Little House on the Prairie

Charles: (about Albert) I just keep wondering where I went wrong. A man couldn't have asked for a better son than him. Mr. Edwards: It's hard to say. He just got caught in a bad crowd. Charles: But it all happened so fast. Granted, I worked late every night, and I didn't spend the time with him that I should have. Mr. Edwards: Oh, now, don't be blaming yourself for working hard. The boy should have understood that. You've got no reason to feel guilt. You know what I think? I think we go about raising kids all wrong. The minute they get old enough to work, then the father ought to just quit and go off and lay in a hammock somewhere! Right? Let the kids take over. The man's done his share.

Mr. Gibson: (to Charles after Albert stole from his store) I never would have believed you were the boy's father. The other boys, the Morgans......I know their fathers, so I understand why they are the way they are. But you? How does it happen? Charles: I don't know. (pauses) No, that's not true. He's not the same, I'm not the same. It's being here, in the city. I'm not saying all the blame lies here, but.....I came from a small town called Walnut Grove. Everybody knew everybody. I ate supper with my family every night. We did things together--fishing, picnics. But here. The little ones go to one school, he goes to another. We can't fish in cement. I can't eat supper with my family every night, because I have to work late every night, and if I don't work late every night, there's someone else who will, and they'll have my job the next day. It's just so different here. So different. Mr. Gibson: Why did you come to the city? Charles: To earn a living. I just got tired of worrying where the money was going to come from, month in and month out. It's funny. It didn't bother me when I was a young man. I kind of thought it was like a challenge. But when you get older, you want to feel more secure, not just for yourself, but for your wife and kids. You want them to feel secure.

Mr. Gibson: If I were to drop the charges against your boy, what would you do? You can't just let it go on like this. Charles: To be honest, I don't know. Mr. Gibson: You've got to get the boy out of the environment that he's in now. Charles: But how? Mr. Gibson: I think that if I were you, I'd take him back home, to your little town. Charles: Oh, I wish I could, but I can't. I can't pull up stakes now. My wife has a job here. The children have their schooling, their new friends. Mr. Gibson: Do you have any family there? Charles: Yeah. I have my daughter and her husband. Mr. Gibson: Maybe he could live with them. Charles: Without us? Mr. Gibson: Mr. Ingalls, if things remain as they are, he's going to be living away from home, anyway, in a workhouse. Charles: (eyes filling with tears) I know you're right. But away from the family.......maybe I can talk to my wife. Does that mean that you'll drop the charges? Mr. Gibson: (smiles) Yes. We could go on down to the station house right now, if you want. You won't get a good night's sleep after having a cup of my coffee, anyway.

Hester Sue: I wish Caroline could have made the trip back. Laura: So do I, but there's just no way she could have gotten away. You know, it's so funny. I know I'm a grown woman now, with a husband and a child, but when it comes to seeing Pa again.......I feel like a little girl. Hester Sue: I know what you mean, but fathers feels the same way. You'll never grow up to him, either. Laura: You're probably right. I didn't realize how much I missed him until I found out he was coming home. It seems like he's been gone forever. Charles: (walks in) Is that a fact? If you miss me so much, how come you weren't outside to greet me?

Charles: Your mother and I had a talk. Albert: (in a rude tone) Oh? Charles: And we decided that it would be best for you if you were out of the city. So I'm going to take you back to Walnut Grove. Albert: I don't want to go back. I have friends here. I like it here. Charles: Albert, what you want and what's going to be are two entirely different things. Albert: I'm not going. Charles: You'll do what I say. Albert: And if I don't? Charles: If you don't, then I'll ask Mr. Gibson to change his mind and press charges against you. Albert: You would do that? Charles: I've have to do that. I'm not going to sit back and watch you destroy your life, and your mother's, and mine. I'm not going to do that. You're not the only one in this family. You're hurting all of us, and I'm not going to let it happen anymore.