The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 4, Episode 19 - The Big Brother - full transcript
John-Boy sees a young innocent looking girl who appears to be traveling alone. He takes her home. She seems to fit in, but Grandpa sees through her.
JOHN-BOY: Being the oldest in a
large family was in many ways a blessing.
In other ways, it
could be a burden.
For one thing, it
meant I gave up earlier
some of the carefree and
irresponsible joys of being young.
It wasn't until I was spending
some extra time at home
during a break between semesters
that I realized I was not only
being big brother to my own family,
but to the world at large.
(HAMMERING)
Hey, that's a good idea, Ben.
Well, it's better than throwing
everything on the floor.
Don't you think maybe your
supports ought to be a little bit wider?
Oh, they're wide enough.
Well...
You using these? Mmm-mmh.
Well, uh, I'll tell you, what you need
are your eightpenny nails, you see...
You see what I
mean? See right there?
You need the eightpenny nails.
They're down in the barn.
I'll go get you some if you
want. No, they're big enough.
You know, if you're
gonna build a shelf,
you might as well
build it right, Ben.
Well, John-Boy, when
you make your own shelf,
you can do everything your way,
including the eightpenny nails.
(WHISTLING)
Jim-Bob, what are you
doing with that thing?
You spent hours
carving that bird.
I thought you were proud of it.
Eunice Margaret
thinks it's dumb.
When I gave it to her,
she laughed at me.
Oh, she did, did she?
Well, this is none of
my business, Jim-Bob,
but if you want my
advice, the thing that you...
Just a second.
They're ready to go.
JOHN: I'll get down there.
What's all the excitement about?
Building some new docks
down at Newport News.
They're gonna spend more than
a half a million dollars, they claim.
I'm going down there to see if I
can get the contract, or some of it.
Oh, they'll use a lot of lumber.
Well, good luck.
Now, wait a minute, Jim-Bob.
I was telling you, this
is none of my business.
But if you wanna
know what I would do,
I certainly would not
smash up that bird of mine.
What would you do?
I'd save it for the next girl.
Jim-Bob.
All right, now,
how much you got?
Uh, $33.37.
Great.
There. I've turned
the collar on your shirt
and it's almost as good as new.
Your suit's pressed.
Son, when you get
yourself in these pants
she's pressed
for you, watch out.
You could cut
yourself on the crease.
(LAUGHS)
How are these, Daddy?
Well, now, Son, that's
a real professional job.
Thank you.
And I helped you with your
plusses. Yes, you did, honey.
With all your help, I'm liable to
make that bus tomorrow morning.
You need a new suit.
Oh, come on, Liv.
I'm not going down
to Newport News
to get in a contest
for best-dressed man.
Come on, you, move over.
You're probably gonna be bidding
against a lot of big lumber
men from all over, arent you?
I guess I am, but I'm ready to
wrestle all of them to the ground.
Oh, good.
Now, you mind
yourself down there.
That's a port city,
and it's just filled
with temptations
for a country man.
Take me with you, Son.
If anybody goes with
him, it ought to be Livie.
Well, how about that,
Livie? You wanna go?
You really want me to?
Yeah, I really want you to.
Well, then, we better start
getting your things together.
It won't take me very long.
I've been mending and
pressing, just in case.
(ALL LAUGHING)
That's a good idea, Mama.
Jim-Bob, you've been acting
kind of strange. What's the matter?
Nothing, Daddy.
ELIZABETH: Duck.
I feel so wicked.
Well, relax and enjoy it.
Oh, don't you worry
for one minute, Mama.
SHERIFF: Morning.
Sheriff! Morning, Ep.
Well, you're all set
for traveling, looks like.
Liv and me, we're going
down to Newport News.
Well, it'll be nice
this time of year.
Here she goes. Here we go.
She's on time. All right.
JOHN-BOY: You have a
good time, Daddy. Good luck.
Now, listen. If we're more than
two or three days, I'll call you at Ike's.
All righty. You
have a good time.
Listen, I'm gonna be
picking you up at 5:30
on Thursday afternoon
unless you call.
Now, you keep
an eye on the kids.
Don't worry.
Everything will be fine.
You have a good time, Mama.
SHERIFF: Enjoy
yourselves. Have a good time.
Enjoy yourselves. Bye.
Enjoy yourselves!
Oh, they get so nervous
when they leave the family.
I'm glad Mama got to go, though.
She dearly loves to travel.
Any two people deserve a little
pleasure, it's your daddy and mama.
(ALARM RINGING)
What is that? Oh, no.
It's that burglar
alarm. Burglar alarm?
Yeah, Delilah
Millhouse had it put in.
Every time a nervous flea
jumps down off her old bulldog,
it starts that fool
thing jangling.
I know it don't signify a
thing, but I gotta check it out.
(LAUGHING)
Make sure it ain't John
Dillinger or Pretty Boy Floyd.
If it's anything
I could write up
in the newspaper,
you let me know?
SHERIFF: Okay.
Thanks a lot, Sheriff.
Well, hello, there.
You look like you
could use a friend.
(LAUGHS)
Listen, I hate to tell you
this, but this is my car.
I gotta be moving on home now.
Are you all right?
I promised my mother not
to speak to strange men.
Oh, I see.
Well, I can understand that.
I probably ought
to introduce myself.
Uh, my name's John Walton, Jr.
Everybody around
here calls me John-Boy.
Bridget Maloney. How do you do?
Only nobody ever
calls me Bridget.
They call me Muffin.
Muffin, huh? Where
are you from, Muffin?
Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
You are a long way
from home, aren't you?
