(crickets chirping) (whippoorwill calling)
(gentle music)
(cow lowing) (birds chirping)
- Wasn't mother's wedding dress beautiful?
That's Aunt Abigail standing next to her.
Wait 'til you see her house.
there isn't a cleaner one in Avonlea.
- Well no wonder, she has only herself to pick up after.
- Aunt Janet you look like a girl in this photograph.
- I was, Sara dear, I was married 15 years ago.
- Father certainly had more hair back then.
- Mmm.
- Aunt Abigail looks quite the same, doesn't she, mother?
- Well she hasn't born and raised three children;
she's had only herself to look after.
- Yeah, she's given her life to service.
- And God bless her for it, Alec King.
Haven't you two better get going?
Abigail said noon,
and you know how she likes you to be punctual.
- Oh, I can't wait.
- Really, Felicity?
I cannot understand how you can get so excited
about putting little bits of fruit and vegetables
into jars and sticking them in a cold dingy cellar.
- Well, that's just because you've never done it before,
Sara Stanley.
My preserves are just as good as any grownups.
That's why Aunt Abigail asked for me specially.
- Abigail asked for you because I refused to do it.
My sister has a method of doing things
and woe betide anyone who dares try doing it her own way.
- Well, she can be a little fussy at times.
- Clemmie Ray's mother says
she's a dyed-in-the-old-wool maid.
- (chuckles) You mean a dyed-in-the-wool old maid?
Cecily!
- Well, she never did marry, mother.
- Maybe she has the good sense she was born with.
- She got used to her own way, that's all.
We all do as we get older.
- I think it's terrible to get set in your ways
when you're old.
- Oh, is that why you did it while you were young, Felicity?
- But she comes by it honestly, Alec King.
Could you drop the girls off on your way over?
- On my way where?
- Mrs. Lloyd's, I told you to deliver her eggs.
You remember?
- I wish just once, someone would consult with me
before they volunteer my services.
I do have things to do, you know?
- Oh, like fixing our bed
instead of burying your nose in a book?
That leg is so wobbly we're gonna wake up
in the floor one of this nights.
- Father, please hurry up!
Aunt Abigail will be cross,
and then she'll just spoil the whole afternoon.
- All right, Felicty.
Hold your horses.
- Well, someone's in a bad mood today.
Alec, don't forget the eggs.
Sometimes I think you deliberately don't bother listening.
- Goodbye, mother. - Bye, dear.
- Bye, Aunt Janet. - Bye, dear.
Bye, girls.
- You were really pretty, momma.
- Thank you, Cecily.
(lilting music)
- [Felicity] I think it's dreadful
that poor Aunt Abigail never married.
Why didn't she?
- [Alec] Well, maybe she just never found the right fellow.
- [Felicity] Mother said she could've once.
Maybe she still might.
- [Alec] She's too set in her ways to marry now.
(wagon clatters)
(knocking)
- [Sara] What are you doing that for?
- I'm scraping my shoes, use it.
- My shoes aren't dirty.
- It doesn't matter.
You are not to set foot in Aunt Abigail front halls
unless you've scraped your feet.
She's very particular, you know.
She prides herself on having the cleanest house in Avonlea.
- Hello, Felicity, dear.
Hello, Sara.
I've been meaning to have you over for such a long time.
- These are for you, Miss Ward.
- Thank you.
And you needn't be so formal.
Call me Aunt Abigail.
Come in, come in.
These are lovely!
I must find something to put them in.
- Well, how about this vase here?
- Oh no.
That's great Aunt Tessa's vase.
Wouldn't do to use that.
No, we'll find an everyday vase in the kitchen.
- Even though I did win the first prize
in the junior category at the fair last year, Aunt Abigail,
I'm sure to learn something from such an expert as yourself.
- Oh, I'm no expert, Felicity.
To me it's just a job that needs to be done.
If people didn't expect me to make preserves every year
I probably wouldn't do it.
