Little House on the Prairie S06E06 The Preacher Takes A Wife

Thank you, Mrs. Craig. Bye, Reverend Alden. Bye-bye. Is there something I could do for you? Well, I was wondering, um, uh... Yes? Well, I was wondering if, uh... You ready, Mrs. Craig? Oh, my ride. I have to go now, Reverend. Thank you. Will you all come in for coffee and milk? I just made my special chocolate cake. Oh, we'd love to, Anna, but we've already promised the Garveys. Oh. Oh, well. Here we go. Watch your step. Thank you. There you are. Thank you. Uh, couldn't you come in for just a little while? I've got some new slides for my stereopticon of the Grand Canyon. We'd love to. Maybe some other time. We really have to get on with the Garveys. Uh, next Sunday, maybe? Next Sunday, for sure. And thank you. Thank you. And don't forget, children, you're welcome to stop by for milk and cookies any time. Don't worry. We will, Mrs. Craig. Goodbye. Have a nice day. Goodbye. Good of you to drop by, Reverend. Can't get around much anymore. Don't see no one excepting you from week to week. With the wife gone, the kids off and away. Lord knows where. All my old friends dead. I got no one. Sometimes seems maybe I'd be better off if I was dead myself. Now, you don't mean that, Jeremy. Don't I? Uh-oh. You don't know what it's like to be old and alone, Reverend. To have no one. No wife. No kids. No one who really cares whether you live or die. I care. I think I do know. No. No, you don't, Reverend. You couldn't. You got all your congregations. All them there people loving you and inviting you into their houses all the time. Well, I like to think they care for me just as I care for them. But it's not quite like that. Jeremy, you need to think on the positive side. You've had a good, full life. God's going to call you to reward in his own good time. Meantime, I'm here to help. Well, thanks a lot, Reverend. Would you read to me something out of the good book? Anything in particular you'd like to hear? Oh, Luke 10, 27. It was Maggie's favorite. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, with all thy mind. You don't know what it's like to be old and alone, Reverend. To have no one. Out of that nasty old classroom and into some nice brushing. Here we go. Be careful. Come on. I thought with so many children and so much to do, you could use a pair of extra hands. We certainly could. And an extra pair of eyes. I'm afraid Hester Sue's doing so much, she's wearing herself out. I could help with the cooking. Reverend, Parker always said I was the best cook west of the Mississippi. Oh, there must be a hundred other things I could do. Well, there are, Mrs. Craig. Unfortunately, we really can't afford to pay you. Oh, I don't want money. I'm volunteering. Actually, you'd be doing me a favor, giving me something to do, something worthwhile. Well, what do you say, Mary? Extra help? For free? That we can't afford. Mrs. Craig, you're hired, and thank you very much. Oh, thank you. I hope you're not working too hard at the blind school, Anna. Don't worry, Carolyn. I love it. Well, just as long as you don't overdo it. I won't. Would you like to spend the day with us? Come on, why don't you have supper with us? Oh, I'd love to, but I've already made plans. I'm going to stay in town and visit. Some other time. Oh, yes. Thank you. Have a nice day. Thank you. Reverend. Mrs. Craig. Would you like to take supper with me at my house? Yes, I would. You would? I'd love to. Well, then. Perhaps you'd like to ride out now and look at my stereopticon slides. I've got some new ones of the Grand Canyon. Do you know I've always wanted to see the Grand Canyon? Let me get my hat. Mrs. Craig, I don't know when I've enjoyed a meal more. It was absolutely delicious, from soup to nut cake. Oh, I'm so glad you liked it, Reverend. I more than liked it. I savored every bite. Well, perhaps we'd be more comfortable in the living room. Whatever you say. Excuse me. Would you care for a cigar, Reverend? They're the same Grand Parker used to smoke, Perla de Cuba. I bought them special for you. Thank you, I love one. Oh, Reverend. Speaking of love, I was thinking about your sermon today. I'm happy to hear that, Mrs. Craig. You know, sometimes I worry that my sermons go in one ear and out the other. Oh, no, Reverend. I always take your sermons to heart. Thank you. Particularly today's. Do you mind if I ask you a question? Of course, Mrs. Craig. Who is my neighbor? Even as the lawyer asked the Lord in Luke 10, 29. No, your neighbor is really every one of your fellow men and women. Well, I have a confession to make, if I may, Reverend. Of course, that's what a minister's for. Well, I love a particular neighbor very much. I see. It's you. That's very Christian of you, Mrs. Craig. I, of course, care about you. Pure, platonic, rational affection between two of God's creatures. Oh, no, Reverend. It's not platonic and it's not rational. It's a love that surpasses all understanding. Oh, dear. The way the