The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 4, Episode 18 - The Burnout - full transcript

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

JOHN-BOY: As with most families
everywhere, on Walton's Mountain

we were faced with all kinds
of troubles, large and small,

some growing out of
personal weaknesses,

others thrust on us
by our changing world.

Mostly, when trouble
struck, we drew together,

united against the common enemy

and came out of the
struggle closer than before.

But one year my
family suffered a loss,

which, rather than bringing
us closer to one another,

scattered us and threatened
to destroy the fabric of our lives.



Reading these old
Home Beautiful magazines

is almost as good
as going visiting.

Nice of Rosemary Fordwick
to save them for you.

Women is always interested
in other women's housekeeping.

Grandpa, you're doing it again.

Doing what? You speaking to me?

You're walking off and leaving
that heating pad plugged in.

Well, I am coming back.

When? Oh, in a year or so.

A man plagued with gout

and lumbago is
entitled to a little comfort.

You depend on that heating pad
like a baby on a... on a pacifier.

I'm always looking for a little
warmth, somewhere or other.

You know, I could walk
out, and you'd never miss me



unless I took this with me.

Will you look at this?
They call it a "family room."

Well, that's every
room in this house.

Hi, Grandma. Hi, Grandma.

Goodness! I didn't know
it was so late. Hi, Mama.

Mama, I think you ought to know

that your youngest son has
gone girl-crazy. I have not.

He's got a whole pocketful of
hair ribbons he's snitched from girls.

Jim-Bob, it seems to me you could
find better ways to spend your time.

The only ones
who'd be disappointed

are girls he didn't
get around to.

Well, I don't care
about those silly girls.

Like fun you don't!

It's all in the
excitement of the chase.

I can remember
even that far back.

Hey, Jason, how's
the practicing doing?

Oh, hi, Jason.

JIM-BOB: Hey, Jason.
MARY ELLEN: What's that?

Hey, do you mind? Move over.

Mary Ellen, why'd
you have to tell?

We know her, Miss Tattletale.

Erin. Who were you
calling a tattletale?

You. Would you be quiet, please?

How am I supposed to practice

with you all acting like
a bunch of wild Indians?

Well, how are we
supposed to act like a bunch

of wild Indians with you
banging on this piano?

All right, that's
it, I'm leaving.

One of these days I'm
gonna get my own place.

Oh, good, we're gonna
come visit. Oh, no, you won't.

We're gonna visit
you every single day.

Mama, look. What is it, honey?

There's something's the
matter with my butterfly.

Oh, Elizabeth, I'm sorry, it
looks like your butterfly's dead.

Can't be.

I gave him plenty
of food, lots of air.

He was fine just this morning.

Well, butterflies live
very short lives, Elizabeth.

Why?

Well, that's just
the way it is, child.

Elizabeth, you'd best
get yourself a parrot.

They live to be 100
years old or more.

I liked too much.

Anytime I like something
too much, it goes away.

(CHILDREN CLAMORING)

Let me have a
peek at these, Liv.

Mama, they're
impossible. Listen to that.

They've been cooped up
in the schoolroom all day.

I'm gonna have to
go practice in the barn.

Chance and Blue got more
consideration than that bunch.

All of our animals
are music lovers.

I wonder, if Mozart had
had six brothers and sisters,

how far he would've gone.

To the barn probably. I'm sure.

That old woman.

You ought to see Erin, Mama.

She's wearing that
fancy party dress again.

She's parading up and
down in front of the mirror.

Can't take her eyes off herself!

Ben, get out of here. Yeah, Ma.

Erin, you look like a bandy
chicken strutting around.

Don't you know that
Reverend Fordwick says

vanity is one of the
seven deadly sins?

Oh, I don't care.

If a person has just one
nice thing of her own to wear,

I don't believe it's wrong
to take pleasure in it.

(BELL TOLLING)

Come on in, John, have a seat.

John, relax, will you?

You haven't been called
on the carpet. Sit down.

That's a relief.

That a new pipe?

Oh, yes, I picked
it up yesterday.

Looks a little like mine.

It's nice.

I called you in, John,
because a old friend of mine

has just been named the new
editor of a rather prestigious

and established publishing
house in New York,

Ruffner Brothers.

Oh, yes, I... I know the name.

They have some of the finest
writers published today on their list,

and they're also interested in
developing some new talent,

and I was speaking
to Hank about you.

Really? Yes, well,

Hank knows that I
wouldn't recommend anyone

unless I was
genuinely enthusiastic.

And I've been telling him about
the novel you're writing. And I...

I'm sorry. Here I am
going on a mile a minute,

and I should've talked
this over with you first.

Oh, no, it's
perfectly fine. Good.

Well, anyway, Hank is interested
in looking at some sample pages.

You mean even before
I've finished it? Yes.

Well, I suggest we send
him the first 50 pages.

First 50? A lot of what I've
written lately seems stronger.

Well, then, I
wouldn't make a move

without first consulting
with the author.

Oh, no, it's just that
there are so many things

I was gonna go back and change.

Don't worry, John.
Hank understands

that he's looking
at a rough draft.

But if he warms
to your material,

maybe he'll provide
you with an advance.

Money? Sure.

Well, maybe not too much,

but certainly enough to free you

from those one or two extra jobs

you've been carrying
and give you more time

to concentrate on your writing.

It would certainly be a benefit.

And even if he doesn't come
through with the advance,

when the book is finished,

you're gonna have an
excellent entree with Ruffner.

When do you want the pages?

Let's see, uh,
today's Wednesday...

Monday would be fine.

Well, you'll have them.

Professor Parks,
thank you very much.

I just... I really
appreciate it.

I'm very excited
about it. I am, too.

Well, I'm really
excited. I appreciate it.

I just had no idea.
Ruffner Brothers.

I mean, in fact, I
don't even believe it.

In fact, when I tell my family,
they won't believe it either.

Thank you very much.

Uh, John.

New pipe?

Oh, don't want to forget that.

Thanks again.

Bye, John.

(DOOR CLOSES)

Okay, John, will
there be anything else?

Let me have a box of
them chocolates there, Ike.

Chocolates? Your family must
be doing some celebrating, huh?

Made another
payment at the bank.

All clear for another
month. Congratulations.

Hey, I'll tell you what. I'll throw in
some chocolate-covered cherries.

Thank you, Ike.

(CLATTERING)

Oh, Corabeth practicing
her dance step?

Redecorating.

Thought she did that last month.

Well, that doesn't
make any difference.

When she's got some
time on her hands,

she just starts
shoving things around.

(HAMMERING)

Kind of unsettling. Oh, yeah.

She rips the
wallpaper off the wall,

then she redoes the
curtains and the slipcovers.

Everything.

One of these days,
Ike, I'll come in here

and find you covered
with wallpaper.

Corabeth always was a
woman with a lot of ideas.

And energy.

And I've been thinking of
doing some redecorating, myself.

Can't imagine your
place being any different.

It always seemed
just perfect to me.

Get a few dollars ahead,
I'd like to modernize it a little.

Tell you what I'm gonna
do, if you don't mind.

I'll lend you Corabeth.

Elizabeth, I got you
another butterfly.

I don't want it.

Well, I thought you'd like it.

Please, Jim-Bob, let it go before...
before anything happens to it.

Okay.

I've got my doll. She
doesn't ever change.