- But, you win the ribbon every year!
- Ribbons, what am I to do with ribbons?
But, more hands make light work.
And I enjoy your company.
Sara, please!
Don't let those peelings get on the floor.
- I'm sorry.
I'll clean it up.
- Oh, don't use that cloth!
That's for the dishes!
Never use that cloth on the floor.
(knocking)
Huh.
(giggling)
(soft music)
(door slams)
(Abigail hollering)
Is it really you, Malcolm MacEwan?
- Aren't you surprised to see me after all these years?
Let's not count how many.
- Well, it's seven years this November.
- And you haven't changed a bit.
Abby, Yukon gold has made me a rich man.
And I'd like to renew our acquaintance.
If you're not already hooked that is.
- If I'm not what?
Oh!
Oh, no!
Mr. Mac, no, that is, I'm not married.
- Hallelujah!
Oh but it is good to see ya again!
- Oh!
- {clears throat) Aunt Abigail, we finished chopping.
- I'd like you to meet Sara Stanley,
and perhaps you remember Felicity,
my sister Janet's daughter?
- Glad to meet you, Sara.
I would never recognize you, Felicity.
My, you were just a wee thing!
Oh, I picked those for you on me way over.
Where would you like me to put 'em?
Oh, that's great.
Ah, a prettier vase there never was!
I apologize, young ladies.
I don't mean to be rude but if you don't mind
I'd like to have a wee moment with your Aunt alone.
But I'm looking forward to getting to know you both.
I've never seen such fair lassies.
Don't forget your sweaters.
- [Felicity] Goodbye, Aunt Abigail.
- [Sara] Nice to meet you, Mr. MacEwan.
- The beauty must run in the family.
(cheerful music)
- Now, that is what my nanny Louisa
would call a fine specimen of a man.
- Oh, poor Aunt Abigail.
- Poor great Aunt Tessa's vase.
- And did you ever see such kisses?
- If you don't mind I'd like to have a wee moment
with your Aunt alone.
- (groans) Sara!
(girls laughing)
I can't wait to tell mother and father!
- Put it on, put it on.
- I'm not accustomed to such extravagant jewelry,
Mr. MacEwan.
- I'll buy you a present a day if it'll make you happy.
(glass clattering) I'm sorry.
Here, let me wipe it up.
How clumsy can a man be?
- Please, please, sit down, Mr. MacEwan.
- I'm sorry, Abby.
I'm not good at this sort of thing.
There's a whole lot I'm not used to.
You might need to help me out a bit with my Ps and Qs.
- No harm done.
I should've remembered that you were all thumbs.
- I'm sorry too, if I bowled you over a bit.
It's just that I've never been so pleased
to see somebody again in me whole life.
- Well, I've never been so surprised
to see someone, Mr. MacEwan.
- Malcolm, Abby.
You're making me feel like a stranger.
- Well, you are quite a stranger to me, Mr. MacEwan.
It has been seven years, this November 23rd.
- I know.
And I'm not willing to let any more time
slip through my fingers.
Damned if your father's eyes don't follow me around.
Just like they used to when he sat in this very chair!
Ah, I've shown you, haven't I, you old cuss?
You refused my proposal that time.
Come back Malcolm when you're rich,
then you can marry Abigail.
He thought it was a safe bet.
But I did it.
It took a while, but I did it.
- Why did you leave so suddenly?
Without so much as a word to me,
didn't you know how that would make me feel?
- I'm ashamed of that, and I'm sorry.
But there was no time.
I wanted to go and make something of myself,
to make you proud of me.
And all the while, it was thinking of you
that kept me going.
And here ye are, sitting right across from me!
Abby.
Do you remember how we felt about each other?
- Yes.
- Well, then, can I, may I come calling then?
(soft music) (Abigail sighs)
Reverend Walter, I'm rich.
You've always been a man of your word.
May I now come courting your daughter Abigail?
He said yes.
What do you say?
- Yes.
