Finished cutting the field?
Yes.
But I'm afraid it's too late.
There's a storm brewing.
If it rains now on that hay it will be ruined.
Well, the storm may not hit for a day or two.
If our luck holds.
We'll need everybody's help in the fields tomorrow.
I don't know how much you count on Felix;
he's working the front desk
at the White Sands all night tonight.
Well, whatever he can manage, every bit helps.
Providing it doesn't rain.
[thunder]
Alec, come to bed.
Oh, I'm just finishing this boat for Daniel.
Well, there's no hurry.
Daniel's got lots of toys, you know.
You're going to need your rest for tomorrow.
Well, if it rains I can sleep in tomorrow.
Staying up half the night sanding wood and worrying
isn't going to stop the rain if it's meant to come.
When it comes to the battle between the farmer
and Mother Nature, I know who has the upper hand.
But that doesn't mean I have to like it.
Would you like me to make you some tea?
Yes.
[knocking]
What's that?
Sounds like the barn door's unlatched.
Sounds like alot more than a loose door.
Yeah..
The McCormicks lost two hens last week.
You know.
Be careful.
Who's there?
I mean no harm...
What are you doing here?
Well, it looks like a storm is brewing and this seemed
a likely place for shelter.
Well, it's customary to ask permission
before bedding down in a man's barn.
I didn't want to wake you.
I'm sorry.
Thank you, I'll be on my way.
Well, there's no need for that.
You could be right about that storm.
You're welcome to spend the night.
Thank you, sir.
My name's Alec King.
This is my wife Janet.
Caleb Stokes.
Have you eaten anything today?
Well we can fix you up a plate.
I'd be happy to work for it.
Do you know your way around a farm?
Yes sir, I do.
Well, I got a field of hay that needs taking in.
And I can pay you fifty cents for the day
and three square meals.
Well, thank you, sir.
Is the field already cut?
Yes.
Well, I hope for your sake and mine it doesn't rain.
And I hope that you're not a drinking man,
because we've got children to think of, and...
No ma'am, I'm not.
It's settled then.
We'll be starting early in the morning.
I'll be ready.
We don't know a thing about the man, he could be a criminal.
Or an honest man fallen on hard times.
The light was on in the house, he knew someone was awake.
Maybe he was trying to save his pride.
And maybe he was trying to make off with one of our hens.
Yes but did you notice his hands?
Fine set of callouses there.
I noticed his hair.
He hasn't had a haircut in a year.
Well, we could use the help tomorrow.
Well, you suit yourself.
Tonight I'm going to lock the doors.
Up and Adam you three; Felicity, Cecily and Felix.
I'm certain they're awake, I 'roused them
myself this morning.
Now, you're going to be a good boy for Aunt Eliza
While we're working...
Is she up yet?
Eliza?
Yes dear I woke her to.
Good morning sweetheart.
Are your brother and sister all dressed yet?
I'm dressed Felicity's still primping.
Felicity the Horses don't care how you look.
Felix, I laid some food out for Digger but I didn't see him...
Would you like some tea to wake you up?
I don't understand why we have to wake up so early.
Because I want to get the hay in before it rains.
There's not a cloud in sky.
Not that I can see much.
Well it may be clear now but the almanac predicts rain.
Look, you know how your father is once the hay gets cut.
Let's just humour him by getting an early start.
Janet we can do the rest of the chores when they're eating.
Felix wake up lad, you can sleep in tomorrow.
Cecily you just keep an eye on Daniel until Eliza gets down.
Okay.
Felicity you worry about your hair at teachers college.
Here on the farm we worry about the hay.
Have you seen Digger?
No.
Was he out all night?
Don't know.
He's probably chasing rabbits.
I wonder if our boarder is up yet.
Morning.
Oh good morning.
I guess he is.
I awoke to the sound of your cows needing milking
so I went ahead.
I hope that suits you.
Suits me fine.
Why don't you go up to the house and get some breakfast.
Well it's about time you showed up.
Where have you been boy?
You been chasing rabbits,
or have you got yourself a girlfriend?
What's this?
He's got Buckshot in his fir.
Now who would do a thing like that?
And why?