Well, I expected
Mama to be on that bus.
On that bus?
What do you mean, you expected
your mama to be on that bus?
Well... It's all right.
You can tell me.
She and I are running away
from Mr. Hapwell in Lancaster.
Who's Mr. Hapwell?
Mama's husband.
Not my father. My daddy's dead.
Sometimes he's so hard on Mama.
He even hurts her.
He's very strict with me.
How did you get
separated from your mother?
She put me on the bus yesterday,
promised to meet me here.
We're going to
Raleigh, North Carolina.
My Aunt Clewtie lives there.
Only I don't have a ticket to go on
to Raleigh and no money to buy one.
Well, I think the
best thing to do is
to go over and talk to
Sheriff about this. No!
Why not?
Mr. Hapwell, he's gone to the
law to fetch me and Mama back.
Only this time I won't go back.
I'd rather starve.
Well, nobody's
gonna let you starve.
You certainly can't
wait around here,
sticking around, uh, sitting on
people's running boards, can you?
Well, I have to wait for Mama.
Well, there's no more bus
here from the north till tomorrow.
I'll get along.
You'll get along, will you?
Have you had anything to eat?
I'm not hungry.
Have you got a
place to sleep tonight?
Well, there's no reason
you should worry.
Nothing to you.
Wait a minute, wait a
minute. Wait a minute.
You've had nothing to eat.
You got no place
to spend the night.
What do you expect me to
do, just leave you around here?
I'll tell you what.
I got a big family,
and what about if I took
you over to them tonight
and we give you a nice, hot supper
and a place to spend the night,
and tomorrow I just
bring you back here
and you can meet
your mama, all right?
It's really the only sensible
thing to do, you know.
You can trust me.
All right?
BEN: So, you're
12 years old, huh?
ERIN: Do you have
any brothers or sisters?
Where do you live?
Lancaster.
Do you go to school
there? Live there long?
Yeah.
Really? What grade
are you in? Eighth.
How long have you
been living there?
GRANDMA: Look, you children,
will you stop leaning over like that,
breathing into her face?
Come on. Come on, out. Out. Out.
Grandma, we just
wanna talk to her.
Come on, out.
(SIGHING) Grandma...
I want her to eat in peace.
Come on.
Grandma.
Don't mind.
Jim-Bob, did you hear me?
They're just trying
to be friendly.
Is there enough
jelly on your bread?
Yes, ma'am, it's fine.
Well, if you want more
milk, you just help yourself.
(ALL CLAMORING)
I'm worried about her,
too, but will you quiet down?
She came in the bus yesterday.
Where did she stay last night?
She stayed in a barn
on the edge of town.
Well, I can't think why her
mother would send her off alone.
It's because she had to
get away from her stepfather.
Why didn't they both get
on the bus to Raleigh? What?
I don't know. There's something
going on in her little old mind.
There's a look
in that girl's eye...
Oh, Grandpa! Zeb!
I think she's a runaway.
She is not a runaway.
You should've taken
her to the Sheriff's office.
I explained to you why I
could not take her there.
He has heard lots of sad
stories before. Shh! Wait a minute.
All I know is this. When I found the child,
she was frightened and she was hungry
and she needed somebody
to take care of her.
And she needs a
place to stay tonight.
Exactly.
(ALL CLAMORING)
All right!
Simmer down, you
Good Samaritans.
She can stay for the night.
Good. Thank you very much.
But you get her to
Rockfish in the morning,
and if her mother
isn't on the bus,
you better hand her right over
to the Sheriff. I will. I promise.
Okay, let's go tell
her of it. Come on.
Grandpa, thanks.
Muffin?
Hey, Muffin.
How you doing? Just fine.
What is that? What
are you doing?
Oh, good Lord.
Look what this child's done while we were
out there a-hemming and hawing around.
I hope it was all
right to keep busy.
Well, it certainly was.
A couple children I
know could take a lesson.
Well, it's all settled.
You're gonna spend
the night with us.
Not knowing anything
about me, you'd let me stay?
Well, you don't exactly
look like the FBI's after you.
Anyway, we got you outnumbered.
(LAUGHING)
Thank you, but are you sure?
I wouldn't wanna stay
if my being here would
cause any kind of
trouble between you all.
Everybody wants you
to stay for the night.
What are you looking
at? Get out of here.
(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)
JOHN-BOY: Muffin?
Muffin, what are
you doing in here?
Oh, I felt a little bit tired,
so I thought I'd
get ready for bed.
Well, you're not
gonna sleep in here.
We got a cot fixed up
for you in the girls' room.
Oh, I... I wouldn't
wanna crowd them.
Besides, Chance likes company.
(LAUGHS) Well,
I'm sure she does,
but we'd much rather
have you inside with us.
Are you sure?
Of course I'm sure.
Come on, let me take
your bag. No, I'll take it.
No, it's all right. Don't
be silly. I've got it.
John-Boy? Thank you.
You know, you don't have
to keep saying that to me.
Well, thank you for worrying
and taking care of me.
All the time I was
growing up by myself,
I always wanted to
have a big brother.
Now, for a little while, I do.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
♪ You do something to me ♪
Good night, Jim-Bob.
Good night, Elizabeth.
Liv, will you stop it?
I can't sleep.
Well, neither can I.
Don't those city
folk ever go to bed?
Ooh, I guess not.
What are they doing out there?
Restaurants are open, and
movie houses, dance halls.
Wanna go dancing?
Get dressed and go dancing
in the middle of the night?
Why not?
Can we afford it?
How much can it cost?
Let's do it. Let's go dancing.
Okay.
Will I look all
right in this dress?