The Ruffner Brothers is
one of the most important

publishing houses
in the country.

Those are the people that bought
out Hawthorne, Thoreau, Melville.

They might be interested in me?

And Professor Parks is gonna
send some of your writing to them?

First 50 pages.

I sure got my work cut out for
me between now and Monday,

putting the shine on them.

How come everybody's staring?

First time you see something,
kind of gets your attention.

GRANDMA: You're smoking that.

Well, you've seen a
man smoke a pipe before.

GRANDMA: Well, we've
never seen you smoke a pipe.

Well, lots of the, uh,

literary men on the
campus are smoking them.

And night watchmen.

My professor,
Professor Parks, claims

that his pipe is an aid
to his concentration.

GRANDPA: Besides, it scares
away the mosquitoes, Esther.

JOHN: Do look
kind of professory.

(SIGHING) All right, John-Boy,
this joke has gone far enough.

I'm not gonna have tobacco
stinking up my living room,

not to mention what
it's doing to your lungs.

Pipe smokers do not take
the smoke into their lungs.

I have to get back to work.

Well, now, Miss Elizabeth,
you've been kind of quiet tonight.

Anything wrong?

No, Daddy. I'm fine.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR) GRANDMA: Zeb?

Zeb?

Yes, Esther.

I thought you'd drowned.

You plan to stay
in that tub all night?

I would if I could. It
eases my lumbago.

Everybody else is in bed.

As usual, I am the exception.

You go on down and go to bed,
Esther, and compose yourself.

I'll be there before you get
through saying your prayers.

(GRANDPA HUMMING)

(WATER SPUTTERING)

(HUMMING)

GRANDPA: Good night everybody.

ALL: Good night, Grandpa.

I'm coming, Esther.

Good night, Mama.

Night, Mary Ellen.

Good night, Jim-Bob.

JIM-BOB: Night, Daddy.

Good night, John-Boy.

Night, Ben. Night, Elizabeth.

Good night, Elizabeth.

(COUGHS)

(DOOR OPENS)

Elizabeth?

I couldn't sleep.

It's late, honey.

I know.

Come on, I'll put you to bed.

Come on.

(COUGHING)

John, there's smoke.
John. Hmm. Hmm?

Get the kids! Now! Come on! Now!

Wake up. Fire.

John-Boy!

What's going on? Oh, my God!

Hurry up, get up.

JOHN: Get some blankets!

Boys, fire. Jason,
Jim-Bob, wake up.

Wake up.

Here, Daddy.

Dad!

What happened?

(ALL CLAMORING)

JOHN-BOY: Fire!

Stop. Come on.

The house is on fire.

Esther...

Let's go.

Mama, you all right?

Fire!

Stay out of here,
Esther. Give me that robe.

GRANDMA: Zeb, no.

Mary Ellen, Elizabeth, hurry.

Elizabeth, come on. Hurry up.

OLIVIA: Erin, stop that
and come now, quickly.

Erin, let's go.

JOHN-BOY: All right, let's
go, everybody. Get ready.

Where is everybody?

Come on, come on.

Come on, everybody!

All right, here we go!

Mama, my doll!

Come on, come on.
Come on, down here.

Get out! Out! Out, out!

Get outside and stay out.

Get outside and stay out.

Get outside and stay outside.

You've got to... Come on!

JOHN: Come on! Get
out! Everybody out!

Come quickly. I'm trying!

Erin! Erin, get up.

Mama! GRANDMA: Erin!

Somebody help him! Zeb!

Jason, take that ax
and get some help!

You boys give them
the blanket... OLIVIA: No!

John-Boy! John-Boy! Erin!

Olivia, come back here.

All right. I'll get
them. Stay back!

John-Boy! John-Boy! Erin!

(ELIZABETH SCREAMING)

Erin!

Daddy, take her!

My novel! Daddy, let me go.

Let me go!

My writing!

Erin!

Daddy, Daddy.

(CRYING)

I think that got it.
Thank you, fellows.

Thank you for your help.

Well, John, I guess
we got it whipped.

It's just smoldering
in a place or two now.

Well, I'm much
obliged to you fellows.

Without your help, would've
gone right to the foundation.

GRANDPA: And more
than likely lost the barn, too.

YANCY: Well, I'm afraid your
second floor is pretty well burned out.

It's hard to tell how bad it is.

Plenty of time to worry
about that in the morning.

And be grateful no one was hurt.

Amen to that, Reverend.

Got any idea, John,
how it all started?

I don't know.
Probably the wiring.

It's all frazzled and old.

Well, now, you better get home.

Get yourself some sleep.

Thanks again.

Thank you, Reverend.

(STUTTERING) Where
you off to, John-Boy?

I have to see if there's
anything left, Grandpa.

Well, we best wait till morning.

Let's go see the young 'uns.

Right, now watch where
you step. Don't touch anything.

OLIVIA: Watch your feet, Jim.

It's awful. It's just awful.

OLIVIA: Thank
God, we're all alive.

JOHN: All right.

Let's see what we can salvage
and take it out to the barn.

Easy now. Watch it, everybody.

Don't touch anything,
some of it's hot.

What do we have right here?

JASON: Grab that.

Unately, Sister and I have

no clothing that
would be appropriate.

We could bring
beddings and linens.

Oh, thank you, ladies.

The Fordwicks brought some
things by earlier. Grandma?

Well, you let us know if
there's anything you need.

This gave us quite a
lift, ladies. Thank you.

Last night, we were
in the pits of hell. Zeb!

I'm talking. And
then in the morning

to be attended by
angels of mercy.

JOHN: Who make
pretty good coffee, too.

Another legacy from Papa.

Sister and I were talking
as we drove over here,

and we would be so happy if
any of you would share our home.

While the necessary repairs
are being made, don't you know?

Well, it's very nice of you,
ladies. As a matter of fact...

But we wanna keep
the family together.

Oh, we do understand.

But should you
change your mind...

Sister, we really
must be on our way.

Oh, yes. It's our
monthly meeting

of the Browning
Society in Charlottesville.

Dear Mr. Browning.
Such a consolation.

"Grow old along with
me! The best is yet to be"

Sister. Now if there's
anything at all that we can do.

Rabbi Ben Ezra, stanza one.

Oh, thank you so much.

Thank you for coming. Goodbye.

It was very nice. Bye-bye.

It's time you all were
starting for school.

Oh, I thought I'd stay
here today and help Daddy.

Think again. Mama,
with half the house gone...

Go on. School.

Bye-bye. Bye-bye.

Bye.

Jim-Bob, what have
you got on your feet?

JIM-BOB: I threw two
different shoes out the window,

a good one and an old one.

I could go barefoot.

Not in this weather, you can't.

Elizabeth?

Elizabeth, are you all right?

Yes, Mama.

OLIVIA: No fever.

Can I go now?

Yeah, I'll see
you this afternoon.

Erin, you better get a move on.

John-Boy. Yes?

I'm sorry about your
novel. Forget about it, Erin.

Well, it's all my fault. If I
hadn't tried to save this dress,

you wouldn't have lost it.

I'm not blaming you for it.

You don't hate me?

Of course I don't hate you.

Looks to me like we're
gonna have to rebuild

the whole second
floor of the house.

While we're at it,
we might as well

rewire it and
modernize the plumbing.

Not one cent's insurance.

Ma, you know the rates
are too high out here.