What have you been up to?
Well we better get a move on if we're going to get that hay in.
I'll hitch up the team.
You can get Cecily to feed the chickens.
Yeah, I'll go fix some sausage and biscuit
and I'll bring it out to you in the field.
Thank you.
Easy, now.
Alright, take her away.
Good idea.
Let's get serious.
Felicity bring that one in.
Alright Felix, off you go.
Take it away.
Move it along there.
Take it away.
Alright that's got it.
Let's go.
Look at that.
We did it.
Yes.
Yes we did.
[thunder]
Oh, is he a good worker.
Caleb?
Yes.
Yeah, he's very good.
Where are the kids?
They're out in the barn. I think.
I'll go get them.
You know we would have lost half that hay today
if he hadn't of been around.
Yes, we would have.
I can think of half a dozen things around here that doing.
Potatoes to dig, and apples to pick.
Not to mention all that wood to be chopped for winter
and the rocks to be cleared from the field.
That's right.
Maybe you should ask Caleb to stay for a few days.
Oh do you think that would be a good idea?
I think you think it's a good idea.
I'll go get him some of your clothes to wear.
Goodness knows his need a good wash.
Then Icarus flew into the heavens on the wings
his father had built, but he forgot his father's warning.
He was so dazzled by the beauty of the sun,
he couldn't help but fly closer and closer and closer.
By the time he realized the wax was melting, it was too late.
The wings just came apart and he plunged into the sea,
leaving his father broken hearted.
That's so sad.
He could have made a fortune off those wings.
Felix that's not really the point.
All right everyone, time for supper.
You're welcome to join us in the house, Caleb.
My table manners are a little rusty.
If it's all the same to you, I'd rather eat out here.
As you wish.
If you'd like me to wash your clothing.
I've brought you some of my husband's clothes to put on.
Yeah I guess there hasn't been much laundry soap
the places I've been.
What places are those?
Barns, and haystacks - anywhere the ground
hasn't been to hard to sleep on.
I'm surprised you haven't settled anywhere.
You're a capable worker.
Sometimes that's not enough.
Well, I'll - I'll bring you down a plate after we finish.
Thank you.
Here you go. Catch it.
Catch that ball.
You keep at it Daniel.
Ah Caleb, once you're done with that,
I could use a hand in the loft.
Yes sir.
Cecily, would you come give me a hand scrubbing these apples.
I promised a bushel to Hetty and to Abigail.
Digger!
Get out of there.
Look out!
Daniel!
Is he all right?
I think so.
I'm sorry, I thought --
Oh sweatheart, it had nothing to do with you.
It's not your fault.
It was an accident.
Thank you.
"It is the home of Scylla, the creature with the..."
Horribilis.
Dreadful.
Horrible.
"...the creature with the horrible.. howl?
Ululatum.
Howl, yes.
No question mark.
I hate translating Latin.
It's a dead language for a reason.
Felicity-
"She has -- six long...
skinny necks, each ending in a horrible head with...
triple rows of fangs."
That's disgusting.
That's great literature mangled, I'm sorry to say
by a sloppy translation.
How long did you keep to your studies yesterday?
I had to help put up the hay.
That's not an answer.
Half an hour.
Well it shows.
Per ardua ad astra.
Felicity.
Through hard work to the stars.
Do you want to go to teacher's college or do you not?
Of course I do.
Of course.
Well your interview in Charlottetown comes up
in less than a month and I assure you the examiners
there will be far more demanding than I.
I'm not worried about my Latin Aunt Hetty,
I'm worried about making a good impression.
I haven't given a single thought to my wardrobe.
Where's that Montgomery?
Paxor or.
Still sleeping.
Maybe I should make that the headline for the Chronicle.
Baby sleeps through nap.
What's the matter?
Oh, nothing's the matter, that's the problem.
There is nothing happening in this town.
So I have nothing to print in the paper.
You should do a story about our new handyman, Caleb.
He saved Daniel's life .
He did?
Don't exaggerate, Felicity.
I'm not.
Caleb's a hero.
He's a common vagrant.
Daniel would have been crushed by a barrel
if Caleb hadn't pulled him out of the way.
