- Mary Ingalls: Pa, can I go to town with Mr. Hodgekiss? I can kinda introduce him to everybody and let him know who's stingy and who's generous.
- Reverend Robert Alden: I heard what you were saying. There's a few things I'd like to add.
- Caleb Hodgekiss: Reverend, I...
- Reverend Robert Alden: Don't interrupt a minster when he's talking to his congregation. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Brother Hodgekiss for the work he's done here. Thank all of you, you've been very generous. But I've known Brother Hodgekiss for a while. And I can tell you that what I know of the man, that he's given more than any of you realize. I know it's not considered proper, but I think the Lord would forgive us if we all give the Reverend a round of applause.
- Mary Ingalls: ...We wondered if you'd be willing to rent part of this room.
- Harriet Oleson: Rent? Did you say rent?
- Mary Ingalls: We'd consider the money you'd charge for rent as part of your contribution to the drive. I mean, if you rent fifty dollars for the room, we could enter that fifty dollars as part of the donation. And people around would be terribly impressed.
- Harriet Oleson: Fifty dollars... my, that sounds like a rather large donation to charity
- [laughs thoughtfully]
- Mary Ingalls: Probably one of the biggest gift that size in the whole county.
- Harriet Oleson: Ah... lIs that the ledger? May I? Mr. Sprague is only giving thirty dollars?
- Mary Ingalls: He's temporarily strapped for funds.
- Harriet Oleson: I see... Put the rental down for sixty dollars. The least I can do is contribute twice as much as the town banker.
- Reverend Robert Alden: He's taking from poor people.
- Mattie Hodgekiss: He's taking for the needy. Lord knows we are needy.
- Caleb Hodgekiss: Well, I never put my stock in the pearly gates. It always sounded like a bunch of froo froo to me.