What's the use of
fretting about that?

We could try for another loan
at the bank to buy the materials,

and do most of
the work ourselves.

Well, where are we all
gonna sleep in the meantime?

I guess we're gonna have
to parcel you children out

to friends and neighbors.

No. I won't have that.

Well, now, honey, you can see
the house. What are we gonna do?

John, I will not have my children
scattered all over the county.

I want them here where I
can take proper care of them.

But how are we gonna do that?

I don't know, but...

Well, we got that old tent in
the barn we used for Grandpa.

GRANDMA: Eleven people
in one tent? JASON: Sure.

It'd be like a dormitory.

Well, I'm going back
to my own room.

You'll do nothing of the sort.

There's burnt rafters
hanging right over our bed.

It's true.

Well, anyway, maybe we
can clean out the kitchen

so that at least we can
cook and eat in there.

Nobody's sleeping in a tent.

It gets cold at
night around here.

John, after what
happened last night,

the children need to know that we're
here, that we're looking after them.

Honey, they're gonna
get sick sleeping outside.

John, please, let's just try.

All right, let's just try it.

Thanks.

Grandpa. John-Boy.

Are you looking for something?

No.

Just looking.

Soot and ashes and regrets.

I know.

Well, I'm gonna

try to get myself
cleaned up for class.

I'll see you.

Listen, Herman Melville's first
copy of Moby-Dick was lost at sea.

Robert Louis Stevenson's wife
burned Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

because she
thought it was vulgar.

Ernest Hemingway's first
novel was in a suitcase

that was stolen and
never recovered.

Guess I'm in good company.

Unfortunately, all of
this is of small comfort.

I'm still gonna have to
write to Hank at Ruffner's

and let him know what happened.

Professor, I don't know how long
it's gonna take me to rewrite this.

I mean, I lost everything,
I don't have anything.

Not my glasses,
not even my clothes.

John, you still
have your journals.

And, believe me, you're gonna be
able to remember what you wrote.

Do you have any idea
how the fire got started?

My daddy says it was
a short in the wiring.

There's so many things that
could start a fire in a house.

Look, I'm really sorry
that all of this happened.

I don't wanna take up
any more of your time.

John.

I'm sorry.

Truly sorry.

You sure cleared a lot
of stuff out of the house.

We got a start.

Mostly in the kitchen, John-Boy.

Where'd all these
cots come from?

Reverend Fordwick
borrowed them from the CCC.

There are only seven of them.

You and Mama
sleeping in the barn?

That's right.

Your grandma and
I have fashioned us

a little love nest
in the front parlor.

How is Mama anyway?
Oh, she's all right.

She's just bound and determined

nothing's gonna fall
apart around here.

This ought to be enough
wood to keep the fire hot.

But not too hot. No.

(CHUCKLING)

You think you're
funny, don't you?

How come you're
pulling such a long face?

What I do with my
face is my business.

But we're the ones
that have to look at it.

Erin, I... I think
we can find you

something a little
more becoming to wear.

No, thank you,
Mama. I want this.

It was in the box of clothes
Mrs. Fordwick brought today

and it's perfect.

Don't you think
it's a little drab?

No, Mama. It's just right.

Elizabeth, honey, I'm
sorry about your doll.

It's okay. It was
only an old doll.

I tell you what,

soon as all this
emergency is over,

I'll get you a new
one, all right?

I don't want a new
one, John-Boy.

I don't want anything.

(THUNDER CLAPPING)

(RAIN PATTERING)

John.

It's raining.

You think the
tent is waterproof?

If it's not, those kids will
let us know soon enough.

JIM-BOB: John-Boy,
there's a leak over my bed.

JOHN-BOY: There's a
leak over everybody's bed.

(LAUGHING)

Look, John-Boy.

I think it's raining now.

JASON: Mary Ellen, where
did you get that umbrella?

"Be prepared,"
that's my motto...

Let me get under that. Let
me get underneath there.

(ALL CHATTERING)

MARY ELLEN: Hey, wait
a minute, I'm getting wet.

GRANDMA: Oh, good Lord.

Good Lord might have sent
us the rain the night of the fire.

Zeb, now, you be
careful who you criticize.

Yeah.

(LAUGHS)

One thing's sure, from now on

you have got to be
my electric heating pad.

Zeb, behave.

JOHN-BOY: Everybody in the barn!

Come on, everybody
out! Everybody out!

Come into the barn, Jason!

I knew it. JASON:
Everybody in the barn!

Let's go! Come on!

Everybody in the barn!

Come on, get inside!
Come on, get inside. Let's go.

Come on, honey. All right.

Take the blanket.
Take the blanket.

Lord, it's wet!

Jim-Bob, don't
dawdle. I'm tired.

I know. You'll feel better
after you have a hot breakfast.

Mama, are we all going
to sleep in here tonight?

I don't know. We'll
figure out something.

Go inside and join
the other children, Ben.

Yeah, I will, Mama.
Go and get everyone.

Now, Liv, this is
not working out.

If they don't get some
sleep and get warm,

we're gonna end up
with a bunch of sick kids.

I know. I just hate the thought of us
separated when we need to be close.

I don't like it any
better than you do,

but it's something
that's just got to be done.

Am I too young to
have rheumatism?

Well, I don't believe there's any
special age limit for its coming on you.

You always have been precocious.

What kind of a word is that?

That's a Mary Ellen special.

Don't ask her what it means.

She'll give you six
others just like it.

John-Boy, did you catch a
cold in that downpour last night.

No, ma'am.

Acting mighty quiet.

I'm fine.

You know, I think this is the
best breakfast I've ever had.

GRANDMA: Well, it
is good, considering.

I mean, it's not just the food.

I mean, we must have had
100 other meals just like it,

but until the fire, I never
really appreciated them.

Well, until last night, I never
appreciated my nice, dry bed.

You know, Daddy,
maybe we could borrow

a big tarpaulin from
the lumber yard.

I'm afraid a tarp
won't help, Son.

Now, listen, your mother and I had
hoped that we could all stay together

till the roof was fixed
and the house repaired,

but it's not working out.

We're gonna have to place you
all with friends and neighbors.

Daddy. You mean,

we have to live away
from you and Mama?

That's right.

JIM-BOB: Well, do we have to?

BEN: Last night wasn't that bad.

MARY ELLEN: Yeah,
what's a little rain?

At least we were
all soaked together.

I don't like this any
better than you do.

GRANDPA: Well, still,
we be luckier than most.

Here during the Depression
lots of families get scattered,

never to get back
together again.

It's just gonna be
for a few weeks.

ERIN: A few weeks?

GRANDMA: Well, we...
we won't be far apart, Erin.

GRANDPA: We can come calling on
one another whenever we feel like it.

JOHN: That's right. We can.

Your mother and I'll stay here in the
house, John-Boy will stay in the barn.

MARY ELLEN: When
do we have to split up?

This afternoon.

Can't tell you how much
we appreciate this, Reverend.

It'll be a treat for
Rosemary and me.

The parsonage seems
so empty, just the two of us.

All right, now. You
behave yourselves.

We will, Daddy.

All right.

One thing is certain,
they'll do their schoolwork.

Okay. Thanks again, Reverend.

Come on, let's get
something to eat, okay?

Then we'll put your things
away. Come on in here.

MISS MAMIE: We're very
pleased to have you with us, Jason.

