Little House on the Prairie (TV Series)

The Craftsman (1979)

Matthew Labyorteaux: Albert Quinn Ingalls

Photos 

Quotes 

• Laura Ingalls : I don't see why you have to spend so much time with that old man.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Well, I like him. That's why.

  Laura Ingalls : You seem to be the only one that does. Nobody likes Jews!

  Charles Ingalls : Half-Pint, what kind of talk is that?

  Laura Ingalls : Well, it's true. And I get made fun of too, just because I'm his sister.

  Charles Ingalls : So then rather than being made fun of, you go along with the rest of them that dislikes someone just because they're a Jew.

  Laura Ingalls : I don't dislike him...

  Charles Ingalls : Half-pint, if you don't stand up to people... bigots... then you're no better than they are. Worse, in fact, because you know that it's wrong and you allow them to think that you feel the same way they do.

• Albert Quinn Ingalls : How come you lit those candles, Mr. Singerman?

  Isaac Singerman : The flame represents God's light. On the Sabbath, we ask God to come into our lives, and illuminate the darkness we live in.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Yeah... well, I'm not too sure about God, myself.

  Isaac Singerman : Why? You don't believe in Him?

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Oh, I believe He's up there, just I've been kind of mad at Him lately.

  Isaac Singerman : Mad at God? Why?

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Well, because He lets bad things happen.

  Isaac Singerman : Albert, don't blame the Almighty for all the evil men do. God gives us the freedom to choose between good and evil; is it His fault if some people choose to follow the evil?

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Reckon I never thought of it that way. Some things are so hard to understand.

• Isaac Singerman : [on his deathbed]  Soon, I will be in very good company.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : It isn't fair.

  Isaac Singerman : It is fair. A man shouldn't be a schnorrer with life, either. I've had many good years; my body is tired, it's enough.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : But you aren't going to be here anymore.

  Isaac Singerman : Albert, the time I leave behind has nothing to do with me. It isn't mine, just like the time before I was born wasn't mine. Remember I told you if human beings keep asking questions, then there must be answers? Well, now I go where I will find some of those answers, you know. Now, we still have work to do with you.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : But I want to stay with you.

  Isaac Singerman : No, a craftsman doesn't leave a job half-finished. I'm depending on you, Albert. You must finish our work; it's for a very nice person, remember?

• Albert Quinn Ingalls : [as the pair leave Mr. Brower's house, where Mr. Singerman gave him his cane in exchange for an old bucket]  I don't get it. How come you traded him that great walking stick for this piece of junk?

  Isaac Singerman : [chuckles]  Albert, there's a Jewish word, "rachmones"; in English, it means "compassion". Life without rachmones is not worth living. He's a poor man, he needs a new walking stick.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Then why didn't you just give it to him? Why trade it for a rusty old bucket?

  Isaac Singerman : Because our faith says, "When you give charity, you must give so the person receiving the charity feels no shame".

• Isaac Singerman : [planting an acorn to replace the tree which had been cut down for his latest project]  Albert, a craftsman must strive not to be a schnorrer. A schnorrer is someone who takes and takes, and never gives back. God provided us with trees for our livelihood, so we must plant some in return.

  [suddenly clutches his chest] 

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : [concerned]  Mr. Singerman, are you all right?

  Isaac Singerman : Yes, yes. I'll be all right; I'm fine.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Are you sure?

  Isaac Singerman : [still wincing with discomfort]  I'm fine, all I need is some rest. You should be getting home now.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Maybe I should walk back to your place with you.

  Isaac Singerman : Nonsense. I'm fine, except for the fact that you're standing on my foot!

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : [backs up]  Oh, sorry.

  Isaac Singerman : [smiles]  Go home now. I'll see you tomorrow.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Okay. See you tomorrow.

• Albert Quinn Ingalls : [admiring Mr. Singerman's chisel]  Boy, I sure could have used that when I was carving.

  Isaac Singerman : [surprised]  You work with wood?

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Not really, I just whittle some.

  Isaac Singerman : Can I see what you made?

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : [looking slightly embarrassed]  Well... you might laugh.

  Isaac Singerman : Why? Does it tell jokes?

  [both chuckle] 

  Isaac Singerman : Albert, never be ashamed of any work you've done, only of what you haven't done.

• Zeke : [referring to Albert, with whom he's arguing over a call during a schoolyard baseball game]  Hey, looks like the Jew-boy wants another beating!

  Lem : OK, let's give it to him!

  Laura Ingalls : [grabs the baseball bat and runs between the boys]  Hold it, both of you! I've already hit two home runs today; you want your head to be the next one?

  Zeke : Oh, why don't you stay out of it?

  Laura Ingalls : 'Cause I'm a Jew-lover too, that's why! Now unless you want me to knock enough wind out of you to fly a kite, you better get back!

  Lem : Come on, Zeke, leave him be. It ain't worth getting your head broke for.

  [both walk away] 

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Thanks.

  Laura Ingalls : You're welcome.

  [pauses] 

  Laura Ingalls : You *were* out, you know.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : I know.

  [both laugh] 

• Albert Quinn Ingalls : How come we stopped working on the cabinet?

  Isaac Singerman : I just received an urgent order for a new coffin.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : From the Mercantile?

  Isaac Singerman : No, Dr. Baker is going to lose one of his patients. That's why we bring cut lumber from your father; it will save time. And in this case, time is important.

  Albert Quinn Ingalls : Did the doc say who was dying?

  Isaac Singerman : No, he wouldn't tell me. He only said it is a very wonderful person.