Yes, you may, Malcolm.
- He's splendid.
He's tall and handsome and he thinks the world of her.
- He fairly knocked her over with kisses.
- Oh, he didn't kiss Abigail in front of you girls!
- Oh, yes, he did.
He picked her up and swung her around.
- You should have seen the look on Aunt Abigail's face.
- I've come to renew my acquaintances, Abby darling.
If you're not already hooked.
(Felicity squeals) (Janet laughs)
- I would've loved to have been there.
- If I heard it in town, I wouldn't have believed it.
Poor old Malcolm MacEwan back to have another go at Abigail.
- Oh, he's not poor anymore.
Mr. Malcolm MacEwan has done quite well for himself
in the Yukon.
He said so!
- [Sara] He sounds as if he is extremely rich.
- Is that so?
So the ne'er-do-well is rich, is he?
- Oh, Malcolm MacEwan was not a ne'er-do-well.
- Well your father certainly thought so.
- Well, my father would've thought the King of England
wasn't good enough to marry Abigail.
I was lucky he let me marry you, Alec.
Well, this goes to show you, doesn't it?
- Goes to show you what?
- Well that, things often turn out opposite
to what you expect in life.
Well, I remember when Malcolm was so poor,
he couldn't afford a suit of clothes to wear to school.
He used to worship Abigail, from afar.
- Well, if he and Abigail have a notion to get married
they're welcome to it as far as I'm concerned.
(people chattering)
- I saw Abigail Ward out strolling with that man
and she looked like the cat that swallowed the canary.
- Well, I suppose she realizes she's lucky
to be courting at all at this late date.
- He has money to boot.
Why, he paid me his entire room and board in advance
for the month! - Oh, he's got money
all right, real interested in finding property.
He wants a big house.
- And a brood to fill it.
- Well, Abigail is no spring chicken.
She better hurry up.
- Well, all I can say is I hope his manners
have improved with time, although the Yukon
hardly seems to be the place for that to have happened.
(bells jingle)
- Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Lawson.
- Good morning, ladies.
Malcolm!
Please, people are watching!
- Let 'em watch.
Abby, if you see anything that takes your fancy
you're to have it.
Hello, Lawson.
Mrs. Lawson.
How do you do, ladies?
Why, it's just like walking into a flower garden
surrounded by all this female beauty.
- Charmed, I'm sure.
We've heard so much about you.
- What can I do for you today, Mr. MacEwan?
- Well, Abby here thinks I need a new suit.
Oh, I've never had the time of day
for all these high-starched collars, but,
there's no arguing with a lassie
once she's made up her mind.
Now, what is it you've got for me to see?
- Well, I have some fine ready-made ones.
But, I'm not sure I happen to have one in your size.
- Well, that might be just the excuse
I've been looking for, Mr. Lawson.
We're also having a bit of a get-together, aren't we, Abby?
So we'll be needing some provisions, Mrs. Lawson.
- We'd like-- - The best side of beef
you've got. - A party?
Aren't you afraid of dirtying your floors, Abigail?
- It's not a party,
it's just a small meal for my sister Janet and her family.
- [Woman] Abigail!
- Excuse me, ladies.
- And just as I was about to give up for the night,
I saw it.
In the river, bright and shiny in the moonlight.
- Was it gold?
- No, it was a wee light beckoning to me.
I moved towards it and I began to see the outline
of an old man.
But he disappeared, just melted into thin air.
- Was it a ghost?
- Well, I'm not one who believes in such things.
But when I told the story in town,
they said it must've been old man McGinty,
telling me where to pan for gold.
- Who's old man McGinty?
- A miner from the Russian 97, dead these past five years.
They say he was murdered by a jealous partner.
- Weren't you scared?
- I'm not afraid of an old ghost story.
I went back under the cover of darkness.
And I put my dish right where he disappeared.
And of course the rest is history.
- You found gold?
- I did that.
