverend Benton is less
given to preaching at us
than talking to us.
We like it that way.
I'll show you to a seat.
Hiya Susie.
- Hi, Jessie.
Shh.
Hello, David.
Good morning.
God of our fathers
Who's almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty
All the starry band
My sermon today is inspired
by the story of Moses
and the promise that God made to him.
The story may be found
in the Old Testament,
book of Exodus.
The promise was that if
Moses and the Israelites,
who were suffering cruelties and slavery
at the hands of the Egyptians,
would but have faith.
God would show Moses how to
lead them out of their bondage
into a land of milk and honey.
It was the promise of a new life,
a beautiful green promise.
But before it could be fulfilled,
there was a sea
and a wilderness to be crossed.
Thirst and hunger to be overcome.
The fulfillment you see
had to be earned.
Now I find a parallel between
those ancient Israelites
and ourselves, all of us.
We too are in bondage,
lashed with the bullock
hide whips of ignorance,
shackled by the iron
chains of the unknown,
but the same promise.
The beautiful green promise
has been made to us.
Only the sea of doubt, the,
the barren desert of illiteracy,
the hunger of bigotry,
and the third step incompetence
stands between us and freedom,
between us and the land of promise.
We've been given, not just
one Moses to guide us,
but many, our men of science,
our doctors, chemists,
mineralogists, agronomists,
all those patience seekers
after fact and truth.
The delvers into the mysteries of matter,
the searchers of the mine
for a better understanding
of human behavior.
These men are our Moses.
Turning our feet away from
the false and easy trails
of superstition and guiding us
along the steep and
toilsome path of knowledge,
the one true,
and the one and only road
to the land of promise,
where we may claim our heritage.
To my mind, the really sinful man or woman
is the one who through
bigotry and ignorant pride,
refuses to learn,
and calling his ignorance virtue,
tries by self-made rule and by scorn
to keep all others from learning.
These are the real sinners.
And here is the vilest evil,
to feed their ego,
to disguise their inadequacies,
is to hide their quaking fears,
they sneer at the new,
revile the experimenter,
and deride the pioneer,
and then hypocritically
defend their actions
behind the fog bound
fortress of intolerance.
Mr. Matthews.
Enjoyed your sermon, Reverend.
It's a fine talk.
Made sense.
Thank you, Mr. Matthews.
I'm glad you could accept my invitation
to attend our service.
I'll see you all again
next Sunday, I hope.
Oh, we'll be here.
We're a church going family.
Papa, we must hurry.
Come along, Abigail.
Young man.
Excuse me.
Shirley.
Hey Susie,
Susie Matthews.
Hey wait.
Told you I wanted to see after church.
I forgot.
It's the way it is with me.
I just don't make any impression on girls.
What I wanted to tell you is that my mom,
she and Reverend Benton,
are the leaders of our 4H club
would like to invite you
and your sister and brother
to our club's masquerade party.
Of course the party is
about five weeks away,
but I thought I better speak early
before you met some better looking guy.
Is it a date?
I know he's kinda homely,
but please say yes
or he'll have to some awful looking girl.
Besides, mother said I could
serve some of my drop biscuits.
Oh no, not those.
I dropped one once and
like to broke my foot.
He likes to exaggerate.
You let go one my biscuits,
it'll just float in the air.
How about it, Susie, will your come?
They'd be very happy to
come to your party, Buzz.
And thank your mother for the invitation.
There'll be a swell gang there,
and I'll make it a personal project
that she have a good time, Cutie.
You oughta wear those
things butterfingers.
Susan, aren't you finished
with Phinney's room yet?
You got to help me straighten up Papa's.
Hey, what you doing
with my fishing tackle?
Well, I,
I thought maybe you'd
take me down to the creek.
Will you, Phinney?
Oh gee, I,
oh, I dares not Suzy,
I ain't got the wood cut for
Deborah to cook supper with.
Papa'd skin me alive.
Oh, please, Phinney?
We'll only stay a little while.
And I'll help carry in the wood.
Well.
Maybe there'll be some early ones
hungry enough to bite.
But we gotta start home in time
for me to get the wood in.
Boy, this looks good, Susie.
We oughta get some big ones here.
Come on.
I can get up by myself.
Oh, this is swell.
Hand me the worms.
Here you are, Susie.
I'll do it for you.
No, it isn't fair to let others
do an unpleasant thing
you can do for yourself
just because it's unpleasant.
Hiya, Phinney.
Hiya, Susie.
Hiya, Buzz.
You know you're trespassing on my pool.
You're trespassing on our property.
Well gee wiz.
You got a fishing license?
No.
Well, if you won't
say anything, I won't.
You're fishing in the wrong spot.
Right over there under that bank
is the grand pappy of all catfish.
There is?
Come on, I'll show him to you.
I like it where I am.
She got the colic or something?
Come on, show me the catfish.
What is it, Buzz?
It's Jessie.
Pretend you don't notice
or you'll embarrass her.
She's spying again.
See that shadow?
There he is!
Gee wiz.
Let's try and catch him.
Oh, he's too smart.
All he does is just bump the bait.
Jessie.
He's almost as smart as
Buzz thinks old Caesar is.
Caesar is smart.
Caesar's smarter than you, anyway.
You didn't know I was trailing you.
Sure didn't.
I thought it was an old, stray cow.
Did you?
Homer says you're gonna enter Caesar
in the state fair this fall?
Are you, Buzz?
He is if he wins the
county achievement day.
Achievement day?
What's that?
That's where all the
clubs in the county compete.
Whose ever project wins gets
the show at the state fair.
Caesar wins that,
I get to take him to the
national show in Chicago.
Boy, wouldn't that be something?
Yeah,
of course it ain't all up to Caesar.
I got to learn how to show him.
Gotta be able to produce all the records,
how much it costs to raise him.
What he ate and all that.
Those judges want to know everything.
I sure hope you make it Buzz.
I wish Papa would let...
Phinney, time for us to start home.
Anyhow, no one could get fish
with all the jabbering that's going on.
Now you did it.
Did what?
Only a woman would understand.
Oh.
Oh, shut up.
Yes, it's full.
And I had to fill it.
You're just wait, Phineas Matthews,
until Papa hears about this.
He'll probably give you a good whipping.
But Abby, it wasn't Phinney's fault.
I made him go.
Explain that to Papa.
You're gonna get it.
Listen, Abby,
if you won't tell Papa,
I'll give you a new Indian
bracelet I just made.
Let me see it first.
It's upstairs.
Come on.
The bracelet will be
mine for keeps, you know.
You give me that, you nasty little snoop.
If you read that, I'll...
You give me that, or you'll be sorry.
I won't be the one who's sorry
after Papa sees this, Ms. Form Divine.
You give me that.
Give it back.
What's all this screeching about?
We were just playing.
Weren't we, Abby?
Why yes, Papa.
We were just playing.
Well, I guess two healthy girls
gotta make a little noise,
but hold it down, huh.
I'll go with you, Papa.
There's something I wanna show you.
- What?
What a fine pile of wood
Phinney cut for Deborah.
Excuse me.
Did you do your homework, Phineas?
No.
Hey, I wonder whose car that is?
It isn't Mr. Barkley's.
Of course not, Papa would
run him off the place.
Phys sic can.
What does that mean?
Physician, it means doctor.
Someone's sick.
It's Deborah's.
A tree fell on him.
Oh, Papa.
Abby, Abby, be careful.
He has two bad leg fractures
and a nasty cut on his head.
I'm afraid he'll be laid up for some time.
When I get the splints on,
he'll rest easier,
but he's going to need a lot of care.
He'll get the best of
care, Doctor Pomeroy.
Good.
Oh, would you send one of the youngsters
down to my car and get my grip, please?
Phinney.
How's Papa?
He's resting better
since Dr. Pomeroy gave him those pills.
Oh, what are we going to do?
I don't see...
We're gonna behave ourselves
for one thing.
But with Papa hurt and not able to work,
we'll lose the farm
and this house.
We'll all be put in institutions.
Oh, Abigail, will you
please stop that sniffling?
I got no intention of
letting us lose this farm.
Go to plant and harvest crops,
if it kills me,
and your kids as well.
I don't see how you
expect us to do everything.
Plowing and planting,
and feeding the stock,
and cutting down trees.
We're not going to cut down the trees.
But Papa wants us to.
I'm afraid some of Papa's
plans will have to be changed.
You mean that almost the very minute
that poor Papa is stricken helpless,
maybe lying on his deathbed,
that you're planning to
change everything he planned
and ruin us?
Abigail, now listen to me.
No, no, I'm going to tell,
I'm going to tell Papa everything.
I'm glad I never took the notion
to write for Dr. Lambauch's secret lotion.
I'd hate to have any friends of mine
asking about my form divine.
What on earth has come over you Susan?
Nothing, nothing at all.
Except I'm pretty sure
Abigail didn't mean it
when she said she'd tell Papa everything.
Did you, Abby?
No, of course not.
I was just making a joke.
I wouldn't think of telling Papa anything
you didn't want him to know, Deborah.
Honest.
Get me some hot water, Phineas.