Ah, well that's more heroic
than Mrs. Latham wins church pie-bake.
I'll get my camera.
Felicity.
It was nothing.
I just...
Oh no Caleb, you're being much too modest.
Olivia if he hadn't have been there,
Daniel might not be alive today.
You could have been hurt yourself, Caleb.
Anybody'd've done the same.
I just - I don't think it's an interesting story.
You just don't know Avonlea yet, Mr. Stokes, believe me,
this is front page material.
Um, perhaps I can have a photograph
of you holding Daniel...
I don't like having my picture taken.
Oh, please, Mr. Stokes.
For my sake.
Oh, I'd just love to see Daniel in the paper.
If you have Daniel, you won't need me.
Oh, nonsense.
Here.
You're the story.
After all, you're the hero.
Janet?
And smile.
You mean to say you don't know where he comes from; who he is?
I know what he is, a hard worker.
And that's all I need to know.
Alec doesn't think we should pry.
Nonsense.
Why the man could be a thief.
He could steal you clean.
What do we have worth stealing anyway?
Besides, he's a dandy story-teller.
Last night he told us about how Paris stole Helen
and started the Trojan War.
And the night before he told us about Icarus inventing wings.
Not Icarus.
His father.
An educated man.
Curioser and curioser.
Caleb is strange.
Now that you mention it.
He reads for fun.
For heaven's sakes, Hetty, let the man be.
He probably learned the story working in the fields.
How silly of me.
I forget how field-hands like to sit around
and swap Homeric legends.
Don't prejudge everyone one who works with their hands
as being illiterate.
I don't.
I've always respected the value of honest labor -
it's what built this land.
Honestly, you two are worse than the children.
Well, I'm merely pointing out that Olivia obtained very
little information about your hired hand in her interview.
Aparently you two choose to know even less.
Well, come along Felicity, translation awaits us.
We have a few tall tales of our own to tackle.
Excuse us.
Amo, amas, amat, amamus, amutese,amamo --
May I help you?
The question is can I help you?
Name's William MacMillan
and I represent the Great Niagara Brush Company.
We make the finest brushes and combs on the whole
North American continent.
No quality general store in the Maritimes
should be without a complete selection.
I don't really have anything to do with the purchasing supplies.
You'll have to speak with our owner, Miss Muriel Stacey.
And where might I find her?
Across the bridge and down the first road on your right.
Half a mile.
You can't miss it.
Thank you.
Since I'm here, do you have any pork 'n' beans?
Yes, we do.
I'll take a can.
That's six cents please.
Are you reading about my brother?
Is this your brother?
No, that's Caleb our fieldhand.
The baby is my brother.
Caleb saved his life.
He did, did he?
How much?
Two cents.
That's our last copy.
My mother bought all the rest.
Do you know of a place I could stay for a few days?
Biggin's boarding house is just across the street.
Thank you, Miss...?
King. Felicity King.
That should do it.
Here.
Thanks.
"Breathes there the man, with soul so dead,
Who never to himself hath said,
This is my own, my native land!
I can't remember how long it's been
since I memorized that old chestnut.
Fourth reader for me.
My teacher said it was a poem about patriotism, but for me,
at ten years old, it was about the farm I lived on,
the land my father worked.
The way the fields looked in the morning after the first snow,
pristine and white.
Or the trees in autumn when the leaves have changed.
Or the taste of sweet corn, pulled off the stalk
and put straight in the pot.
Corn you'd sweated over all summer.
Nothing tastes as sweet.
It's a beautiful farm, Mr. King.
You're a lucky man.
I'm glad to hear that your father's hired hand
is working out.
I don't know.
He seems rather odd if you ask me.
Oh?
How so?
Well he's quite bright and obviously well-educated.
Don't we normally consider those desirable qualities.
Yes but why would such a well-educated man want to pitch
hay and dig potatoes on a farm?
You have to admit it does seem strange.
Not if that's what he wants to do.
Why would he want to do that?
Why do you want you want to be a teacher?
I suppose I've never really given it much thought.
All the top students in Avonlea go onto to teachers' college.
It seems like the thing to do.