And if indeed it was the ghost of old man McGinty,
I owe him a great debt.
He made me my fortune, and gave me a chance of happiness.
- Tell us about the grizzly bear again.
- Oh, Abigail, do let me give you a hand.
- Did it really eat all your supplies?
- Not just my supplies, it even ate my hat.
And it was my lucky hat too.
(children giggle)
(footsteps pattering)
- I'm delighted that everyone is getting along.
- Oh, the children are absolutely smitten with him.
Sara and Felicity worship him.
And I must say that despite his change in fortune,
he's still the same old Malcolm.
- Though, to be sure, he is very much changed
in appearance, isn't he?
And I must say, I don't like the mustache
but I haven't the courage to ask him to shave it off.
He might be offended.
Janet, I don't know what to do!
I don't know how to act!
And I must say I can't help pondering
what father might think.
He always said I wasn't the marrying kind.
- Abigail, it suited father to tell you that.
He wanted you to stay at home with him.
- It was nice to be needed.
And now it seems that Mr., (scoffs) Malcolm, needs me too.
But sometimes he is so, overwhelming, I,
I'm not used to so much attention, it's exhausting.
- Better that than being ignored.
- Oh, and the presents that he gives me,
they are positively ugly.
The jewelry, I couldn't wear half of it.
But, I don't, I suppose it pleases him to buy me trinkets.
I just don't know what to think!
- Oh, Abigail.
Don't think.
Follow your heart.
- I did that once.
(sad music)
- [Janet] Abigail, that was a wonderful dinner,
you put me to shame.
And Malcolm, your stories were riveting.
- Thank you. - Come on then.
- Bye Aunt Abigail! - This one's for you,
out we go. - Bye Aunt Abigail!
Malcolm! - Bye!
- Bye bye dear, thank you for coming.
- Don't forget your gloves. - Thank you
for the lovely party.
The first time I've actually danced
in the satin shoes that father sent me.
- And it's magic shoes they must be, Sara.
For I've never seen a more graceful lassie.
Here, let me help get everyone into the wagon.
- No, we can manage.
- No, it's no trouble, no trouble.
- [Janet] See if you haven't forgotten anything.
(clock ticking) (door slams)
- Abby.
I have something to say to you
and I want to do it proper like.
(smooth classical music)
If you'd like a bigger stone just say the word.
- Oh, no, no.
It's big enough.
- Do you like it?
- It's beautiful, Malcolm.
- Abby, I've been practicing to say this
for as long as I've known ya.
Can you find it in your heart to be my wife?
- I don't know, Malcolm.
We've been through this before.
And you went away.
I couldn't bear for that to happen again,
not, not after loving you all these years.
- Abby, I love you.
- I want to believe you, I really do.
What will everyone in Avonlea think?
- The devil what anyone else thinks!
Pardon the language.
Please say yes.
May I not even have your hand to hold, Abby?
- Yes.
Yes, Mr. MacEwan.
- He just, showered her with jewelry, apparently.
And I couldn't get over the way they act together,
could you?
It seems a long time since we acted that way, doesn't it?
Alec?
What is the matter?
You certainly weren't very pleasant company this evening.
You were almost rude.
- I wasn't rude.
I just got sick to death of hearing tales of derring-do
and life in a mining camp striking it rich.
- Oh, the man can't help it
if he tells an interesting story.
And the children were fascinated.
- Hmm.
- I think you might've tried
a little bit harder for Abigail's sake.
- Yeah, I, I could've pretended all right.
I'm getting good at that.
- Are you coming to bed?
- I, I better go check the barn.
The chickens got out last night,
Felix forgot to put the lock on.
- Remember how we used to sleep out there some nights?
Probably a lot more comfortable
than that wobbly old bed of ours.
I can come with you if you'd like.
- No, you, go on up.
I'll be in later.
(sad music)
- Abigail Ward!
May I be one of the first to congratulate you
on your lovely news!
My goodness!
Look at that ring!
