The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 2, Episode 14 - The Triangle - full transcript

Birds chirping:

(John-Boy) WHEN I WAS GROWING UP

IN THE BLUE RIDGE
MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA

DURING THE DEPRESSION,

MANY OF THE THINGS WE
TAKE FOR GRANTED TODAY

BACK THEN, WERE LUXURIES.

LIKE GOING TO SCHOOL.

MANY BOYS MY AGE
HAD TO QUIT SCHOOL

AND FIND JOBS TO HELP
SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

BUT MY FATHER AND
MOTHER WERE DETERMINED

THAT EACH OF THEIR OFFSPRING



WOULD GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL.

NOW, ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS
ABOUT HYDROCHLORIC ACID

OR SULFURIC ACID?

Bell ringing:

OH.

WELL, WE CAN GO
OVER THIS TOMORROW.

I'LL GET IT.

OH, THANK YOU, JOHN-BOY.

ARE YOU COMING BY TONIGHT?

IF YOU'RE NOT TOO
TIRED, I'D LIKE TO.

I'M TIRED, BUT YOUR ESSAY IS
MORE IMPORTANT THAN THAT.

WELL, I'LL BE THERE
THEN. THANK YOU.

I THINK IT'S ALMOST READY
TO SEND IN, JOHN-BOY.

YOU DO? HONEST? HONESTLY.



HONESTLY? HONESTLY.

OH, GOOD. I'LL SEE
YOU TONIGHT THEN.

OK, GOODBYE.

THANKS, BYE.

JOHN-BOY.

REVEREND.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MISS HUNTER.

GOOD AFTERNOON, REV. FORDWICK.

WELL, THIS IS A
VERY PLEASANT ROOM

IN WHICH TO LEARN.

YES, THANK YOU!

COME ON, BEN. HAND THEM OVER.

BUT NAOMI, YOU SAID
I COULD CARRY 'EM.

I CHANGED MY MIND, BEN.

BUT WHY?

YOU KNOW, IF WE
FIGHT, BEN, I'LL LICK YOU.

Chuckles:

birds chirping:

MAYBE YOU CAN CARRY MY
BOOKS HOME TOMORROW, BEN.

(Willie) COME ON, NAOMI.

WELL, I'M SURE THE CHILDREN

WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO PROVIDE
THE SINGING FOR THE PICNIC.

OH, THAT'S SPLENDID.

MISS HUNTER? YES.

MISS HUNTER,

MAY I HAVE PERMISSION TO
CALL ON YOU THIS EVENING?

BEN, WHY DON'T YOU TRY

TURNING YOUR
ATTENTION TO SUE JANE

OR MAYBE THAT GIRL WHOSE FOLKS
JUST BOUGHT THE BEGGS FARM?

DON'T WORRY. I GOT
IT ALL FIGURED OUT.

WHAT?

HOW TO GET NAOMI BACK FROM
WILLIE DEMPSTER, THAT'S WHAT!

BEN, YOU'RE...

BEN!

Both giggling:

NOW, WHAT'S GOTTEN INTO YOU TWO?

IT'S A SECRET ABOUT BEN.

WELL, I'M SORRY IT'S A SECRET

'CAUSE I'D LIKE TO KNOW

WHY THAT BOY'S BEEN
ACTING SO MYSTERIOUS LATELY.

HE HAS BEEN ACTING MOODY.
HAVE YOU NOTICED, SON?

BEN'S IN LOVE.

HE'S IN LOVE? SURE
IT'S NOT KIND OF EARLY?

NOT NECESSARILY. YOU
WERE MAKING EYES AT ME

WHEN YOU WERE BEN'S AGE.

I DIDN'T MAKE EYES AT YOU,

I JUST GRABBED
YOU AND KISSED YOU.

DID HE REALLY, MAMA?

YOUR FATHER WAS
ALWAYS A MAN OF ACTION.

LOOK WHERE IT GOT ME.

COMPLAININ'?

NOT SO YOU'D NOTICE.

YOU STILL DIDN'T
GUESS THE SECRET.

I DIDN'T KNOW WE
WERE SUPPOSED TO.

(Jim-Bob) BEN WROTE A LETTER.

MAYBE IT'S A LOVE NOTE.

HE SENT IT TO CHICAGO,
THAT'S NOT WHERE NAOMI LIVES.

WELL, WHO COULD BEN
BE WRITING TO IN CHICAGO?

MAYBE HE'S GOT A
GIRL IN CHICAGO, TOO.

HE SAID IT WOULD
SOLVE ALL HIS PROBLEMS.

SAID HE'S TIRED OF BEING
A 97-POUND WEAKLING.

WHATEVER THAT IS.

WELL, WHATEVER IT IS,
HE'S NO 97-POUND WEAKLING.

MAYBE I'LL JUST
HAVE A TALK WITH HIM.

I KNOW WHAT YOU'LL TELL HIM.

YOU'LL TELL HIM, "JUST
GRAB HER AND KISS HER."

WORKS FOR ME.

SAYS YOU.

SAYS ME IS RIGHT.

Both giggling:

PUT IT ON MY ACCOUNT, PLEASE.

OK.

HAVE A NICE DAY.

YOU TOO, MRS. BRIMMER.

Bell tinkling:

DID YOU GET IT?

YES, I GOT IT.

YOU DID GET IT. THAT'S GREAT.

WELL, IT'S POSTMARKED CHICAGO,

BUT IT DOESN'T SAY
WHAT COMPANY IT'S FROM.

WELL, IF YOU DON'T MIND,
MR. GODSEY, I'D RATHER NOT SAY.

IT'S, UH, NOTHING
ILLEGAL, IS IT?

NO, NO, THANKS AGAIN.

Chuckles: THAT KID.

COME ON. COME ON, ELIZABETH.

GRAB THIS ONE.

YOU CAN DO IT,
ELIZABETH. ATTAGIRL.

All laughing:

OH, WHERE'S DADDY AND GRANDPA?

I DON'T KNOW.

THEY SHOULD'VE BEEN HOME BY NOW.

WELL, I BET HE STOPPED
BY YANCY TUCKER'S

TO SAMPLE HIS HOME BREW.

HERE, START TO PULL.

I GOT TO GET OVER
TO MISS HUNTER'S.

YOUR FATHER SHOULD
BE HOME ANY MINUTE NOW.

I'D RATHER HAVE YOU
WAIT AND TAKE THE TRUCK.

I'M GONNA TAKE THE MULE.

MAYBE HARD ON THE BEHIND,
BUT BETTER FOR THE BRAIN.

I GET SOME OF MY
BEST IDEAS THAT WAY.

WELL, I JUST HOPE
IF HE BUCKS YOU OFF,

YOU LAND ON YOUR BOTTOM
AND NOT ON YOUR BRAIN.

(Elizabeth) THEY'RE HOME!

Laughs:

WHAT WAS THAT THING

YOU HAD HIDDEN UNDER
YOUR SHIRT TODAY, BEN?