So reassuring to have
a man in residence.

This is my room?

It used to be Papa's.

All this space just for me?

And this is your wardrobe.

And here is your bath.

My own bathroom?

Now, if there's anything
at all that we've forgotten...

Please don't hesitate to ask.

Sister and I want you to
feel that this is your home.

MRS. BRIMMER: Sorry as I am
about the fire, but since it had to happen,

I'm so glad to have
the both of you here.

Well, it's just temporary.

Esther couldn't make
up her mind what to bring,

so she brought everything.

Well, in a new place, Zeb,

a woman just likes to have a
few of her own things around her.

Takes away the strangeness.

The only difference is, I didn't need
to bring anything but you, Esther.

I have one of my best
rooms all ready for you.

Mrs. Brimmer, there seems
to be a dearth of hot water.

(CHUCKLES)

I'd like you to meet one
of your fellow boarders.

Mrs. Zuleika Dunbar, Mr. and
Mrs. Zeb Walton. It's a pleasure.

Well, I'm elated that
you're joining our little circle.

It's just temporary.

Well, I'm sure Mr. Walton
will be a welcome change

from our daily diet of hen talk.

I will do my very
level best, Mrs...

Dunbar, Zuleika Dunbar.

(GIGGLES)

Well, no rooster
likes to hear the sound

of his own crowing
more than Zeb Walton.

Let's go. I'll show
you to your room.

Oh, please, let me be of
some assistance. This way.

Here.

(LAUGHING)

Come on. Zuleika,
what an interesting name.

Zuleika... Dunbar.

All right, Yance. Take
care, now. Bye-bye.

Keep an eye on that one.

Bye.

This your first time
away from home?

Last year I was at
church camp for a week.

Like it?

Well, once I got used
to the rules, yeah.

Ben, we just got one rule
around here and one rule only.

Do as you dang please.

Drop your things anywhere, Ben.

Don't worry about the pets.

They'll get used to
you in no time at all.

This is your bed.

Maybe I could put my
clothes in the closet.

If there was a closet,
which there ain't.

See, Ben, I don't
believe in them.

Things I use and wear,
I want close at hand.

I don't want to have to go
rummaging around in no dark closet.

(CHICKEN CLUCKING)

Hey, you, get to work.

See, Ben, way I look at it,

closets is for nothing
more than putting away

a lot of things which
you don't really need.

I got nothing that
fits that description.

Well, do you have a nail?

A nail?

A nail.

This is the most exciting thing
that's ever happened to me.

Getting to see close-up what
a doctor's life is really like.

Mady and I are real happy to
have you with us, Mary Ellen.

Let me show you your room.

You know, I'm
going to be a nurse.

Well, that's a
wonderful ambition.

So you won't mind if I
spend a lot of time in here?

Uh, well, I...

Oh, I won't get in your
way, Doc. I promise.

Yeah, well, I think
Mady was counting

on your company
and help in the house.

Oh, well, I'll do that, too,

but mostly I wanna be in here
with you, helping and learning.

Well, first, let's
get you settled.

IKE: Elizabeth and us are gonna
get along like apple pie and cheese.

OLIVIA: She's always
wanting to go to Ike's.

I fixed over my sewing room into
something special for a little girl.

That was nice of you, Corabeth.

You shouldn't have
gone to all that trouble.

Oh, I love doing it.

You know, in the past two
months that sewing room has been

a game room, a study
and a beauty parlor.

We'll look in on you
as often as we can.

You come see us
whenever you want.

Elizabeth.

Yes, Mama?

I'd better be going.

You be a good girl now.

She will.

Corabeth, let's go
see my room now.

Of course, dear.

John-Boy, is that you?

JOHN-BOY: Daddy?

Better come on down.

Yes, sir.

GRANDPA: They were
selling kisses at the county fair.

Rufe was standing
outside the booth.

He said, "I paid $1,
a whole day's wages,

"just to kiss the pride
of Rockfish County.

"I got inside the booth, there
was nothing but a jackass."

(LAUGHING)

So I said, "Rufe,

"you mean to say there's nothing
in that kissing booth but a jackass?"

And he says, "Yes,
that's all it was, a jackass."

"Well, Rufe," says I, "it
takes one to know one."

Mr. Walton, that is priceless.

I've laughed so
much my sides ache.

Zeb does have a
way with a story.

I declare, Mrs. Walton,

living with such a man, you
must wear yourself out laughing.

Well, you're partly right.

It does wear a mite thin

when you been listening to
the same story for 50 years.

Well, the stories are
funny in themselves,

but it's the way you have of
turning a phrase, Mr. Walton.

Well, thank you for
saying so, Miss Dunbar.

Oh, please, call me Zu.

All my friends do.

Well, I certainly hope that you
consider me to be a friend, Zu.

(BOTH LAUGHING)

You did say your home was
in Richmond, Miss Dunbar?

Oh, well, I've lived most
of my life in Richmond,

but nowadays my home is
anywhere I'm having a good time.

What she was saying is, she's
gonna visit her sister in Wheeling.

When?

Well, that was before
our guests joined us.

I can go to Wheeling anytime.

Well, I declare. You
still awake, honey?

I'm not sleepy.

Well. Think I understand.

It's your first night
away from home.

You're missing your
mama and daddy.

I don't miss anybody.

Well, that's very brave of you,

but I think a little company
would not be amiss.

Suppose I slip down to the store

and get you a sweet
baby doll to cuddle?

No, thank you. I
don't want a doll.

Well, shall I just sit here
with you till you drift off?

I like it just fine
here by myself.

Good night.

Night, dear.

JOHN: What's the matter, Liv?

OLIVIA: Everything.

Come on, now,
don't torture yourself.

Spent our whole lives trying to raise
our kids and give them a proper home.

And now they're
scattered to the winds

and the house is
nothing but a shell.

Honey, there's nothing
gone we can't replace.

We had hard times
even from the beginning

and we got through them somehow.

But here we are, still stumbling

and picking ourselves
up over and over,

and I don't think I can
pick myself up anymore.

(SOBBING)

Liv, you're awful tired, honey.

Let's see if we can
get a good night's rest.

Maybe tomorrow
things won't look so grim.

We'll get through.

We're always looking
for a way to get through.

Makes a person wonder
why we struggle so.

Liv, you're not listening to me.

(SIGHING)

I got two good strong
hands, a strong back.

I'll put this place back
together for you again.

JOHN-BOY: It's useless.

I've tried and tried to rewrite
the first page of my novel,

the first paragraph,
the first sentence.

Always comes out
the same. Flat. Empty.

I feel as if there was a band
of steel twisted tight inside me,

shutting off the flow
of words and feelings.

Maybe that steel band
is my guilt about the fire,

me being the cause.

Somehow I have to find an
answer for that feeling. Somehow.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

(MOANS)

MISS MAMIE: May we come in?

Sure.

Good morning, Jason.

Oh, good morning.

We do hope you slept well.

Oh, never better. Thank you.

Sister and I thought you might
enjoy having breakfast in bed.

Oh, you shouldn't have
gone to all that trouble.

Oh, it was no trouble.

It gives a person
that catered-to feeling

that we all deserve
from time to time.

We weren't sure which you
preferred, bacon or sausage.

So we prepared both.

Oh, I like them both. Thank you.

Good.

Now, Jason, Sister and I
have been talking it over,

and while you're with us,

we would like you to use our car

to go to your classes
and to your work.