Come and see, Mrs. Potts.
- I can see it from here, looks like a beacon in the night.
- Now, I know you're gonna need a million things,
so don't be afraid to ask
if you don't see what you're looking for.
- Well, Janet has convinced me that I need a new dress.
- Dresses!
- Well, then you'll need to look at material and fabrics.
Come right this way.
- Oh, Abigail!
Just look at that cream satin!
- Oh, nonsense, Janet!
I'm not a child bride.
No, I prefer the mauve taffeta.
- Oh no!
Don't do that, it's so somber.
If not the cream, then at least the peach.
- Well, the peach would be lovely on you
with your coloring.
- I'd stick to the mauve taffeta if I were you, Abigail.
- My goodness, it's going to be so odd
calling you Mrs. MacEwan.
- Now that's plain bad luck, Mrs. Lawson,
calling someone by their married name before the wedding.
Shame on you!
Usually it ends up the marriage doesn't take place at all.
Although I hope for your sake, my dear Abigail,
that is not the case.
Providence knows it's probably your last chance
to throw off the mantle of maidenhood.
(gasps)
- Oh, dear, I don't think that I can decide.
- Don't forget about your trousseau.
- My, my, my what?
- Your underthings.
- Oh, Janet, really!
I shall have to decide about the material later.
(footsteps clomping)
- You know, I don't think that Abigail Ward
has faced the reality of it all.
- Plain as plain, Mrs. Lawson, that she hasn't.
♪ Through every land by every tongue ♪
♪ Eternal are Thy mercies Lord ♪
♪ Eternal truth attends Thy Word ♪
♪ Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore ♪
♪ Till suns shall rise and set no more ♪
♪ Amen ♪
- I could almost hear the Reverend Ward
roll over in his grave.
The man may have money, but he hasn't changed a bit
in other respects, he's still a philistine.
Can you imagine singing at the top of his lungs like that?
Why it completely drowned out the choir.
- And for that, may we be truly be thankful.
- It will never work, you mark my words.
- Oh, Abigail, dear, you do look radiant.
Have you decided on a date yet?
Oh, Felicity will give me absolutely no rest
about a new dress.
- Hello, Alec.
- Mr. MacEwan,
I just wanted to let you know since you asked me
about properties in the area;
there's a big auction in Carmody on Wednesday.
House and contents.
- [Alec] You mean Raffie Johnson's old place?
- That's the place.
I'd go myself, but the, wife and I
don't see eye to eye on the auctions.
Anyway, just thought I'd let you know.
- And I'm truly grateful, Mr. Lawson.
I can never resist the thrill of a good bidding match.
- Edward! - Excuse me.
- I might have a look around there myself.
- Ah.
There won't be room for the two of us, Alec King.
Now, where did those women go?
- Sold to the gentleman with the mustache in the first row.
- That was the last item of jewelry and silverware.
We'll now be moving on
to the kitchen and bedroom furnishings.
- Would you be interested in a buggy, sir,
to carry everything home in?
(crowd laughs) - No, sir!
It's all to stay put, for I'm to buy the house too.
(crowd laughs) - Ladies and gentlemen.
Put your attention to this here solid--
- Look, Felix, do you think your mother
would appreciate a bed like that?
That rickety one at home's not worth fixing.
- I don't know, Pa.
The back's too big, you couldn't hang your shirt on it.
- She's always hankered for a bed like that.
I think she could use a present.
- Hey, yeah!
Maybe she'll speak to you again.
- 10, 10, do I hear $10? - $10!
- 10 now, the bid 10 and a half now?
10 and a half now, now a bid of 12?
- 12!
- 12, now a bid of 13? - 13!
- 13, now a bid of 14. - 14!
- Now a bid of 14,
now a bid of $15, 14. - 15!
- 15, 15, a bid of $15. - 16!
- 16, got a bid of 17? - 17.
- 17, got a bid of 18? - 18!
- Now a bid of 18. - 20.