Felicity, I do tell you that teaching
is much more than a "thing to do."
It's hard work, and if you don't love it, really love it,
you won't last a breath.
Is that why you gave up your job as school supervisor?
You didn't love it anymore?
Heavens no.
I love too many things; that's my problem.
Not enough hours in the day.
Why, I want to restore antiques, and study art, and I have in
mind a certain archeological expedition, not to mention
my volunteer work at the orphanage in Hillsdale --
No wonder you don't have any time for the store.
When you love what you're doing,
there are never enough hours in day.
I wish I had something that I loved that much.
You'll find it, you just give yourself enough time.
What I would say, if I were asked is, don't rush headlong
into something just because it's, it's "the thing to do."
You, boy.
Who, me?
Yes, you.
Does this town have a cablegram office?
You have to go to the White Sands to send a cablegram.
And that's down the road a couple of miles, am I right?
Yes sir.
How would you like to make five cents?
What do I have to do?
Go down to the White Sands and see that this note is delivered.
I'll give you Two cents now, and three cents when you return
with the receipt.
Deal.
"To Arthur Macmillan, 173 Davenport Lane, Moncton,
New Brunswick.
Am at Biggin's Boardinghouse Avonlea PEI.
Stop.
Come at once.
Stop.
Found Strawn."
Well we put in more than enough hay to last through the winter.
Well, that's good.
The Almanac says it's going to be a long one.
So far it looks like a bumper crop of potatoes.
Well, we'll have to make more room in the root cellar
to store them in.
The wheat and corn came in better than I expected too.
What is it?
What is what?
Well I think we could afford to keep Caleb on permanently.
Can we?
With Felix spending more and more time at the hotel
and Felicity getting set to go off to school there's certainly
enough work for him here.
What's the matter?
Alec.
This is Caleb's shirt, now look at the quality that.
It's hand-tailored.
It's probably a rich man's hand-me-down.
It's monagrammed, look, CS, Caleb Stokes.
It could be a coincidence.
Alec, I don't want to sound like Hetty,
but I wish I knew more about the man.
Well, he loves the land and he's no slacker
when it comes to work.
And if I ever found myself in the situation he is now I'd hope
someone would go the extra mile and give me a helping hand to.
[knocking]
Where's Alec?
Archie Gillis you're knocking loud enough to wake the dead.
Tell that to my poor hens.
What are you doing with Digger?
I found this mangy dog standing over the corpse
of my poor Jezebel.
Just this morning I feasted on one of her double-yolked eggs.
Digger would never do anything like that.
You're lying.
Felix.
Did you see him kill the chicken?
There wasn't anything else around
that could have done the job.
Well, I'm sorry, Archie.
We'll replace that hen.
I'll warn you, Alec, if a dog delevops
a taste for chickens he won't stop at one.
If I catch him again I intend to shoot him.
No.
It won't happen again.
It better not.
I can keep an eye on him tonight.
Archie Gillis is wrong.
Well, I for one don't want to bet Digger's life on it.
You let him run free and he goes to that henhouse
Archie Gillis will shoot him.
I can tell you that.
What are you going to do?
I don't know.
He might be better off, on a farm on the other side
of the island.
You can't send him away!
Well, I'm trying to think of what's best for Digger.
If we kept him tied up in the barn he'd be fine.
I'd take him for walks everyday.
Keeping him tied up when he wants to run free
is no kindness to Digger.
I don't care.
He's not going.
We'll talk about it In the morning.
Come on.
Good night, Caleb.
Good night.
Don't you worry, boy.
I won't let them send you away.
You know Felix, your father's right.
It wouldn't be a kindness to keep him tied up,
only six feet square to call his own.
Never able to go where he wants, when he wants.
It's a hard life I wouldn't wish on anyone or anything.
You want some company tonight?
Have you fed Digger yet?
No.
May I please have some bacon for Digger?
You know the rules.
Just this once?
But, I'm not making a habit of this.
Thanks you mother.
Digger?
Look what I got for you boy.
Digger? Digger?
I didn't do it.
I know that, son.
You do?
Your teeth aren't sharp enough.
This rope's been chewed right through.
He must have done it this morning after I got up.