Of course, the children are in school,
but they do help with the chores.
So as far as my father and the house go,
I think we can manage.
But it's the farm that bothers us.
And I just thought that perhaps
you could give us some advice
on what we could best do.
Well, if you could
stay for a few minutes,
a friend of mine is coming by
who knows much more about
farming than I do, I'm sure.
And I think he'd be glad to help you,
but maybe you'll know him, David Barkley.
Oh, yes.
I'm terribly sorry.
I just remembered I have
to go to Millwood before,
before Mr. Larkins closes the store.
Closes?
Why, you have all afternoon.
Mr. Larkins never closes
until six in the evening.
Help!
Help!
The truck's brakes must've slipped.
I can't let go long enough to set 'em.
Mr. Barkley, I can't...
I owe you my life.
I couldn't of held out much longer.
I can't tell you how sorry I am.
I was sure I set the brakes.
Forget it, Ms. Matthews.
But Mr. Barkley,
why didn't this rock hold back the truck?
What?
A thing like that could ruin a tire.
Hello, Susan.
Oh, Reverend,
my sister in law and her mother
wanted me to say goodbye to you.
Tell you how much they enjoyed
your sermon last Sunday.
Oh, thank you.
Have they gone home?
Left yesterday.
Brother Ed wired,
said she didn't want
him to starve to death,
she better get herself home.
Think it could be jealousy?
Oh, quite possibly.
Your sister-in-law's a
very attractive young lady.
Oh, we Barkleys
have an eye for pretty women.
Well, there's certainly
nothing wrong in that.
Oh, David,
Ms. Matthews came by to ask my advice
on how best to manage the farm
now that her father is laid up,
and I told her,
I thought you were the
one really most qualified
to help her.
And it just occurred to me,
I think it would be a good idea
if you'd go out to the farm right now
and then you could talk
things over right on the spot.
An excellent idea, Reverend.
Excellent.
Would you lead the way Ms. Matthews?
Hey, you forgot me!
Deborah, you forgot me.
Deborah!
Thanks Jim.
Thanks a lot.
Deborah?
Yes?
Debbie, could I,
could I join the 4H
club and have a project
raising
lambs?
Oh, I know I was outvoted,
but it wasn't really fair.
Oh, please say yes, Debbie, please?
Please?
Well, we might just as well
get hung for a lamb as a sheep.
Only if your lambs cost too much,
you'll have to choose some
less expensive project.
Oh, I don't know how
much purebreds cost,
but the minute we stop,
I'll ask Mr. Barkley.
He'll know.
He's so pretty.
Thank you.
There's something I'd like to tell you.
Yes?
Maybe we'd better talk
about the farm first.
I guess I should've let Reverend Benton
talk you into trying to help me.
Oh, but he didn't.
What I mean is,
standing here, I
realize how crazy it was
my going to him in the first place,
thinking I could handle
things all by myself.
It would be in a fight.
I'm not the coward
you think Mr. Barkley.
It's just that...
Fighting when you haven't
got a chance to win is,
well it's foolish.
History has been made
with that kind of fool.
I'm willing to work.
But I don't see how I could ever manage.
All this land, children...
Oh, it'd be tough, all right.
If you had the courage to try,
I could help.
There are methods and shortcuts
I could show you that'd cut the job
down to a manageable size.
That is if you're not afraid to tackle it.
I'm not afraid.
It's just,
how could I start?
Can you take orders?
I think so.
Good.
The first one is that you call me David.
Mr. Barkley.
If you can't follow a
simple order like that,
there's no sense going on.
Frankly, David, I'm scared.
The best way to overcome
that is to get busy.
Come on, Deborah.
Gee wiz, Abigail.
You think they'd run out
of words after a while.
Abigail?
Thank you, Abigail.
What have you been telling Papa?
I hadn't said a word to him.
Cross your heart, hope to die.
There, does that satisfy you?
Deborah.
Deborah, come up here.
Deborah, you hear me.
Yes?
Yes, Papa?
What was it you wanted?
Now you listen to me, Deborah!
Don't you think for one minute
that I don't know what's
going on behind my back,
because I do!
But if Abigail hadn't come
up and raised that window
to give me some fresh air,
I would never have known
about this treason.
I heard every word you and
ant book taught farmer said.
The two of you probably
prayed that I be struck down
so you could try out their crazy schemes.
You're a jezebel, that's
what you are, a jezebel!
Well you don't care if his insane ideas
ruin us and drive you
helpless sisters and brother
out into the world of homeless...
Papa, be quiet.
You slept through the sermon
when Reverend Benton was
describing the sinner
who didn't want to learn,
and who tried to keep
everyone else from learning.
He might just as well
have been describing you.
David called me a coward
for not standing up to you.
And I got angry.
Now, I realized he was telling the truth.
I've made up my mind
not to be afraid any longer.
Since you can't run this farm, I must.
And I intend to run it David's way.
Now, if you need anything, you call me.
Good morning, how are you?
Where's Susan?
I don't know.
And furthermore, I don't care.
Hello.
What are you doing in here?
Buzz, I've got something
wonderful to tell you.
Shh.
You'll have to wait till this finishes.
Mrs. Murdoch sure uses a lot of air.
She likes to hear that old organ roar.
What is it you want to tell me about?
Well Buzz, I,
I can join the 4H.
Swell.
You'll like it.
What are you gonna
choose for your project?
Cooking?
No, sheep.
Sheep.
Deborah said I can buy
two purebred lambs to raise.
That is if they don't cost too much.
Do they, Buzz?
Well, they're kind of expensive, Susie.
How, how expensive?
Well real good lambs cost
about 30 or $40 a piece.
That too much?
Hey, listen, maybe you
could borrow the money
from Mr. Grinstedt.
Who is he?
He owns the bank down at Millwood.
Sometimes if he thinks it's a good risk,
he lends money to 4H club members
so they can start new projects.
Buzz, do you think he'd lend some to me?
I can't say for sure.
Once your a 4H-er,
you can talk to David
Barkley and get him to help.
It's time for the first hymn.
Please Buzz, could I?
Well,
all right.
You better hurry up and
start your pumping though.
They're about ready to start,
and keep that bobber up there,
no matter what.
Sowing in the morning
Sowing seeds of kindness
Sowing in the noontide
and the dewy eve
Waiting for the harvest
And the time of reaping
We shall come rejoicing
Bringing in the sheaves
We shall come rejoicing
Bringing in the sheaves
Bringing in the sheave
Yes, keep it up there.
We shall come rejoicing
Bringing in the sheaves
We shall come rejoicing
Bringing in the sheaves
The fire burned all the cover
off the north side of Strawberry Hill,
leaving at bare and
subject to erosion by rain.
Excited?
The committee on soil erosion
had to replant it with oats or barley,
but we'd appreciate the
county agent's advice.
Thank you, Joe.
I've had some information
from the state director
at the university about a new cover grass.
The department would like to
make some field experiments.
So if the committee agrees,
I'll send for enough
seed to replant the hill.
The grass is a rapid grower,
and has a deep roots.
Ms. Susan Matthews.
Just step up here, please.
You've been approved to become a member
of the Millwood 4H Club.
Please raise your right hand
and repeat the 4H pledge after me.
I do solemnly swear that I,
Susan Matthews will uphold
the rules and bylaws
of the 4H Club.
I do solemnly swear that I,
Susan Matthews, will
uphold the rules and bylaws
of the 4H club.
And as a true 4H member,
I pledge my head to clearer thinking.
And as a true 4H member,
I pledge my head to clearer thinking.
My heart to greater loyalty.
My heart to greater loyalty.
My hands to larger service.
My hands to larger service,
My health to better living for my club,
my community and my country.
My health to better living for my club,
my community, and my country.
I here with declare you
a member in good standing
of the 4H Club of Millwood.
Here's your membership card,
your 4H badge,
and a member's card to put on your house.
Congratulations and good
luck on your project.
Thank you, Mrs. Wexler.
Thank you everyone.
I'm going past your house, Susan.
Would you like a ride?
Mom and me were gonna take her,
but you'd better take her, David.
She's got something to ask you.
Well, good deal.
Goodbye.
Good morning, Mr. Grinstedt.
This is Ms. Susan Matthews,
the 4H club member I spoke to you about.
Susan, this is Mr. Grinstedt.
I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Grinstedt.
Come in.
Sit down.
You belong to 4H?
You want to make a project
out of raising two
purebred, karakul lambs.
You have no money, no security,
but you want to borrow money from my bank.
Is that right?
Yes. Mr. Grinstedt.
How do I know
you know anything about
raising Karakul lambs?
They're a very hearty breed of sheep
imported to the United States
from Zdravoo Hara.
Many experiments prove they
thrive in this country.
Their wool and hides are very valuable,
and have a ready market.
The wool from the grown sheep
measures from eight to 12 inches,
and weights from seven to nine pounds.
And it's used for rugs, carpets, blankets,
and sometimes to make hats.
The meat is not considered as
good as that of other breeds,
but it's wholesome,
and the milk from the yews
is made into fine cheese.
The yews grow to a weight
of 125 to 175 pounds.