- 20, got a bid of 21?
20, got a bid of 21?
- 23.
- 25. - $25!
- 26. - Now got a bid of 26.
- 27! - 28.
- 28, do I hear a bid of 28?
28, got a bid of 29. - 30.
- 30, got a bid over here, do I hear 31?
- Pa, you don't need it that badly!
- [Auctioneer] It's your turn sir.
- [Felix] That's a lot of money, Pa.
- (auctioneer babbles) 31, 31, 31, 31.
Going, going--
- $50.
- $50 bid, $50, now a bid of 51?
$50, going, going, gone!
- [Auctioneer] What's your bid on this beautiful bed
now, does anybody wanna bid of a 10, do I have bid of a 10,
$10? - 10!
(auctioneer babbles)
- Alec!
No hard feelings?
It's just a little healthy competition, that's all.
Just like the old days.
I must say it is refreshing that we meet again
on more equal terms.
- We wouldn't be on equal terms, McEwen,
if you had all the money in Christendom.
(soft music)
(brush scratching)
(sighs) (water sloshes)
(quiet music)
- Good morning, Reverend!
Thanks for the tip on the auction, Mr. Lawson!
(door clatters)
- Malcolm, did you use the scraper outside?
- Nope.
- Your feet are covered in mud!
I just washed the floor!
- Don't fuss so, Abby. - Ooh, Malcolm!
Please, sit down.
We must have a discussion
about the state you leave this house in.
- I have something to say to you, my darling.
- Malcolm, you put me down!
Put me down!
Put me down right now!
Put me down, put me down, put me down right now!
Malcolm!
Stop it!
Put me down!
(light music)
- It's my wedding present to ya.
Well, what do you think?
The moment I saw it, I knew it was just the sorta thing
a lady like you should have.
It'll look fine in our new house.
- What new house?
- In Carmody.
I bought it at the auction not an hour ago.
Wish you could've seen it,
there was nobody who could outbid me.
And you would've loved to see the people
gawking at this bed as I drove through Avonlea.
- You drove that bed through Avonlea?
(door slams)
- I hope I've done nothing to offend you, Abby.
But we are engaged.
Sit yourself down, we need to talk things out.
- If we talk at all, it will be about the house
that you apparently have bought in Carmody.
And how could you buy that bed?
How dare you disgrace me like that?
Parading it through the streets of Avonlea!
Well, I'll never be able to hold my head up
in the village again.
Oh!
- Don't worry about that, I don't mind a little.
- Well I do!
I am constantly cleaning up after you!
- Well, I'll give you a hand
and I won't let you do it by yourself.
- I am used to doing things by myself, Mr. MacEwan!
Malcolm.
- You're just a wee bit nervous, Abby.
It's time we settled on a date.
Come on.
Name the day.
- Don't, Mr. MacEwan.
- Malcolm.
There's something that I must say to you.
(pottery clatters) (tense music)
I cannot marry you.
- What do you mean, Abby?
- I cannot marry you.
- What?
- I knew that you wouldn't understand.
You don't realize what it's like for a woman
to give up everything she has;
her own house, her own friends, all her past,
and move to a place that's far away with strangers.
- But Carmody isn't very far away.
- Well, it might as well be on the other side of the moon
as far as I'm concerned, I don't know a living soul there.
- Well, why didn't you say so
before I bought the place, then?
- Because you never asked me, Mr. MacEwan!
- But it's not too late.
I can sell it and buy right here in Avonlea
if that'll please you.
But there isn't half a place to be had.
- No, please, Malcolm.
That doesn't solve the problem.
Oh, I just knew that you wouldn't understand.
(sighs) My ways are not your ways.
And I cannot make them over.
You track mud into the house!
And you don't mind it when things aren't tidy!
- The devil, Abby.
You must be joking.
I might be a bit careless.
A mining camp isn't a good place to learn finicky ways.
But you can teach me.
You're not gonna throw me over 'cause I don't wipe my boots.