NOTHIN'.

IT WAS, TOO. I SAW IT. IT WAS SOME
KIND OF AN ENVELOPE OR SOMETHING.

(Jason) ERIN.

(John) WE'RE BACK.

HEY, BONNY.

(John) COME OVER
HERE. HEY, GRANDPA.

(John) I'M SORRY WE'RE LATE.

WHAT HAVE WE GOT HERE?

WHAT KEPT YOU?

OH, THE BUTCHER WE
WAS DELIVERING WOOD TO

WAS SLAUGHTERIN'.

WE HAD TO WAIT
AROUND FOR A WHILE.

Sniffs:

I THOUGHT YOU WAS
GOING TO KISS ME

INSTEAD OF INSPECTIN' MY BREATH.

All laughing:

DADDY, GRANDPA. SEE YOU LATER.

WHERE ARE YOU OFF TO?
MISS HUNTER'S? UH-HUH.

WANNA BORROW THE TRUCK?

NO, I'M GOING TO TAKE
THE MULE. THANKS.

(John-Boy) BYE. BYE.

SORRY IT'S A LITTLE RUNNY.

WELL, I'M REAL HUNGRY. IT
TASTES REAL GOOD, HONEY.

HERE, GRANDPA.

AH.

GRANDPA, DO YOU
WANT YOUR COBBLER?

WELL, I SHOULDN'T...

OH, I SEE. YOU FETCH
OVER ANOTHER FORK

AND WE'LL SHARE IT.

OK.

HERE, DADDY.

THANK YOU, HONEY.

I THINK I'LL SEND SOMETHING FOR MISS
HUNTER THE NEXT TIME JOHN-BOY GOES.

SHE'S BEEN GIVING
HIM A LOT OF HELP

ON THAT ESSAY.

MAYBE AN UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE.

I'M SURE SHE'D APPRECIATE
ANYTHING SHE GETS.

OR A COUPLE OF
JARS OF PRESERVES.

WHAT MISS HUNTER NEEDS IS A MAN.

NOTHING UPSIDE-DOWN
OR PRESERVED.

All chuckling:

HMM.

I KNOW, I WASN'T SURE
ABOUT THAT, EITHER.

BUT THAT WAS THE ONLY WAY
I COULD SAY IT AT THE TIME.

IT'S JUST THAT THE REST OF IT
SEEMS SO VIVID AND SO SPECIAL

AND THIS MAKES HER
SEEM, WELL, ORDINARY.

WELL, SHE IS ORDINARY.

UH-HUH.

IT'S NOT A BAD ORDINARY

OR AN UNGAINLY
ORDINARY. IT'S MORE OF A...

COMFORTABLE, YOU
KNOW? SINCERE ORDINARY.

WELL, WOULD IT BE
STRETCHING THINGS

TO SAY THAT SHE WAS, SAY,

BEAUTIFULLY ORDINARY OR...

YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN, JOHN-BOY?

SEE, SHE IS ORDINARY. AND I KNOW

THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN ESSAY

ABOUT THE MOST FASCINATING
PERSON I'VE EVER MET.

AND SHE IS.

BUT ALL THE OTHER THINGS
IN THE ESSAY ARE TRUE.

SO...

I UNDERSTAND.

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? HMM.

YES, I'M AFRAID I'VE
BEEN PUSHING YOU

TO MAKE EVERYTHING
TOO FASCINATING.

OH, NO. I'M SORRY.

I GUESS I JUST WANT
YOU TO WIN SO MUCH.

BUT AS YOU SAY, THE IMPORTANT
THING IS THAT IT BE TRUTHFUL.

THANK YOU.

YOU KNOW, I NEVER COULD'VE
WRITTEN THIS ESSAY WITHOUT YOU.

WELL, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT.

I DO.

I CERTAINLY NEVER WOULD
HAVE HAD THE CONFIDENCE

TO ENTER IT IN A CONTEST.

OH, THAT'S VERY
SWEET OF YOU TO SAY.

THANK YOU, JOHN-BOY.

YOU KNOW, MISS HUNTER, I'M
A MUCH BETTER WRITER NOW

THAN I WAS WHEN I FIRST MET YOU.

I KNOW THAT, AND I'M
VERY GRATEFUL FOR IT.

I MEAN,

EVEN NOW I'D BE
FLOUNDERING AROUND,

AND TRYING TO FIGURE...

WHAT I MEAN IS, WITHOUT YOU,

I WOULD REALLY BE LOST.

JUST LIKE I AM NOW.
I'D REALLY BE LOST.

I'M A TEACHER, JOHN-BOY.

NOTHING GIVES ME
GREATER HAPPINESS

THAN BEING ABLE TO
PASS ON WHAT I KNOW.

IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU
AND THE OTHER STUDENTS,

I'D BE LOST.

WHO IS THIS WOMAN

THAT YOU'VE WRITTEN
ABOUT, JOHN-BOY?

YOU DON'T MIND
MY ASKING, DO YOU?

OH, NO.

UH, AN AUNT OF MINE WHO
CAME TO VISIT ONE WINTERTIME.

HMM.

WHAT A SURPRISE IT WOULD BE
IF YOU WON ONE OF THE PRIZES,

AND SHE CAME ACROSS
IT IN THE MAGAZINE.

I KNOW. I'VE BEEN SORT
OF PLANNIN' ON THAT.

EXCUSE ME, BUT REV.
FORDWICK IS HERE.

TO SEE YOU, MISS HUNTER.

IT'S ABOUT THE CHURCH PICNIC.

OH, WELL, EXCUSE ME,
I'LL... I'LL... I'LL RUN ALONG.

AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WE'LL CONTINUE
TOMORROW NIGHT, JOHN-BOY.

OK, GOOD NIGHT.

I'LL TELL HIM TO
WAIT IN THE PARLOR.

THANK YOU.

EVENING, REVEREND.

OH, EVENING, JOHN-BOY.
YOU STARTLED ME.

SORRY. I DIDN'T...

REVEREND, SHE'LL
JUST BE A FEW MINUTES.

WILL YOU WAIT IN
THE PARLOR, PLEASE?

CERTAINLY.

♪♪whistling:

grunts:

HEY, BEN. WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

NOTHIN'.

UH, I DIDN'T TOUCH
ANYTHING IN YOUR ROOM.

WELL, THAT'S OK.

I WOULD'VE STAYED
IN THE BATHROOM,

BUT ERIN KEPT ON
POUNDING ON THE DOOR.

SHE WANTED TO KNOW
WHAT I WAS DOING.

WELL, YOU KNOW ERIN.

YEAH.

IT'S GETTIN' A LITTLE LATE.

MAYBE YOU'D BETTER
GET ON TO BED.

(Ben) I SENT FOR IT. COST
62 CENTS WITH POSTAGE.

SEE.

UP TO LESSON ONE.

Sighs:

THIS RIGHT?

YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT.

HOW LONG DO I HAVE
TO HOLD IT LIKE THIS?