The Rams from 150 to 200 pounds.
My brother Phineas has promised to help me
build a shed and feeding troughs.
I'll raise two beautiful
lamps, Mr. Grinstedt.
Do you know what interest is?
Yes.
It's what you pay for the use of money.
My bank charges 6%.
Are you prepared to sign an agreement
to pay that for any money you borrow?
Yes, Mr. Grinstedt.
What's your full name?
Susan Anastasia Matthews
Your address?
RFD, number three, Millwood.
How much money would you need?
Seven,
$75.
Sign here.
Oh, Mr. Grinstedt.
Papa, you're being
very silly about things.
Where are they?
The back.
Deborah,
Deborah, come on!
Deborah, Deborah.
Deborah, where are you?
Deborah, Deborah.
I'm coming.
Deborah.
Deborah, we got them, we got them.
David helped and they're beautiful.
They're just beautiful.
Here, Susie.
And I got their formula
because they have no mother.
But I'm going to be their mother
and bring them up to be the two best lambs
in the whole wide world.
Deborah.
Where?
Up the woodlot, on the hill.
They got a power saw and everything.
What are you men doing here?
We're not trimming our nails, miss.
Well who gave you permission
to cut down these trees?
I bought them from old man Matthews.
My father sold them to you?
Well, look, the old boy
is your father, he did.
You can't have.
Now, look miss,
these men in this equipment
costs be plenty every hour.
Now, if your old man
wants to change his mind,
he's going to have to pay for that.
Plus the profit I have a right to expect.
You bring me a check to cover it,
I'll call off the men.
Otherwise, no.
You better stay here, Phinney.
That man in the woodlot.
What about him?
You told him our trees.
I did.
We need the money.
You are going to give it
back, every penny of it,
whatever else he demands
so I can tell him to get
his men off our property.
I am not.
Then I'll return the
tractor to Mr. Clairborne
and get back our down payment.
I've already sent him his check.
The tractor's ours.
If they just hadn't
taken out all the stumps.
Papa wanted him to.
He planned to put in a vineyard.
How bad is it, David?
Well, any rain will
drain down into the fault.
Well, what about digging
those ditches you spoke of?
That's a big deal.
There are a lot of roots
that'll hold it for a while.
Don't look so serious.
I'll work out a plan when
I get back from Fulton.
You're going away?
Only for a week.
You think you can bear it?
I guess so,
if I must.
Meanwhile, I'll show you something
that Phineas can get started.
Now this erosion here funnels
water right into the fault.
Even if the fault weren't weakened,
it's still spills water
into the dry Creek bed
that aims right at your farm.
Well, after all my work, I
don't want it all flooded out.
It won't be.
Have Phineas put posts on each side,
stretch wire in between.
He can anchor it down with rocks,
and it'll catch any rubble
that comes down this way
and gradually fill in.
There's another spot over here.
Now Maurice hold still and mind me.
I'm your mother, you know.
How do you expect
to win a prize this Fall
if you don't learn to behave?
Susan.
Susan?
I'm out here.
You're always out with those lambs.
Come on in and get your costume fitted
or you won't be ready
for Buzz's party tonight.
I'm coming.
You think you can behave
yourself while I'm gone?
Very well then.
See that you do.
Susan.
I'm coming.
Here's your hood, Susie.
Thanks.
I wired those ears up good.
They're beautiful.
Let's try this, Phineas.
Ow.
Well stand still.
Gee, you look swell.
Deborah made it.
I'm Daniel Boone.
No.
Hey, you going with us?
I'm going out, but not with you.
Where?
To a dance.
To a dance?
Well, don't act so surprised.
It's not very flattering.
I bet I can guess.
David Barkley's back.
Oh, you're much too smart.
He's coming back late this evening.
Well gee wiz.
Susan, there are times
when I could just...
Who are you supposed to be?
Mom says she's a Fem Fatale.
I am not.
I'm Harriet the famous international spy
Oh look Buzz got the dasher.
What's the matter, Susie?
You're not afraid of a
little lightening, are you?
No, it isn't that, Buzz.
It's -
It's what?
It's my lambs.
They're out in the barnyard.
They're in their shed, aren't they?
Yes, but.
Where do you want them, in your bed?
You're lambs are safe.
Come on, eat your ice cream.
I churned it with my
own sweaty little paws.
Yes, and if I hadn't been spying on him,
he'd left out the salt.
He's an awful problem.
Oh.
Wanna trade?
Uh uh.
Ah, just a little lightening.
Can I have everybody's
attention for just a moment?
It's storming so hard
that Mr. Wexford and I
think it's too dangerous
for anybody to go home.
Oh.
He's helping me put up some beds now
and you can all spend the night.
Let me show you how to do this.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Jingling Jessie will know attempt
to juggle the jiggling candle
and the jittery match,
or so she says.
Phinney.
- Yeah?
We've can't stay here.
We got to get home.
But...
I've never heard rain like this.
If anything should happen to my lambs...
Oh, they'll be all right.
- Please, Phinney.
But Deborah told us to
wait for her and David.
Well you heard what Mrs. Wexler said.
All right, fine.
Deborah, help.
Help.
Deborah.
Deborah.
Where's Susan's room?
- In there.
Is she?
All right, just worn out.
Where's Deborah?
When the barnyard started flooding,
she went up on the hill
to check some barriers...
I'll put Susan to bed
and go look for her.
Deborah?
Deborah?
Deborah, it's no use.
We've gotta get out of here.
I've gotta...
let me alone.
Let me alone.
Let me alone, I've gotta
I'll get you some breakfast, Susan.
No thank you.
I don't feel like eating.
My lambs?
Are they?
Behind the stove, Susan, fat and sassy.
I want to call a meeting to order.
I'll wait outside.
You're mixed up in our
affairs enough to stay
and hear what I've got to say.
Sit down,
all of you.
I guess even an ugly man
can look in the mirror
year after year and find
satisfaction and what he sees.
He never sees what's really there,
only what he wants to see,
a reflection of himself as
he likes to imagine he is.
But if one day something comes along
that makes him look closer,
he'd know then
and forever after
that, he was,
he was just an ugly man.
Mr. Barkley,
I knew deep down inside
your advice was,
was well-intended and good.
I turned it down just
like I did everything else
that didn't happen to agree
with my own peculiar notions.
Also I was,
I was afraid that you and Debbie,
well, I was afraid of losing her,
and all of work she could do for me.
I preached the idea of us all
working and owning together
because I was afraid
to compete with others
and show up my own lack of ability.
I tried to hide all this even from myself
behind what I was pleased to
call the democratic process,
that my judgment was bad,
and my methods unfair.
I realize now that it's too late,
we're in desperate trouble,
all on account of my bullheadedness,
without much hope of saving ourselves.
But if your children could
find it in your hearts
to forgive me,
I know that I could find in that
the courage to,
courage to try and make things up to you.
We understand Papa.
- Oh, Papa.
Don't worry, everything's
going to be all right.
Papa.
Come on, David,
the 4H gang's ready
to start cleaning up.
Yeah.
What are you doing here?
Men gotta eat.
I'll make biscuits.
We're ruined.
You gotta show us where to start.
Okay, Buzz.
We'll start in the field
behind the barn.
You coming with me?
Yes, David.
You guys coming too?
Sure.
Well come on, we gotta help.
Get down you blasted.
Papa.
Papa,
I'll take them right out.
No.
You know, Susie, I'm
beginning to like 'em.
Oh, Papa.
sure like this
country around here,
all the trees.
They smell good.
Everything looks like
it's just been scrubbed.
Probably as muddy as any
place else when it rains.
Mr. Matthews,
how did you happen to
decide to come to Millwood?
Well sir, I don't suppose
you ever had to watch
a good farm blow away
right out from under your feet?
No.
Well it ain't pleasant,
watching all your work
go for nothing.
The children's mama was sort
of in love with the place
and she wouldn't give up.
But after we collected the
money from the insurance,
she persisted we carry,
why we just up and sold out.
Must've been hard to leave
old friends and neighbors.
Oh, those folks weren't as...
Papa.
- Man might expect.
Say you know that ad you
had in the farm journal,
sounded to me just like
something I've always wanted.
Except that it'll take
nearly all the money we have
to fix...
- Debbie.
We're here to see if it's
all you cracked it up to be.
It's just the carburetor.
The float's sticking.
Carburetor.
The float's stuck.
Well anyway, it isn't a tire.
Hi, Mr. Larkins.
Need some help?
I'll add a motor stop.
Mr. Matthews, this is David Barkley,
our County agricultural agent.
I'm happy to know you, Mr. Matthews.
What seems to be the trouble?
Oh, the motor cut out all of a sudden.
It's the carburetor.
Cut out all of a sudden, huh?
Doesn't sound much like
the carburetor, sir.
You mind if I take a look at it?
No.
Around these parts,
when the human being isn't feeling well,
we call Doc Pomeroy.
But for anything else,
like farms, crops, animals,
and machines or whatever,
we hunt for David.
You know, I don't believe
there's anything he can fix.
