(serene music)
(seagulls calling)
(metal clanging)
- [Andrew] I can't believe there's going to be a real
magic lantern show right here in Avonlea.
- I'm looking forward to it so much.
Mother said I could wear my best pink muslin.
- I can't wait, I've never seen a magic lantern show before.
- I've seen lots of them.
In Montreal father used to take me all the time.
- Well la dee da.
- Maybe the fella will let us see how it works.
- It's probably pretty simple.
- Oh good, then there's half a chance
even Felix might understand.
- And no chance you will, Felicity.
- They've got these glass slides with pictures
painted on them and they put the slides between a lens
and a light source then project them onto a screen.
Understand?
(laughing)
- That door sticks all the time, you have to use the window.
- Well you could hurt yourself.
Someone should fix that.
Would you like me to get someone?
- No, no, thanks.
(door knocking)
- [Innkeeper] Mr. Beatty, your breakfast is ready.
- Um there is maybe something you could do for me.
Bring my horse and carriage over so I can jump into it.
- [Innkeeper] Mr. Beatty, are you in there?
- What do you think you're doing?
- Just helping someone out.
- But that's Mr. Biggin's buggy.
- [Sara] No it isn't.
- [Felicity] It is so Mr. Biggin's buggy,
I saw him go into the store.
- [Mr. Beatty] Thank you, miss.
- Hey, that's my buggy!
- Wait, that man owes me $50 in merchandise.
Come back!
(yelping)
- Come back with my horse.
(whistling)
- [Blacksmith] Stop in the name of the law.
- Stop, thief!
- That was Mr. Beatty.
- I told you it was Mr. Biggin's buggy.
- He ran up quit a bill at our store.
I told my husband not to trust him.
- Oh my goodness.
What about the magic lantern show?
Oh well it's a good thing the ticket money
is safe with you, Mr. Lawson.
- But Mr. Beatty said you had the proceeds, Olivia.
- Why would I have the proceeds?
He said you had it.
Oh no!
- I'd like to know how he got ahold of my horse and buggy.
- She gave it to him.
- Oh Sara, how could you?
- I didn't know it wasn't his buggy.
- Mr. Beatty seemed like such a nice, honest man.
He gave me his word.
- Men who run traveling shows are
seldom known for their honor, Olivia.
This is a fine kettle of fish.
I can't think why I let you talk me into dealing
with that ridiculous man and his backstreet side show.
- But Hetty.
- Magic lantern, indeed.
- It was a very popular idea.
All the tickets were sold.
- And as for you, Sara Stanley,
when will you ever learn to look before you leap?
You and Olivia cut from the same cloth, you're too trusting.
Sometimes I wonder if either of you
have the sense that God gave you.
Before anyone leaves the room
I have one more bit of business.
As I'm sure you all know by now the effort
to raise money for the school library by joining forces
with Mr. Beatty has proven unsuccessful.
Bad beginnings can make good endings.
And we must now follow through with my original plan.
I want each of you to try
and raise money on your own for the project.
- Here comes the part about honest toil.
- With the rewards of honest toil or by gathering
contributions from friends and family.
Now make sure you explain just what it is
they're contributing to and of what value it is.
Class dismissed.
(giggling)
- I have to think of a way to make some money.
I feel completely responsible for
the failure of the magic lantern show.
- You are completely responsible.
- Better hurry home Clemmie, before mom gives you a lickin'.
- I suppose we can't expect too much from you,
can we Clemmie?
- My mother won't give me a cent.
She thinks books form a pathway to the devil.
- My rich uncle is visiting from Charlottetown
and he'll be glad to donate to the cause.
I'm bound to raise the most money.
Wherever did you get that dress, Sara?
- My father sent it to me, it's from Paris.
- Oh Jane, isn't that too exciting.
Do you think I could borrow it sometime, Sara?
- If you think it would fit you.
- I wasn't going to wear it.
It will make a good rag to wash the floor with.
- I wouldn't give yourself such airs, Sally Potts.