Lord loves us, you might say. Spiritual and sublime. Reverend Ogden, I love you the way a woman loves a man. If you'll excuse me, Mrs. Craig, it's getting late and I have to be going. I want to thank you for everything. It's old Jeremy Tyler. Doc's with him. Could you drive me? Sure thing. You'd better go right in. Jeremy? Reverend, too late for prayer? Never too late for prayers. Well, if I ain't got a place waiting for me up there, I'm afraid there ain't nothing much we can do about it. You've got a place, Jeremy. You've been a good friend to me, Reverend. And my good friend. Is there anything I can do? You've done it already just by being here. There must be nothing worse than that. Is there anybody you want me to notify? George, there ain't nobody excepting you. I promise you won't leave me to it. Of course I'll stay. Bury me up yonder on the hill out back. This old hunk of rock I've called upon has taken my sweat. Might as well take my bones, too. Give me your hand, Reverend. It'll help the going. God, seeing we're such good friends, just might give me a boost upstairs. Weak are we all. Give us peace. Strength for our battle at last. And rest at the close of that final day when our work is over. Amen. There you are, Anna. Corned beef and cabbage on the Ingalls. I'm sure it's delicious with such big portion. I try to take care of my friends. Thank you, Anna. Mrs. Ingalls! There are other customers waiting for service, you know. Excuse me, Anna. Mrs. Simon-Lagree calls. Reverend Ogden! My goodness, what are you doing here? Not that you're not welcome, of course, but it's only Friday. I decided to come in a little earlier. Oh, well, you're just in the nick of time to have our famous Olsen corned beef and cabbage. As a matter of fact, you can have a special place right here at my own table. No, thank you. I'm not hungry. Oh. Mrs. Craig. Oh, Reverend Ogden, of all people. May I join you? Of course. I wanted to apologize for taking such a rude departure last week. That was very rude of me. Oh, no, not at all, Reverend. It was getting late. To be honest, it wasn't the owl. It was what you said to me. Never before in my life has anyone told me what you did. Except my parents, of course. And I didn't know what to do. I ran away like a silly schoolboy. Oh, no, Reverend. It was all my fault. I don't know what came over me. I acted like a brazen hussy. Oh, no, no. You could never be that. You know, actually, I like your straightforwardness. It's a quality I very much admire in a person. I've made arrangements for another minister to take over the rest of my circuit for a few weeks. I can stay in Walnut Grove. I thought we could get to know each other a little better. If that's agreeable with you, Mrs. Craig. Oh, that would be very agreeable, Robert. You know, it's been so long since I heard my first name, I'd almost forgot it. And so, oh, Reverend Alden and that widow, the Craig woman. I think that's wonderful. Well, I think it's disgraceful. What's up? Carl, can I ask you advice about something? That's a switch. I'm usually the one coming to you for advice. Well, in this case, I think you have more expertise than I. I can't imagine what that would be. Well, it concerns a relationship between men and women. Precisely between a man and a woman. Well, to pinpoint it, it's actually about marriage. Marriage? Reverend, nobody gets to be an expert on marriage, believe me. I'll give you any help I can. I don't know whether you realize it or not, but most people don't consider a preacher to be a man. Almost everybody. I'm a white collar, black suit. Preacher's weeds, I call it. But I'm a man, Charles, with all the flesh and blood and spiritual needs of a man. And all the doubts and the uncertainty. Now, the only time I feel needed is an hour or two on Sunday and births and marriages and deaths. Charles, I need to be needed on a regular basis. Not just fall into the cracks between other people's joys and sorrows. Moving about from town to town, I am so tired of spending lonely nights in cold, empty rooms and listening only to my breathing. What would you think if I married Anna Craig? It's going to be flat out wonderful. You do? You bet I do. Did you pop the question to her? No, but I'm going to. When? As soon as I get up the courage. Come on in the house. I don't know anything about marriage, but I can help you with courage. Here you are, your change. Thank you. Oh my, good morning, Reverend Alden. Good morning. I'm so glad you stopped by. I was going to invite you to dine with us this evening. Thank you, Harriet, but I already have an engagement. An engagement? Yes. Oh. I would like to look at some rings. Some rings? Yes. What kind of rings? Oh, just plain ones. Plain rings? How plain? Gold. Plain gold rings? Is there an echo in here, Mrs. Olsen? I'm afraid we don't have any plain gold rings, Reverend. Yes, we do, Harriet. We got our stock in last week, don't you remember? Oh, yes. I'd forgotten. Come on, Reverend, I'll