I'll Be Waving as You Drive Away 1/10

This episode opens with what I like to call "The Next Item Up for Bids" music. You know, the slightly up-tempo version of the main theme song that could also be used while describing a dinette set. Anyway, it is before school and the kids are playing outside. Nellie is reading on the front steps as Mary walks up and comments that Mrs. Simms (nee Miss Beadle) hasn't arrived yet. Mary decides that she should ring the bell, which annoys Nellie. Mary claims that she was instructed to assemble the class if Mrs. Simms was ever late. This claim is challenged by Nellie but Mary rings the bell anyway. As the kids walk towards the school a rather large child with the same hairdo as Mrs. Oleson starts running towards the building. Oh, it is Mrs. Oleson. She lets the kids know that Mrs. Simms kid has come down with the measles, so there won't be any school for two weeks. Harriet is really excited about this news, almost as much as the kids, which is weird considering she is usually the one in charge of the school board. Ah well, some things never change.

We're now over at a pond where a boy is fishing. Laura walks over to do some fishing herself and the boy invites her over for a sit-down. He's your run of the mill flirty Gertie, calling Laura "Brown Eyes" instantly. Two things to note: He is probably about 17 (Laura is about 11 or 12) and she is instantly googly-eyed. I think Laura just has a thing for older men. As he sets up Laura's line the boy introduces himself as Seth Barton. Laura giggles and tells him her name. Laura also mentions that she lives just down the road so she uses the fishing hole a lot. "I always knew I'd have good luck at this fishin' hole," he says. He's coming on a little strong but he is a cutie so...work it, girl.

Later on, Seth and Googly-eyes walk back to the Ingalls homestead. Laura invites her new friend inside, but he politely declines. Meanwhile, Mary is coming out of the henhouse and he takes notice. Laura calls over to her sister and she introduces her to Seth. Uh oh -- there are smitty kitties all over this city. Laura isn't quite aware of this yet, so she invites Seth to go fishing tomorrow. He says he has to work. Mary asks where he works. He says the livery and tells Mary that he gets off work early if she would like to hang out. Mary says she'd like that as the smile fades from Laura's face. They decide on three o'clock and Seth pats "Brown Eyes" on the head before he leaves.

At dinner, Pa asks if the girls have any special plans now that they have a two week vacation in front of them. Mary reports that Mrs. Simms gave her a bunch of books to read. I would not be surprised if Mary has a "Strike Preparedness Kit" tucked away in the loft. Pa asks if Laura has any special projects lined up, to which she replies "not anymore." Ma asks what she means by that, which reminds Mary to tell Pa about the new boy in town. Mary Ingalls sucks at subtlety. Laura accuses Mary of stealing Seth which totally catches the elder daughter off guard. Laura formally declares dibs but Mary suggests that he may be a bit old for the younger girl. Both Ma and Pa are intrigued about who this kid is if it is causing these two to get all Flavor of Love on each other. Mary starts to rub her eyes as if this conversation is giving her a headache. Ma asks what's wrong and Mary says her eyes are a little tired. Pa remembers that she is due for an eye exam soon and that this seems like as good a time as any to get that task done. I agree -- I need to get that on my calendar at some point. Thanks, Charles!

The next day, Seth and Mary are either playing tag, kiss/chase, or tackle football. There is much giggling. Later on that day, Laura sees Seth at the livery. She runs over to say hi and he asks her to give a message to Mary. He is going to be a little late for their meetup that evening, which surprises Laura. "Are you going to see her her again today?" she asks. "Don't it get boring?" I don't know why, but I find that really funny. Anyway, Seth thanks Laura and pats her on the head again. Laura patronizes the patronizing she just received and kicks the fence post as she walks by. She kicked a little too hard and starts to limp for a couple of steps.

Over at the optometrist, we see a close-up of Mary's eye through a mirror. The doctor is looking through some elaborate Clockwork Orange gadget and then declares his work finished. Mary asks if her eyes are alright and he tells her that all he could notice was a little eye strain. The doctor invites Pa into the office for the remainder of the consultation. The doc suggests that Mary wear her glasses for more than just reading for a little while. He reiterates the eye strain and cautions Mary that she may be working too hard. Mary is then escorted to the lens evaluation apparatus for her prescription update. Either my optometrist is really old fashioned or the technology has not had a major update since 1880. We zoom in on Mary's eyes as she tries to read the eyechart. She's squinting. Mary Ingalls sucks at eye exams.

That evening Seth and Mary are leaving the Ingalls homestead. I guess Seth came over for dinner, or at least had a nice chat with Ma and Pa. He says goodnight to everyone and Mary offers to walk him to the end of the driveway. They hold hands. Aww. Charles lingers a bit to supervise, but Caroline drags him inside. The two young lovebirds chat a bit about the Seth/Ingalls Mutual Admiration Society, but he brings up that Laura might not be a member. Mary says Laura may like him too much, which causes him to go "ooo" as in "oops". And then they make out. I know! Laura is watching this whole scene unfold from the loft window. She goes over to the bed, says "I hate you Mary Ingalls!" as she throws a pillow to the ground. Oh, honey.