ADAM
Gosh, Pa, you don't need to sneak in and check up on me. I am fully capable of hitching up a buggy and driving to town without your help. And yes, I know that I need to ask Mr. Burns what time Sarah needs to be home. I may be sixteen, but I'm not stupid! Do you really think that I have no idea how to treat a young lady? I watched you with Ma. I know I was only six, but I watched you. And I've seen the way you treat women in town and how they look at you. Well they're starting to look at me that way too. You think I'm young and naive, but I know some others things, Pa. Did you really think you could fool me? I saw the way you kissed Ma and now Marie. And I've heard things. I would never say this to your face, but as a man now myself, I know what men need and want and think about almost all the time. It's what I need and want and think about. It practically eats up my insides. Oh I know there are limits. I just hope Sarah is willing to at least test those limits just a bit.
I need to get going. Don't want to be late. Don't want to miss even one chance to dance with the beautiful Sarah Burns - have her in my arms. And then maybe, just maybe, on the slow ride back to her house…
BEN
Adam, I wasn't trying to sneak up on you. I just wanted to wish you well and see if you had any last questions before you left. WIshful thinking, I guess. Can you truly fault a father for that? After all, it is the first time I've gone through this. I know you think I'm too old to remember how it felt at your age to go to your first dance with a young woman, but I do. It's the kind of thing one never forgets. All those feelings and desires. And about those desires - I pray that you are able to keep them in check. Please be a gentleman. You are still so young. Someday, some glorious day, you find that special woman - like your mother was for me. She was my world and then she was gone. You are like her in so many ways, my much too grown up son. Thank goodness it will be a few years before Hoss turns sixteen and a long while until I have to face that with Joseph, thank the Good Lord! One young buck at a time is plenty for a nervous father.
I guess I should go get Marie and get going, too. You are not the only one who enjoys dancing, my son. Besides I wouldn't want to miss seeing you and Sarah on the dance floor for the first time - a rite of passage, so to speak. You would probably think it silly, but it will be a proud moment for me.