Your kitchen doesn't even have a real floor,
just hard pressed dirt.
- Don't pay any attention to her, Sara.
- I don't intend to.
There are far more important things to think about.
We have to figure out how to make
the most money for the library.
More than Miss Frog Faced Sally Potts!
- I'm just going to pray to God to send me some money.
- That won't do any good.
- God gives lots of things but he doesn't give money.
People can earn that for themselves.
- I can't.
I think he should take that into account.
- I'll bet our relatives are good for a dollar each anyway.
- Father will give us more than that, you'll see.
- There one quarter each to get you started.
How's that?
Well, what's wrong?
- Nothing's wrong, Uncle Alec.
It's just.
- Oh you were expecting more, were you?
Well I'm afraid that's gonna have to do.
If you want more, you're gonna have to earn it yourselves.
- I could have a bake sale,
and Felix you could do some weeding.
- I don't like weeding.
- Lazy boys never do, they have to bend down too much.
- With a bake sale and weeding we'll never earn enough.
- Fine then, come up with
something better if you're so smart.
- Alright, we'll canvas to every house in Avonlea.
People are bound to contribute to such a worthy cause.
- I will not go begging door to door.
- Would you rather Miss Sally Potts
contribute more than the Kings, Felicity?
- The last thing this town needs is another charity.
- Get off my porch, look at the mud you've tracked.
- I've never heard of such tomfoolery.
- No, I'm sorry.
- Absolutely not.
- [Felicity] We were collecting money
for the school library project and we were wondering.
- The geese are getting out.
Oh if one feather from those geese
is missing you'll not get a penny from me.
- [Sara] Felicity, over here.
Get that one, Felicity!
- [Andrew] $2.15.
- [Sara] That's all?
- [Alec] Well plus the quarters I gave you.
- $3.40.
- [Sara] That won't buy many books.
- People are bound to contribute to such a worthy cause.
- Will you look at this Jan, it says here
that Wellington Campbell has returned
to his hometown of Avonlea to look for a property.
Remember him?
- Yes, well I remember what he was like
before he got so high and mighty.
- Well it seems he wants a place
on the island to get away from it all.
- He's handsome.
Is he rich?
- Oh, sure is.
Made a fortune in pulp and paper.
- Off the sweat of other men's backs.
- But that's it, someone who's rich,
that's who we should ask for a donation.
- They say since Wellington Campbell's made his money,
he's as hard to talk to as the King of England.
- Where is he staying?
- The White Sands Hotel.
(serene music)
- [Daniel] We can't go in there.
- [Sara] Nonsense.
I've been in much grander hotels than the White Sands.
- Maybe we should give up and go home.
It's only for rich people.
- You can all go home if you like.
But I'm going to see Mr. Campbell.
I warn you though, if he gives me anything
I'll keep it all for my own donation.
- Off you go now.
I don't want any of you children annoying guests.
- We're not annoying anyone.
- Ah Mr. Campbell and Mrs. Tarbosh,
how very good to see you.
Will you be joining us for lunch?
- We will.
- May I?
I believe we have one of your favorite
dishes on the menu today, sir.
Lobster bisque.
- It's him.
He looks exactly like his picture.
- He's with the Widow Tarbosh.
Aunt Hetty can't stand her.
She's always coming over and borrowing eggs
and never ever pays for them.
- Come on Felix, I have an idea.
- [Felicity] Sara, Felix, where are you going?
- [Manager] I thought I told
you children to get out of here.
Out.
- Sara, where are you going?
I'm not gonna let her get away with
keeping all the money for herself.
Come on, Felix.
- [Felix] What is she doing?
- [Felicity] Sara, we're going to get caught.
- Shh, there isn't enough room.
Shh.
(silly music)
- Felix, your feet smell.
- You're on my leg.
Move over.
- Sorry.
- Is he gone yet?
- I was hesitant to contact you.
But when I read that you were looking for property
in Avonlea, I couldn't help but think that it was
providence that our paths should cross once again.
- Well I don't know about.
- It is one of the most desirable
properties on the island, you know?