If he believes that
ain't that carburetor,
he can't fix that truck,
'cause I can tell just by the wheeze of it
just what's wrong.
Well, Davey, what'd you find wrong?
Nothing.
Oh, oh you mean with the motor?
Yeah.
Yeah well, a distributor
wire jumped loose.
I figured it was that or the carburetor.
Well, I check it again
if you're planning to go very far.
Oh, not too far, I hope.
I'm showing Mr. Matthews the Brady place.
And if it suits him,
we'll have some new neighbors.
Say, that's fine.
It's a good farm, Mr. Matthews.
Yeah, That's what Mr. Larkins tells me.
I know better when I see it myself.
Well, Davey, thanks for your help.
Yeah, thanks.
I'd like to come by and see you
after you get settled
and have a talk with you.
Sure, sure, Barkley, anytime,
that is providing we buy.
Well, we'll try to make you feel welcome
if you do, sir.
I'll catch that hood for you.
Thanks.
Thank you.
So long, beautiful.
Watch out.
Don't you kids go nosing around.
Well, there it is.
Of course it hasn't been
lived in for six months.
A little fixing will put
it in apple pie shape.
Yes.
- uh huh
Let's take a look at the land.
Well, it's right over there.
Come on, come on,
I'll give you a ride.
What'd I tell you about nosing around.
Well, there's your big field.
80 acres.
Runs over around behind that barn.
There's 10 acres of fine
timber on top of that hill,
and over in back is Catfish creek.
I caught some big wins
there when I was a boy.
What else you got to show me?
Well, there's some nice grazing land
I'd like to have you see.
Then after that we can take
a look at the buildings
and the inside of the house.
Fine.
Oh, well, whatever furniture
you see goes with the place,
all it needs to make it
a home is people.
I feel sorry for houses
without people in them.
Hey, those kinds of
thoughts belong to a poet.
Oh, but Abigail's our poet.
Do you know she
can put words together
that rhyme the first time.
Can't ya, honey?
It just comes natural to me.
That's quite a gift.
Papa, can Mr. Larkins
show me the kitchen?
I guess so.
Why, surely, right this way.
There's a range that goes with it.
Good, now you get
your stove, Debbie.
It needs a bit of polish,
of course.
Yes.
Well, why do you think?
Oh so much work...
- I think it
just about fills the bill.
But you know,
I'm a great believer in
the democratic process.
A family, Mr. Larkins,
is just like a nation.
Everybody in it should
have his or her say.
Now I wouldn't think of
imposing my will
on important decisions
that affect all of us.
What we do is hold a
meeting and vote on things,
and whatever the majority rules,
that's what we do.
I'll show you what I mean.
All right, the meeting will come to order.
Now we've seen
the farm and the house
and I've told you the terms.
Now I'd like to hear a
motion that we buy the place.
I make a motion that we buy.
Do I hear a second?
I second the motion.
No discussion.
All those in favor, hold
up their right hand.
Good, passed by unanimous decision.
You'll get the papers Mr. Larkins.
Huh?
The papers.
Oh yes
Now while Mr. Larkin and I
are going over the details,
you kids can start unloading that truck.
It's Helen.
Benedicta The Blessed!
It's Helen!
It's Benedicta!
It's Benedicta!
Let me up.
Benedicta.
Susan! Abigail!
Stop that fighting, do you hear.
Now what's started this one?
She wants named Helen.
Get what named Helen?
Benedicta, the blessed!
It's gonna be Helen!
Susan!
Papa, you did buy her,
you did bring Helen.
Helen?
Her name's Benedicta.
Bene what?
Benedicta the Blessed.
What are you kids talking about?
Benedicta, our new cow.
But Papa, you as good as
promised I could name her
and I've chosen Helen.
It's a beautiful name.
It stinks.
It does not.
It stinks.
- Cut that out, you kids.
Neither one of them names will do
because what I bought ain't a cow.
You can name that if you want to.
Take him to the pin, Phin.
Be careful son,
he's kinda mean.
Debbie, can't you keep these kids
out from under foot?
I thought you're buying a cow.
You'll get you a cow,
Debbie, a pair of them.
Mr. Claiborne here's letting
me have two at a bargain.
Oh, and about that
tractor, Mr. Matthews,
I'll let that go at a good price too,
terms if you like.
Tractor?
But we can't afford a tractor.
We spent so much money already.
And Mr. Clairborne, I'll
talk to you about that later.
I like to think it over.
Accommodate yourself,
Mr. Matthews.
Only a buy like that don't
wait long for takers.
Yeah, I know that, Mr. Clairborne.
Imagine the young ones we
started school right away.
No, I thought I'd keep
modern until next term.
We're gonna need all the
help we can get, you know.
Suspect you will at that,
seeing the season's far advanced.
A tractor would be mighty handy.
Sure would.
Well, so long.
So long, Mr. Clairborne.
Now Debbie,
about that tractor.
Papa.
Susan, Abigail and Phineas
are not staying outta school.
You need help,
and we can't afford to...
I'll manage.
We promised mama they'd
get their education.
Phineas can help you
before and after school,
and girls and I'll divide the chores.
We'll hold a meeting and decide.
No, they're going to school.
Go away, you old bull.
Go away.
Go away.
Go back.
Stay away, do you hear.
I'm wanna get by and go home.
What you doing?
Playing tag with Caesar?
He likes to play games.
Well you can just chase him
about his business, Mr. Smarty.
I promised I'd hurry home,
and I'm late already
on account of Ms. Milligan keeping me.
So chase him away, right now.
Well, if you're going
to act so bossy about it,
I'll leave you right where you are.
Take care of her, Caesar.
Oh, I was just teasing.
He wouldn't hurt a fly.
Look,
he's a purebred Angus,
imported all the way from Scotland.
Come on, scratch him.
He likes it.
What's the matter?
You scared?
Did He really come all
the way from Scotland?
Sure he did.
It cost me more than $1.000.
- $1.000.
And he's yours?
Sure, he's mine.
All the cattle in this pasture are.
And I raised him.
Do you mean they really
belong to your father
and he lets you pretend their yours.
Let me no such thing.
They are mine.
Dad gave me two Angus calves for a start,
I paid him back a long time ago.
Say, you're one of the new kids
that just moved around here, aren't you?
Yes.
What's your name?
Susan Matthews.
What's yours?
Peter Wexford.
But everybody calls me, Buzz.
Why?
I don't know unless it's because...
Because he's got bees in his bonnet.
What are you doing here, Jessie?
Spying.
Brothers are mostly
dopey, but interesting.
Say, I saw you at school today.
Susan, this is my sister, Jessie.
Jessie thinks I couldn't
find my way home without her.
You couldn't, you're dopey.
And you're an undersized snoop.
Well I can't stand here wasting
my time talking to girls.
I gotta get the cattle
headed home for their supper.
I'm grain feeding them to put weight on.
I gotta get home too.
Come on, I'll open the gate for you.
And all these cows and Caesar,
are they really yours?
I told you they were, didn't I?
Well, bye Buzz,
bye Jessie.
Bye Suzie
Goodbye, Susan.
See you at school tomorrow.
David Barkley's very handsome
David Barkley's tall and slim
David Barkley's very handsome
Bet the girls all fall for him
What kind of a song is
my little girl singing?
Something she just made up?
What Papa?
That song you were just singing,
about somebody named David Barkley.
Why, I hardly knew that
anyone would hear it.
Surely you remember David Barkley, Papa.
He's the County agent.
You know the man that knew more
about your truck than you did,
the one stared so at Deborah?
What about him?
Why nothing, Papa.
At least nothing that
means anything, I'm sure.
Well if it doesn't mean anything
that all the girls fall for Mr. Barkley,
why don't you tell us what you know?
I'm sure we'd all like to hear.
I don't know how Abigail would know it,
but I think what she wants
to tell you is that I met
and talked to Mr. Barkley
in Millwood today.
Henry Larkins told me when
he delivered the groceries.
It'd be much nicer, Abigail,
if when you wish to tell
things on the rest of us,
if you'd be more straightforward about it.
Oh, I don't even think
what's going to become of us
if these suspicions in
bickerings and keep up.
Maybe you'd like to tell us
what you found
so interesting to talk about
with the so attractive, Mr. Barkley.
It was just about the farm.
After all he is the
County agricultural agent.
And I asked him what crops
he thought we oughta raise.
And I imagine he was very
happy to offer his advice.
He did suggest that we plant potatoes.
Oh, didn't care for soybeans, huh?
Oh, you said the summers
here aren't hot enough.
I don't suppose Mr.
Buckley got his knowledge
from working a farm.
He studied in college.
Well, after all 40
years of actual farming
is apt to give a man more know how
then he can get from reading about it.
But he is in touch with all
the farmers in the county.
And the state university supplies him
with the latest information and ideas.
I've got all the ideas we need.
Now I've got something
important to take up.
Phinney.
Yes, Papa.
Sit down here, we're
going to have a meeting.
Yes, Papa.
Meeting will come to order.
Now before I get to what I have in mind,
is there anybody got
anything they want taken up?
Alright, Susan's got the floor.
Speak up.