show them to you. Thank you, Nell. As a matter of fact, we have a very nice selection. I warn you, Mrs. Craig, that unless you give up this obscene relationship with the Reverend Alden, well, you'll suffer the dire consequences. Miss Olsen, we haven't done anything wrong. Robert. Yes, he's always been the very model of a Christian gentleman. Ah-ha. Can you prove that? I don't understand. How can you prove something that never happened? That is your story. Now, unless you stop seeing him, I will see to it that he is dismissed as the preacher of our church. Yes. And don't forget, I have the deciding vote. Well, we'll go elsewhere. There is nowhere else that you can go. Not if I inform his superiors of his immoral conduct with you. I tell you, we've done nothing wrong. Mrs. Craig, if you love him as you profess, then you will give him up. Otherwise, you will destroy him. You will ruin his entire life. Anna, did I misunderstand? I thought I was going to pick you up at your house. No, I had to get away to think. There's something I want to ask you. The sooner I do it, the better. Reverend, before you say anything, I can't see you anymore. You're joking. I was never more serious. Anna, I thought you cared. I do. Well, that is, I like you as a friend. Reverend, I realize today it would be unfair, unkind, to raise false hopes on your part. Especially since I always intend to remain true to my husband's memory. And then, too, we might be giving scandal to others with our close association. What are you talking about? What scandal? Anna, I can't hear you. Reverend, I think you'd better go now. I would rather be alone. You can't mean that. I do. Goodbye, Reverend. It's from the book of Job, chapter 3, verses 1 and 3. After that, Job opened his mouth, cursed his day. Job spoke. He said, let the day perish which I was born, the night in which it was said a man-child is conceived. We may ask, how the Lord could allow Satan to visit such terrible trials on a man such as Job? Because did not the Lord himself describe Job? He was a perfect and upright man who feared God in his youth. He's burning up his feet. Let's get him to the hotel. I'm all right. You just let the doctor take a look. Mother, how is he? Oh, well, he's not very well, I'm afraid. Where do you think you're going? To Reverend Auden. Well, there are no visitors allowed, and certainly not you and not in his room. What's his room number? Seven. Mrs. Olsen, if you don't move out of the way, I will hit you with this tray. Here. It's not supposed to taste good, but it might help your cough. Aren't you going to say, I told you so? What's the use? But now that I got your attention, maybe you'll follow my instructions. Bed rest and plenty of wholesome nourishment. May I come in? Of course, Mrs. Craig. I brought some hot broth. Mm, just what the doctor ordered. How is he? Well, he's mostly run down, taking care of everybody but himself. He needs watching. I'll take care of that. And him. I'd appreciate it. I should look in on the Gordon baby. Six weeks premature. What a fighter. Any instructions? Well, that cough syrup is needed, and two of these pills every two hours. Now you'll be good. Afternoon, Mrs. Olsen. Mrs. Craig, I'd like to see you, please. You've got a nerve! Why did you come? Someone has to look after you. You do care, don't you, Anna? Just be quiet and open your mouth. Yes, ma'am. Good morning, Mrs. Olsen. Isn't it a beautiful day? You're still here. Of course I am. As long as you need me, Robert. It could be a very, very long time. What was it Robert Browning said? Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be. Good morn... Oh, my... I'm over him! God may have mercy on him, but I won't. No, no, it's wrong. Oh, well, they spent the entire time together in his room. I caught them making love. Oh, well, now I have the proof that I need. And I will teach them a lesson that they will never forget. What are you going to do? I am going to send a telegram to the general synod of the church. Do you have any trouble, Robert? No more than usual. As long as I've been giving sermons, they still don't come easy. No, well, I must say, you'd never know it. Your sermons are always wonderful. I think you're a little bit prejudiced. But I thank you all the same. You haven't touched your food. Are you sure you feel all right? All right. I feel wonderful. So do I, Robert. I can't believe. We're really going to be married. Believe it. No second thoughts? Second thoughts? Third thoughts? They're all about you. Maybe that's why I can't concentrate on tomorrow's sermon. What is it? The Lord knows I've been to enough weddings. But I've always been on the other side of the pool. But always a preacher and never a bridegroom. In just a few days now, we're going to be looking up to Charles Ingalls as he pronounces this man and wife and says... What God has joined together, let no man put asunder. Wrong. You may kiss the bride. Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine Air of salvation Purchase of God Robert? Dean Harmon? Is that you? Another. Russell. I wasn't expecting you. I know. What brings you so far west? A Mrs. Olsen. Or more precisely, this telegraph which she sent to the General Synod. I can't believe that scant was garbage. No, of course not. But I had to come. To protect not only you, but the church as well. Mrs. Craig is a very fine woman. I was ill, she nursed me, it's as simple as that. Have you spoken to Mrs. Olsen? No, no. I wanted to talk to you first. Make sure that you were the same Robert Olden I knew. I haven't changed, Russell. Neither of my principles or my beliefs. That's all I wanted to know. But you also ought to know that I asked Mrs. Craig to marry me and she said yes. May I offer my congratulations? Thank you, Russell. Now. I know that Mrs. Olsen's charges are ridiculous. But if her allegations are aired publicly, I'm sure you're aware that the resulting scandal could be most unfortunate. That's the tragedy of accusations like this. They get the headlines and the truth gets a footnote or nothing. You could lose your church. Realize that. Now I know. It's most important to you, to your congregation and to the church as a whole. That doesn't happen. If I can't convince Mrs. Olsen to drop her charges, it may come down to a choice. A choice that you will have to make, Robert. Between your church and Mrs. Craig. I love this church. I love these people. But if it comes to it, I'll choose Anna. I understand. When I was younger, I once... All right. I shall see what I can do with this Mrs. Olsen. Perhaps you can have both. The best of both worlds. Thank you, Russell. Willie, get out of... Well, hello there, young fella. I'm Dean Russell Harmon. Nels Olsen. What can I do for you, Reverend? Well, I'd like to see Mrs. Olsen. As a matter of fact, she's expecting you. Well, speaking of the devil, there she is. Dear, this is Reverend Harmon. My wife. Mr. Olsen. I'll be with you in a moment, ladies. Don't... Don't let me keep you from your customers, Mr. Olsen. Your wife and I just have a little church business to discuss. It's a little small. Thank you. My buggy is just outside. Perhaps we could take a little ride and discuss it alone? Nice meeting you, Mr. Olsen. Oh, thank you. Likewise. It's been a long time, Harriet. Yes, it has, Russell. Twenty-three years, come June 15th. The day that you broke our engagement. I'm sorry. If I'd known it was you, I would have sent someone in my stead. Still afraid to face realities, Russell? I thought I was facing reality then, Harriet. As I told you at the time, I... I believed that I could not serve two masters, as it were, marriage and the ministry. I remember. You said you decided that you were already wed to the church. That your duties would be all consumed. And that it would be unfair to me to go ahead with the marriage. Did you think that it was fair to humiliate me so? Of course not. It was grossly unfair. It was cruel. But I didn't mean it to be that. As the day of our marriage approached, I... I had terrible doubts and fears. It wasn't a question of my not loving you, Harriet, but... The question in my mind was, could I... Could I devote myself to you and to God? The question was, did I love you or God more? I thought... I thought that I was doing what was best for both of us. I hope it was for you, Harriet. I've met your husband. He seems to be a very fine man. I'm very proud of my family. You should be. Did, uh... Did you ever marry? No. No? No. So... The question then is... How to deal with the matter of the Reverend Alden... and the reality of his relationship with Mrs. Craig. Now, I've known Robert Alden for 26 years, Harriet. He taught me theology in the seminary. I've never known a finer minister or a better man. You must know that. He's been your minister and your friend for years. You must know in your heart... that Robert Alden is not capable of conduct that is anything but the most honorable. Well, surely, Russell, you must know that even a just man can fall. Yes, but not Robert Alden, not in the way you suggest. Don't punish him for my mistakes, Harriet. Why should he be forced, especially by you? To make the same mistakes I did... when he has a chance for happiness with the woman he loves. Don't deny him that. This time... it's your decision, Harriet. Reverend Alden... Um... I'd like to ask you to forgive me. I know that I was wrong. I didn't understand myself... why... but, uh... Dean Harmon... it helped me to see... Reverend Alden, please... forgive me. Russell... it's a miracle. Don't look so surprised. If a minister doesn't believe in miracles, who will? For as much as Robert and Anna have consented together in holy wedlock... and have witnessed the same before God and His company... I pronounce that they are man and wife. What God hath joined together, let no man put aside. You may kiss the bride. Harriet, what's the matter? Oh, I don't know. No... You're just gentleman, I guess.