Well, you looked all
right out of it, honey.
John!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Isn't this just the
craziest thing?
That music's coming from the
Silver Slipper Dance Palace.
What would Grandma say
if she could see us now?
"Good Lord!"
(BOTH LAUGHING)
You know, Liv, we don't
have to leave the room.
Oh, yes, we do.
You promised me you
were gonna take me dancing
in the middle of the night, and
that's exactly what we're gonna do.
All right.
I don't know what the ladies at the
Baptist Church are gonna say about this.
John, you wouldn't.
Oh, yes, I would.
Oh.
Oh, yes, I would. No!
Yes, I would.
John! You... (LAUGHING)
(ROOSTER CROWING)
GRANDMA: On your way?
Thank you for everything.
I'm gonna miss having somebody
that collects the eggs
and milks the cow
without being asked to.
Yeah, well, have yourself a rare
old time in Greensboro, young lady.
It's Raleigh I hope
to get to, Mr. Walton.
Raleigh, huh? Well,
worst comes to worst,
you can always go
back to Dorchester.
I don't ever wanna
go back to Lancaster.
Come on, Muffin,
it's time to go.
Goodbye, dear. Goodbye.
You ought to be
ashamed of yourself,
just doubting that,
that innocent child.
Esther, if you look deep
into those baby blue eyes,
you'll see someone
older than time.
Everybody else thinks
that she's an angel.
But you, no, no, you
have to be contrary.
Well, I've got nothing
against angels in their place.
But Miss Muffin Maloney
is just too good to be true.
(SIGHS)
Here's the key. I got it
off the nail in the kitchen.
Well, thank you
very much, Muffin,
but that's a spare.
This one is mine.
Jim-Bob, would you
put this back for me?
Thank you.
Well, goodbye.
Bye, Muffin. Good luck.
Maybe you'll come
back again sometime.
Well, goodbye, Jim-Bob.
Well, maybe you will
come back sometime.
Maybe.
Well, we gotta go. Okay.
Bye. Bye-bye.
Let's get to work.
Well, Muffin,
I don't know what to tell you.
I really think the
only thing to do
is to take you down
to the Sheriff's office.
No.
What are you doing?
Maybe I can hitchhike
back to Raleigh.
Oh, no. You're not
gonna hitchhike anyplace.
I'm not gonna let you
set out on your own.
I was alone when you found me.
Look, I'll go down and talk
to the Sheriff myself, all right?
I promise I won't
mention your name.
I won't say anything
about you at all.
I'll... I don't know.
I'll tell him that I'm looking
for a story for the newspaper.
Maybe I'll hear something
about your stepfather,
whether he's looking for you or whether
there's been word from your mama.
Maybe there'll be a
message from your mama.
I don't think so.
Well, anyway, would you please
just wait here for a few minutes
while I go speak to him,
and I'll be right back, all right?
Okay. Um, I'm gonna look in
the windows while you're gone.
All right. I'll be right back.
Miss Emily, Miss Mamie.
Oh, John-Boy, how
nice to see you. How do?
Nice to see you. You're
out very early today.
Well, Papa's clock is
gaining more and more.
We arose this morning at what
we assumed to be our usual time...
And then the man on
the radio advised us
it was a whole hour
earlier than we thought.
So we thought instead
of wasting the hour,
we'd drive into town and see
some friends, do a little shopping.
Well, good. I hope
you enjoy yourselves.
Our regards to your parents.
I certainly will do. Have
a pleasant day, ladies.
Well, there's no accidents.
Well, then, how about
missing persons?
You know, children,
missing children. That's...
We got a few runaway
reports, if that's what you want.
Richmond, Roanoke...
How about out of
state? Fredericksburg...
You know, Pennsylvania, maybe?
Lancaster?
No Pennsylvania. No, sorry.
Morning, Sam.
Goodbye.
Remember us to Velma.
Poor Sam. He's
not looking too well.
No.
Oh!
Oh, Sister, what have we done?
Oh, my dear, be
careful. You'll cut yourself.
But this is the medicine for my
baby brother. He's been so sick.
I just spent the last
$2 we have for it.
What am I going to do?
Oh, hush, dear, hush.
But it was our fault
you spilled the medicine.
Sister...
Now, don't you
cry anymore, dear.
Now, here. Here are $2.
You go, you go buy
yourself another bottle.
I can't take your money.
Oh, please, dear, you must.
Otherwise we'd never
forgive ourselves.
Well, in that case, thank you.
MISS MAMIE: Now,
you go buy another bottle
and hurry home
to the little brother.
God bless you.
The brave little thing.
Oh, isn't that a shame?
Well, there's no news, huh?
I'm sorry.
You're a newspaperman?
I want to talk to you.
Oh, uh, well...
Who's that? What's he in for?
Who, Nifty? Nifty's a con man.
He's a bunco artist, a
second-rate swindler.
You see before you
an innocent victim of a
gross miscarriage of justice.
Falsely accused,
falsely arrested,
falsely held here in
this backwoods pokey!
And he can go on
like that for hours.
Really?
Well, thanks, Sheriff.
Yeah. Drop in anytime, John-Boy.
JOHN-BOY: All right.
(LAUGHS)
Little game of cards, Sheriff,
pass the time?
Tell you, Nifty, I'd
sooner play solitaire.
At least I'll have some
chance of winning.
Good morning. Morning.
Um, our Sunday school class
baked cookies to give the unfortunates.
Anybody locked up in
jail is surely on our list.
Well, uh, I don't know.
Sunday school cookies might
not be fancy enough for Nifty,
but I'll sure see he gets it.