Papa, I,
I'd like to borrow enough
money to buy two lambs,
like these.
I wanna raise them for my very own.
When they're grown,
I can sell the wool, and pay you back.
And after a while,
I'll have a lot of them, like Buzz.
Buzz?
Buzz Wexford.
His Papa gave him two calves,
and now he's got a whole herd,
and a prize bull named Caesar
worth more than $1.000.
And they're all his very own.
Only I wanna raise lambs.
Please, Papa, may I?
I met Buzz.
He's a swell guy.
One fella told me that Buzz
made over $800 last year
just in his cattle.
His, I think that's a good idea, Susan.
There's something in this
far more serious
than the borrowing of money
to buy two expensive lambs.
And I'm surprised that you, Deborah,
and you too Phineas,
that you didn't notice
it before you spoke up.
Well, Susan, we put your idea to a vote,
but I've got to go against it
because I think it's purely selfish.
I don't suppose you understand that.
Or if you did,
you wouldn't want to
go on possessing things
all by yourself and
shutting the rest of us out.
Or is it that you don't want to share
because you don't love
us like we love you?`
Well, you heard Susan's plan,
and the discussions about it.
Now we put it to a vote.
All those against?
Shouldn't those in favor vote first?
What difference does it make?
Those against?
Good, I guess that settles that.
Now, if there's no other business,
I've got a plan I'd like to propose.
One that'll be good for all of us.
You know, we need that
tractor of Mr. Clairborne's
in the worst way.
Of course he'd be
willing to rent it to me.
But you know, we believe
in owning things outright.
Wouldn't it be better to rent it?
I believe I can make
it the way we can buy it.
How Papa?
We cut that timber
at the top of the hill
and sell it for lumber.
I've already spoken to Mr. Gail
about it at the lumber mill,
and he's willing to pay
us a good price for it.
Then we make a down
payment in the meantime.
All right.
Out with it baby.
What's wrong?
He isn't fair.
Papa isn't fair.
He got his tractor,
but I didn't want those lambs for my own
because I don't love all of you.
I wanted them because,
because I.
I think I can help you say why.
It's because
you want to be an individual.
And to prove that you are one,
you got to do something all by yourself,
to own something that's wholly yours.
Is that wrong?
I don't think so.
But how will I ever be able
to do anything like that?
Abigail always votes the way Papa does.
And if Papa even looks at Phinney,
Phinney gets too scared
to vote against him.
It's sort of like
fighting the pillow, honey.
You can't win.
You dent it in one place,
and it just fills out in another.
All you do is exhaust yourself.
I found that out.
But, who knows
what can happen tomorrow?
I got work to do.
Wanna ride with me?
That's better.
Hello?
Hello, Mr. Barkley.
Hello.
Hi, Susan.
Hi.
I hate to do this.
Ms. Matthews,
with the power vested in me
by the United States government,
I must ask you to keep an
eye on this young woman.
Why, Mr. Barkley, what do you mean?
I mean that a certain young farmer
named Buzz Wexford found your sister
trespassing in his pasture
and frightening his prize bull, Caesar.
No.
So that since that day,
neither he nor Caesar
have been quite the same.
That's a big fib.
Susan
Here's something
I want you to look over.
What have you decided about
your crops, Ms. Matthews?
I told Papa,
my father what you said,
and he figured he'd rather work a crop
which is more familiar.
Oh.
Well, I can understand how he feels.
I see you've started your plowing.
Yeah.
I just hope I can keep
the furrows straight.
Would you mind a suggestion?
No.
The furrows would be more
effective in holding water
and preventing erosion
if they were running across the field.
The one bad place on
your farm is that hill.
There's a soil condition up there
that should be protected
by some drainage ditches.
What kind of soil condition?
An old fault runs across the top,
the water seeping into
it might tend to loosen
the front of the hill.
You that the whole face of that cliff
could fall onto our farm?
Well.
Mr. Larkins never told us about that.
I doubt if he knows it.
It's an old fault.
There's no active danger with the trees
and their roots to hold soil.
But Papa's cutting down the trees.
Mr. Barkley, would you mind
telling my father about this?
By all means, I certainly
think he should know about it.
He's up on the hill now.
Papa.
Look out!
Get back!
You remember Mr. Barkley?
Oh yeah.
What's on your mind, Barkley?
It's about these trees, Mr. Matthews.
I'd suggest you leave them standing, sir.
I expect you county agents
gotta make some sort of
suggests to hold your jobs.
Well, if you don't mind,
I'd like to show you something, sir.
It's right over here.
Look at this. Mr. Matthews,
that ground has slipped down and away
from the earth we're standing on.
Yeah, but that looks to me
like it happened an awful long time ago.
It did.
But there's no telling how
deep this fracture goes.
Look,
here is the face of your hill.
This fault runs across here
as a natural drainage into
a dry ravine down below
that points directly at your farm.
Without these trees,
the whole top of this
hill could erode away.
But by keeping the trees in,
putting in some drainage
ditches along here
to protect the fault
could save your money.
It might even save your farm.
Well.
Thanks again for your interest Barkley,
but I ain't going to let
a crack in the ground
stop you from making
several thousand dollars.
And now as a man who's got work to do,
you'll excuse me.
Well, thanks for listening, sir.
That's all right.
It won't be long now
before I'll be able to show you
what a real farm looks like.
I'd like to stop by and see you...
Anytime by...
Debbie, if Mr. Barkley don't mind,
I'd like to speak to you.
Private.
Thank you.
Mr. Barkley, Mr. Barkley.
Can I,
may I walk to your car with you?
Well don't you think it
might cause people to talk?
There aren't any people.
Oh.
Well, in that case come along.
Has Deborah a steady boyfriend?
Deborah?
What's so surprising about that?
She's a very pretty girl.
Deborah?
Well, yes, don't you think so?
No.
You can take my word for it,
she is.
She is?
Uh huh.
She ever go out with any of the fellas
back where you came from?
Only Charlie Gidget.
Charlie Gidget?
What'd he look like?
Oh, he was tall
and kinda skinny.
And his teeth stood out like this.
He didn't have much hair.
Sounds kind of unattractive.
Did Deborah like him?
I don't know.
She laughed at everything he said.
How many times she go out with him?
Just once.
Well, Susan,
thanks for accompanying me.
You can follow this creek bed
right down to your house.
But I wanted to ask you something.
You did, what?
About this, the 4H Club.
Oh yes, the 4H Club.
Susan, the theme of the 4H Club
is show, not say
You got time to take
a little ride with me?
Sure.
You may be the key to open the door
and let the sunshine in.
Huh?
We can get to my car right up here.
Come on, sweetie.
That's a funny name for a club.
4H.
Each one of the letters
stands for something.
The first H stands for head,
second for heart,
the third hands,
and the fourth health.
And the four leaf
clover is for good luck.
I think 4H club members
make their own luck.
Can people do that?
Sure if they use their
head, hearts and hands.
You see Susan, the 4H club
was started for kids just like you
to help them learn better methods
of farming and homemaking.
So when they grow up and have
farms and homes and their own
they'd know how to run them successfully.
As county agent,
it's part of my job to
help the club members
with their projects.
Huh?
Each member has a project,
a piece of work that he plans
carries through all by himself.
Oh.
It can be almost anything.
Oh raising rabbits,
a garden,
a calf, chickens, fruit trees.
Baby lambs?
Sure.
Or sewing, cooking, canning.
There are all kinds of projects.
Is Buzz Wexford a 4H member?
Buzz?
Oh, he's the star of the Millwood club.
He's already made enough
money from his Angus herd
to put himself through college.
They look fine, Dell.
Thanks a lot.
Say these are new hutches.
Yeah, I built them myself
from those plans you got for me.
It's a nice job.
Tell me how are your books?
I can tell you Mr. Barkley.
He hasn't kept them up.
Got to keep after that, Dell.
Keeping books is as important
as any other part of a project.
I'll do them tonight, for sure.
Good.
What do we have here?
Canned pears.
They're for you to sample.
Oh, well, thank you.
How's your canning project working out?
Mr. Larkins took 50 mix
quarts on consignment.
And the Franklin store in Barton
has over 30 pints of my piccalilli.
You'd better say some of
those for pop or he'll be sore.
Oh, those are beautiful.
You know something, Herb,
I think she's going to
win you some ribbons.
That is, if you take good care of her.
Gee, Mr. Barkley,
I treat her just like a mother.
Did you get the lime
I suggested, Roberta?
Yes, and I used the
proportion you gave me.
Does my garden look good
enough to win an award?
Well...
Later, I mean.
It probably will if you
work like the dickens.
Well, I don't mind doing that.
You see this is mine.
It's something I've done all by myself.
The things you create for yourself
always give it the most satisfaction.
And you've got the
makings of a fine garden.
Mom and dad is so glad you talked me
into joining 4H, Mr. Barkley.
I wasn't very happy before.
Well 4H is happy you joined.
Susan, there's one more place
I thought we might stop.
Benny Tilton's project is raising sheep.
He's got a couple of fine
lambs I promise to look at.
No!
No, I don't want to see them.
I want to go home.
Please.