Oh, I couldn't do that.

You must, or we'll be
offended, won't we, Mamie?

Grievously.

(CHUCKLES)

Well, I wouldn't offend
either one of you for anything.

Good. It's settled.

Now, is there anything
else we can get for you?

No, everything is
perfect. Thank you.

Enjoy yourself.

Oh, I will.

Thank you.

Morning. Morning.

Well, looks like
someone overslept.

It was so quiet
without Ben and Jason.

Well, we saved some cocoa
for you and some hotcakes.

Thank you.

Gee, Erin, same dress?

What I wear isn't important.

I agree with you, Erin. Some of
the girls at school do overdress,

but an occasional change
now and then is nice.

My vanity hurt
people, Mrs. Fordwick,

especially John-Boy.

I have to check it.

I see.

"Whosoever shall exalt
herself shall be abased,

"and she that shall humble
herself shall be exalted."

Matthew 23, verse 12.

Well, I can't be
late for school.

Okay, Mrs. Fordwick.

What in the name of peace
and goodness is all this?

Just ribbons, sir.

Your sisters'?

No, sir.

Then whose?

Just different girls.
It's kind of a collection.

Well, boys collect stamps
and coins, arrowheads.

Did the girls give
you these ribbons?

Not exactly.

You took them forcibly?

I don't think anybody
minded too much.

(CLEARS THROAT) Jim-Bob,

let me speak to you, not just
as a minister to a parishioner,

or even as a friend to
friend, but man to man.

The relationship between a man and
a woman must be based on respect.

Well, gee, Reverend,
grabbing those ribbons at recess

was just something
to do, a game.

And for some men, that is a
lifelong attitude toward women,

an empty game full of
meaningless pursuits.

We don't want that
for you, Jim-Bob.

No, sir.

Let me give some thought to what
would be your most constructive move.

And in the meantime,
no more collecting.

No, sir.

Watch it, John-Boy.

Son, will you work
somewhere else?

Sorry.

John-Boy, watch it, please.

Well, I'll be... What?

It was still plugged in.

You think maybe it overheated?

Pa never could remember
to pull out the plug.

You caught me daydreaming.

I know what you're thinking.

I was thinking, rather than
patching up the old place

maybe we should start fresh.

I wish we could.

You know I wish we could.

But we can't because of
the time and the money.

Just have to make do.

I guess that's
what it's all about.

Making do.

(BIRDS CHIRPING)

(CHICKEN CLUCKING)

Sorry.

You lose something?

Well, I was just
wondering what time it is.

Do you have a clock?

Of course I got a clock.

You've been listening
to too many stories

about how backward we are here.

3:00!

That's the plaguey
thing about clocks.

You got to keep winding them.

So you have no
idea what time it is?

9:30. Give or take 10 minutes.

9:30... Not your
favorite time of day?

I should've been at
school an hour ago.

Well, you sure are
stirring up a power of dust.

It's up to you, but
it just seems to me

that you'd no sooner
get to school now,

than you'd just have to turn
right around and hike back again.

Maybe the best idea'd be to
have a fresh go at it tomorrow.

I shouldn't play hooky.

No. No, you shouldn't.

Course, I shouldn't send you
to school on an empty stomach,

you being a growing boy and all.

I am hungry.

Well.

There you are.

I'll just fry us up a mess
of eggs, ham and grits,

and then we'll
be in better shape

to face this problem.
What do you say?

It makes a whole lot of sense.

Course it does.

How do you want them, Ben?

Scrambled or straight up?

I don't care right now.

Mary Ellen. What's
this doing here?

Doc's very particular
about his patient files.

Well, I moved it up here
and I'm arranging everything

alphabetically and
chronologically.

There's something
different over here, too.

Well, all the equipment's
been scrubbed and polished

and I rearranged
the examination area.

So there's fewer
steps for Dr. Vance

and greater comfort
for the patients.

Change is not something
that Doc takes easy to.

Oh, well, he'll appreciate
being able to do

a better job with less effort.

Maybe. Well, I could
use a little help myself.

Uh, the wash needs to be
taken down off the line and folded.

Well, I'll do it the
minute the doctor returns.

I'm taking his calls.

Oh, we're getting along just like
three sheep in spring clover, Olivia.

She hasn't been by
the house, I was worried.

Oh, she's fine, and Corabeth is
just taking wonderful care of her,

and, you know, it's made a great
difference, her being here with us.

You know, Corabeth hasn't even
had one of her nervous spells.

She'll be right here, Olivia.

Are you sure she's all right?

She usually comes running
the minute she hears my voice.

Oh, she's fine.

But she does seem to
have a little trouble sleeping.

Bad dreams?

CORABETH: No, she
doesn't seem to cry out,

but when I go in I just
find her lying there,

staring at the ceiling.

Hello, Mama.

I do believe you've
grown these few days.

Everything all right at school?

It's fine.

Your daddy's been working
night and day on the house

so we can all be
together real soon.

Corabeth tells me you've
been having trouble sleeping.

Is something bothering you?

No, Mama. I'm fine.

I like it here.

Well, I have a lot
of homework to do.

Your daddy's gonna be
happy you're doing so well.

Goodbye, Mama.

That child is not herself.

Oh, you know children, Olivia.

They change from
one minute to the next.

I've a good mind to take
her home, what's left of it.

We sure would appreciate
it if you'd let her stay.

It'd mean a lot to
Corabeth and me.

I'm sure this little
mood of hers will pass.

Do let her stay, Olivia.

Well, you keep a special
eye on her, Corabeth.

I'm worried about her.

Thank you.

John-Boy. Grandma.

Oh, I missed you.
H-How's everybody?

Mama and Daddy are
fine. And the children?

Well, I haven't
seen anybody else.

John-Boy. You're looking fit.

Oh, I'm flourishing.

Miss Dunbar, I'd like
you to meet my grandson.

How do you do?

You're a lucky young man

to have the example
as such as Zeb.

I think so.

We're gonna have a little
snack, John-Boy, will you join us?

Thank you very much.

I'll give you a hand, Flossie.

Miss Dunbar, wouldn't you like

to come in the kitchen
and lend a hand?

No, thank you.
I'll just stay here

and keep the menfolks company.

You say I never brew
the tea to your taste,

so come along and show
me where I go wrong.

Oh, come on.

Well, I'll see you
gentlemen later.

So long.

Come on.

Tea, tea, tea, tea.

That's all you ever
get around here, tea.

Well, so has your daddy got any
ideas about what caused the fire?

Grandpa, yesterday we were
digging out the mess in that bathroom.

You found the electric heater
that's plugged into the wall,

just the way I left it?

Yes, sir.

What's that?

My pipe.

I left it in the hall
the night of the fire.

It was lit.

Grandpa, I think I
started the whole thing.

Hold on there.

You said my electric heater
might have caused the fire.

Could have been me, could have
been you, could have been anybody.

I'll never know for
sure it wasn't me.

Don't you hold onto that burden.

Maybe I was careless,
maybe you was careless.

If our carelessness caused
that fire, we ought to be thankful

our dear ones weren't harmed.

Every time I look at that house,
I know it was me, Grandpa.

I found this and I
hid it from my daddy.

I been carrying it around in
my pocket for a whole day,

and I can't look
anybody in the face.

