- Caroline: [Mrs. Oleson has caused a student to run out of the schoolhouse] Children! Can any of you spell "compassion"?
- [writes it on the board]
- Caroline: Can any of you spell "understanding"?
- [writes it on the board]
- Caroline: Will any of you tell us the meanings of these words?
- [pause]
- Caroline: Well, don't feel bad, children - I don't think Mrs. Oleson knows the meaning to these words, either.
- Laura Ingalls: But Ma, he's just dumb Abel!
- Caroline: [sharply] What did you say?
- Laura Ingalls: I said... he was just dumb Abel.
- Caroline: Laura, I'm ashamed of you!
- Mary Ingalls: It's just a nickname. What all the kids call him.
- Caroline: Well, it's a cruel nickname! And the next one I hear use it, my child or any other, is gonna get her mouth washed out with soap, the strongest soap I can find!
- Harriet Oleson: Didn't you tell the children I was going to teach today?
- Nellie Oleson: We did.
- Willie Oleson: That's the trouble.
- Harriet Oleson: Uh... before any decision is made, I would like to have an assurance.
- Lars Hanson: Yaw, Mrs. Olsen?
- Harriet Oleson: Well, uh... Mrs. Ingalls has two children of her own. And I would like to be assured that if she takes the position, that she won't show favoritism toward her two children other... uh... other children.
- Caroline: [after long pause while staring at Mrs. Olsen] Mr. Hansen, I've made up my mind. I'll teach the children.
- Charles Ingalls: Caroline, just one more thing. Just remember, the eggs are for selling, not for throwing.