Okay, sis.
Home it is.
Ms. Matthews, I'd like...
If it's about the furrows,
Mr. Barkley, my father...
It's not about the furrows.
They're having a dance
in town Saturday night,
and I wondered if you'd
like to go with me?
I'm afraid that'd be impossible.
Why impossible?
I don't like to toot my own horn,
but most folks around here
think of me as a pretty solid citizen.
The remark wasn't meant to be personal.
My invitation was.
It's just that social
activities don't interest me.
Wait a minute.
I'm not speaking now as county agent.
This will be a purely
personal observation.
You're a coward.
You're a father, who's
probably ruined several farms
and is setting out to ruin this one,
seems bent on running his family as well.
Don't interrupt me.
I just brought Susan back from
showing her some of the work
being done with the 4H clubs.
She pretended she didn't like the idea
for the same reason that
you just turned down
my dance invitation
because you're both afraid of your father.
Some excuse for Susan,
she's just a little girl.
But there's no excuse for your quitting
without putting up a fight
except cowardice.
Mr. Barkley,
If you don't get off
this property right away,
I'll run you off with this tractor.
You haven't got the
gumption. Ms. Matthews
Hiya beautiful.
Hi.
Stick around after church,
I got something I wanna tell you.
I can't talk now,
I have to pump up the
bellows on the organ.
Don't forget.
Well, well, the Matthews.
Good morning, Mr. Larkins.
Ms. Matthews, Mr. Matthews.
How are you?
We thought we'd try out to see
what kind of a preacher you got.
Welcome to our church.
It's a nice church, Mr. Larkins.
- yes
Looks friendly.
- We mean it to be.
Our Reverend Benton is less
given to preaching at us
than talking to us.
We like it that way.
I'll show you to a seat.
Hiya Susie.
- Hi, Jessie.
Shh.
Hello, David.
Good morning.
God of our fathers
Who's almighty hand
Leads forth in beauty
All the starry band
My sermon today is inspired
by the story of Moses
and the promise that God made to him.
The story may be found
in the Old Testament,
book of Exodus.
The promise was that if
Moses and the Israelites,
who were suffering cruelties and slavery
at the hands of the Egyptians,
would but have faith.
God would show Moses how to
lead them out of their bondage
into a land of milk and honey.
It was the promise of a new life,
a beautiful green promise.
But before it could be fulfilled,
there was a sea
and a wilderness to be crossed.
Thirst and hunger to be overcome.
The fulfillment you see
had to be earned.
Now I find a parallel between
those ancient Israelites
and ourselves, all of us.
We too are in bondage,
lashed with the bullock
hide whips of ignorance,
shackled by the iron
chains of the unknown,
but the same promise.
The beautiful green promise
has been made to us.
Only the sea of doubt, the,
the barren desert of illiteracy,
the hunger of bigotry,
and the third step incompetence
stands between us and freedom,
between us and the land of promise.
We've been given, not just
one Moses to guide us,
but many, our men of science,
our doctors, chemists,
mineralogists, agronomists,
all those patience seekers
after fact and truth.
The delvers into the mysteries of matter,
the searchers of the mine
for a better understanding
of human behavior.
These men are our Moses.
Turning our feet away from
the false and easy trails
of superstition and guiding us
along the steep and
toilsome path of knowledge,
the one true,
and the one and only road
to the land of promise,
where we may claim our heritage.
To my mind, the really sinful man or woman
is the one who through
bigotry and ignorant pride,
refuses to learn,
and calling his ignorance virtue,
tries by self-made rule and by scorn
to keep all others from learning.
These are the real sinners.
And here is the vilest evil,
to feed their ego,
to disguise their inadequacies,
is to hide their quaking fears,
they sneer at the new,
revile the experimenter,
and deride the pioneer,
and then hypocritically
defend their actions
behind the fog bound
fortress of intolerance.
Mr. Matthews.
Enjoyed your sermon, Reverend.
It's a fine talk.
Made sense.
Thank you, Mr. Matthews.
I'm glad you could accept my invitation
to attend our service.
I'll see you all again
next Sunday, I hope.
Oh, we'll be here.
We're a church going family.
Papa, we must hurry.
Come along, Abigail.
Young man.
Excuse me.
Shirley.
Hey Susie,
Susie Matthews.
Hey wait.
Told you I wanted to see after church.
I forgot.
It's the way it is with me.
I just don't make any impression on girls.
What I wanted to tell you is that my mom,
she and Reverend Benton,
are the leaders of our 4H club
would like to invite you
and your sister and brother
to our club's masquerade party.
Of course the party is
about five weeks away,
but I thought I better speak early
before you met some better looking guy.
Is it a date?
I know he's kinda homely,
but please say yes
or he'll have to some awful looking girl.
Besides, mother said I could
serve some of my drop biscuits.
Oh no, not those.
I dropped one once and
like to broke my foot.
He likes to exaggerate.
You let go one my biscuits,
it'll just float in the air.
How about it, Susie, will your come?
They'd be very happy to
come to your party, Buzz.
And thank your mother for the invitation.
There'll be a swell gang there,
and I'll make it a personal project
that she have a good time, Cutie.
You oughta wear those
things butterfingers.
Susan, aren't you finished
with Phinney's room yet?
You got to help me straighten up Papa's.
Hey, what you doing
with my fishing tackle?
Well, I,
I thought maybe you'd
take me down to the creek.
Will you, Phinney?
Oh gee, I,
oh, I dares not Suzy,
I ain't got the wood cut for
Deborah to cook supper with.
Papa'd skin me alive.
Oh, please, Phinney?
We'll only stay a little while.
And I'll help carry in the wood.
Well.
Maybe there'll be some early ones
hungry enough to bite.
But we gotta start home in time
for me to get the wood in.
Boy, this looks good, Susie.
We oughta get some big ones here.
Come on.
I can get up by myself.
Oh, this is swell.
Hand me the worms.
Here you are, Susie.
I'll do it for you.
No, it isn't fair to let others
do an unpleasant thing
you can do for yourself
just because it's unpleasant.
Hiya, Phinney.
Hiya, Susie.
Hiya, Buzz.
You know you're trespassing on my pool.
You're trespassing on our property.
Well gee wiz.
You got a fishing license?
No.
Well, if you won't
say anything, I won't.
You're fishing in the wrong spot.
Right over there under that bank
is the grand pappy of all catfish.
There is?
Come on, I'll show him to you.
I like it where I am.
She got the colic or something?
Come on, show me the catfish.
What is it, Buzz?
It's Jessie.
Pretend you don't notice
or you'll embarrass her.
She's spying again.
See that shadow?
There he is!
Gee wiz.
Let's try and catch him.
Oh, he's too smart.
All he does is just bump the bait.
Jessie.
He's almost as smart as
Buzz thinks old Caesar is.
Caesar is smart.
Caesar's smarter than you, anyway.
You didn't know I was trailing you.
Sure didn't.
I thought it was an old, stray cow.
Did you?
Homer says you're gonna enter Caesar
in the state fair this fall?
Are you, Buzz?
He is if he wins the
county achievement day.
Achievement day?
What's that?
That's where all the
clubs in the county compete.
Whose ever project wins gets
the show at the state fair.
Caesar wins that,
I get to take him to the
national show in Chicago.
Boy, wouldn't that be something?
Yeah,
of course it ain't all up to Caesar.
I got to learn how to show him.
Gotta be able to produce all the records,
how much it costs to raise him.
What he ate and all that.
Those judges want to know everything.
I sure hope you make it Buzz.
I wish Papa would let...
Phinney, time for us to start home.
Anyhow, no one could get fish
with all the jabbering that's going on.
Now you did it.
Did what?
Only a woman would understand.
Oh.
Oh, shut up.
Yes, it's full.
And I had to fill it.
You're just wait, Phineas Matthews,
until Papa hears about this.
He'll probably give you a good whipping.
But Abby, it wasn't Phinney's fault.
I made him go.
Explain that to Papa.
You're gonna get it.
Listen, Abby,
if you won't tell Papa,
I'll give you a new Indian
bracelet I just made.
Let me see it first.
It's upstairs.
Come on.
The bracelet will be
mine for keeps, you know.
You give me that, you nasty little snoop.
If you read that, I'll...
You give me that, or you'll be sorry.
I won't be the one who's sorry
after Papa sees this, Ms. Form Divine.
You give me that.
Give it back.
What's all this screeching about?
We were just playing.
Weren't we, Abby?
Why yes, Papa.
We were just playing.
Well, I guess two healthy girls
gotta make a little noise,
but hold it down, huh.
I'll go with you, Papa.
There's something I wanna show you.
- What?
What a fine pile of wood
Phinney cut for Deborah.
Excuse me.
Did you do your homework, Phineas?
No.
Hey, I wonder whose car that is?
It isn't Mr. Barkley's.
Of course not, Papa would
run him off the place.
Phys sic can.
What does that mean?
Physician, it means doctor.
Someone's sick.
It's Deborah's.
A tree fell on him.
Oh, Papa.
Abby, Abby, be careful.
He has two bad leg fractures
and a nasty cut on his head.
