Airdate: February 8, 1969
Writers: Peggy Elliot and Ed Scharlach
Director: Lee Philips
Guests: J. Pat O'Malley as Ottie Wilkins
Mason Curry as Deke Tuttle
Billy Beck as Frank Tobias (the passerby)
Rating: 3.75 bells
Synopsis
Jonathan and the Captain are at the attic window, where the Captain is teaching Jonathan how to use a sextant. Mrs. Muir enters, telling Jonathan he must finish his homework, and sending him downstairs. Jonathan, however, decides to stand near the door, listening to the conversation between the Captain and his mother. The Captain protests to Mrs. Muir, saying that learning to use a sextant is quite educational. Mrs. Muir agrees, but says that Jonathan's schoolwork is important as well. She also informs the Captain that Jonathan's teachers are telling her that his language is getting too "salty" for the classroom, implying he's spending too much time with the Captain. She leaves, telling the Captain, once again, not to interfere with Jonathan's schooling.
The Captain and Jonathan have come to town to buy a gift for Mrs. Muir. They enter the general store, where the Captain begins to look for a gift, and notices female mannequins dressed in very masculine clothing (interesting note: the mannequins appear to be "wearing" Edward Mulhare's costumes). He bemoans the fact that modern women all want to be like men, and reminisces about the past, when women were more feminine.
He's about to give up when he notices a parasol, which he decides will make a perfect gift for Mrs. Muir. He asks Jonathan to approach the storekeeper, Mr. Wilkins, and ask him the price of the parasol. Mr. Wilkins tells Jonathan it costs $37.50, but Jonathan and the Captain don't have the money to buy it. The Captain tells Jonathan to ask Mr. Wilkins to hold the parasol for a day. Mr. Wilkins reluctantly agrees
Back at Gull Cottage, the Captain is rummaging through his sea chest, with Jonathan at his side. He uncovers a beautiful piece of scrimshaw, and explains to Jonathan that because of inflation, the scrimshaw, which he originally purchased for $1.00, will now be worth $37.50. The Captain asks Jonathan for help in getting money in exchange for the scrimshaw. Jonathan agrees to help and brings the scrimshaw to Mr. Tuttle, the antique dealer. He tells him he wants to sell it, and Mr. Tuttle takes the piece into the back room, where he phones Mrs. Muir, telling her Jonathan is in his store, trying to sell a piece of scrimshaw worth $500.00. She tells him it's not for sale and that she's coming to town to pick up her son and the scrimshaw.
Later, at Gull Cottage, Mrs. Muir is looking quite distressed, when the Captain appears to say that there has been a misunderstanding and that Jonathan is a fine boy. Mrs. Muir tells him she sent Jonathan to his room because he refused to tell her where he got the scrimshaw or why he was trying to sell it. The Captain tells her that he gave the scrimshaw to Jonathan, and Mrs. Muir asks him if he realizes the piece is worth $500.00. He is quite surprised at the power of inflation and decides to visit Claymore to get a loan, using the scrimshaw as collateral. At first Claymore is hesitant, but when the Captain tells him how much the ivory is worth, he happily gives the Captain the $37.50 he's asked for. The Captain leaves with the cash.
Claymore is on the phone to the museum trying to sell the scrimshaw, when Mrs. Muir arrives to pay the rent. She overhears the conversation and asks to see it, but Claymore is very evasive and refuses to show it to her. She takes the rent receipt and leaves.
Back at Gull Cottage, Martha is sweeping and finds a wrapped gift under Candy's bed. Mrs. Muir comes home, anxious to talk to Jonathan about the scrimshaw, and Martha shows her the box under the bed. She and Martha decide to open it, and Mrs. Muir laughs at the gift and then surmises that Jonathan sold the scrimshaw so he could buy her a gift in order to apologize. Martha leaves, and Mrs. Muir is putting the parasol back in the box when the Captain appears, noting that she found his gift. She is surprised at this, saying she thought the gift was from Jonathan, but the Captain explains that Jonathan was merely helping him with the purchase. He then tells Mrs. Muir the reason for the gift, in a very touching speech, and suggests she use it when she goes shopping. She agrees to this because she doesn't want to hurt his feelings, but she is still embarrassed to use it in public.
As Mrs. Muir is leaving the house with the parasol, Martha stops her to ask why she's taking the silly thing with her, the Captain overhears this, and realizes he made a mistake with the gift. He distracts both Mrs. Muir and Claymore by getting them on the phone to each other, and exchanges the parasol for the scrimshaw. After she gets off the phone, Mrs. Muir turns to leave and then realizes she's forgotten the parasol, and turns to pick it up. She finds a small box in its place containing the scrimshaw. The Captain appears and asks her to accept the scrimshaw. She explains that she didn't want to hurt his feelings, and he tells her he knows that. She tells him she really can't accept such a valuable gift, and he assures her it's alright, because it only cost him a dollar.
At Claymore's office, Claymore is taking the scrimshaw out to sell to Deke, but when he finally opens the drawer where he's storing it, he and Deke find the parasol. Deke opens it up and hands it to Claymore, who holds it over his head.
Favorite scenes/lines:
The scene when the Captain brings the scrimshaw to Claymore for the loan is very funny.
The scene when the Captain explains to Mrs. Muir his reasons for giving her the gift is
really wonderful:
Captain: Ah, so you found my gift.
Mrs. Muir: Your gift?
Captain: Yes . . . it was meant to be a surprise.
Mrs. Muir: Well, it certainly is a . . . surprise. I thought it was from Jonathan.
Captain: Nah, the lad was merely assisting me. It's rather difficult to transact business
in my present state, you know.
Mrs. Muir: Well, what's the reason for the gift? What's the occasion?
Captain: Oh, no occasion, but . . . many reasons. Interfering in Jonathan's homework
needed some sort of explanation, I felt, so I decided on a gift as a substitute for words.
Mrs. Muir: Words of apology?
Captain: Certainly not. Words of appreciation . . . for your being here in Gull Cottage,
so I decided to get something lovely, feminine, and graceful. Something suitable for you,
who are all of those things and more. But of course, now you've spoiled the whole thing in
your typically feminine way.
Mrs. Muir: How? What have I done?
Captain: Well, you've got me saying words that the blasted gift should have said for me.
There, take it . . . use it.
Mrs. Muir: Thank you, and I- I certainly will use it, when the proper occasion arises.
Captain: The sun is very strong today.
Mrs. Muir: Today? Well, I'm going to be very busy shopping.
Captain: Perfect. What could be more delightful than to watch a beautiful woman strolling
graciously down the avenue twirling her parasol.
Mrs. Muir: What a lovely idea. I'll - I'll take it with me.
Captain: Splendid! I'm awfully sorry I shan't be able to escort you, but of course I'll be
with you . . . in spirit.
Contributed by Sheila Kaminsky