- It is indeed beautiful.
- If I have to sell it, I would like the new owner
to be somebody I can know and trust.
- [Wellington] I'm flattered you thought of me,
but I'm not sure.
- A man of your distinction and stature
deserves to have such a farm.
A haven where you can rest and enjoy the company of.
- Excuse me, Mr. Wellington Campbell,
we've come to ask you for a charitable donation to a cause
that I'm sure a man of your renown would agree with.
- Now look here, I'm not.
- Wellington, the children are so earnest.
What is it you want, children?
- We are collecting for the Avonlea Public School Library.
The same books are still there
as when you attended, Mr. Campbell.
- Excuse me, young man.
- [Sara] You can imagine.
(crashing loudly)
(gasping)
- [Felicity] Felix!
- [Sara] Felix!
- [Felix] It was an accident.
- I'm so sorry, Mr. Campbell,
I though you knew these children.
I assure you, you'll not be disturbed again.
This way, you little trouble makers.
Out, out, out.
- I'll have you know I've never been
treated in such a fashion in my life.
- If you ever darken these doors again,
you'll have the authorities to answer to.
- I thought I told the lot of you to clear off.
Now get out and stay out.
Go on, off with you.
- [Sara] Felix, how could you be so clumsy?
He was ready to give us a donation.
- Well, Miss Sara Stanley,
I have never been so humiliated in all my life.
But I suppose you have been
thrown out of much grander hotels than this.
- You and your great ideas.
First, you ruin the magic lantern show.
- And then you drag me around begging from door to door.
I honestly don't know why we even bother listening to you.
- Come on Felicity, we can do better by ourselves.
(serene music)
- Hello!
What are you doing?
Wait!
Come back!
Where are you going?
You left your hat behind.
Stop.
Please don't go.
You dropped your cloth.
Wait, Mister.
Come back, what are you afraid of?
You dropped your cloth and hat.
Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Sara Stanley.
What's yours?
- Jasper Dale.
Now please, I would like to be left alone.
- Alright, if you really want me to.
- Yes, please do.
(loud clattering)
- [Sara] Mr. Dale, are you alright?
Can I help you?
- No, just go, go away.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Close the door.
Just take my advice and leave.
- If only I could take everyone's advice
and not run so headlong into things.
Aunt Hetty says I'm unstoppable.
- Just go.
I'm very busy.
I can't have anyone around when I'm developing the plates.
- Oh please can't I stay?
I've always wanted to see how it's done.
I'll stay out of your way.
- Oh alright.
Stay.
But close the door, I've gotta have darkness.
- You have some amazing things here, Mr. Dale.
It's so beautiful.
That's me.
- Oh, sorry I didn't realize I'd taken your photograph.
- It's a very strange experience to see myself so large.
I usually feel so small.
- It's a magic lantern.
Finest one on the island.
- Do you have any other slides?
- Yep.
- There are dozens of them.
- Mm hmm.
- Has anyone ever seen them?
- [Jasper] Nope.
- Mr. Dale, I have a great favor to ask you.
Would you help me put on a magic lantern show?
- Show.
Oh uh, no I don't think that I could do that.
- Please?
You have no idea how important this is to me.
- No I don't really think that I could help.
- But you don't understand.
You see, I've let everybody down.
- You're much too young to have let anyone down.
- Oh but I have.
I'm the one who helped Mr. Beatty escape
with all the money for the library fund.
The whole town is talking about me.
- Avonlea might talk for awhile but they'll get over it.
- But I won't.
I want them to like me.
- And you really think a magic lantern show
will do the trick?
- It couldn't hurt.
But I can't do it without you.
- Well, if you don't think I'll get in the way.
- Get in the way?
Mr. Dale, it was fate that we met this afternoon.
- Magic lantern show.
Sara Stanley, are you dreaming?
If I hear one more thing about.
- Jasper Dale has a magic lantern.
- Jasper Dale?
That man hasn't said a peep
to anyone in this town for years.
- But he promised to help me.