Oh, please, could I give it
to the unfortunate myself?
Why, sure.
Might do the old
fraud some good.
Nifty, put on your
spirit of righteousness.
You got company. Go ahead.
Hello, sir. My name
is Clarissa Winkleman,
and on behalf of our
Sunday school class
I've brought you some
home-baked cookies.
A T-bone steak would
be more appreciated.
"For inasmuch as we do it for
the least of these my brethren,
"you do it unto me."
How you doing, Grandpa?
(WHISPERS) Where have you been?
This is food for your body.
Now let me give you
some food for your soul.
♪ Bringing in the sheaves,
bringing in the sheaves
♪ We will come rejoicing,
bringing in the sheaves
♪ Bringing in the sheaves,
bringing in the sheaves
I've got to raise $25 bail
♪ We will come rejoicing
or I'm stuck in this sardine can for
30 days. ♪ Bringing in the sheaves ♪
Why don't you try a verse?
(GRUNTS)
♪ Bringing in the sheaves
I have half of it.
I'll have the rest
in a day or two.
I've connected with a
whole family of easy marks.
♪ Bringing in the sheaves ♪
Well, uh, very good,
and enjoy yourself.
Remember, I'll
be praying for you.
I'll remember you in
my prayers also, Sheriff.
You do that, honey.
You promised to wait for me.
Well, I just can't ask your
family to do anything else for me.
Get in.
No, you've already done so much.
Look, I got it all figured out.
You get in, we'll go home.
We'll raise the bus fare
and we'll send you to Raleigh.
That's so much money.
We can do it. You and your
mama can pay me back later.
Come on, get in.
I'll get your suitcase.
(ALL CHATTERING)
(SHUSHING)
Muffin, would you ask
the blessing, please?
Thank you for this warm house,
good food and kind friends.
Share your most choice
blessings with this family
as they share theirs with me.
Amen. GRANDMA: Amen.
JOHN-BOY: Amen. That's a nice
blessing. Let's pass the ham down here.
(ALL CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
MARY ELLEN: How much will it
cost to go to Raleigh on the bus?
MUFFIN: John-Boy
says I should have $11.
That's for my ticket and
money to buy food on the way.
$11? I've never even seen
that much money all at once.
Me, neither.
Well, Lilymae Orcutt
owes me a quarter.
I'll try and collect
it tomorrow.
And I have a bucket of choice
walnuts that Ike wants to buy.
I might be able to get as
much as 75 cents for them.
But you have other things
you wanna do with your money.
Well, nothing as important as
you getting back with your family.
Besides, when people
owe me money, I feel rich.
When I have it, I just spend it.
Get away from my suitcase!
I'm sorry, Elizabeth.
I didn't mean to yell at you.
It's just that...
Well, everything that
I have in this suitcase
is all that I have to
remind me of my mother.
Please say you forgive me.
It's all right.
We understand.
Elizabeth, you shouldn't
have been snooping around.
Friends?
75, 85, 95, $1.
25, 35, 45,
50.
Dollar and a half.
I'll keep the six cents.
That's really gonna
help, Grandma.
Thank you, Mrs. Walton.
Well, you thank the hens.
They did all the
hard work laying.
I've got 27 cents you can have.
Thank you.
Well, I've been saving
up to buy myself a new tire,
and here's $1 of that money.
Well, if you need
the tire, John-Boy...
The old one's gonna have to
hold out a little bit longer, that's all.
Let's go see how much Ike
will give me for these walnuts.
I'll tell you something.
If you tell him it's
for a good cause...
John-Boy, are you
telling me how to bargain?
Like telling a fish how to swim.
That's true. Thanks, Grandma.
Give me one of those
walnuts. Come on.
Elizabeth! All the walnuts back.
The more we get, the
more money we get.
Grandma, I really do appreciate
you giving up your egg money.
Well, I like that child.
Never asks for anything.
You wanna help her,
fine. But she's not begging.
That's the truth.
Well...
Hi, Grandpa. Hi, Grandpa.
Hi, lad and lasses.
(GRANDPA WHISTLING)
Zeb, where've you been?
Oh, I've been over calling
on neighbor Thornley.
Why, I never knew you to
give that man the time of day.
Neighbor Thornley happens
to have spent most of his life
in the city of Raleigh,
North Carolina.
JOHN-BOY: Raleigh? You thought
maybe he knew Muffin's aunt?
I copied down the
address you gave me,
and neighbor Thornley
happens to know
most all of the
highways and byways
of the city of Raleigh,
North Carolina.
It seems that address
is located almost square
in the middle of the city dump.
Where?
City dump.
(LAUGHS) That's impossible.
Oh, he couldn't remember that.
Well, he didn't
rely on his memory.
He had a recent map,
and he showed me on it,
8300 West Garner
is located almost
in the middle of the
Raleigh city dump.
Grandpa, there's obviously
an explanation for it.
Oh, yes, I am
looking forward to that.
City dump!
(LAUGHS)
MARY ELLEN: Gee,
Ike, this is the first time
you ever paid me
that much for walnuts.
And it's the last time, too.
Well, I guess it's a good cause.
How much we got?
What we have is four, about.
Two, two, eight, seven...
Uh, probably a little over $4.
We need about
three times as much.
And that's a lot of walnuts.
Let me count again.
Mr. Godsey, my
grandmother gave me this.
I was wondering if you
might perhaps buy it.
Pretty, Muffin!
It looks like an amethyst.
That's, uh, that's
Corabeth's birthstone.
Mine, too. And my grandmother's.