If I was the cause of that fire,
I know you would forgive me.

And I'd forgive you if
you was the cause of it.

Important thing is, John-Boy,

can you forgive yourself?

Jim-Bob, I've been giving your
problem a great deal of thought,

and I've decided
these trophies of yours

must be returned
to their owners.

Give them back?

I don't even know
which is which.

The ladies will help you there.

And, Jim-Bob, in addition
to returning the ribbons,

I want you to give something
of yourself to each of the girls.

Something of myself? Mmm-hmm.

Well, I don't have anything.

I mean, perform some kindness.

Help each of them
in some small way.

Sure isn't gonna be easy.

Of course it isn't. So the
lesson will be remembered.

You become the
giver, not the taker.

Well, what if I just
gave the ribbons back?

Once you start, you'll find
it's easier than you think,

and very rewarding.

ROSEMARY: Supper's ready.

Agreed?

Agreed.

Smells good.

Erin, will you ask the blessing?

I'm not worthy of that
honor, Reverend Fordwick.

Jim-Bob?

We thank you for the
good food and good friends,

and please be just as kind to the
rest of the family, wherever they are.

Amen.

Very nice.

And humility is a beautiful
thing, but moderation...

I'm hoping that good
will come out of all this.

I'm sure it will.

I'm thinking of
answering the call.

What call?

To be an evangelist.

I wanna preach
humility to everyone.

Here you go. Thank you.

John, stop the truck.

(HORN HONKING)

Hey, Mama. Daddy.

John, Olivia. Ain't
this a nice howdy-do.

Why aren't you in school?

School?

You know that place there, Ben,

where you go sit all day and try to
get some sense between your ears.

School. Well... Tell
you what happened.

Ben here, this morning
he woke up feverish.

Yeah. Feverish.

Hardly lift his
head off the pillow.

Feeling much too poorly
for me to send to school.

Not too poorly to go fishing?

Well,

along about 11:00
or so, your boy here,

he made a remarkable recovery.

Seemed like such a beautiful
day, well, shame to waste it

and also I decided to
take him on a nature walk.

Oh, I won't do it
again, Mama, I promise.

You won't, 'cause you're
gonna get in the truck right now.

Mama. Now wait a minute, Liv.

Now, you know we haven't
got room for him at home.

Now, listen here, Son.

You miss one more day of
school, one more hour even,

I'll come looking
for you myself.

No, I won't, Daddy. I promise.

I'll keep him in line, John.

Ben, why don't you give
your Mama them fish?

Here, Mama.

Ben, now you remember
this is not a vacation.

I will, Mama.

John, what's happening
to our children?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I've been at this for a long
time. I didn't mean to disturb you.

Disturb us? Oh, no, Jason.

It's pure pleasure
for Sister and me

to hear you draw music
from that old piano.

Well, most people
find my practicing

more irritating than
enjoyable. Oh, not us.

But perhaps we're
disturbing you.

Oh, no. I've just about done
my limit of scales for the day.

Are you sure?

Mmm-hmm.

Well, then, in that case,

could Sister and I prevail upon
you to play a song or two for us?

I'm not very good.

We've heard you and we feel
you're better than good, you're superb.

Are you familiar with
Listen to the Mockingbird?

Listen to the Mockingbird?

Let's see.

That's it.

Lovely.

(LAUGHING)

Wet paint. Sorry.

Boy, oh, you two making
good progress up here.

After a false start or two.

Yeah, this morning, everything
I set my hand to went wrong.

I know that feeling.

I had to take out those
reinforcements I put in the stairs.

First time I come up the stairs,

they'd wallop around
like an old hammock.

Well, I mean to be more
help myself around here.

You got your own work, Son.

No, I'm gonna set the
writing aside for a while.

Lately, I've just been
wasting too much time,

spoiling good paper, crumpling
it up and throwing it away.

I'm anxious to get to work,
help you on the house.

Sure could use the help.

Yes, we could use Jason
and Ben around here, too.

Ben's too busy fishing.

Jason's strutting around
in those new clothes

the Baldwin ladies gave him.

Well, that strutting's gonna
stop and that fishing, too,

soon as I get my hands on them.
They know we need their help.

Problem is, everybody's just
been separated a spell too long.

Yeah, your ma's sure
missing her chicks.

Never seen her so low.

Well, she'll feel more cheerful

once we get this place livable.

You know, maybe Sunday
we ought to do some visiting.

Or maybe if she had some
visitors of her own here.

Yeah.

Mama.

I thought you and your daddy
had decided to go fishing.

We brought you
a little surprise.

Surprise! Surprise!

I was just thinking
about all of you.

If ever a family needed
a reunion, this one does.

I wanna look at each
and every one of you.

Jason, what an elegant
jacket. Thank you, Mama.

The Baldwin
sisters gave me this.

Of course, it did get a little dusty
coming over here on the truck.

Oh, excuse us. Next time we'll
pick you up in a limousine, Mr. Uppity.

Well, you won't have to do that,

because they also gave me
the keys to their automobile.

Oh. Well, next
time we'll put down

the red carpet so you don't
dirty your patent leathers.

This is the noisiest family.

Oh, poor Jason. Do we
give you a headache?

I'm gonna fix him up.

I was telling Zuleika
all about the time...

Mama, can we eat early
tonight? I suppose so.

Doc counts on me to take
his calls from 2:00 to 5:00.

Well, he can do
without you for one day.

Oh, Mama, I
promised to get back.

Mary Ellen, I was
counting on the whole day.

Let's go see where the
fire was, okay? Yeah.

And if Zuleika...
Ben, look at you.

You're so dirty. I ought
to pick you up bodily

and put you in the
washing machine.

You look kind of tired.

Well, I am a little tired.

Yancy and I went coon hunting.

You mean you were out all night?

Well, I didn't get
too much sleep.

And Zuleika began
to roar with laughter

before I even got the
speckled bull... Zeb, Zeb,

nobody here wants to listen to
one of your long-winded stories.

Erin, you're so quiet, I hardly
even noticed you were here.

Why didn't you push
up and say hello?

"She who is first shall be last

"and she who is
last shall be first."

Living with the ministers
made you kind of biblical.

Well, it's more than that, Mama.

I may have a call to preach.

Elizabeth?

I didn't give you a hug.

Aren't you gonna say hello?

Hello, Mama.

Aren't you glad to
be here with all of us?

It's very nice.

Elizabeth, will you please
tell me what's troubling you?

Nothing, Mama, I'm fine.

JOHN-BOY: Mama?

We brought this stuff from
the Godseys for dinner.

Liv, you want to eat in here
or should we have a picnic?

It doesn't matter.

Oh, honey, what's the matter?

Come on, Liv, it's not that bad.

Yes, it is.

We are not a family anymore.

When you finish that, Son,
you can quit for the night.

Might as well work
on through to supper.

I thought maybe you want
an hour or so for your writing.

Lately working with my hands
has been more satisfying.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Well, I mean, if
my writing ability

can be just dammed up like that,

how am I even gonna
make a living at it?

Don't most jobs have
their lean periods?

From outside conditions,
this is an inside condition.

You know, I think I
know what you mean.

When I first started rebuilding
this house, something was wrong.

I wanted to turn my
back on it, walk away.

That's just how I
feel about my book.

But I found out what was wrong.

I was trying to rebuild this
house exactly like it was before.

Well, you can't do it.

