Adam quotes from Little House on the Prairie

Adam

I'll be waving as you drive away.

Adam

As some of you may know, I was back East last week in New York. I spent some time with my father and told him about the tragedy we have had. You'd all have to know the way my father was in the past to realize what a miracle it is when I tell you that he has asked to be able to finance the rebuilding of the blind school. Believe me, I will never again look at any man on the face of the Earth and say that he'll never change. My father did make one request, that he be allowed to name the new school. He sent this plaque back with me. Mary? Jonathan? [Mary, Jonathan and Andy step forward] We dedicate this school in memory of Alice Garvey and Adam Charles Holbrook Kendall. [unveils the plaque] May we make them proud.

Adam

I don't even know where to begin. When this first happened, when I regained my sight, it had a great effect on me. The way I feel and think about things. I used to love teaching. I found it challenging and exciting, and and I really thought it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. But it just isn't. The more I talk to Mr. Davis and the more I study those law books, the more I realize I want to be a lawyer. I have to be a lawyer. I talked to Mr. Davis tonight, and he's arranged for me to go to Minneapolis and take the exam. If I get a good enough grade, I have a chance at a scholarship. I know that's a big "if," but I just have to try. Mary, I want this more than I've wanted anything in my whole life. I can do it. I just know I can do it.

Adam

[to Mary] All you think about is being blind. You happen to be a very capable person who just happens to not be able to see with her eyes. When are you going to get on with living?

Mary

Get out.

Adam

Pitying yourself won't help. Blind people are just as good or as bad as everyone else. You're not special!

Mary

[throws her dinner plate at the wall] I TOLD YOU TO GET OUT!

Adam

That roast beef was good. You'll find some extra towels on the top shelf of the closet. This is your room as long as you're here. If you make a mess, you clean it up. See you in the morning.

Mary

I'd prefer to eat by myself.

Adam

When you eat in the dining room, you can pick your own company. But for now, this is schoolwork, so you'll have to eat with the teacher.

Mary

I don't like people looking at me!

Adam

Why? Cause you eat with your fingers? Nothing to feel bad about. Most folks do until they learn.

Mary

Look, my parents didn't send me here so you could teach me table manners!

Adam

Yes, they did. It's all a part of learning. Now just because you're blind doesn't mean you have to eat like an animal!

Mary

[to Adam] When would you go to take the test?

Adam

Well, I've only got four weeks to study for it, and I'm not going to be able to do any teaching during that time. I know it's going to be a real burden on you and Hester Sue.

Mary

We can manage. Besides, summer break's coming up in three weeks.

Adam

And I promised you a trip to Walnut Grove. I'll make it up to you. When I'm a lawyer, I'll have enough money to go anywhere in the world you want to go. Paris or Rome! Oh, Mary, I can do this! I got this feeling, like God came down, gave me my sight back and said, "Okay, let's see what you can do with it."

Adam

[about the world] I just can't believe it. I can't believe the colors! It's so much more vivid than I remember. The greens and the blue in the sky, and the most vivid of all, the blue in your eyes.

Mary

Adam!

Adam

Well, it's true. I've never seen eyes as blue as yours. You are so beautiful!

Mary

What if I hadn't been?

Adam

What?

Mary

What if I hadn't been beautiful? I mean, suppose you looked at me for the first time and thought, "Yuck, she's a toadface!"

Adam

Well, I'd never think that. You'd be beautiful to me no matter what you look like. I love you, but I must admit, I am happy that you're beautiful.

Adam

[to Mary] Sorry I'm late.

Mary

Well, that's all right. How did it go? How did you do?

Adam

I know how I did. That's why I'm late. I stayed while the professor graded my exam.

Mary

And?

Adam

And I did not make the top 3%.

Mary

Oh. Well, that's all right. You'll just have to study harder and take the test again next year.

Charles

That's right.

Adam

There's not gonna be a next year. [smiles] I made the top 1%!

Mary

Oh, Adam Kendall, I'm gonna kill you! [hugs him]