I'm afraid he'll be laid up for some time.
When I get the splints on,
he'll rest easier,
but he's going to need a lot of care.
He'll get the best of
care, Doctor Pomeroy.
Good.
Oh, would you send one of the youngsters
down to my car and get my grip, please?
Phinney.
How's Papa?
He's resting better
since Dr. Pomeroy gave him those pills.
Oh, what are we going to do?
I don't see...
We're gonna behave ourselves
for one thing.
But with Papa hurt and not able to work,
we'll lose the farm
and this house.
We'll all be put in institutions.
Oh, Abigail, will you
please stop that sniffling?
I got no intention of
letting us lose this farm.
Go to plant and harvest crops,
if it kills me,
and your kids as well.
I don't see how you
expect us to do everything.
Plowing and planting,
and feeding the stock,
and cutting down trees.
We're not going to cut down the trees.
But Papa wants us to.
I'm afraid some of Papa's
plans will have to be changed.
You mean that almost the very minute
that poor Papa is stricken helpless,
maybe lying on his deathbed,
that you're planning to
change everything he planned
and ruin us?
Abigail, now listen to me.
No, no, I'm going to tell,
I'm going to tell Papa everything.
I'm glad I never took the notion
to write for Dr. Lambauch's secret lotion.
I'd hate to have any friends of mine
asking about my form divine.
What on earth has come over you Susan?
Nothing, nothing at all.
Except I'm pretty sure
Abigail didn't mean it
when she said she'd tell Papa everything.
Did you, Abby?
No, of course not.
I was just making a joke.
I wouldn't think of telling Papa anything
you didn't want him to know, Deborah.
Honest.
Get me some hot water, Phineas.
Of course, the children are in school,
but they do help with the chores.
So as far as my father and the house go,
I think we can manage.
But it's the farm that bothers us.
And I just thought that perhaps
you could give us some advice
on what we could best do.
Well, if you could
stay for a few minutes,
a friend of mine is coming by
who knows much more about
farming than I do, I'm sure.
And I think he'd be glad to help you,
but maybe you'll know him, David Barkley.
Oh, yes.
I'm terribly sorry.
I just remembered I have
to go to Millwood before,
before Mr. Larkins closes the store.
Closes?
Why, you have all afternoon.
Mr. Larkins never closes
until six in the evening.
Help!
Help!
The truck's brakes must've slipped.
I can't let go long enough to set 'em.
Mr. Barkley, I can't...
I owe you my life.
I couldn't of held out much longer.
I can't tell you how sorry I am.
I was sure I set the brakes.
Forget it, Ms. Matthews.
But Mr. Barkley,
why didn't this rock hold back the truck?
What?
A thing like that could ruin a tire.
Hello, Susan.
Oh, Reverend,
my sister in law and her mother
wanted me to say goodbye to you.
Tell you how much they enjoyed
your sermon last Sunday.
Oh, thank you.
Have they gone home?
Left yesterday.
Brother Ed wired,
said she didn't want
him to starve to death,
she better get herself home.
Think it could be jealousy?
Oh, quite possibly.
Your sister-in-law's a
very attractive young lady.
Oh, we Barkleys
have an eye for pretty women.
Well, there's certainly
nothing wrong in that.
Oh, David,
Ms. Matthews came by to ask my advice
on how best to manage the farm
now that her father is laid up,
and I told her,
I thought you were the
one really most qualified
to help her.
And it just occurred to me,
I think it would be a good idea
if you'd go out to the farm right now
and then you could talk
things over right on the spot.
An excellent idea, Reverend.
Excellent.
Would you lead the way Ms. Matthews?
Hey, you forgot me!
Deborah, you forgot me.
Deborah!
Thanks Jim.
Thanks a lot.
Deborah?
Yes?
Debbie, could I,
could I join the 4H
club and have a project
raising
lambs?
Oh, I know I was outvoted,
but it wasn't really fair.
Oh, please say yes, Debbie, please?
Please?
Well, we might just as well
get hung for a lamb as a sheep.
Only if your lambs cost too much,
you'll have to choose some
less expensive project.
Oh, I don't know how
much purebreds cost,
but the minute we stop,
I'll ask Mr. Barkley.
He'll know.
He's so pretty.
Thank you.
There's something I'd like to tell you.
Yes?
Maybe we'd better talk
about the farm first.
I guess I should've let Reverend Benton
talk you into trying to help me.
Oh, but he didn't.
What I mean is,
standing here, I
realize how crazy it was
my going to him in the first place,
thinking I could handle
things all by myself.
It would be in a fight.
I'm not the coward
you think Mr. Barkley.
It's just that...
Fighting when you haven't
got a chance to win is,
well it's foolish.
History has been made
with that kind of fool.
I'm willing to work.
But I don't see how I could ever manage.
All this land, children...
Oh, it'd be tough, all right.
If you had the courage to try,
I could help.
There are methods and shortcuts
I could show you that'd cut the job
down to a manageable size.
That is if you're not afraid to tackle it.
I'm not afraid.
It's just,
how could I start?
Can you take orders?
I think so.
Good.
The first one is that you call me David.
Mr. Barkley.
If you can't follow a
simple order like that,
there's no sense going on.
Frankly, David, I'm scared.
The best way to overcome
that is to get busy.
Come on, Deborah.
Gee wiz, Abigail.
You think they'd run out
of words after a while.
Abigail?
Thank you, Abigail.
What have you been telling Papa?
I hadn't said a word to him.
Cross your heart, hope to die.
There, does that satisfy you?
Deborah.
Deborah, come up here.
Deborah, you hear me.
Yes?
Yes, Papa?
What was it you wanted?
Now you listen to me, Deborah!
Don't you think for one minute
that I don't know what's
going on behind my back,
because I do!
But if Abigail hadn't come
up and raised that window
to give me some fresh air,
I would never have known
about this treason.
I heard every word you and
ant book taught farmer said.
The two of you probably
prayed that I be struck down
so you could try out their crazy schemes.
You're a jezebel, that's
what you are, a jezebel!
Well you don't care if his insane ideas
ruin us and drive you
helpless sisters and brother
out into the world of homeless...
Papa, be quiet.
You slept through the sermon
when Reverend Benton was
describing the sinner
who didn't want to learn,
and who tried to keep
everyone else from learning.
He might just as well
have been describing you.
David called me a coward
for not standing up to you.
And I got angry.
Now, I realized he was telling the truth.
I've made up my mind
not to be afraid any longer.
Since you can't run this farm, I must.
And I intend to run it David's way.
Now, if you need anything, you call me.
Good morning, how are you?
Where's Susan?
I don't know.
And furthermore, I don't care.
Hello.
What are you doing in here?
Buzz, I've got something
wonderful to tell you.
Shh.
You'll have to wait till this finishes.
Mrs. Murdoch sure uses a lot of air.
She likes to hear that old organ roar.
What is it you want to tell me about?
Well Buzz, I,
I can join the 4H.
Swell.
You'll like it.
What are you gonna
choose for your project?
Cooking?
No, sheep.
Sheep.
Deborah said I can buy
two purebred lambs to raise.
That is if they don't cost too much.
Do they, Buzz?
Well, they're kind of expensive, Susie.
How, how expensive?
Well real good lambs cost
about 30 or $40 a piece.
That too much?
Hey, listen, maybe you
could borrow the money
from Mr. Grinstedt.
Who is he?
He owns the bank down at Millwood.
Sometimes if he thinks it's a good risk,
he lends money to 4H club members
so they can start new projects.
Buzz, do you think he'd lend some to me?
I can't say for sure.
Once your a 4H-er,
you can talk to David
Barkley and get him to help.
It's time for the first hymn.
Please Buzz, could I?
Well,
all right.
You better hurry up and
start your pumping though.
They're about ready to start,
and keep that bobber up there,
no matter what.
Sowing in the morning
Sowing seeds of kindness
Sowing in the noontide
and the dewy eve
Waiting for the harvest
And the time of reaping
We shall come rejoicing
Bringing in the sheaves
We shall come rejoicing
Bringing in the sheaves
Bringing in the sheave
Yes, keep it up there.
We shall come rejoicing
Bringing in the sheaves
We shall come rejoicing
Bringing in the sheaves
The fire burned all the cover
off the north side of Strawberry Hill,
leaving at bare and
subject to erosion by rain.
Excited?
The committee on soil erosion
had to replant it with oats or barley,
but we'd appreciate the
county agent's advice.
Thank you, Joe.
I've had some information
from the state director
at the university about a new cover grass.
The department would like to
make some field experiments.
So if the committee agrees,
I'll send for enough
seed to replant the hill.
The grass is a rapid grower,
and has a deep roots.
Ms. Susan Matthews.
Just step up here, please.
You've been approved to become a member
of the Millwood 4H Club.
Please raise your right hand
and repeat the 4H pledge after me.
I do solemnly swear that I,
Susan Matthews will uphold
the rules and bylaws
of the 4H Club.
I do solemnly swear that I,
Susan Matthews, will
uphold the rules and bylaws
of the 4H club.
And as a true 4H member,
I pledge my head to clearer thinking.