YOU HOLD IT TILL
YOU CAN'T STAND IT,

AND THEN SOME.

THAT'S HARD. I KNOW.

BUT IT'S GUARANTEED TO WORK.

AND WHEN IT DOES

I'M GONNA KNOCK THAT WILLIE
DEMPSTER'S BLOCK RIGHT OFF.

YOU THINK THAT'S GONNA
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO NAOMI?

SURE.

I MEAN, I WOULDN'T KNOW.
I'VE NEVER BEEN MUCH

FOR FIGHTIN' OR KNOCKING
PEOPLE'S BLOCKS OFF.

WELL, THIS IS IN
CASE HE PICKS ON ME.

(John-Boy) OH, BEN, IT'S GONNA
TAKE YOU AN AWFUL LONG TIME

TO GET TO LOOK LIKE
THIS, DON'T YOU THINK?

NO. I CAN FEEL IT
ALREADY. SEE? STRONGER.

DO YOU THINK I CAN USE YOUR ROOM

TO PRACTICE IN?

I RECKON YOU BETTER.

THANKS, JOHN-BOY.

GOOD NIGHT, BEN.

GOOD NIGHT.

WELL, IT'S JUST THAT I THOUGHT
THAT THE CHURCH CHOIR

WOULD BE SINGING
THE SPIRITUAL SONGS,

AND MY CHILDREN
MIGHT BE BETTER SUITED

TO SING SONGS ABOUT
NATURE AND BEAUTY.

WHAT DO YOU THINK... snoring:

both chuckling:

coughs:

WHAT? W-WHAT?

OH, OH, EXCUSE ME.

IT'S WAY PAST MY BEDTIME.

WELL, I WAS JUST LEAVING.

WE WERE JUST
FINISHING, MRS. BRIMMER.

OH, DON'T STOP YOUR
VISIT UNDER MY ACCOUNT,

REV. FORDWICK.

GOOD NIGHT, ROSEMARY.
GOOD NIGHT, REV. FORDWICK.

GOOD NIGHT, MRS. BRIMMER.

GOOD NIGHT, MRS. BRIMMER.

(Rev. Fordwick) I'LL
SEE YOU ON SUNDAY.

I'LL BE THERE.

ROSEMARY.

YES?

EXCUSE ME,

I... I DON'T MEAN TO BE
FORWARD. IT'S JUST THAT, UH,

ROSEMARY IS SUCH A PRETTY NAME.

OH.

NICE AND OLD-FASHIONED.

WHY, THANK YOU.

OH, IT IS LATE.

WELL, I MUST BE GOING.

I'M AFRAID WE HAVEN'T
SETTLED ANYTHING.

WELL, UM,

I'LL LEAVE IT UP TO
YOU, MISS HUNTER.

WHATEVER... WHATEVER
SONGS YOU THINK BEST

WILL BE FINE WITH ME, I'M SURE.

WELL, THANK YOU, REV. FORDWICK.

WELL, THAT'S QUITE ALL RIGHT.

MATTHEW.

I BEG YOUR PARDON?

MATTHEW IS MY CHRISTIAN NAME.

OH.

YES, MATTHEW.

IT HAS A FINE BIBLICAL SOUND.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THERE'S, UH,

THERE'S JUST ONE OTHER
THING, MISS HUNTER.

YES?

Clears throat:

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST
YOUR PERMISSION...

YES?

TO COURT YOU.

I BEG YOUR PARDON?

MAY I HAVE PERMISSION
TO COURT YOU, ROSEMARY?

Exclaims:

GIVE IT BACK!

♪ YOU'VE HEARD LOTS OF
SONGS ABOUT LAZY DAYS ♪

♪ BUT MINE'S THE
LAZIEST OF ALL ♪

♪ WE LIVE ON A FARM
WAY DOWN IN LOUISIANA ♪

♪ ALL DAY WE SIT AROUND
AND WATCH THE WALLS ♪♪

YOU KNOW, IF YOU
WIN THAT CONTEST,

COULD YOU LOAN ME $2?

I'VE GOT PLANS FOR
THAT MONEY, JASON.

♪ WE RISE UP IN THE MORNING
JUST ABOUT HIGH-NOON ♪

♪ TRY TO DO SOME
FISHIN' BUT ITS HARD ♪♪

IF I HAD $2

I CAN BUY A COMPLETE COURSE
IN MASTERING THE GUITAR.

YOU'VE ALREADY
MASTERED THE GUITAR.

SURE, PLAYING IT.
BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE

TO WRITE IT ALL DOWN,
WORDS, MUSIC, EVERYTHING.

♪ JUST STOOD DOWN ♪♪

NO ONE'S GONNA GET ANY MONEY,
NO ONE'S GONNA WIN ANY CONTEST,

OR TAKE ANY LESSONS

IF I CAN'T WRITE
THESE WORDS DOWN.

PLAYING THE GUITAR...

♪ EATING ALL THE CORN I HAD ♪♪

HEY, WHERE ARE YOU GOIN'?

I'M GOIN'.

JASON, SOMEBODY JUST DISAPPEARED

WITH ONE OF THE
FOUR-BY-FOURS I JUST CUT.

ALONG WITH MY BEST HAMMER. WHO?

COULD BE JIM-BOB, HE'S
ALWAYS MAKING SOMETHING.

NO. JIM-BOB AND ELIZABETH
SAY THEY HAVEN'T SEEN IT.

HOW ABOUT BEN?

OH, THAT ONE. HE'S ALWAYS
DISAPPEARING LATELY.

REGULAR HOUDINI.

WHAT DID YOU WANT
THE WOOD FOR GRANDPA?

WELL, I DONATED IT TO THE CHURCH
PICNIC FOR THE NAIL-DRIVING CONTEST.

I CAN'T AFFORD TO
MAKE ANOTHER ONE.

AND MY BEST HAMMER, TOO.

WELL, WE'LL JUST HAVE AN
INVESTIGATION AT DINNER.

Whistling:

hammering:

GRANDPA'S BEEN
LOOKIN' FOR THAT WOOD.

I'LL GIVE IT BACK TO HIM.

YOU PRACTICIN' FOR
THE CHURCH PICNIC?

TESTING OUT MY STRENGTH.

HOW COME?

SO I CAN KNOCK

THAT WILLIE DEMPSTER'S
BLOCK OFF, THAT'S WHY.

WHAT ARE YOU MAD AT WILLIE FOR?

WELL, IT'S KINDA PRIVATE, JASE.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE IF YOU'D PIT
YOUR ARM MUSCLES AGAINST MINE,

MAYBE THEN I'D GET
STRONGER FASTER.

COME ON. PUT YOUR ARMS HERE.

AND I'LL TRY TO PULL THEM UP

AND YOU TRY TO HOLD IT DOWN, OK?

USE ONE OF YOUR ARMS.

THAT'S IT! THAT'S
BEEN THE PROBLEM!

NOW TAKE THIS ONE. TAKE
THIS ONE, IT'S STRONGER.