He was here all night.
Well, where do you think he went?
I sure hope he didn't go to Archie Gillis's henhouse.
I'm going over there right away.
You've got school.
Caleb and I will swing by there on our way into town.
Do you really think he killed that chicken?
Much as Digger feels like a member of the family,
he is an animal, you know.
He doesn't know the difference between right and wrong.
Of course, Digger is as close to human as a dog gets.
Better get going. You'll be late.
You know, if we don't find Digger today,
I'll stand watch by Gillis's chicken coop tonight
if you like, and bring him home before he gets hurt.
That's kind of you to offer.
I'd hate to see anything happen to him.
You've been a big - big help around the farm, Caleb.
Yeah it's felt good, working regularly again.
So what would you say to staying on?
Well, you mean through the harvest?
No, I mean permanently.
We've got an old cabin about a half a mile back of our place.
It needs some work, but we could fix it up.
I'd say yes quicker than Monday follows Sunday.
Good.
I'm going into Hillsdale tomorrow to draw some money
from the bank.
For the down payment on this.
A binder.
A binder like that and a good hired hand, I could spend next
summer lounging under the shade tree sipping lemonade
There he is.
Let's do it.
Oh well, here's the problem.
He's lost his shoe.
Well we better get him re-shoed.
I'll pick up the supplies, you can take him to the blacksmith.
Alright.
Caleb Strawn.
I beg your pardon?
I knew it was you.
Hey...
Get up you swindling cur and get what's coming to you.
That's enough.
Stop that right now.
Alec King?
What's going on?
That's what I want to know.
These two men attacked my hired hand...
Caleb!
His name isn't Caleb Stokes, it's Caleb Strawn.
He's a swindler and a con man.
Dozens of people lost money to him.
He cheated our folks out of their life savings.
I'll go get some cold water.
Yeah... Yeah...
Uh huh...
oh he's not...
Alright thank you.
Well Alec, you've got quite the fellow working for you.
Remember that big phony silver mine swindle happened
in New Brunswick a few years back?
Vaguely.
Your hired man cooked it up.
I told you.
I didn't ask for your two cents worth?
He was tried, convicted and spent five years in prison.
Five years that wasn't near enough.
Now whether it was or whether it wasn't is no nevermind
here and now.
Your the two fellas who've broken the law by assaulting
Alec King and this fellow here.
I'd rather you not press charges.
If it's all the same to you, Mr. King.
Well I better make sure you two "gentlemen" find your way
out of town.
You haven't seen the last of us, Strawn.
I hope I have seen the last of you, because if I see you around
again I'll throw you in jail so fast
it will make your heads swim.
We better get back to the farm.
Look, when I was eighteen I left the farm to study geology.
And I signed on with the Cooperville Mining Company as
soon as I graduated and within a year I had found what I thought
would prove to be a big strike of silver.
And the other company experts said I was wrong but--
What happened?
The biggest strike strike of silver they'd ever had.
And I would have made a fortune if I had owned the company,
so I went into business for myself.
And after a year and a half of searching I was sure
that I'd found an even bigger strike.
But the experts said I was wrong.
They thought the silver wasn't there.
I couldn't find any investors.
So...
I bribed two of the experts to "examine" the property again.
They changed their findings.
And people lined up from all over to invest in me.
Innocent people who didn't know any better?
It wasn't my intention to cheat anyone.
If we had found silver everyone would have made a profit.
I was so sure...
Sure in a way you only can be when you're twenty-five
and you feel invincible.
Oh, Alec.
Honestly fighting at your age.
Well I didn't have much choice.
Does it hurt?
Yes when I smile.
What happened?
Oh nothing.
Father got in a fight.
You got in a fight?
Over Caleb.
Cecily, please.
You got in a fight with Caleb?
Two men attacked Caleb and I helped him out.
What do the other men look like?
Not much better.
But why did they attack Caleb?
Felix could you and Cecily leave us be please.
Your father and I have a lot to discuss.
But I want to know - Felix.
I just asked a - Go.
Wait till I tell the boys at school.
I don't see how Caleb can stay.
He's lied in the past and he's lied to us.
Well, he didn't lie to us.