And as a true 4H member,
I pledge my head to clearer thinking.
My heart to greater loyalty.
My heart to greater loyalty.
My hands to larger service.
My hands to larger service,
My health to better living for my club,
my community and my country.
My health to better living for my club,
my community, and my country.
I here with declare you
a member in good standing
of the 4H Club of Millwood.
Here's your membership card,
your 4H badge,
and a member's card to put on your house.
Congratulations and good
luck on your project.
Thank you, Mrs. Wexler.
Thank you everyone.
I'm going past your house, Susan.
Would you like a ride?
Mom and me were gonna take her,
but you'd better take her, David.
She's got something to ask you.
Well, good deal.
Goodbye.
Good morning, Mr. Grinstedt.
This is Ms. Susan Matthews,
the 4H club member I spoke to you about.
Susan, this is Mr. Grinstedt.
I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Grinstedt.
Come in.
Sit down.
You belong to 4H?
You want to make a project
out of raising two
purebred, karakul lambs.
You have no money, no security,
but you want to borrow money from my bank.
Is that right?
Yes. Mr. Grinstedt.
How do I know
you know anything about
raising Karakul lambs?
They're a very hearty breed of sheep
imported to the United States
from Zdravoo Hara.
Many experiments prove they
thrive in this country.
Their wool and hides are very valuable,
and have a ready market.
The wool from the grown sheep
measures from eight to 12 inches,
and weights from seven to nine pounds.
And it's used for rugs, carpets, blankets,
and sometimes to make hats.
The meat is not considered as
good as that of other breeds,
but it's wholesome,
and the milk from the yews
is made into fine cheese.
The yews grow to a weight
of 125 to 175 pounds.
The Rams from 150 to 200 pounds.
My brother Phineas has promised to help me
build a shed and feeding troughs.
I'll raise two beautiful
lamps, Mr. Grinstedt.
Do you know what interest is?
Yes.
It's what you pay for the use of money.
My bank charges 6%.
Are you prepared to sign an agreement
to pay that for any money you borrow?
Yes, Mr. Grinstedt.
What's your full name?
Susan Anastasia Matthews
Your address?
RFD, number three, Millwood.
How much money would you need?
Seven,
$75.
Sign here.
Oh, Mr. Grinstedt.
Papa, you're being
very silly about things.
Where are they?
The back.
Deborah,
Deborah, come on!
Deborah, Deborah.
Deborah, where are you?
Deborah, Deborah.
I'm coming.
Deborah.
Deborah, we got them, we got them.
David helped and they're beautiful.
They're just beautiful.
Here, Susie.
And I got their formula
because they have no mother.
But I'm going to be their mother
and bring them up to be the two best lambs
in the whole wide world.
Deborah.
Where?
Up the woodlot, on the hill.
They got a power saw and everything.
What are you men doing here?
We're not trimming our nails, miss.
Well who gave you permission
to cut down these trees?
I bought them from old man Matthews.
My father sold them to you?
Well, look, the old boy
is your father, he did.
You can't have.
Now, look miss,
these men in this equipment
costs be plenty every hour.
Now, if your old man
wants to change his mind,
he's going to have to pay for that.
Plus the profit I have a right to expect.
You bring me a check to cover it,
I'll call off the men.
Otherwise, no.
You better stay here, Phinney.
That man in the woodlot.
What about him?
You told him our trees.
I did.
We need the money.
You are going to give it
back, every penny of it,
whatever else he demands
so I can tell him to get
his men off our property.
I am not.
Then I'll return the
tractor to Mr. Clairborne
and get back our down payment.
I've already sent him his check.
The tractor's ours.
If they just hadn't
taken out all the stumps.
Papa wanted him to.
He planned to put in a vineyard.
How bad is it, David?
Well, any rain will
drain down into the fault.
Well, what about digging
those ditches you spoke of?
That's a big deal.
There are a lot of roots
that'll hold it for a while.
Don't look so serious.
I'll work out a plan when
I get back from Fulton.
You're going away?
Only for a week.
You think you can bear it?
I guess so,
if I must.
Meanwhile, I'll show you something
that Phineas can get started.
Now this erosion here funnels
water right into the fault.
Even if the fault weren't weakened,
it's still spills water
into the dry Creek bed
that aims right at your farm.
Well, after all my work, I
don't want it all flooded out.
It won't be.
Have Phineas put posts on each side,
stretch wire in between.
He can anchor it down with rocks,
and it'll catch any rubble
that comes down this way
and gradually fill in.
There's another spot over here.
Now Maurice hold still and mind me.
I'm your mother, you know.
How do you expect
to win a prize this Fall
if you don't learn to behave?
Susan.
Susan?
I'm out here.
You're always out with those lambs.
Come on in and get your costume fitted
or you won't be ready
for Buzz's party tonight.
I'm coming.
You think you can behave
yourself while I'm gone?
Very well then.
See that you do.
Susan.
I'm coming.
Here's your hood, Susie.
Thanks.
I wired those ears up good.
They're beautiful.
Let's try this, Phineas.
Ow.
Well stand still.
Gee, you look swell.
Deborah made it.
I'm Daniel Boone.
No.
Hey, you going with us?
I'm going out, but not with you.
Where?
To a dance.
To a dance?
Well, don't act so surprised.
It's not very flattering.
I bet I can guess.
David Barkley's back.
Oh, you're much too smart.
He's coming back late this evening.
Well gee wiz.
Susan, there are times
when I could just...
Who are you supposed to be?
Mom says she's a Fem Fatale.
I am not.
I'm Harriet the famous international spy
Oh look Buzz got the dasher.
What's the matter, Susie?
You're not afraid of a
little lightening, are you?
No, it isn't that, Buzz.
It's -
It's what?
It's my lambs.
They're out in the barnyard.
They're in their shed, aren't they?
Yes, but.
Where do you want them, in your bed?
You're lambs are safe.
Come on, eat your ice cream.
I churned it with my
own sweaty little paws.
Yes, and if I hadn't been spying on him,
he'd left out the salt.
He's an awful problem.
Oh.
Wanna trade?
Uh uh.
Ah, just a little lightening.
Can I have everybody's
attention for just a moment?
It's storming so hard
that Mr. Wexford and I
think it's too dangerous
for anybody to go home.
Oh.
He's helping me put up some beds now
and you can all spend the night.
Let me show you how to do this.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Jingling Jessie will know attempt
to juggle the jiggling candle
and the jittery match,
or so she says.
Phinney.
- Yeah?
We've can't stay here.
We got to get home.
But...
I've never heard rain like this.
If anything should happen to my lambs...
Oh, they'll be all right.
- Please, Phinney.
But Deborah told us to
wait for her and David.
Well you heard what Mrs. Wexler said.
All right, fine.
Deborah, help.
Help.
Deborah.
Deborah.
Where's Susan's room?
- In there.
Is she?
All right, just worn out.
Where's Deborah?
When the barnyard started flooding,
she went up on the hill
to check some barriers...
I'll put Susan to bed
and go look for her.
Deborah?
Deborah?
Deborah, it's no use.
We've gotta get out of here.
I've gotta...
let me alone.
Let me alone.
Let me alone, I've gotta
I'll get you some breakfast, Susan.
No thank you.
I don't feel like eating.
My lambs?
Are they?
Behind the stove, Susan, fat and sassy.
I want to call a meeting to order.
I'll wait outside.
You're mixed up in our
affairs enough to stay
and hear what I've got to say.
Sit down,
all of you.
I guess even an ugly man
can look in the mirror
year after year and find
satisfaction and what he sees.
He never sees what's really there,
only what he wants to see,
a reflection of himself as
he likes to imagine he is.
But if one day something comes along
that makes him look closer,
he'd know then
and forever after
that, he was,
he was just an ugly man.
Mr. Barkley,
I knew deep down inside
your advice was,
was well-intended and good.
I turned it down just
like I did everything else
that didn't happen to agree
with my own peculiar notions.
Also I was,
I was afraid that you and Debbie,
well, I was afraid of losing her,
and all of work she could do for me.
I preached the idea of us all
working and owning together
because I was afraid
to compete with others
and show up my own lack of ability.
I tried to hide all this even from myself
behind what I was pleased to
call the democratic process,
that my judgment was bad,
and my methods unfair.
I realize now that it's too late,
we're in desperate trouble,
all on account of my bullheadedness,
without much hope of saving ourselves.
But if your children could
find it in your hearts
to forgive me,
I know that I could find in that
the courage to,
courage to try and make things up to you.
We understand Papa.
- Oh, Papa.
Don't worry, everything's
going to be all right.
Papa.
Come on, David,
the 4H gang's ready
to start cleaning up.
Yeah.
What are you doing here?
Men gotta eat.
I'll make biscuits.
We're ruined.
You gotta show us where to start.
Okay, Buzz.
We'll start in the field
behind the barn.
You coming with me?
Yes, David.
You guys coming too?
Sure.
Well come on, we gotta help.
Get down you blasted.
Papa.
Papa,
I'll take them right out.
No.
You know, Susie, I'm
beginning to like 'em.
Oh, Papa.