Sylvia 5/10

Laura is in the middle of giving the class an assignment of writing ghost stories. The kids seem into the idea, though the 500-1000 word limit may stifle the future Stephen Kings in the class. Willie asks if they will be making costumes again. Laura replies that the school board is holding a costume contest. Willie says that his mom already bought his costume and has gone ahead and torn out the labels so that people will think she made the costume. I really hope we don’t have to see this contest play out because I already know I’m not in the mood.

Laura dismisses the class. Sylvia puts her head on the desk and is not all that responsive when Albert checks on her. He calls Laura over and Sylvia looks up and says she doesn’t feel well. Albert goes to get some water for Sylvia as Laura helps her outside for some air. As Sylvia drinks the water, Laura suggests that Albert go to Almanzo’s to borrow his buggy so they can take Sylvia home. Sylvia refuses, saying she needs to meet her Pa at the Feed and Seed. Albert offers to walk Sylvia over, but she refuses. She goes back to the school to get her books. The siblings follow Sylvia inside and watch as she collapses between the desks. Albert runs to get Doc Baker.

Doc Baker exits the examining room and reports that Sylvia is conscious and resting. The diagnosis is exhaustion and the rumor is that Mr. Webb is the one responsible. “Exhaustion is only part of it,” Doc Baker continues. He asks Albert to wait outside, but the Ingalls boy wants to know what’s wrong since he hasn’t seen Sylvia for a while. Doc Baker asks how long and Albert says a couple of months. “She’s with child, son.” Albert is dumbfounded by the news, particularly since he claims that they didn’t do anything. Albert starts to freak out then runs out of the office. Laura asserts that Albert isn’t lying and Doc Baker believes her.

Doc Baker calls the Feed and Seed to break the news to Mr. Webb. He winds up the phone and asks Mrs. Oleson to make the connection. She complains about her knee, but Doc Baker tells her to make an appointment and connect the damn call. There’s no answer at the store, so the Doc tries the Webb house. Mrs. Oleson is prattling on about something so Doc Baker has to put on his mean face. It looks good on him. Mr. Webb arrives home as the phone rings. When Webb picks up, Doc Baker gives the background of what happened and suggests that Mr. Webb come to the office for the more detailed version of the story. Mr. Webb doesn’t like that Doc Baker is beating around a bush, and demands the straight poop. Over the phone. That Mrs. Oleson is known for eavesdropping on. Hector does not take kindly to the news and slowly hangs up the phone.

Charles walks up to Albert who is contemplating life near a tree at the homestead. Pa tells him that Laura filled him in on what happened. “I loved her, Pa,” Albert laments. He then thinks about Sylvia’s current state: “I hate her,” he cries. Pa tries to console Albert, saying that Doc Baker told him neither Webb said anything about who the father was. Albert thinks she’s lying, but Charles suggests that maybe this happened against Sylvia’s will and that Albert shouldn’t be so quick to judge people. Pa tells Albert that Sylvia is going to need friends now, but Albert doesn’t think he can be her friend.

That night, Sylvia is sitting on her bed looking at the ceiling when her father comes into the room. “You stay around the house from now on,” he orders. “I don’t want you going into town.” Mr. Webb plans on selling the farm and moving to a town where no one knows them. “You blame me for this, don’t you?” Sylvia asks. His response: “You reap what you sow.” Are you kidding me with that?!

We now see a younger Laura Ingalls happily running down a hill while "The Next Item up For Bids" music starts to play. Oh, it's the credits.