- I cannot marry you.
- Abby, you can't mean it.
I'll do anything.
I'll go anywhere.
I'll be anything you want.
Only don't go back on me like this.
You're breaking my heart.
- I cannot marry you.
That is my final word.
- Abby.
No, please.
Don't do that.
I may not have the manners you want.
But I have my pride.
(sad music)
(door slams)
- Who would've expected it, they seemed so happy.
Abigail, of course, is completely back to normal.
At least, that's the way she appears.
- Hmm.
I knew the minute she really got to know MacEwan
she wouldn't be able to see it through.
- I'm gonna miss Malcolm.
I've heard he sold the farm near Carmody,
with all the contents; that's all the talk in town today.
- At least there's some justice in the world.
- You seem a little too pleased
with someone else's misfortune.
That's a wonderful attitude, I must say.
- Attitude?
I don't have any attitude.
- Oh yes you do, Alec King.
What in Heaven's name is the matter with you?
Ever since that man came to town
you've been nearly impossible to live with!
- Nonsense, why should that man
have any effect on me whatsoever?
- Oh well, it's beyond me.
But you do have a bee in the bonnet
and I wish to Heavens you'd let it out!
- Oh, so now I don't even have the freedom
of my own thoughts.
Even those are to be curtailed.
- Well don't be ridiculous!
You've all the freedom in the world!
- Look at me, Janet.
I'm 43 years old, I've never really lived my life.
- What are you talking about?
You were 44 last birthday.
- Thank you. - Well anyway, Alec.
What does it matter?
- What have I got to show for it?
- Well, well, you've got your family,
you've got the respect of everyone who knows you,
you've got the farm.
What more could you ask for?
- The farm was my father's.
All I did was stay on it.
- Well, somebody had to take over the farm.
You made a responsible choice.
- All I've ever made are responsible choices!
I've never taken chances or been adventurous!
I've never traveled further away than Halifax
because husbands don't do that,
fathers don't do that, they're responsible!
- Oh, I'm terribly sorry if you think
I've stood in your way!
If I've kept you from living your life!
I thought we had a good life!
- It's not that, Janet.
I just wished that I could've made something of myself,
by myself.
I could've gone to university, I didn't.
I could've, left the Island,
seen more of the world, I didn't.
Look at MacEwan, he goes away a beggar,
he comes back a hero.
- You're jealous, Alec King, nothing more than that.
You're jealous of Malcolm MacEwan!
Well if you're so dissatisfied with your life,
maybe you ought to go with him!
(dramatic music)
(rooster crows)
(grunts) (chickens clucking)
(coughs)
(wagon clattering)
- Malcolm.
What can I do for you?
- Alec.
I couldn't leave town without apologizing
for the way I behaved at the auction.
I get a kick out of bidding and, I never know when to stop.
Nothing personal.
- No harm done.
Got a bit carried away myself.
What are you doing with the bed?
- Well, you bid on it fair and square,
and I thought I'd leave it for you.
- Don't be ridiculous!
It's yours.
- I've no use for it.
- I don't have much use for it either.
- You could've fooled me, man, the way you were bidding.
- Well, I thought Janet would liked it,
but, the only reason I bid so high was, because you did.
- Guess that the two of us
made a fortune for the auctioneer.
- You made Raffie Johnson a very happy man.
- Now, please keep it.
- All right, if it's no use to you.
But let me pay you for it.
- No, if there's one thing I don't need is more money,
hasn't done me a bit of good so far.
- Thank you.
- But you can give me a hand with it.
- One, two, three.
(bed thuds) (Alec grunts)
So, uh, I hear you're leaving the Island.
- I'm going back to the Klondike where I belong.
There's no reason for me to stay.
But in a way it's put my soul to rest.
Knowing that she refused me for herself this time,
not because her father said so.
And I know what you've been thinking these past few weeks.
And you're right.
I'm not good enough for her.
- Now, I never said that.