(EXCLAIMS)
Well, it sure is beautiful,
but, uh, you know, it
belonged to your grandmother.
Mr. Godsey, all my
friends have given up things
they wanted so
they could help me,
and I do have to get to Raleigh.
It would be a nice
surprise for Corabeth. Yeah.
Well, uh, how much were
you thinking about asking for it?
Say what you could give me.
Well, I mean, I don't know...
Well, I'd say a ring like that,
you'd pay at least $10 for it.
$10? That's a lot of money.
$7.50?
Well, uh, I'll think about it,
and I'll, uh, I'll... I'll sound
out Corabeth on that.
You know, fundraising takes a lot of
energy, and... Well, I'll tell you what.
I'll give everybody
some candies.
Gee, thanks, Ike. Thanks, Ike.
MARY ELLEN: Oh, no.
Hey, come on, kids.
Those are my walnuts now, huh?
Let's pick them up.
It's okay, Ike.
There's no harm done.
All right.
There's a whole lot of
them down there. Forget it.
I'll sweep it up
later. It's okay, Ike.
And you didn't
get your candy yet.
Here. You get your candy.
I didn't get any, either.
Oh, me, either. Okay.
Didn't anybody get some before?
Well, I guess we
really should be going.
Okay. And I'll, I'll decide
what I'm gonna do about
the ring, and I'll let you know.
Oh, no!
W-What happened?
The setting!
The beautiful amethyst is gone!
Well, now, that stone was in
the ring when I put it down there.
I know it was, a minute ago.
Must have rolled on the floor.
Oh, be careful.
Don't step on it.
It's gotta be right here
somewhere. I don't see it.
It's gotta be down
here someplace.
Did anybody find it yet?
Oh, no. What am I gonna do?
Oh, we'll find it sooner or
later. Don't worry about it.
But I hoped to be on the bus
going to Raleigh tomorrow.
I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll give you those $7.50,
and then when I find the
stone, I'll... I'll have it set
and I'll give it as
a gift to Corabeth.
I can't let you do
that, Mr. Godsey.
A ring without a setting?
Oh, I'll find it.
Don't worry about it.
Here you go. Five, six, seven,
and a shiny new 50-cent piece.
$7.50.
You did it, Muffin.
You got your bus fare.
Here's your bus fare.
Thanks to all of you.
Especially you, Mr. Godsey.
Thank you.
Thanks, Ike. Gee, thanks, Ike.
Bye-bye.
Now you got your bus
fare. Hope you find it.
MARY ELLEN: We'll have you
on the bus tomorrow morning.
It's gotta be here somewhere.
Muffin?
I'd like you to have this.
It's just beautiful.
Well, I made it myself.
And I thought if you had it,
you might remember, you know?
I will. Thank you, Jim-Bob.
Pioneers crossing the prairie
didn't have any more food
than what you're giving her.
Child's gonna be on
that bus a long time.
Oh, well, with what's left over,
she could always
open up a restaurant.
Call it Muffin's City Dump Cafe.
Zeb, now, I don't know
what's got into you. You just...
I'm gonna put Muffin
on the southbound bus
and then I'm gonna pick up
Mama and Daddy, all right?
Oh, it'll be good
to have them back.
Muffin!
Eyes... Don't! Hey, Ben!
Okay, eyes closed.
(WHISTLING)
John-Boy, you explain to the
driver so he can keep an eye on her.
I will. I know, I will.
She'll be driving the bus by
the time they get to Lynchburg.
Grandpa! Zeb.
Is that the Baldwins?
Yeah.
It's an odd time of day
for them to come calling.
Well, Miss Emily, Miss Mamie,
how are you this morning?
Good morning!
(LAUGHING)
How are you today?
I hope we're not intruding.
Well, you're never intruding.
You know you're always
welcome here, ladies.
Morning. Morning.
It's always a pleasure
to see you, ladies.
Well, Mr. Godsey told
us about your campaign
to reunite a little
girl and her mother.
And Sister and I would
like to be part of it.
Oh, that's very
sweet of you, ladies,
but we've already
got the bus fare raised,
and that's really all we need.
Oh, here she is right now.
Oh... Oh.
No. No.
MISS EMILY: Oh, hello, dear.
And how's your baby brother?
This is the little girl whose
little brother was so ill.
What?
Yes, and we gave her $2
to buy some more medicine.
You what?
Hey, wait a minute.
Hold on, hold on. Hold on.
You young ones stay here.
It's your brother's
responsibility.
Let him handle it.
All right.
Let's have it. Come
on, I'm waiting.
Wait till you turn blue. I don't
owe you any explanations.
You owe everybody,
and not just explanations.
You owe $2 to
the Baldwin ladies.
You owe $1.50 to my
grandma, and an amethyst ring...
You even pulled a switch
on Ike Godsey, didn't you?
Who are you?
What's the true story?
Whatever you want it to be.
What's that supposed to mean?
The truth is whatever
you want it to be.
I tell people what I
figure they wanna hear.
That makes them
feel good, right?
While they're feeling good,
I touch them for a buck or two.
That's completely dishonest!
Who cares? It works.
It works? Using people?
Taking advantage of
people's generosity works?
Grow up, big brother.
Everybody takes advantage.
Everybody uses everybody else.
You were even using me.
That isn't so.
Now who's dishonest?
Helping me made you feel good.
Set you up as being so
noble and wise and generous.
Oh, you are wrong.
You're wrong. No.
Whatever I took from you, the
old girls, the rube storekeeper,
they all got something in
return. They were all happy.
Well, they're not happy now.
Well, what did you expect?
A lifetime of happiness
for two bucks?