Grunting:

THAT'S GOT IT. NOW,
YOU'RE GETTING IT.

(Jason) DON'T BE
SO IMPATIENT, ERIN.

WELL, YOU CAN WAIT YOUR TURN.

(John) ALL RIGHT, EVERYBODY.
GET TO YOUR HOMEWORK.

Tinkling:

(Grandpa) JUST A
MINUTE, EVERYBODY.

STAY RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE.

THIS AFTERNOON

SOMEBODY MADE OFF WITH
ONE OF MY FOUR-BY-FOURS.

I DID, GRANDPA.

I'M SORRY I DIDN'T
TELL YOU FIRST.

BUT I PUT EVERYTHING
BACK THE WAY I FOUND IT.

EVERYTHING UNDAMAGED?

GOOD AS NEW.

EXCEPT FOR A FEW SMALL
NAIL HOLES ON ONE SIDE.

BUT YOU CAN HARDLY NOTICE THEM.

WHAT WERE YOU BUILDING,
BEN? A BIRDCAGE FOR NAOMI?

HEY.

Knocking on door:

(John) SLOW DOWN.

I WON!

(Miss Hunter) HELLO, JIM-BOB.

MR. WALTON, IS MRS. WALTON HERE?

YES, COME ON IN. THANK YOU.

MISS HUNTER, HOW
NICE OF YOU TO COME BY.

THANK YOU.

COME ON IN AND HAVE
SOME HOT COFFEE.

OH, THAT'S VERY NICE. HELLO,
JOHN-BOY. HOW'S IT GOING?

FINE. I'M GONNA
WORK ON IT RIGHT NOW.

HELLO, MRS. WALTON.

HELLO, MARY ELLEN.

UM, THE TRUTH IS

I CAME FOR YOUR
HELP WITH THIS DRESS.

I HOPE YOU DON'T MIND MY ASKING,

BUT I'D LOVE TO HAVE IT TO
WEAR TO THE PICNIC ON SUNDAY.

I'D BE DELIGHTED
TO GIVE YOU A HAND.

THANK YOU.

I'LL BRING YOU UP SOME
COFFEE AND DESSERT.

OH, PLEASE DON'T
GO TO ANY BOTHER.

IT'S NO BOTHER.

I... I JUST FINISHED
EATING. THANK YOU.

MAYBE LATER.

COME ON.

ALL RIGHT, EVERYONE. GET
BACK TO YOUR HOMEWORK.

AS LONG AS MISS HUNTER'S HERE,

CAN I ASK HER A FEW QUESTIONS?

NO. SHE'S OUR GUEST
TONIGHT, NOT YOUR TEACHER.

YOU ASK JOHN-BOY TO HELP YOU.

BUT JOHN-BOY WENT OUTSIDE.

WELL, HE'S PROBABLY
IN THE BARN. GO ASK HIM.

COME ON, LET'S GET
TO OUR HOMEWORK.

WHAT'S 3 TIMES 7?

WHAT'S 3 TIMES...

GO GET YOUR HOMEWORK DONE.

THAT IS SUCH A PRETTY DRESS.

YES, I THOUGHT SO WHEN
I BOUGHT IT IN RICHMOND,

BUT IT DOESN'T
FIT RIGHT, DOES IT?

WELL, IT JUST NEEDS
A LITTLE TAKIN' IN.

OH, I REALLY APPRECIATE
THIS, MRS. WALTON.

AND I'LL PAY YOU, OF COURSE.

IF YOU DO YOU'LL OFFEND ME.

AND ANOTHER THING, I'M OLIVIA.

I'M ROSEMARY.

I'M REALLY HAPPY TO DO SOMETHIN'

FOR YOU, ROSEMARY,

AFTER ALL THE HELP YOU'VE
BEEN GIVING JOHN-BOY.

OH, IT'S A PLEASURE.
AND THAT ESSAY...

WELL, HE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD.

HE IS. WE ARE.

I'M SO EAGER TO MEET HIS AUNT.

OH, WHICH ONE?

THE ONE THE ESSAY'S ABOUT.

OH.

UH,

IS THAT COMFORTABLE
NOW? CAN YOU LIFT YOUR ARM?

OH, YES, THAT'S FINE.

WHY DON'T YOU STAND UP THERE

AND I'LL... I'LL SEE WHAT I
CAN DO ABOUT THE HEM?

OH, I TRIED TO GET
THAT RIGHT, BUT...

IT'S JUST THIS ONE
SPOT OVER HERE.

I WAS WONDERING.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA
HOW I COULD WEAR MY HAIR?

OH, NO, I DON'T.

SORRY, I... I... I DON'T KNOW
ANYTHING ABOUT HAIR.

EXCUSE ME JUST A MINUTE.

DO YOU THINK

IT WOULD BE RIGHT
FOR ME TO WEAR MY HAIR

LIKE THAT?

(Olivia) I THINK IT'D BE FINE.

YOU DON'T THINK
BECAUSE I'M A TEACHER

IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE?

OF COURSE NOT.

WELL, THE TRUTH IS, OLIVIA,

MATTHEW FORDWICK AND I
ARE BECOMING, WELL, FRIENDLY

AND, WELL, I'D LIKE TO LOOK
AS NICE AS IT'S POSSIBLE

FOR ME TO LOOK.

WHY, ROSEMARY, I THINK
THAT'S JUST WONDERFUL.

I'VE NEVER TRIED TO
LOOK PRETTY. AND...

WELL, I'M A BIT OLDER
THAN MATTHEW.

DO YOU THINK I OUGHT
TO TELL HIM THAT?

WELL, YOU'RE NOT
THAT MUCH OLDER.

BESIDES, DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

LET'S HAVE ANOTHER LOOK
AT THAT MAGAZINE HAIRDO.

BEN!

MAMA'S COMING.

MAMA, MAKE BEN OPEN THE DOOR.

HE'S DOING SOMETHING
IN JOHN-BOY'S ROOM.

IT'S TIME FOR BED,
ERIN. BUT, MAMA...

ERIN, IT IS TIME FOR BED.

BEN.

Knocking on door:

I GOT JOHN-BOY'S
PERMISSION TO BE IN HIS ROOM.

HONEST I DO.

WELL, IT'S YOUR BEDTIME, TOO.

I'M COMING, MAMA.

WHERE IS JOHN-BOY?

HE'S BACK IN THE BARN.

GOOD NIGHT.

HOW ARE YOU DOIN'?

OH, FINE NOW. THANK YOU.

MISS HUNTER STILL HERE?

SHE LEFT A LITTLE WHILE AGO.

IT'S GOOD THAT
YOU'RE MAKING FRIENDS.

SHE DOESN'T SOCIALIZE MUCH.

JOHN-BOY, WHICH ONE OF YOUR
AUNTS ARE YOU WRITIN' ABOUT?

I KNEW I'D GET CAUGHT IN THAT.

THE WAY YOU'VE BEEN TALKING,
I WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION

YOU WERE WRITIN'
ABOUT MISS HUNTER.

