Little House on the Prairie, Season 7

Mary:
[to Professor Mayfield] My husband is Adam Kendall.

Professor Mayfield:
Adam. The name is familiar.

Mary:
Yes. He was taking the exam this past week.

Professor Mayfield:
Oh, yes, yes. He was unable to complete it.

Mary:
That really wasn't his fault.

Professor Mayfield:
Yes, I understand that. It was most unfortunate.

Mary:
I wanted to know if there's any way he could complete the test. It means so much to him.

Professor Mayfield:
I'm sorry, Mrs. Kendall, I wish there was a way, but we can't alter the rules no matter what the circumstances.

Mary:
Why not?

Professor Mayfield:
Pardon me?

Mary:
Why can't they be altered? I mean, this is a school of law, isn't it? If you have a bad law, the court changes it, doesn't it?

Professor Mayfield:
Yes, the court does have that power.

Mary:
Then if you have a bad rule, I think it should be changed.

Professor Mayfield:
I don't believe it is a bad rule. It is a necessary one.

Mary:
It's a bad rule when it has no compassion or concern for the individual.

Professor Mayfield:
Mrs. Kendall--

Mary:
My husband's gone through a lot in his lifetime. He was blinded in an accident when he was a boy. He lost his child in a fire. With all that, he's devoted his life to helping others, to teaching. Now, when it seems like something wonderful's going to happen, you turn against him with some rule! Now, you might think it's necessary, but I happen to think it's cruel!