You're gonna return that money
to the people you took it from.
Okay. We'll make a deal.
I give you the money and
you let me take a powder.
No. Why not?
'Cause I'm gonna take you
down to Sheriff Bridges' office.
Why, you
flannel-mouthed poke-nose!
Who asked you
what you think is best?
Oh, you don't know
your ear from your elbow.
Turn me over to the Sheriff!
You're the one who needs a keeper!
Well, that may be so... Yeah!
But I know that one
thing is true for certain.
I can't take care
of you anymore.
I'm not supposed
to take care of you.
You'll stay down there
with Sheriff Bridges
until we find someone who can.
Now come on. Come
on! Leave me alone.
Better stay away from me
or you'll get contaminated.
Well, I hope you've
learned your lesson.
Yes, ma'am. Crime doesn't pay.
I still like you just as
much as ever, Muffin.
Yeah?
I hope you feel the
same way about me.
Exactly.
If you really like me, you've
gotta go into Rockfish with me.
I want to, but
John-Boy says I can't.
He would.
Well, I asked him.
He just won't let me.
Listen, if you really
like me, you'll find a way.
There's a rumble seat.
Yeah, but... Shh!
All right, let's go. You ready?
Mrs. Walton, may I
have a drink of water?
Come on.
I'm thirsty.
Well, now, goodbye
and good luck.
Only suckers count on luck.
Uh-oh. So you still think
you know all the answers.
Come on.
You're pretty smart.
I know, Esther,
that's one of the things
about me you
find hard to forgive.
I've never been so completely
taken in in all my life.
Since you married me.
All right, now,
you wait right here.
I'm gonna go in and
talk to the Sheriff.
I can see you from in there,
so don't you try to do
anything like run away.
All right?
Jim-Bob?
Yeah?
Do you know a woman
named Delilah Millhouse?
Sure.
Well, when he takes me into
the jail, go over to her place.
Then when you see
the bus come into town,
go in and set off the alarm.
Okay, let's go.
Come on.
(WHISTLES)
Now, there's a professional
bunco artist's kit if I ever saw one.
Who are you, kid?
Shirley Temple.
Muffin!
Under this wig are
all my beautiful curls.
All right. Now,
that's, that's enough.
You were in here the other day
passing out Sunday
school cookies, weren't you?
Sheriff, uh, my mama
and daddy are coming in
at the bus depot right
now from Newport News,
and I think maybe I ought to go
over there and... and pick them up.
I'll be back, I guess.
All right, now, what were you
doing in here the other day?
I like jails.
(ALARM RINGING)
Oh, no.
All right, you.
Come on, in here.
You wouldn't put a little child in
a cell, now would you, Sheriff?
Yeah. It's just till I turn
off the burglar alarm.
Won't be long.
Be right back.
Grandpa, quick,
give me that cane.
Mama.
John-Boy.
Car's... Oh, sorry. The car's
parked over by the jailhouse.
Well, I can tell by the smiles
it must have been a great trip.
Your daddy got himself
a fine lumber contract.
Your ma was the
belle of Newport News.
Everything all right here? Well,
yeah, everything's pretty good.
I have something I have
to talk to you about later.
But... All right.
What's Jim-Bob
doing with the Sheriff?
I don't know.
OLIVIA: Jim-Bob! Look out!
Hey, that's Nifty.
That's my car! I know.
Come on. We'll get my car
and go after them. Come on!
Wait here. We'll be right back.
Jim-Bob, what is going on?
It's a long story.
JOHN-BOY: You reckon
Nifty was a relative, Sheriff?
SHERIFF: Her
grandfather, probably.
(SIREN WAILING) I think she was
trying to raise bail money for him.
There's your car, John-Boy.
Yeah.
Well, that's the tire I've
been meaning to change.
Hey, John, I'm
gonna go on a ways.
'Course, they're probably in
the next county by now, I hope.
Bye, Sheriff. Thank you.
Looks like Jim-Bob found
himself another loser.
Yeah.
I should have let him smash
this up while he had the chance.
I guess he'll just
have to handle it.
Come on, Son.
Let's get this tire
changed and get home.
So tell me about that...
You mean about
this little girl, huh?
JOHN-BOY: You would expect
that after such an experience,
I would have given up trying to
be a big brother to everyone I met.
I did for a while,
but it wasn't long
until I had lapsed back
into the comfortable
and familiar role
I had learned to play.
In fact, I suspect
that even today,
if I found Muffin Maloney
sitting on my running board,
I might say, "Hi, there. You
look like you need a friend."
BEN: John-Boy?
JOHN-BOY: Yes, Ben?
You know those shelves I put up?
They all fell down.
Is that so?
I wish I'd listened to you.
Wider supports,
eightpenny nails.
Well, they probably would
have fallen down anyway,
but at least it would
have been your fault.
(LAUGHING) Good night, Ben.
Good night.
large family was in many ways a blessing.
In other ways, it
could be a burden.
For one thing, it
meant I gave up earlier
some of the carefree and
irresponsible joys of being young.
It wasn't until I was spending
some extra time at home
during a break between semesters
that I realized I was not only
being big brother to my own family,
but to the world at large.
(HAMMERING)
Hey, that's a good idea, Ben.
Well, it's better than throwing
everything on the floor.
Don't you think maybe your
supports ought to be a little bit wider?
Oh, they're wide enough.
Well...
You using these? Mmm-mmh.
Well, uh, I'll tell you, what you need
are your eightpenny nails, you see...
You see what I
mean? See right there?
You need the eightpenny nails.
They're down in the barn.
I'll go get you some if you
want. No, they're big enough.