WELL, THAT'S THE TRUTH, I AM.

BUT WHEN SHE ASKED ME ABOUT IT,

I JUST GOT TOO EMBARRASSED.

DON'T YOU THINK YOU
OUGHT TO TELL HER?

OH, I'M PLANNIN' TO,

AFTER I'VE SENT IT
IN TO THE MAGAZINE.

I THINK IT WOULD PLEASE HER.

ESPECIALLY NOW THAT
SHE'S BEING COURTED

BY REV. FORDWICK.

UH, OH, GO ON,
JOHN-BOY, I'M LISTENING.

THAT WAS THE END.

OH, YES, OF COURSE IT WAS.
THAT'S A MUCH BETTER ENDING.

Birds chirping:

YOU KNOW, MISS HUNTER,

THERE'S SOMETHING I OUGHT
TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS ESSAY

AND I THINK

I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE
TOLD YOU ABOUT IT BEFORE.

IT ISN'T REALLY
ABOUT MY AUNT AT ALL,

IT'S REALLY ABOUT YOU.

(John-Boy) I... I
MEANT IT NICELY.

I KNOW. I KNOW.

I DIDN'T WANT YOU O BE UPSET,

OR MISUNDERSTAND.

OH, IT'S JUST FINE, JOHN-BOY.

YOU DON'T MIND?

JUST... IT'S JUST FINE.

Door opening:

GOOD AFTERNOON,
MISS HUNTER. JOHN-BOY.

GOOD AFTERNOON. EXCUSE ME.

(Miss Hunter) SEE YOU
TONIGHT, JOHN-BOY.

OH, WHAT PRETTY FLOWERS.

THEY ARE FOR YOU, ROSEMARY.

OH, THANK YOU, MATTHEW.

YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.

THEY'RE SO BEAUTIFUL.

MMM.

HELP! HELP! HELP!
SOMEONE HELP ME!

HELP! HELP! SOMEBODY GET ME
DOWN FROM HERE! I'M GONNA SLIP.

(Grandpa) WHO IS IT?

(Erin) HURRY UP!
SOMEONE GET ME DOWN!

WHAT'S SHE DOING UP THERE?

TRYING TO SPY ON BEN.

WHAT'S SHE DOING UP THERE?

SPYING ON BEN.

BEN? HE'S IN THE KITCHEN.

WE'LL GET HER DOWN. GET THE
LADDER, WILL YOU, JOHN-BOY?

HURRY UP!

(John) HOLD ON, HONEY,
WE'LL GET YOU DOWN.

I CAN'T WAIT FOR
THE CHURCH PICNIC.

IT'LL BE GOOD TO SEE FRIENDS
THERE I HAVEN'T SEEN ALL YEAR.

YOU GOING TO BE IN THE
RAILROAD-SPIKE-DRIVING CONTEST?

I DON'T THINK SO, SON.

WHY NOT?

I'M SO GOOD WITH THAT
AX, I'M NOT SURE IT'D BE FAIR.

(Elizabeth) THERE'S GONNA BE
POTATO-SACK RACING AGAIN?

SURE, HONEY.

IF THERE WAS A GUITAR-PLAYING
CONTEST, I'D ENTER IT.

IS THAT ALL YOU EVER
THINK ABOUT, JASON?

OH, WHEN JOHN-BOY WINS THE ESSAY
CONTEST, HE'LL LOAN ME SOME MONEY

SO I CAN LEARN HOW TO
READ AND WRITE MUSIC.

HE'S GOING TO LOAN ME MONEY FOR A
NEW BATHING SUIT FROM CHARLOTTESVILLE.

WHAT'S THE MATTER
WITH YOUR OLD ONE?

EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING'S THE
MATTER WITH THE NEW ONES.

FLIMSY, INDECENT THINGS,
THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE.

OH, I WOULDN'T GO AS
FAR TO SAY THAT, ESTHER.

OH, WHAT WOULD
YOU KNOW, OLD MAN?

(Grandpa) I KNOW A PRETTY
ANKLE WHEN I SEE IT.

(Grandma) IN MY DAY THAT'S
ALL WE SHOWED. ANKLES.

OH, GRANDMA, TIMES ARE CHANGING.

WELL, INDECENT IS INDECENT,

AND I DON'T CARE
WHAT TIME IT IS.

IF I COULD BORROW 20 CENTS,
JOHN-BOY, I COULD FIX UP THAT OLD BIKE.

LOOK, DON'T COUNT ON
GETTIN' ANY MONEY FROM ME.

I DON'T EVEN KNOW

I'M GOING TO ENTER THAT
THING IN THE CONTEST.

WORKIN' ON YOUR ESSAY, SON?

NOPE.

WORKING ON SOMETHING ELSE?

MMM-HMM.

FOR THE CONTEST?

NO, NO MORE CONTESTS.

WHAT KIND OF A
THING ARE YOU WRITIN'?

LISTEN.

"SUDDENLY THAT FACE ASSUMED
AN AIR OF COLD DETACHMENT.

"THE LADY NOW

"SEEMED HARDLY
CONSCIOUS OF HIS PRESENCE,

"AS IF A VEIL OF INDIFFERENCE
HAD BEEN DRAWN

"BEFORE THOSE FEATURES
AND THAT MANNER

"WHICH HE HAD BEEN DUMB...

"WHICH HE HAD BEEN
FOOLISH ENOUGH

TO HOLD SO DEAR."

IT'S CLEAR HOW YOU FEEL.

YOU WROTE THAT REAL WELL.

THANK YOU.

I THINK IT'S A LITTLE
MORE HONEST

THAN WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING.

NOW,

MISS HUNTER WOULD KNOW
MORE ABOUT THAT THAN ME.

WELL, I DON'T THINK

MISS HUNTER CAN
HELP ME WITH THIS.

SHE'D HAVE HURT FEELINGS

IF SHE HEARD YOU
SAY THAT, JOHN-BOY.

WELL, NOT FOR LONG.

SHE'S GOT PLENTY TO
OCCUPY HER MIND THESE DAYS.

YOU THINK SO, HUH?

MMM-HMM.

JOHN-BOY?

GOT YOUR ESSAY.

OH, NO, I'M NOT
GOING THERE TONIGHT,

BUT THANK YOU.

I, UH, TOLD MISS HUNTER

I'D SEND OVER THESE
BUTTONS FOR HER NEW DRESS...

MAMA, I'M NOT GOING
THERE TONIGHT.

I RAN INTO HER AT IKE GODSEY'S.

SHE TOLD ME HOW DISTRACTED
SHE'D BEEN AFTER SCHOOL.

SHE SAID SHE HOPES
YOU UNDERSTAND.

I HOPE SO, TOO.

I UNDERSTAND.

(Grandma) JOHN-BOY?

I'D LIKE TO SHOW MY
APPRECIATION TO MISS HUNTER

FOR ALL THE HELP
SHE'S BEEN GIVING YOU.

