The Farmer's Daughter: The Speechmaker

The Farmer's Daughter
Season 1, Episode 1: The Speechmaker, Part 1
Originally aired September 20, 1963

The episode starts with Katy Holstrum (Inger Stevens) riding on a bus and feeling overjoyed to see the Potomac River. Katy has traveled from her home to see Congressman Morley (William Windom) about approving her application to help underprivileged children in the Congo.

The wholesome Katy comes bearing a large, prize-winning squash as a gift and is disappointed that a congressman should keep a visitor waiting. Once the congressman finds time to read over Katy's application, his two boys come down the stairs and everyone notices immediately that Katy is very natural and effective in dealing with them. Ever since their mother died and their father became congressman, the Morley boys, Steve and Danny, have been lacking attention. While Katy waits for the application to be approved, Katy sees the sights in DC and the members of the Morley household (including Grandmother Agatha played by Cathleen Nesbitt) convince her to join them as a governess.

Congressman Morley is interested in the chairmanship of the Committee of Latin American Affairs and is considering how he will present his stance on reclamation to the public—a stance that could make or break his appointment to the chair. When he realizes his oldest son is failing political science, Morley realizes he should be more involved in his sons' lives and agrees to attend a parents' night at the school.

Steve has been enthralled by his father's private conversations on reclamation and, unbeknownst to his father but innocently encouraged by Katy, uses his fathers words in his speech. Although Morley is called away and unable to attend parents' night after all, the speech incites anger in the committee and results in Morley punishing his son. He also confronts Katy in this great exchange.

Congressman: And you, Where were you, his governess?

Katy: At the parents' meeting and where were you, his father?

Congressman: Governing.

Katy: Then we were both in the wrong place.

Katy is the voice of reason between father and son, informing Congressman Morley that he'll regret the way he treats his son and that he should reconsider his priorities. Congressman Morley is unkind to Katy and she leaves for the YWCA and resigns from her position.