Please Aunt Hetty, I know I can do it.
- It's totally out of the question.
I've already been down that road
and been made an absolute fool of in the process.
- Well there won't be enough money to buy books.
We have to do something.
- It was a popular idea, Hetty.
I feel.
- You feel?
It's about time you started to think, Olivia, not just feel.
What's doomed to failure once is doomed to failure twice.
(serene music)
- I still can't believe Hetty gave in.
Of course only success will justify it in her eyes.
- Well Sara Stanley, promise me you won't
go running off with the money this time.
- Don't worry, Mr. Lawson, I aim to
make this a show to remember.
- I'm sure it will be.
Anyone who can get Jasper Dale to come out of hiding
is bound to be full of surprises.
- Magic lantern show indeed.
I don't approve of pictures shows
and I don't approve of library funds neither.
Hard work, that's what young people need more than books.
- Well I'm sure you're entitled to your opinion, Mrs. Ray.
- Trust a little chick from Montreal
to come up with an idea like that.
Look at her.
Walking along as if she owned the earth.
Even if she has relations here, she's not a real islander.
- Jasper Dale?
The awkward man, he's as crazy as a bedbug.
- I was just saying you won't find me there.
- Mind you seeing Jasper Dale in a crowd
would be worth the price of admission.
(laughing)
- [Woman] Well either the piano's
out of tune or I'm out of practice.
- So, this one disappears as
this one reappears on the screen.
- Yeah as long as your pictures are set up right.
- Okay, well can I try it?
- Yeah.
- Is this what turns it on?
- Yeah.
- Imagine Jasper Dale having anything
to do with a magic lantern show.
- Imagine Hetty King having anything
to do with one either, Olivia.
I feel that you and that child will be the death of me.
- I just slide this in here.
- And do it carefully because they're fragile.
- Okay.
Mr. Dale, how do you know if the slide's upside down?
Mr. Dale?
- I don't know why you would strike up a friendship
with the awkward man of all people, Sara.
- Don't call him the awkward man.
He's just a little shy.
If you got to know him you'd find he's a very clever man.
- He may be clever, but he can't even
walk without tripping over his own feet.
- Mr. Dale, where are you going?
- It's all set up so I guess I'll be going.
- You're coming back for the show, aren't you?
- Andrew can run the lantern.
I mean he knows how.
- Mr. Dale, you promised.
- Oh I don't, I don't, I don't.
- Please Mr. Dale, we're partners.
- Oh well.
- You must meet my aunts.
This is Aunt Olivia and this is Aunt Hetty.
- Hello Jasper.
Well I hope you don't run off before the show
as our infamous Mr. Beatty did.
- Mr. Dale would never do that.
- Thank you for helping the cause, Jasper.
I know the show will live up to everyone's expectations.
- Well, well, Mr. Dale, you are a most secretive man.
We didn't know that you were so mechanically inclined.
How wonderful for all of us that you are.
- What Sara won't do to earn a little money.
She's such a show off.
- You're just jealous.
- You'd think you were her hired boy, Peter Craig.
The way she's got you like a toad on a string.
Jasper Dale, Jasper Dale, likes to hide in a garbage pail.
- Next to Sally Potts, Felicity's a saint.
- Why is he hiding from me?
- It's not just you, Sara.
Jasper Dale's been like that for a long time.
- But why?
- A lot of reasons, I guess.
I remember when he was young his parents
had such high expectations of him that no matter
how hard he tried, he just could never please them.
- How awful.
- And then when his mother took sick Addy McNeal was sent
to nurse her and Jasper fell madly in love with her.
But his mother just wouldn't consent to their marriage,
even on her death bed.
- How could she?
- Well Jasper rebelled and he arranged to be married anyway.
Even from the grave his mother won out.
The wedding day arrived and the bride didn't.
She ran off with a farmer from the next concession.
She jilted Jasper at the altar in front of the whole town.
- Poor Jasper.
- Well he's been a recluse ever since.
- Bye, Ma.
- [Mrs. Ray] Bye, Clemmie.