SO YOU JUST TAKE THESE
TO HER NOW WITH MY THANKS.

MRS. BRIMMER?

(Miss Hunter) OH, JOHN-BOY!

HOPE YOU DON'T MIND,
REV. FORDWICK DROPPED BY.

ANYWAY, WE HAVE JUST A
FEW LITTLE CHANGES TO MAKE

AND THEN IT'LL BE READY
FOR THE TYPEWRITER.

MISS HUNTER HAS BEEN
VERY COMPLIMENTARY

ABOUT YOUR ESSAY, JOHN-BOY.

WHAT'S IN THE BAG?

UH, SOME BUTTONS MY
MAMA SAID YOU WANTED

AND SOME PRESERVES
FROM MY GRANDMA.

OH, HOW NICE.

THANK YOU.

WELL, IF YOU'LL LET
ME HAVE THE ESSAY...

THAT'S IT.

OH, YES. EXCUSE ME.

YOU'RE COMING TO
THE CHURCH PICNIC,

I TRUST?

(John-Boy) CERTAINLY.

YOU KNOW, IN DIVINITY
SCHOOL, I OFTEN WROTE ESSAYS.

ONE OF THEM ABOUT
GOD'S LOVE OF MAN

WON ME A SPECIAL
LETTER OF PRAISE

FROM OUR BISHOP.

I'M JUST A BEGINNER.

YOU'RE BETTER
THAN THAT, JOHN-BOY.

OF COURSE, NOW I DON'T
HAVE MUCH TIME FOR WRITIN'

EXCEPT FOR SUNDAY SERMONS.

THAT'S CERTAINLY MUCH
MORE IMPORTANT WRITING

THAN WHAT I DO, I RECKON.

UH, JOHN-BOY, COULD YOU COME
OVER HERE A MINUTE, PLEASE?

EXCUSE ME.

DID YOU LEAVE A WORD OUT HERE?

YEAH. "GENTLE AND
FORTHRIGHT MANNER."

THAT WAS STUPID.

I ALWAYS FOUND THAT
LONG WALKS IN THE WOODS

OR QUIET MOMENTS OF MEDITATION

WERE MOST CONDUCIVE
TO INSPIRE WRITIN'.

WELL, I USUALLY JUST GO
UP IN THE BARN LOFT MYSELF.

HAVE YOU EVER
THOUGHT ABOUT WRITIN'

OF HIGHER THEMES
SUCH AS TEMPTATION,

LOVE OF GOD, SIN,
PRAYER, MORAL FORTITUDE?

WELL, I DON'T REALLY
THINK I HAVE THE KNOW-HOW

TO TACKLE SUCH AS
THOSE, REVEREND.

YOU'RE TOO HUMBLE, JOHN-BOY.

MISS HUNTER TELLS ME
YOU ARE A CLEVER WRITER.

JOHN-BOY IS A VERY
SENSITIVE WRITER, MATTHEW.

OH, YES, SENSITIVE.

THAT'S WHAT...
THAT'S WHAT I MEANT.

PERHAPS IF YOU'RE WILLING
TO WRITE SOMETHING SUITABLE,

I COULD READ IT AT THE SUNDAY
SERVICE, AFTER MY SERMON.

OH, WELL, I'M AFRAID
MY TALENT'S SO SMALL,

I CAN HARDLY FIND IT MYSELF.

FALSE MODESTY IS
DECEITFUL, JOHN-BOY.

NO, HONESTLY I...
WELL, PERHAPS WITH, UH,

MISS HUNTER'S ENCOURAGEMENT?

WELL, IT'S CERTAINLY
VERY FLATTERING

OF REV. FORDWICK

TO INVITE YOU TO WRITE SOMETHING

FOR THE CHURCH
SERVICE, ISN'T IT, JOHN-BOY?

YES, MA'AM.

THEN IT'S SETTLED.

OF COURSE, I'LL, UH,

I'LL HAVE TO READ
IT OVER CAREFULLY

AND PERHAPS MAKE
SOME SUGGESTIONS

TO MAINTAIN THE, UH, QUALITY
OF THOUGHT AND LANGUAGE

THAT MUST BE MAINTAINED
IN THE HOUSE OF OUR LORD.

BUT I'M SURE WE'LL HAVE NO
TROUBLE WORKING TOGETHER.

OF COURSE, JOHN-BOY'S
WRITING IS UNIQUE

AND HIS STYLE IS JUST IN
THE FORMATIVE STAGES.

IT'S STRONG, BUT EVOLVING.

AND PERHAPS IT WOULD BE PREMATURE
TO HAVE HIM WRITE SOMETHING

FOR A CHURCH SERVICE
BEFORE HE'S HAD A CHANCE

TO EXPERIMENT FULLY.

WELL, HIS WRITING CERTAINLY
CAN'T BE THAT UNIQUE

AS TO BE BEYOND THE
SERVICE OF THE CHURCH.

OH, NO, OF COURSE.
I DIDN'T MEAN THAT.

I JUST MEANT THAT...

UH, WELL, PERHAPS IF
YOU HEARD SOME OF IT,

YOU'D UNDERSTAND
THE NATURE OF HIS...

OH, NO. THIS IS REALLY...
I REALLY HAVE TO...

OH, COME, COME, JOHN-BOY,

MISS HUNTER HAS RAVED SO
MUCH ABOUT YOUR WRITING.

DON'T DEPRIVE ME OF
HEARING JUST A LITTLE BIT OF IT.

YES. OH, MISS HUNTER, PLEASE.

HERE, READ THIS PART

ABOUT HER KINDNESS.

Sighs:

"SHE NEVER LETS HER ANGER
OUT AT YOUNGER PEOPLE.

"AND IF SHE HAS
ANY ANGER AT ALL,

"IT'S VERY LIKELY

"THAT SHE KEEPS
IT INSIDE HERSELF

"AND ONLY LETS IT EXPLODE

"WHEN SHE'S ALONE
AND CAN'T HURT ANYONE.

"LIKE A FLOWER,

"HER KINDNESS IS THERE
FOR EVERYONE TO ADMIRE,

"TO BE SOOTHED BY,
TO WANT TO REMEMBER.

LIKE A FLOWER,
SHE ONLY GIVES..."

I CAN'T READ THIS.

I CAN'T SEND THIS IN. THIS
IS JUST A BUNCH OF LIES.

JOHN-BOY.

MISS HUNTER,

A COUPLE OF DAYS
AGO, I TRIED TO TELL YOU

THAT THIS ESSAY IS ABOUT YOU

AND NOT ABOUT MY AUNT.

BUT AT THE TIME, YOU WERE BUSY.

AND YOU WERE REALLY
TOO BUSY TO LISTEN TO ME.

BUT IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER

BECAUSE THIS ISN'T
REALLY ABOUT YOU ANYMORE

BECAUSE I DON'T
REALLY FEEL THIS WAY

ABOUT YOU ANYMORE.