- No, I'm not.
She deserves better.
- She might change her mind.
- No. (soft music)
You'll keep an eye on her for me, then?
As a boy I used to imagine what it would be like
living on this farm.
It's a piece of land I've always admired.
I was really rather envious of you.
Suppose I still am.
- Father!
There you are!
Mother's been looking all over for you.
Hello, Mr. MacEwan.
- Hello, young ladies.
Well, I best be going.
I have the coach at two o'clock.
- The coach?
- I'm leaving the Island for the wild, Sara.
There's a grizzly bear that owes me a hat.
Well best of luck to you, Alec,
and to Janet and your wonderful family.
You're a lucky man.
(exciting music)
(knocking)
- Aunt Abigail?
- Did you wipe your feet, girls?
How many times do I have to tell you?
- Aunt Abigail, Malcolm MacEwan is leaving.
He's going back to the Yukon.
- What did you say?
- He's catching the Avonlea coach this very afternoon.
- He's leaving.
- Leaving?
This must be a dream.
I was certain that he would come back.
- Why would he?
You told him to leave.
- But I never expected him to!
Oh, Lord!
What am I going to do?
Oh, Felicity, Sara.
I shall die if Malcolm MacEwan goes away.
I must have been mad!
I've almost died of loneliness since he went away.
I must talk to him.
Maybe I can stop the coach if I go across the fields.
- Wait, Aunt Abigail.
Now, he has to go to the General Store to catch the coach.
Now, Felicity and I will run back
and harness up the buggy to drive you.
(footsteps clattering)
(chipper music)
(Alec humming)
- Alec King?
What a bed.
What's it doing here?
- Well, you said you liked sleeping in the barn.
- I beg your pardon?
- I never did fix ours and I saw this
at the auction the other day.
Malcolm outbid me for it, but then he gave it,
it's a long story.
- You never said a word about it.
- I've been forgetting a lot of things, lately.
Especially where you're concerned.
- Well, what a change.
It certainly is different from that wobbly old bed of ours.
Oh, Alec.
(horse whinnies)
- [Felicity] No, let me do it.
You're doing it all wrong!
- Fine, then you do it.
- It goes in there.
- I don't want to put my hand in the horse's mouth.
- You don't have to.
Oh, let me do it.
- What the Dickens are you two up to?
- Aunt Abigail is beside herself in despair.
- We've got to get her to the General Store
before the coach leaves.
- It's a matter of life and death.
- Well, it will be if it's hitched up wrong.
- It's not. - Come on now!
- Girls, be careful.
(exciting music)
So, uh, you'd like to see Abigail and Malcolm together?
- Yeah.
They deserve each other.
Like another couple I know.
(exciting music)
- [Conductor] All aboard!
- Just on time.
Well, good luck, Mr. MacEwan.
All the best.
- Goodbye, Mr. Lawson.
My regards to your good wife.
- Hiyah!
(Abigail yelling)
- What in heaven's name?
(carriage thundering)
- Mr. Lawson, have you seen Mr. MacEwan?
- Well, he left already, Abigail,
on the coach, not a few moments ago.
- Oh, oh!
(yells)
(carriage clattering)
(yells)
Malcolm!
- Driver!
Stop the coach!
- Malcolm!
Malcolm!
(horse whinnies)
Oh!
Malcolm!
Please don't go.
I'll marry you.
I'll go anywhere.
You can bring as much mud into the house as you want to.
- There, there, of course I won't be going,
if that's what you want, Abby, darling.
- And you'll come back with me, right now?
- Of course.
Of course.
(dramatic music)
Well, lassies, looks as though
we'll be getting to know each other a little better.
- You girls are heaven sent, how can I ever thank you?
- There is one thing you can do, Aunt Abigail.
- What, anything.
- Let Mr. MacEwan drive the buggy home.
(chuckles) (bells jingle)
(cheerful music)
(crickets chirping) (whippoorwill calling)