You know, if you're
gonna build a shelf,
you might as well
build it right, Ben.
Well, John-Boy, when
you make your own shelf,
you can do everything your way,
including the eightpenny nails.
(WHISTLING)
Jim-Bob, what are you
doing with that thing?
You spent hours
carving that bird.
I thought you were proud of it.
Eunice Margaret
thinks it's dumb.
When I gave it to her,
she laughed at me.
Oh, she did, did she?
Well, this is none of
my business, Jim-Bob,
but if you want my
advice, the thing that you...
Just a second.
They're ready to go.
JOHN: I'll get down there.
What's all the excitement about?
Building some new docks
down at Newport News.
They're gonna spend more than
a half a million dollars, they claim.
I'm going down there to see if I
can get the contract, or some of it.
Oh, they'll use a lot of lumber.
Well, good luck.
Now, wait a minute, Jim-Bob.
I was telling you, this
is none of my business.
But if you wanna
know what I would do,
I certainly would not
smash up that bird of mine.
What would you do?
I'd save it for the next girl.
Jim-Bob.
All right, now,
how much you got?
Uh, $33.37.
Great.
There. I've turned
the collar on your shirt
and it's almost as good as new.
Your suit's pressed.
Son, when you get
yourself in these pants
she's pressed
for you, watch out.
You could cut
yourself on the crease.
(LAUGHS)
How are these, Daddy?
Well, now, Son, that's
a real professional job.
Thank you.
And I helped you with your
plusses. Yes, you did, honey.
With all your help, I'm liable to
make that bus tomorrow morning.
You need a new suit.
Oh, come on, Liv.
I'm not going down
to Newport News
to get in a contest
for best-dressed man.
Come on, you, move over.
You're probably gonna be bidding
against a lot of big lumber
men from all over, arent you?
I guess I am, but I'm ready to
wrestle all of them to the ground.
Oh, good.
Now, you mind
yourself down there.
That's a port city,
and it's just filled
with temptations
for a country man.
Take me with you, Son.
If anybody goes with
him, it ought to be Livie.
Well, how about that,
Livie? You wanna go?
You really want me to?
Yeah, I really want you to.
Well, then, we better start
getting your things together.
It won't take me very long.
I've been mending and
pressing, just in case.
(ALL LAUGHING)
That's a good idea, Mama.
Jim-Bob, you've been acting
kind of strange. What's the matter?
Nothing, Daddy.
ELIZABETH: Duck.
I feel so wicked.
Well, relax and enjoy it.
Oh, don't you worry
for one minute, Mama.
SHERIFF: Morning.
Sheriff! Morning, Ep.
Well, you're all set
for traveling, looks like.
Liv and me, we're going
down to Newport News.
Well, it'll be nice
this time of year.
Here she goes. Here we go.
She's on time. All right.
JOHN-BOY: You have a
good time, Daddy. Good luck.
Now, listen. If we're more than
two or three days, I'll call you at Ike's.
All righty. You
have a good time.
Listen, I'm gonna be
picking you up at 5:30
on Thursday afternoon
unless you call.
Now, you keep
an eye on the kids.
Don't worry.
Everything will be fine.
You have a good time, Mama.
SHERIFF: Enjoy
yourselves. Have a good time.
Enjoy yourselves. Bye.
Enjoy yourselves!
Oh, they get so nervous
when they leave the family.
I'm glad Mama got to go, though.
She dearly loves to travel.
Any two people deserve a little
pleasure, it's your daddy and mama.
(ALARM RINGING)
What is that? Oh, no.
It's that burglar
alarm. Burglar alarm?
Yeah, Delilah
Millhouse had it put in.
Every time a nervous flea
jumps down off her old bulldog,
it starts that fool
thing jangling.
I know it don't signify a
thing, but I gotta check it out.
(LAUGHING)
Make sure it ain't John
Dillinger or Pretty Boy Floyd.
If it's anything
I could write up
in the newspaper,
you let me know?
SHERIFF: Okay.
Thanks a lot, Sheriff.
Well, hello, there.
You look like you
could use a friend.
(LAUGHS)
Listen, I hate to tell you
this, but this is my car.
I gotta be moving on home now.
Are you all right?
I promised my mother not
to speak to strange men.
Oh, I see.
Well, I can understand that.
I probably ought
to introduce myself.
Uh, my name's John Walton, Jr.
Everybody around
here calls me John-Boy.
Bridget Maloney. How do you do?
Only nobody ever
calls me Bridget.
They call me Muffin.
Muffin, huh? Where
are you from, Muffin?
Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
You are a long way
from home, aren't you?
Well, I expected
Mama to be on that bus.
On that bus?
What do you mean, you expected
your mama to be on that bus?
Well... It's all right.
You can tell me.
She and I are running away
from Mr. Hapwell in Lancaster.
Who's Mr. Hapwell?
Mama's husband.
Not my father. My daddy's dead.
Sometimes he's so hard on Mama.
He even hurts her.
He's very strict with me.
How did you get
separated from your mother?
She put me on the bus yesterday,
promised to meet me here.
We're going to
Raleigh, North Carolina.
My Aunt Clewtie lives there.
Only I don't have a ticket to go on
to Raleigh and no money to buy one.
Well, I think the
best thing to do is
to go over and talk to
Sheriff about this. No!
Why not?
Mr. Hapwell, he's gone to the
law to fetch me and Mama back.
Only this time I won't go back.
I'd rather starve.
Well, nobody's
gonna let you starve.
You certainly can't
wait around here,
sticking around, uh, sitting on
people's running boards, can you?
Well, I have to wait for Mama.