Be good, Edward.
- I told you Ma would never let you go to that stupid show.
- It's not fair.
I don't know anyone who has the measles.
Everyone else is going.
- Well I'm gonna meet Fred Bell in the woods.
We built a fort and we're gonna sleep there all night.
We planned it the whole summer.
- But you're supposed to take care of me while Ma's gone.
- I got better things to do.
- I'll tell Ma.
- You tell and I'll bury you in the backyard with the ants,
and they'll bite you and get in your ears and in your nose.
- Stop it, Edward.
- Where is Sara?
- That girl is slower than molasses on a cold day.
- [Felicity] I shouldn't think you'd wear that, Sara.
Those flowers will wilt in the heat.
- We're off then.
- [Hetty] Don't dilly dally now, we'll see you there.
- [Cecily] Aren't you nervous about
getting up in front of all those people?
- [Sara] Yes, a little bit.
- Well my father says that when you're going
to speak in public, all you have to do is get it
firm in your mind there's just a bunch of cabbage heads
in the audience, then you won't be nervous.
- I don't think there will be much
inspiration in talking to cabbage heads.
I want to speak to people and see them
looking interested or thrilled.
- Or bored to tears.
- [Felix] Hey, there's Clemmie Ray and she's crying.
- [Felicity] What ever is the matter now, Clemmie?
- Edward's left me all alone in the house,
and Ma's forbidden me to go to the magic lantern show.
She says Markdale's full of the measles
and there are sure to be some Markdale people at the show.
- I don't think there's any danger of catching the measles.
If there were, we wouldn't be allowed to go.
- Oh Clemmie, surely if you tell your ma
that it's alright with all of our grownups.
- It's too late.
Ma's gone to Newbridge and she won't be back 'til tomorrow.
- Well then why don't you just
come with us to the show anyhow?
Your mother won't ever know.
- Sara, you shouldn't put Clemmie
up to disobeying her mother.
- Felicity, stay out of this.
Now look Clemmie, go into this with all your heart
if you go into it at all.
There's no use in doing something bad if you spoil your fun
by wishing all the time you were good.
- Well what if Ma finds out?
- If you're so scared, you better not come.
Let's go, Peter.
- Wait, I'm coming.
(chattering)
- My goodness what a turn out, Hetty.
The library will be a huge success.
- Don't count your chickens, it isn't over yet.
- Don't worry, Mr. Dale, everything will go alright.
- Good, Sara.
- You wouldn't find me showing off
in front of the whole town.
- [Sara] Oh is the whole town here?
Think of the money we'll make.
- I bet it wouldn't take much to upset her little show.
Jasper Dale being so jumpy and all.
- Sally Potts, you wouldn't.
- Fanny Tarbosh looks like a head on collision
between a fashion plate and a nightmare.
- [Janet] We were beginning to think you were
too good for the island, Mr. Campbell.
- Oh Wellington isn't nearly as unapproachable
as the papers make him out to be.
- Islanders always come home, sooner or later.
Have you found a place yet?
- Nothing definite.
- But we're working on it.
- I'm sure you are, Fanny.
- Poor little hands were numb with cold.
Oh she thought, how one little match would warm me.
She couldn't resist, she pulled one from its little box.
Scratch.
How it fluttered and wavered in the night wind.
It burned just like a little candle.
But what a strange light.
Suddenly the little match girl was sitting
under the most amazing Christmas tree.
Thousands of candles were burning on its green branches.
She held out both her hands,
then the candles started to rise higher and higher
up into the night air.
One of them turned into a shooting star
that streaked across the night sky.
Suddenly the match went out, the light was gone.
Someone must be dying, she thought,
for her dear kind Granny now long dead,
had said that when a star falls a soul goes up to Heaven.
- That girl is destined for something, Hetty.
- This time in its glow stood her old Granny,
the only person that had ever been kind to her.
Granny, she cried, please don't leave me, take me with you.
Please don't leave me.
The little match girl pleaded and pleaded with her granny
in the glow of light that surrounded them like a blanket.