He just didn't tell us everything.
A sin of omission.
Do you really think you can trust him?
Well, it'll be night soon.
We'll let him sleep here tonight.
And I'll--I'll tell him in the morning.
How are you feeling?
I've felt better.
Your dad tell you what happened?
Cecily overheard my parents talking.
You probably want to ask me why I did it.
I don't have a good answer for you.
Have you and father found Digger yet?
No. Why he hasn't come home?
No one's seen him all day.
Well, before we get worried why don't we have
a good look around.
Alright.
What's all this?
I was in Hillsdale this afternoon and it suddenly
occured to me that the Hillsdale Gazette keeps files
on newspapers from across the country.
So the editor was kind enough to lend me all these back issues
from the Moncton Courier out of New Brunswick.
"Strawn to stand trial for fraud."
Alec, it was my photograph that started this whole mess
and I want to know more about him.
And I thought you might too.
There's something I don't understand.
What's that Alec?
Well, according to everything I read,
his parents stood by him throughout the trial.
So?
Well, he lost everything, but his parents
still owned the farm.
So why wouldn't he have gone back there
once he got out of prison?
Caleb?
Has he gone already?
His things are still here.
Well, then where is he?
[bell ringing]
Digger.
What did we catch boy?
I've got you, you no good, mangy, chicken-killing mongrel.
Wait, wait wait.
Don't shoot, don't shoot.
I've caught your poacher right here.
Down Digger, down.
Where?
Digger Digger sit.
Here grab the rope.
[dog barking]
It takes a mighty brave dog to chase a raccoon.
They look cute but they're nasty as grizzly bears.
Mother, father look.
Hey boy.
You all right? You hungry?
I wouldn't worry about his breakfast, Archie Gillis already
gave him a nice tidbit there.
Archie Gillis?
I staked a trap at his henhouse last night.
Turns out Mr. Gillis's poacher was a raccoon.
A raccoon?
I knew Digger couldn't have done it.
Well he was probably chasing it the other day
when Mr. Gillis found him.
I'm going to tell Cecily.
Come on Digger.
We can't thank you enough.
I wanted to pay you back for your hospitality.
Ah maybe I have no right to ask you this and you don't have to
tell me, but why didn't you go back to your parents farm
when you got out of prison?
By the time I got out, they had both died.
But you inherited the farm?
I did.
So -- why wouldn't you go back there?
I thought you loved the land.
More than anything.
You know, all the years I spent behind bars, I never once
woke up dreaming about all that silver that I had sought after.
It was the farm.
But I just didn't feel right keeping it.
Why not? It was yours.
There were too many people like the Macmillan's
who had lost more than they could afford to lose.
I sold the farm and paid back as many people as I could.
But there wasn't enough for everyone.
Why didn't you tell us all this when you first got here?
I've been two years out of prison, Mrs. King and I've yet
to find the man or woman who didn't send me packing when
they found out who I was and what I'd done.
I'm sorry for misleading you.
I'll get my things and be on my way.
Caleb?
Yes, sir.
We'd-- we'd like you to stay.
There might be others like the Macmillans.
Look, we'll take them on together.
I thought I could start over here and not be recognized.
I left New Brunswick after someone came after me
and ended up hurting a man I was working with.
And he was left in far worse shape than you, I'm afraid.
I can take care of myself.
What about Mrs. King?
What about your children?
I didn't snatch Daniel out from under that barrel
just to have him accidentally hurt by someone out for revenge.
I'm not going to take that chance.
I'm not going to let you take that chance.
I'll be moving on.
Where will you go?
Maybe the States.
Somewhere where they haven't heard of me.
Here, At least take your wages.
This is fifty dollars.
Fresh from the bank today.
Alec, I can't take this.
Well, maybe you can accept it as a loan.
This was going to be the downpayment on your new binder.
True, I was going to invest it in a machine.
But I decided I'd rather invest it in a man.
It seems to me you deserve a second chance.
This is what I earned.
And for the opportunity you gave me to earn it,
I am truly grateful.
Mrs. King I'm going to miss your cooking every bit as much
as I'm going to miss this farm.
Good luck.
Thank you.