Little House on the Prairie, Season 4

Charles:
[to John] Do you love her?

John:
I care for her deeply.

Charles:
I asked you if you were in love with my daughter.

John:
No, sir.

Charles:
How long have you known?

John:
I'm not sure. When you're far apart, it's easy to avoid knowing the truth. But seeing her again, I knew. And I did plan to tell her, but in a letter when she got back to Walnut Grove.

Charles:
When she got back to Walnut Grove. And I'm supposed to understand that, too?

John:
I'm a writer. The words come easier on paper.

Charles:
When you first told my daughter you loved her, did you write her a letter about it?

John:
This is different. I can't face her.

Charles:
John, Mary has a right to hear this from you and she has the right to let you know how she feels. You owe her that much.