Granny took her dear little granddaughter in her arms
and flew with her high, high up towards Heaven.
Higher and higher they ascended
and there was no more cold or hunger or fear.
But in the light of dawn, her huddled figure was found,
frozen to death on the first morning of the new year.
She was holding on to her matches, nearly all burnt down.
She must've been trying to warm herself, the people said.
But no one knew the radiance in which she had risen
with her dear old kind granny and the joy of the new year.
(audience applauding)
- [Man] Well done, bravo!
Bravo!
- Three, two, one.
- Jasper Dale!
(loud clattering)
(people screaming)
(silly music)
- Mr. Dale!
(people screaming)
(serene music)
Mr. Dale.
(knocking on door)
Mr. Dale, are you home?
(window slamming)
Mr. Dale, I know you're in there.
Andrew has looked at the magic lantern
and has said that it won't take much to fix it.
Please come out.
I'm sorry, it wasn't your fault.
Everybody knows that.
- Don't fret so, Hetty.
When all is said and done, the evening was a great success.
- A great success?
Mrs. McGee goes up in smoke, you call that a great success?
I shall never be able to hold my head up in public again.
- Mrs. McGee was quite unharmed.
Only her pride was hurt.
- I knew anything involving
Jasper Dale was destined for failure.
Oh good lord, look who's coming over.
Hide the eggs.
Good morning, Fanny.
- There's not a good thing about it, Hetty King.
I'm so upset.
I hope the profit your show has made
is worth the pain it's caused me.
- Profit?
We'll be lucky to buy a dozen books
after we pay for the damage.
- What about the damage to the sale of my farm?
Our deal was to close this morning.
- Well I hardly think that's any of my affair, Fanny.
- Hello Miss Tarbosh,
I'm so sorry to hear about Mr. Campbell.
- Gone.
- Do you have any hard peas, Aunt Olivia?
- He practically asked me if my period of mourning was over.
- Why?
- I wanted to put them in my shoes as penance.
- I don't think Presbyterians do penance, Sara.
- It was either that or kill Sally Potts.
- You'll do nothing of the kind.
- Wellington.
- I led poor Jasper Dale into untold humiliation.
Maybe the little pebbles
on the front walk will do just as well.
- Not a word.
And now this.
- What would you say if I went
barefoot for the next week?
- I wouldn't say anything, Sara Stanley.
I'd simply put you over my knee
and give you a good solid spanking.
You'd find that penance enough.
Good heavens, Olivia, give her some eggs and send her home.
(serene music)
- Didn't I tell you she was no good?
The bible says man is born to trouble
as the sparks fly upward, and we have no better proof.
- Upward and across the room.
We could all have perished.
- She certainly can tell a story though.
- She's good at stories alright.
All she knows is how to spin tales and deceit.
You see what happened to my Clemmie all because
that story girl enticed her to go against my wishes.
- That's exactly what she is, a story girl.
- Hello miss story girl, I have a tale for you.
Clemmie's real sick, and it might be the measles.
And the measles go awful hard with the Rays.
If they don't die completely of 'em,
it leaves them half blind.
- Has the doctor said it's measles, Mrs. Ray?
- Well no.
But she's feverish, real feverish.
And all because you played the devil with her.
You've played the devil with all of us.
- That's enough, Mrs. Ray.
What kind of mother leaves her child alone over night?
Clemmie was far safer with us.
I'm very sorry she's sick, but I suggest you consult
a doctor before making your own diagnosis.
And whether she's told you or not, Mrs. Potts,
it was your girl Sally who caused the fire in the
first place with her mean spirited taunting of Jasper Dale.
So before I spread that story all over Avonlea,
I'd suggest that you take your wagging tongues elsewhere.
Oh that felt good, Sara.
(giggling)
- Anyway, Clemmie doesn't have the measles at all,
she just has a bad cold.
- I'm so relieved, Cecily.
I would've never forgiven myself
if she had died of the measles.
- She'd probably be a whole lot happier dead
than living with that horrible mother of hers.