AND IT'S JUST A BUNCH OF LIES.

I'VE GOT TO GO HOME.

JOHN-BOY.

Door closing:

all chattering:

I WAS HOPING TO HAVE A CHANCE

TO TALK WITH
JOHN-BOY THIS MORNING.

HE DIDN'T COME TO CHURCH TODAY.

HE GOT TERRIBLY UPSET
WHEN HE CAME BY LAST NIGHT

AND I SHOULD'VE COME OVER

AND TALKED WITH HIM AFTERWARDS,

BUT THE REVEREND WAS
THERE, TOO, AND, WELL...

I UNDERSTAND.

THE DEADLINE FOR
THE ESSAY CONTEST

IS IN JUST A FEW DAYS

AND IF ONLY HE'D LET ME HAVE IT

I COULD TYPE IT
UP AND GET IT IN.

THE ESSAY IS ABOUT ME, YOU KNOW.

YES, I KNOW.

WE JUST CAN'T LET HIM
MISS THE OPPORTUNITY

OF ENTERING THIS CONTEST.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR HIM
AND HE'S WORKED SO HARD.

I'LL SEE WHAT I CAN DO.

THANK YOU.

BYE-BYE.

BYE.

IT'S REALLY INCREDIBLE
HOW I DEPENDED ON HER.

JUST HUNG ON EVERY
WORD AND EVERY LOOK

TO SEE IF I COULD SEE
WHAT SHE WAS THINKING.

BUT, OF COURSE, NOW THAT SHE'S
ALL INVOLVED WITH REV. FORDWICK,

AND I THINK SHE'S PROBABLY
GOING TO MARRY HIM,

IT'S NOT GOING TO
BE LIKE THAT ANYMORE

AND THAT'S PROBABLY
JUST AS WELL FOR ME, I THINK.

YOU'RE SAYING, IF SHE HAPPENS
TO MARRY REV. FORDWICK,

SHE WON'T BE INTERESTED
IN YOUR WRITIN' ANYMORE?

WHY SHOULD SHE?

SHE'S ALL WRAPPED UP WITH HIM.

AND I THINK IT'S KIND OF A SHAME

BECAUSE SHE USED TO
REALLY APPRECIATE THE WAY

I FELT ABOUT MY WRITING.

SON, DON'T YOU THINK

AFTER THIS COURTIN'
THING SETTLES DOWN A BIT,

THINGS WILL GET BACK TO NATURAL?

I MEAN, SHE'LL BE
WILLING TO HELP YOU THEN.

DON'T YOU WANNA WAIT A WHILE
BEFORE YOU MAKE UP YOUR MIND?

I DON'T SEE IF IT'S GOING
TO BE DIFFERENT. IT'S OVER.

WE JUST SORT OF OUTGREW
EACH OTHER, I RECKON.

Car horn honking:

ALL RIGHT, I'M COMING!

ELIZABETH, HONEY, STOP
HONKING THE HORN, PLEASE!

ARE YOU SURE YOU DON'T
WANT TO COME TO THE PICNIC?

OH, YEAH.

SON, COULD IT BE YOU'RE
JUST PLAIN JEALOUS?

All chattering:

OH, FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE, WILL
YOU STOP YOUR DAWDLING?

THERE'LL BE A HORDE
OF HUNGRY PEOPLE HERE

BEFORE YOU KNOW IT.

GRANDMA, WE'RE GONNA MISS
THE SPIKE-DRIVING CONTEST.

YEAH, AND I WANT TO BE
THERE WHEN BEN HAS HIS TURN.

ERIN, UNCOVER THE POTATO SALAD.

BUT I DON'T LIKE POTATO SALAD.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO
LIKE IT TO UNCOVER IT.

(Rev. Fordwick) REAL GOOD,
MR. GODSEY. LOOKING GOOD.

SOME BOOTLEG HOOCH.

NO, THANK YOU.

MR. WALTON, HOW'S
EVERYTHING OVER HERE?

WELL, REVEREND,
YOU DID TURN OUT.

NICE SEEING YOU, MISS
HUNTER. THANK YOU.

YOU GOT YOUR DOG, TOO.

JOHN.

YOU THINK YOU COULD TRY AGAIN
TO SEE IF JOHN-BOY WILL COME?

LIV, NO.

(Grandpa) NOW, YOU ALL
SETTLE DOWN. JUST SIT DOWN.

NO MORE SWIMMIN' UNTIL AFTER
YOUR VITTLES HAVE DIGESTED.

OH, GRANDPA.

THAT SWIMMING HOLE IS
NOT GOING TO GO ANYWHERE.

I REMEMBER ONE TIME

I WENT OUT SWIMMIN'
AFTER A HEAVY MEAL

AND I WENT RIGHT DOWN
TO THE BOTTOM OF THE POND.

I MUST'VE STAYED
THERE OVER 35 MINUTES.

THAT'S THE BIGGEST WHOPPER
YOU'VE TOLD YET, GRANDPA.

WHOPPER.

I HAVE NEVER STRETCHED
THE TRUTH IN MY LIFE.

EXCEPT POSSIBLY ONCE OR TWICE

WHEN I WAS COURTIN'
YOUR GRANDMA.

SURE. WHAT ABOUT THAT STORY
ABOUT YOUR DOG BO, GRANDPA?

OH. OH, THAT STORY
IS... IS THE GOSPEL TRUTH.

YOU KNOW, THAT CONDUCTOR
ON THE NORTH OAK LINE,

HE WAS THE MEANEST-MINDED
MAN I'VE EVER SEEN.

HE DIDN'T WANT TO ALLOW
MY DOG BO ON BOARD.

HE THREATENED TO THROW HIM
OFF THE BACK END OF THE TRAIN.

BUT I REMEMBER HOW
STRONG MY DOG BO WAS.

WHY, HE HAD MUSCLES ON HIS LEGS

BIGGER THAN JASON'S ARMS.

SO I TIED HIM TO THE REAR
END OF THAT CABOOSE,

AND HE TROTTED ALONG
PRETTY AS YOU PLEASE,

35 MILES AN HOUR OR SO.

NEVER EVEN WORKIN' UP A SWEAT.

THERE YOU ARE.

YOU TELLIN' THAT AWFUL
STORY ABOUT THE DOG AGAIN?

EXCUSE ME, ESTHER.
YOU'RE INTERRUPTIN' MY TALE.

GRANDPA, NO DOG CAN
RUN AS FAST AS A TRAIN.

MAYBE A DEER, BUT NOT A DOG.

ARE YOU TELLING THIS
STORY, YOUNG LADY, OR AM I?

MIGHT MAKE MORE
SENSE IF SHE TOLD IT.

NO COMMENTS FROM THE
PEANUT GALLERY, IF YOU PLEASE.

WELL, AS I WAS SAYING,
THAT MEAN OLD CONDUCTOR

WENT AND TOLD THE ENGINEER
TO FIRE UP THE ENGINE.

