sorry about this morning.
I won't mince words, Mitchell.
Your kid is driving me nuts.
- I'll talk to him again.
- Maybe it isn't talk that he needs.
When my dad had something important
to tell me, he told me with his belt.
That's not how I deaI with my son,
Mr. Wilson.
However you deaI with him...
...he hasn't learned you don't shoot
an aspirin down a fellow's throat!
- Mr. Wilson, he's five.
- When I was five, I had some respect.
You were probably an exceptionaI boy.
In 1925, I was not the exception,
I was the rule.
I'll make sure
Dennis doesn't come by anymore.
CarefuI how you say it.
I don't want everybody to think
I'm a child-hater or an ogre.
I'm a reasonable man
who expects reasonable treatment...
...from his neighbors and their children.
I was with the post office
for more than 43 years, and never once-
I'm running a little late.
I'll come by after work
and we can continue the conversation.
There's nothing to continue.
I've said my piece. We'II leave it at that.
The boy cannot come over here
unless he behaves himself.
He won't be over at all.
Now don't make me out to be a grump.
I didn't say "never. " I said-
I really have to go.
Well, now, don't...
Have a good day.
He's out of schooI now.
He can't spend all his free time here.
I'm not the bad guy in this, Mitchell.
I'm the victim!
George, who were you shouting at?
Mitchell, and I wasn't shouting.
I was making my point.
It's not right that his youngster
can run wild doing as he pleases...
...without regard to people or property.
He's only a boy, George.
He'll knot my rope once too often.
I can't stand that kid! He's a menace!
You'd better come in and have breakfast.
We're due at the Garden Club at 9:00.
Today is an important day for me, and
I'm already in a lather because of that kid.
I don't know if I'll even be able
to enjoy my moment of triumph.
Don't get your hopes up.
There are lots of other gardens in town
just as nice as yours.
Please! I'm a shoe-in.
Who else has a night-blooming mock orchid
flowering this year?
It's an awfully homely looking plant.
Hang the looks of the thing!
It opens before your eyes
in the light of the full moon.
It's a marveI, Martha.
Forty years to mature and blossom.
The flower opens and withers
in a matter of moments.
There isn't a gardener in town
with a plant that requires...
...a 40-year investment
for 10 seconds of splendor.
How do you feeI about me working?
A lot of moms work.
The best I could do finding someone
to watch you is Mrs. Wade.
What about Joey?
Did you think about him?
What if he comes over?
He'll think I moved.
Joey's mother made plans
with Mrs. Wade just like I did.
Joey's at Margaret's house.
Do it!
- I can make you.
- How?
I'll slug you back.
- You can't hit a girI.
- I can too.
Try it. I'll scream
so awfully, bloody, deadly horrible...
...my mom'll think you tried to murder me.
I'll say you did and she'll believe it.
Because boys are like that and girls aren't.
That really stinks.
Quit wasting time.
Mush your lips together
and let's get this over with.
Close your eyes!
Kiss me.
All right. Let's go.
Dennis, come on.
Oh, gosh.
Acting like a baby.
Get up!
Right this instant!
Don't you dare embarrass me!
Fine, I'll drag you inside.
You guys are the boring ones.
There's lots to do.
Oh, really? Like what?
We could practice singing songs.
Or put on a play...
...or a puppet show.
- We could bury you alive.
- I could pound your face.
It doesn't matter, anyways, Margaret.
We'll be leaving soon
and we have work to do.
We're going to make a fort.
You can't leave unless I go with you,
or I'll tell on you.
So, tough kitty paws, I'm going.
Climb down from there. I'll get my purse.
This thing's been here our whole life
and we never knew it.
- Do you think anybody lives in it?
- Just squirrels and birds.
It looks kind of junky.
We'll fix it up.
Good. I'll be the decorator.
We'll put on a speciaI room