- Oh look it's Sara Stanley the story girl.
Light any fires lately, match girl?
- You're just jealous because Sara raised more money
than you did for the library fund, Sally Potts.
Even after she paid for the damages that you caused.
Why don't you go home and scrub your kitchen floor
and then take a mud bath in it.
- I don't know what you're talking about.
I had nothing to do with that fire.
- Oh yes you did, Sally Potts.
And I'm gonna prove it if it's the last thing I do.
- Everybody knows it's old Jasper Dale's fault.
- You're the one that's stupid if
you think you can get away with it.
Confess Sally, you're the one that started the fire.
- I did not, and take your ugly face away from me.
Sara the story girl, what a joke,
tells a tale that goes up in smoke.
- Say it, confess.
- Sara the story girl, what a joke,
tells a tale that goes up in smoke.
- Say it.
- Come on, say it.
- [Kids] Say it, say it, say it, say it, say it, say it,
say it, say it, say it, say it, say it, say it, say it.
- Confess or we'll drop you in the deep part.
- Yeah and there's giant blood suckers in there,
I've seen 'em.
- Don't!
If I confess, will these idiots let go of me?
- Say, I started the fire at the town hall, not Jasper Dale.
- I caused the fire at the town hall, not Jasper Dale.
- [Sara] Louder!
- I caused the fire at the town hall, not Jasper Dale,
now let go of me!
- Let her go.
(screaming)
(laughing)
- [Felix] There's a bloodsucker on your hand.
(screaming)
- Sara.
Sara Stanley!
Come here this minute!
- The last time we met, Sara Stanley,
you were at the point of asking me for a fairly
sizeable donation to a certain library fund.
- [Sara] Yes, Mr. Campbell.
- But you see, young lady, I hate to part with my money
unless I receive some benefit from the expenditure.
But as for your performance.
- I'm sorry you didn't enjoy
the show last night, Mr. Campbell.
I'll give you your money back if you like.
- What makes you think I didn't enjoy it.
- You left before the applause.
- Sara, I may call you Sara, may I?
- Please do.
I prefer it to story girl,
which is what everybody is calling me now.
- And a most appropriate name it is, for that is
what you are, Sara Stanley, and never be ashamed of it.
Your performance the other night seemed to
move the audience in a way I've rarely seen.
- My mother used to read me that story.
- Your mother must've been very proud watching you.
- She passed away when I was little.
- My mother passed away when I was little too.
The way you told that story reminded me of her.
- So that's why you left early.
Sometimes it's a pity that your face
can't show what your heart is feeling.
But I suppose that's the way it is
for a man of your stature.
It would be like seeing the King of England in tears.
- Well hardly the King of England.
- Maybe not, but word would spread.
My Aunt Janet says that Fanny Tarbosh would talk
the ear off a pig if she had half the chance.
- Sara, I want you to have this
as my donation to the library fund.
- $1.000!?
Mr. Campbell, this would build a whole new library,
let alone fill one with books.
- That's right.
But you never get something for nothing in this life.
I only ask that the library be named in honor of my mother.
- And so it shall be, Mr. Campbell.
And we are most grateful, all of us.
(cheeful music)
- Mr. Dale!
Mr. Dale!
I have to talk to you about what happened!
Sally Potts confessed in front of the whole school.
Now the whole town will know that she caused the fire.
And that's not all.
Mr. Campbell made a huge donation towards
the school library fund just because he loved the show.
I want you to know we couldn't have
done it without you, Mr. Dale.
Thank you for not letting me down.
It's funny how things go, isn't it?
I was beginning to think that
what Aunt Hetty said was right.
You know about what was doomed to failure once
is doomed to failure twice.
But I think things can sometimes
turn out better the second time.
Don't you agree?
- You are un, un, unstoppable, Sara Stanley.
Now you know why they call me the awkward man.
- Well we've both got a name then,
because they're starting to call me the story girl.
And you know, the way things have turned out,
I don't think I mind one bit.
(serene music)