Charles visits the Widow Thurman and finds her house in need of quite a bit of repair as her late husband didn't take very good care of it. The payment for the job is to be a new set of dishes for Caroline but it is a very big job for such a relatively small reward. Charles, being the good man that he is, decides to do it anyway and sets to work.
Unfortunately, the town gossips, lead by Harriet Oleson, also set to work with their tongues wagging about what is going on, particularly when Charles makes excuses for his absences, including a trip to Sleepy Eye which doesn't actually take place.
Mary and Laura are uncomfortable about the nasty rumours they are hearing, but it is even worse for Caroline, who has to bear the brunt of the gossip. Needless to say, all the gossips are firmly put in their place when they find out the real truth.
Terrific episode and a good showcase for actors we don't see as often as others in the series.moreless
EDIT
Episode Summary
When Charles agrees to do some handy work for Widow Thurman, he decides to be compensated in some way other than money. Not understanding why their father is spending long amounts of time at her house, Mary and Laura are concerned--and Caroline must deal with the suspicions around town that her husband might be cheating on her.moreless
-
Melissa Gilbert
Laura Elizabeth Ingalls/Wilder
-
Melissa Sue Anderson
Mary Amelia Ingalls/Kendall (1974 - 1981)
-
Karl Swenson
Mr. Lars Hanson (1974 - 1978)
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
See All-
Trivia
ADD TRIVIA- Nitpick: When Mary and Laura turn to leave the mercantile (right after they tell Nels that they weren't invited to Nellie's party), you can clearly see a 1970's--not 1870's--"Goody" style barette in Mary's hair, made of shiny black plastic. Reply: But it could have been made from bone, ivory, wood or metal. Edit
- Mariette Hartley, here portraying the widow Thurman, was a very popular character actress in the 1960's and 70's, appearing in everything from "The Twilight Zone" to Kodak commercials to Bill Bixby's love interest in "The Incredible Hulk." Edit
- The nice shot of Laura and Mary walking up a hill towards a flock of sheep was reused from the episode Ebenezer Sprague. Edit
-
Notes
ADD NOTES- Filming Locations: Filmed at Big Sky Ranch, Simi Valley, Basin Creek and Cover's Apple Ranch near Tuolumne California and Paramount Studios, Hollywood, California. Edit
- When Mary and Laura show up at Widow Thurman's house with the dress fabric, why doesn't Charles, who is still trying to keep the secret about the dishes, tell the girls not to mention to their mother that they saw him there? He had to have considered that the two of them, being kids, would go home and tell her what they saw. Perhaps he wanted to keep the dishes a secret from everyone, but he was taking a big risk by saying nothing. Edit
-
Quotes
ADD QUOTES- Mrs. Oleson: Mrs.Ingalls. Caroline: Hello, Mrs.Oleson. Mrs. Oleson: Oh, my, I bet your hens have been working overtime again, haven't they? Caroline: Well, we haven't had much need for eggs lately. Charles is gone right in the mornings. Mrs. Oleson: Yes. (sighs) I imagine that he has a very rigorous schedule. Caroline: He's been very busy at the mill. Mrs.Oleson: Is that what he told you? Caroline: What do you mean by that? Mrs. Oleson: Believe me, Mrs. Ingalls, I don't want to be the one to tell you this, but, well, since we're such good friends, I must tell you. Caroline: Please, Mrs. Oleson. Mrs. Ingalls: Mrs. Ingalls, I don't know, it upsets me so, but I don't know. Why is it that the wife is always the last one to know? Caroline: I do. I know everything! Mrs. Oleson: Did you know that Mrs. Thurman did not tell you the truth? Nor did your husband? Caroline: I know, already! Mrs. Oleson: Oh, my dear, my dear, you don't know what happened. Now, I have been asking around, purely out of my consideration for you, you understand, and I understand that your husband has been seen coming and going from the Widow Thurman's home everyday for a week! Now, if I were you-- Caroline: Well, you're not me, Harriet! Mrs. Oleson: What?! Caroline: In the first place, it is none of your business! Mrs. Oleson Mrs...! Caroline: In the second place, I know already! Thirdly, I trust Charles completely! (storms out) Edit
- Laura: (overvoice) We used the new dishes at supper that night, and every night after that, because Pa says that special dishes aren't for special occasions--they're for special people. And a family all together is the most special of all! Edit
-
Allusions
-
Help by adding allusions to this episode. Add allusions
-
Show Forums
Add a Topic
See All
Last Activity
Replies
-
Favorite Recurring Character
02/05/1210
-
Which child on Little House was punished the most?
02/05/129
-
Walnut Grove mysteriously re-appears after the last farewell?
12/22/112
-
Adam Kendall
08/27/114
-
Service for Mr Hanson.
08/11/112
-
Night Five
S 1 : Ep 5
Aired 4/23/05
-
Night Four
S 1 : Ep 4
Aired 4/16/05
-
Night Three
S 1 : Ep 3
Aired 4/9/05
-
Night Two
S 1 : Ep 2
Aired 4/2/05
Related Shows
Season 2 Episodes
See AllEp 22
Going Home
Ep 21
Soldier's Return
Ep 20
Centennial
Ep 19
For My Lady
Ep 18
The Long Road Home
Ep 17
Troublemaker
Ep 16
The Runaway Caboose
Ep 15
A Matter Of Faith
Ep 14
The Pride Of Walnut Grove
Ep 13
The Talking Machine
Ep 12
His Father's Son
Ep 11
The Gift
Ep 10
At The End Of The Rainbow
Ep 9
Remember Me (2)
Ep 8
Remember Me (1)
Ep 7
The Spring Dance
Ep 6
The Campout
Ep 5
Haunted House
Ep 4
In The Big Inning
Ep 3
Ebenezer Sprague
Ep 2
Four Eyes
Ep 1
The Richest Man In Walnut ...
-
ecgirl08 EDITOR
User Score: 7115
-
catsmeow3 TRUSTED
User Score: 508
-
dan62tvt
User Score: 878
-
DrCook920
User Score: 577
-
ceosmom
User Score: 302
-
German_Girl
User Score: 297
-
JediSnoopy
User Score: 207
-
pisces_t
User Score: 160
-
millerem99
User Score: 122
-
tanmanluvspool
User Score: 95
More
Less