AND HERE WE WERE,
HIGHBALLING ALONG,

65 MILES AN HOUR.

SO I REMEMBERED OLD BO

AND I RUSHED TO THE
REAR END OF THE TRAIN.

AND THAT DOG'S LEASH HAD SNAPPED

AND OLD BO WAS GONE.

WAS HE KILLED?

I WAS AFRAID SO.

BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN,

THE TRAIN COME TO
A SCREECHING STOP.

Screeching:

AND THERE UP AHEAD ON THE TRACKS

WAS MY DOG BO WITH A
RED FLAG IN HIS MOUTH

WAVIN' DOWN THE TRAIN.

IT SEEMED THERE WAS A
WASHOUT IN THE TRACKS UP AHEAD.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THAT
WONDERFUL DOG, GRANDPA?

BO?

WHY, THE RAILROAD
COMPANY OFFERED HIM A JOB

AS A FLAGMAN.

HE WAS PAID MORE SALARY
THAN I GOT AT THE SHIPYARDS.

LAST I HEARD OF HIM,

HE WAS ELEVATED
TO A SUPERINTENDENT.

Both chuckling:

ZEB, YOU COLD?

Grunting:

THIS GROUND'S
TOO DAMP TO SIT ON.

Children chattering:

(Grandpa) HURRY! HURRY!
HURRY! HURRY! HURRY! HURRY!

HURRY! HURRY! HURRY!
HURRY! HURRY! HURRY!

RIGHT THIS WAY FOR THE BIG DEAL

IN SPIKE-DRIVING CONTESTS!

BOYS AND GENTS! BOYS FIRST!

LINE UP IN A COLUMN, 2 BY 2.

YOU TAKE A NAIL, YOU
TAKE YOUR HAMMER

AND THE WINNER TAKES THE WINNER

TILL WE FIND THE BEST.

DRIVE THE NAIL IN

TILL YOU HIT IT
DOWN TO THE HEAD.

GET READY.

ALL SET?

1, 2, 3, GO!

(Grandpa) SORRY, BEN.
BETTER LUCK NEXT TIME.

THE WINNER IS WILLIE DEMPSTER.

Children cheering:

HEY, NAOMI!

(Grandpa) NEXT.

(Naomi) BEN?

YEAH?

YOU DO HAVE THE REDDEST HAIR.

WHAT?

RED.

IT'S MY FAVORITE COLOR.

(all) ♪ WELCOME
SWEET SPRINGTIME ♪

♪ WE GREET THEE IN SONG ♪

♪ MUMMERS OF GLADNESS ♪

♪ FALL ON THE EAR ♪♪

(Rev. Fordwick) ON YOUR
MARK, GET SET, GO!

All cheering:

HURRY! HURRY! HURRY!

RIGHT THIS WAY FOR THE
SPIKE-DRIVING CONTEST!

THIS IS FOR THE MEN.

IKE, YOU'RE COMIN' IN.

(Ike) I'LL TAKE HIM, MR. WALTON.

HELLO, BEN, YOU'RE COMING UP.

(Grandpa) ALL READY?

GET SET.

1, 2, 3, GO!

Grunts:

I'M THE WINNER!

NEXT!

REVEREND, YOU COMIN' UP?

(Grandpa) HERE
YOU ARE, REVEREND.

EXCUSE ME, WOULD YOU MIND

IF I WENT AGAINST YOU, REVEREND?

BY ALL MEANS, JOHN-BOY.

TAKE A SPIKE.

NOW ROLL YOUR LOG HERE.

NOW SET YOUR SPIKE.

NO MORE THAN A
QUARTER OF AN INCH.

(Grandpa) ♪ I'VE BEEN
WORKING ON THE RAILROAD ♪♪

ALL RIGHT. 1, 2, 3, GO!

SORRY, GRANDPA.

REVEREND, CONGRATULATIONS.

(Grandpa) FOR THIS
HERE CONTEST TO GO ON,

WE'VE GOT TO HAVE A NEW SLEDGE.

(Ike) I GOT ANOTHER ONE
IN THE BACK OF MY TRUCK.

(Grandpa) WELL, FETCH HER.

WELL, I RECKON YOU WERE RIGHT.

Chuckles:

children chattering:

MISS HUNTER,

I'D LIKE TO TALK TO
YOU FOR A MINUTE.

SURE.

JOHN-BOY, I WANT... NO, PLEASE.

I'M REALLY ASHAMED

OF WHAT I SAID THE OTHER NIGHT.

IT EMBARRASSES ME
TO ADMIT IT TO YOU,

BUT THE FACT IS THAT
I WAS PLAIN JEALOUS.

OH, JOHN-BOY... NO.

NO, REALLY, IT WAS FOOLISH OF ME

AND THE ONLY REASON
I SAID WHAT I DID

WAS BECAUSE I WAS JEALOUS.

WELL, I ACCEPT YOUR APOLOGY.

BUT PLEASE DON'T EVER
GIVE UP YOUR WRITING

NO MATTER WHAT
VAIN OR FOOLISH THING

I MAY DO OR ANYBODY ELSE DOES.

THAT'S EASY FOR ME TO SAY,

BUT IT'S VERY
IMPORTANT, JOHN-BOY.

AND I'LL ALWAYS CARE
ABOUT YOU AND YOUR WRITING.

I'LL ALWAYS HAVE
TIME TO WORK WITH YOU

WHETHER I MARRY REV. FORDWICK

OR END UP AN OLD MAID.

AND I WANT TO THANK
YOU WITH ALL MY HEART

FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS

YOU WROTE ABOUT
ME IN YOUR ESSAY.

I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY'RE
TRUE, NOT REALLY.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE POINT,

IT'S A... ITS' A FINE
PIECE OF WRITING

AND, WELL, I COULDN'T BEAR IT

IF ANYTHING I DID PREVENTED YOU

FROM SENDING IT
IN TO THE MAGAZINE.

MISS HUNTER,

THOSE THINGS I WROTE ABOUT YOU

ARE TRUE TO ME.

(John-Boy) I WAS TO
KNOW MANY TEACHERS,

BUT NONE SO DEDICATED AND GIFTED

AS MISS ROSEMARY HUNTER.

EVEN TODAY, I CAN
FEEL HER INFLUENCE.

FOR, LIKE ANY GOOD TEACHER,

SHE LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK
ON MY WORK AND ON MY LIFE.

(Ben) JOHN-BOY?

(John-Boy) YES, BEN.

AFTER PREACHER FORDWICK
MARRIES MISS HUNTER,

YOU RECKON HE'LL
CALL HER ROSEMARY?

NO, I EXPECT HE'LL
CALL HER "DARLING."

I GOT CALLED THAT TODAY.

NAOMI?

YOU BETCHA.

Whistles:

(John) ALL RIGHT, YOU
ROMEOS, PIPE DOWN.

IT'S BEDTIME.

(Ben) GOOD NIGHT, DADDY.

(John-Boy) GOOD NIGHT, DADDY.

(John) GOOD NIGHT, BOYS.