You just can't get back
that same excitement.

No, I'm not the same
man that built this,

I can't get the same materials.

I just gotta get a
roof over our heads.

That's true.

Some of it won't be as
good as it was before,

but it all balances out.

Point is, there's
a job to be done.

And you're a better
man than I am.

(SAWING WOOD)

You like those work
noises, don't you?

No nicer music.

Yeah, well, you telling John
that you weren't a family anymore

sure lit a fire under...

Well, sure... sure
got him going.

Maybe when we're all
together again under one roof,

things will get back to normal.

After that get-together
on Sunday, I was so low,

all those children off
in their separate worlds.

Yeah.

Children change. They're
never two days running the same.

I know,

but it's a lot easier to take
when you can be there with them

and share in the changes.

The reason I don't have
anything to give you, Professor,

is because I don't
know if I can do it.

I just don't know if I can
create that all over again.

Something's wrong with me,
there's something blocking my mind.

I find a dozen reasons
not to sit down and write.

Used to be I couldn't wait to
get there with a pencil in my hand

and that empty page in front of
me and the words coming out.

And now when I do sit
down, it's just forcing myself.

And when the words do come,

there's just no meaning
and no feeling in them.

Maybe you're pushing
yourself too hard,

and thinking too much about Hank
at Ruffner's waiting for the pages.

John, when you began to write,

it was because you had to put

your thoughts and your
feelings down on paper.

You should return to that.

And you should stop
demanding so much of yourself.

I don't know what's
wrong with me.

I mean, I'm thinking
all sorts of crazy things.

(BANGS TABLE)

Stop romanticizing
yourself, John.

You have ability, but
ability isn't everything.

Some say it isn't even 50%.

There are thousands of
talented people in this world.

Some of them never take
the risk of proving themselves.

They're the ones who are
always going to write the book,

or paint that picture, or
compose a symphony.

But they never do.

And then there are the
others who take the first step,

but as soon as they
encounter any rejection,

any reversal,

they don't have the
resilience to bounce back.

One defeat short-circuits
them for the rest of their lives,

and they fashion a career out of
being misunderstood and unappreciated.

I have never seen you,
John, as one of those people.

And I still don't.

Thank you.

JOHN-BOY: The dull and
heat-laden days of August,

the endless, leaden dog
days, vanished in a rainstorm

and September dawned
bright and sparkling and sunny.

The foliage began to turn

lemon yellow, watermelon
red, russet and gold and bronze.

The woods were afire with color,

but clean and chilled
by an autumn wind,

and the fever which had been in
the boy's brain was swept away

by the cleansing wind,

and every day lay before him

with such beckoning
and promise of adventure

that his heart would nearly
explode with the wonder of it all.

Jim-Bob.

I see you have chosen not to take
my advice about the hair ribbons.

Well, gee, Reverend, I tried.

I gave Vangie's ribbon back.

And the act of kindness?

Well, I carried her books.

I gave Norma Beth's back and I
fixed the flat tire on her bicycle.

I gave Letha June's back

and I let her wear my
sweater when she was cold.

Well, then I don't
understand how it is

you have more
ribbons now than before.

Have you taken
others? Well, no need to.

The girls hide their ribbons in my
pockets and cram them in my books.

I've got twice as many as
when I was snitching them.

How do you explain
that, Reverend?

"What man can pretend to know
the riddle of a woman's mind?"

The Bible?

Don Quixote.

She makes me feel guilty if I even
want a word with you, my own husband.

Now, Mady. I didn't
say a word, Mrs. Vance.

You didn't have to.

It's all this
efficiency, efficiency.

Now she's even
written up this schedule.

Well, a doctor's time
is precious. I know that.

Mady, Mary Ellen. Now, let's
everybody just calm down a little.

I'm sorry, Mrs. Vance.

I know you mean well.

Well, Mary Ellen's intentions
are the best, her ideals the highest.

Just a mite too high maybe
for an old-timer like me,

but, in a few years, assisting
some bright-eyed medic

fresh out of school, perfect.

Well, from now on, I'll try
not to be so high-handed,

especially with Mrs. Vance.

It's just that I want
to go on serving you

and medicine in the
most efficient way.

Yes, well,
unfortunately, Mary Ellen,

your internship with
me is almost over.

Yes, I was just
talking to your dad.

The house will be
finished tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

Well.

I'd say this calls for a
special dinner to say farewell.

There's certainly no reason
for you to hurry away, Jason.

Mercy, no.

You're welcome
to stay indefinitely.

Oh, I appreciate that, but Mama
expects everybody to be on hand tonight.

Now, any time you want to use
the piano, you're more than welcome.

Well, thank you.

Next time I feel the
need to get away

from all that noise,
I'll take you up on that.

An artist needs his
periods of solitude.

Well, I don't know if I am
an artist yet or if I ever will be,

but staying here
I have found out

a couple of things about myself.

I do need solitude,
like you said,

but I must admit that I also miss
all that noise and confusion, too.

Well, of course you do.

I hope it hasn't been
too lonely for you here.

Oh, not at all.

Everybody enjoys being the
center of things once in a while,

having everything
circle around him.

It's nice, but it's
also a little wearing.

There's something to be said for
occasionally being on the periphery.

Yes, ma'am.

Well, thanks again.

Come see us often?

I will.

Bye.

Bye. Bye.

The house will be
very quiet tomorrow.

Sister, we mustn't be greedy.

Home looks great.

Never know there'd been a fire.

Here.

Oh, look.

Feels great to be in
our own room again.

Mama, the curtains
are beautiful.

Corabeth gave them to me.

She bought the material,
but she never used it.

Ben, you are not camping
out at Yancy Tucker's.

Jim-Bob, on your feet and
start putting your stuff away.

I'm sorry, Mama.

Guess you miss doing
things the easy way.

Well, it was okay for a while.

We had lots of rules
at Reverend Fordwick's.

I don't mind a few rules.

Makes you feel like you're
going in some direction.

Going around in circles
does get a little tiresome.

Erin, won't you please
change that dress?

Mama.

You've got nicer things to wear.

I told you, vanity
is my weakness.

I have to stay plain.

Erin, there's plain and plain.

Now put this on.

Mama,

I'm punishing myself for
the hurt I caused John-Boy.

But it seems to me
that what you're doing

with this, uh, sackcloth
and ashes routine

is calling attention
to yourself.

Now, isn't that the
whole root of vanity,

to say, "Look at me, I'm Erin
Walton. See how humble I am?"

Well, I never
looked at it that way.

Well, pride is also
a sin, you know,

and it seems to me you're
kind of proud of being so humble.

You know something, Mama?

You're right.

Here, put this on.

Try being Erin Walton again.

She wasn't perfect,
but she had possibilities.

Thanks, Mama.

Grandpa, I'll be right
back with the rest of these.

Well, you'll both be
missed around here.

Oh, Flossie, we'll see you
as often as we did before.

Course, but it won't be the same

as sitting down to three
meals a day together.

Would you believe I've
already rented your room?

To that nice-spoken
gentleman from Wilkes-Barre.

That's good.

You're really leaving?

Yes, we're off and away home.

Well, what will I do in the long
nights without you to make me smile?

There's always Charlie McCarthy.

You've been a
wonderful audience, Zu.

I don't want to stay on here
remembering happier times.

I've already told Mrs. B., I'm
off to Wheeling in the morning.

It has been a pleasure.

Now, I know Esther won't mind.

What makes you so sure?

I hate good-byes.

Think of me sometimes, Zeb.

I will.

You're a lucky woman, Esther.

Hear what she said?

I don't need Zuleika
Dunbar to tell me anything.

Zuleika Dunbar is a sweet woman.

Still, a little sugar
goes a long ways.

For steady diets
you need a little salt.

Grandpa, if you'll take those
two boxes, we'll be all set.

We still gotta pick up
Elizabeth at the Godseys'.

Just think, under
one roof together.

Won't that be wonderful?

See you in church on Sunday.

And the President pointed to me
and said, "That's the man right there."

(LAUGHING)

You do have the
wittiest way with a story.

I love to hear a
man tell a story

when he puts his
heart in the telling.

I could hear a story just
over and over if it's well told.

"The President said..." You...

Looks like Zu's sister in
Wheeling's gonna have to wait.

"Frailty, thy name is woman."

You old fool.

Elizabeth says she doesn't want
to come home with you, John-Boy.

She wants to stay here with
Ike and me. Now, Corabeth.

Well, much as I'd
like to have her here,

you know I wouldn't
do anything to keep her.

You know that.

She won't come out of her room.

May I go in?

Of course.

Thank you.

All right, honey, the
joke's over. Come on.

Grandma and Grandpa
are waiting outside.

I'm not going with
you, John-Boy.

What do you mean
you're not going with me?

Elizabeth, this is no time
to start playing games.

I'm not.

Honey, everyone is
waiting at the house.

We're gonna go home
and have supper together.

Why are you behaving like this?

I just wanna stay here.

What's the matter?

I'm not going home. That's
all. Nobody can make me go.

Well, I know somebody
who can make you go.

I can just put you right over my shoulder
and carry you home. That's what I can do.

If you do, I'll run away the
first chance I'll get. I'll run away.

All right, that's
enough. Come on.

I'm not going home
with you, John-Boy. Ever.

We'll just have to see what
your daddy has to say about it.

She looked me straight in the eye
and said she wasn't coming home.

Well, maybe she was
just pulling your leg.

No, she wasn't, Jason.

It's all that attention
she's been getting.

Elizabeth's been getting
considerable attention from Corabeth.

Yeah, they both try to
give her what she wants

before she even
knows what she wants.

Well, it is kind of
nice for a while,

you know, being number one
instead of being number seven.

I don't think it's that simple.

Elizabeth's been a
different child since the fire.

I'll go get her.

Of course, we told
Elizabeth that she's welcome

to stay with us as long
as she wanted to, but...

She hasn't seemed upset
about anything, has she, Ike?

Oh, no, sir, no. Not a bit.

You'd never know
that anything happened.

Come on, honey, let's go home.

I... I can't.

I promised Corabeth that I'd
help her sew the kitchen curtains.

We can do that some
other time, honey.

Elizabeth, let's go.

Let me get my clothes.

GRANDPA: We're home again.

Something sure smells
good around here.

I sure am starved.

It's no wonder, with
Yancy's cooking.

Good to have everything
back to normal, isn't it?

Oh, it's very nice.

OLIVIA: With a little help, I can
have supper ready in 10 minutes.

With a lot of help, could
you have it ready in five?

You should see the way
Daddy fixed the upstairs hallway.

And our room, Elizabeth.

We've got the
prettiest curtains.

And a beautiful rag rug.

We'll show it to you.

Not now.

ERIN: Don't you
want to see our room?

Maybe later.

She says she's all
right, but she's not.

Let's give her a little bit of
time. See if she settles in.

JOHN-BOY: As the old house filled
once more with the people he loved,

he felt a familiar and exciting
fullness in his heart as well.

It was contentment, it was joy,

and it welled up inside him, and
overflowed onto the page in words.

The bed was... was only fair.

She's not too good a cook.

I think it is about
time, Esther.

So good to be home.

There were times I doubted we'd
ever all be under this roof again.

Here we are.

Wonder which one of my lady
friends I can dream about tonight?

Well, it makes no
difference to me

just as long as
you do it quietly.

MARY ELLEN: Mama?

Mama, where's Elizabeth?

I thought she was
upstairs with you.

She hasn't been upstairs
since Daddy brought her home.

We've looked all over the
house. We can't find her anywhere.

Jason, go call your brothers.
Everybody start looking.

Now, wait a minute, Liv. She didn't
want to come home in the first place.

Think she went back to
the Godseys? That's my bet.

Jason, you look all over
the house? Oh, yes, ma'am.

But I can't imagine
Elizabeth walking off alone.

But she's too scared
to go out after dark.

Must be something she's
more scared of than the dark.

You find Elizabeth yet? No.

I was wondering, did
anybody look in the tree house?

No. You? No.

Who's that?

Mama and Daddy, they're
going to check at the Godseys'.

Jason, you check the cellar.

Elizabeth.

Elizabeth.

Why did you have
to find me here?

You can't sleep up here.

Why not?

All by yourself?

That's what I want.

You're thinking about
the fire, aren't you?

It's not gonna
happen again, honey.

There's no reason to be afraid.

I'm not afraid.

Well, then why are
you acting this way?

Don't you know how much
you're worrying your mama?

I don't want Mama to worry.

Well, she is worried

and she's worried because
she cares about you.

I don't understand it, but
lately you've been acting

as though you don't
care about her or anybody.

I don't. I don't care.

Elizabeth.

I'm never going to care about
anyone or anything ever again.

You don't mean that.

Yes, I do, John-Boy. I do.

Whenever I care,
terrible things happen.

What terrible things?

Lucy Arnold was my
best friend. Lucy died.

Calico, the mama cat,
my raccoon, my butterfly.

It always happens,
John-Boy, always.

Whenever I love
something, it dies.

Oh, please, I don't want you or
Mama or Daddy or anybody to die.

Mama's fine, we're all fine.

Now. I'm scared, John-Boy.

Honey,

sometimes you do lose
people that you love.

That's a hard thing.

But it doesn't happen
because you love them.

It just happens because
it's part of nature.

You can't keep somebody safe
by pretending not to love them,

it just doesn't
work, believe me.

Everybody's afraid.

Everybody?

Yeah.

The best way I know
to get over it is just

to put myself smack dab in the
middle of people that I do love,

people who love me.

It seems to make
it all worthwhile.

Why don't you try that? This
other thing didn't work, did it?

It was awful.

JOHN: Drove all the way down
to Ike's, there's no sign of her.

OLIVIA: Didn't see her
on the road anywhere.

GRANDMA: Well, what can we do,

but you said you've
been everywhere, right?

(ALL CLAMORING)

Everybody?

Elizabeth's home.

Mama!

Elizabeth, we were
so worried about you.

GRANDMA:
Elizabeth, oh, Elizabeth.

JOHN-BOY: After the ordeal
of the fire and separation,

my family seemed to have a new
awareness of life's unpredictability,

and out of that
awareness came a new

and largely-unspoken tenderness.

Open caring,

whatever the circumstances, was
our shared strength and consolation.

BEN: Hey, Jim-Bob. JIM-BOB: Hmm?

How many hair
ribbons you got now?

Haven't got any.

Well, what happened?

I traded them all to Shorty Larrabee
for a genuine shrunken head.

Night, Jim-Bob.

Night, Ben.