Well, there's no more bus
here from the north till tomorrow.
I'll get along.
You'll get along, will you?
Have you had anything to eat?
I'm not hungry.
Have you got a
place to sleep tonight?
Well, there's no reason
you should worry.
Nothing to you.
Wait a minute, wait a
minute. Wait a minute.
You've had nothing to eat.
You got no place
to spend the night.
What do you expect me to
do, just leave you around here?
I'll tell you what.
I got a big family,
and what about if I took
you over to them tonight
and we give you a nice, hot supper
and a place to spend the night,
and tomorrow I just
bring you back here
and you can meet
your mama, all right?
It's really the only sensible
thing to do, you know.
You can trust me.
All right?
BEN: So, you're
12 years old, huh?
ERIN: Do you have
any brothers or sisters?
Where do you live?
Lancaster.
Do you go to school
there? Live there long?
Yeah.
Really? What grade
are you in? Eighth.
How long have you
been living there?
GRANDMA: Look, you children,
will you stop leaning over like that,
breathing into her face?
Come on. Come on, out. Out. Out.
Grandma, we just
wanna talk to her.
Come on, out.
(SIGHING) Grandma...
I want her to eat in peace.
Come on.
Grandma.
Don't mind.
Jim-Bob, did you hear me?
They're just trying
to be friendly.
Is there enough
jelly on your bread?
Yes, ma'am, it's fine.
Well, if you want more
milk, you just help yourself.
(ALL CLAMORING)
I'm worried about her,
too, but will you quiet down?
She came in the bus yesterday.
Where did she stay last night?
She stayed in a barn
on the edge of town.
Well, I can't think why her
mother would send her off alone.
It's because she had to
get away from her stepfather.
Why didn't they both get
on the bus to Raleigh? What?
I don't know. There's something
going on in her little old mind.
There's a look
in that girl's eye...
Oh, Grandpa! Zeb!
I think she's a runaway.
She is not a runaway.
You should've taken
her to the Sheriff's office.
I explained to you why I
could not take her there.
He has heard lots of sad
stories before. Shh! Wait a minute.
All I know is this. When I found the child,
she was frightened and she was hungry
and she needed somebody
to take care of her.
And she needs a
place to stay tonight.
Exactly.
(ALL CLAMORING)
All right!
Simmer down, you
Good Samaritans.
She can stay for the night.
Good. Thank you very much.
But you get her to
Rockfish in the morning,
and if her mother
isn't on the bus,
you better hand her right over
to the Sheriff. I will. I promise.
Okay, let's go tell
her of it. Come on.
Grandpa, thanks.
Muffin?
Hey, Muffin.
How you doing? Just fine.
What is that? What
are you doing?
Oh, good Lord.
Look what this child's done while we were
out there a-hemming and hawing around.
I hope it was all
right to keep busy.
Well, it certainly was.
A couple children I
know could take a lesson.
Well, it's all settled.
You're gonna spend
the night with us.
Not knowing anything
about me, you'd let me stay?
Well, you don't exactly
look like the FBI's after you.
Anyway, we got you outnumbered.
(LAUGHING)
Thank you, but are you sure?
I wouldn't wanna stay
if my being here would
cause any kind of
trouble between you all.
Everybody wants you
to stay for the night.
What are you looking
at? Get out of here.
(DOOR CREAKS OPEN)
JOHN-BOY: Muffin?
Muffin, what are
you doing in here?
Oh, I felt a little bit tired,
so I thought I'd
get ready for bed.
Well, you're not
gonna sleep in here.
We got a cot fixed up
for you in the girls' room.
Oh, I... I wouldn't
wanna crowd them.
Besides, Chance likes company.
(LAUGHS) Well,
I'm sure she does,
but we'd much rather
have you inside with us.
Are you sure?
Of course I'm sure.
Come on, let me take
your bag. No, I'll take it.
No, it's all right. Don't
be silly. I've got it.
John-Boy? Thank you.
You know, you don't have
to keep saying that to me.
Well, thank you for worrying
and taking care of me.
All the time I was
growing up by myself,
I always wanted to
have a big brother.
Now, for a little while, I do.
(MUSIC PLAYING)
♪ You do something to me ♪
Good night, Jim-Bob.
Good night, Elizabeth.
Liv, will you stop it?
I can't sleep.
Well, neither can I.
Don't those city
folk ever go to bed?
Ooh, I guess not.
What are they doing out there?
Restaurants are open, and
movie houses, dance halls.
Wanna go dancing?
Get dressed and go dancing
in the middle of the night?
Why not?
Can we afford it?
How much can it cost?
Let's do it. Let's go dancing.
Okay.
Will I look all
right in this dress?
Well, you looked all
right out of it, honey.
John!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
Isn't this just the
craziest thing?
That music's coming from the
Silver Slipper Dance Palace.
What would Grandma say
if she could see us now?
"Good Lord!"
(BOTH LAUGHING)
You know, Liv, we don't
have to leave the room.
Oh, yes, we do.
You promised me you
were gonna take me dancing
in the middle of the night, and
that's exactly what we're gonna do.
All right.
I don't know what the ladies at the
Baptist Church are gonna say about this.
John, you wouldn't.
Oh, yes, I would.
Oh.
Oh, yes, I would. No!
Yes, I would.
John! You... (LAUGHING)
(ROOSTER CROWING)
GRANDMA: On your way?
Thank you for everything.
I'm gonna miss having somebody
that collects the eggs
and milks the cow
without being asked to.
Yeah, well, have yourself a rare
old time in Greensboro, young lady.
It's Raleigh I hope
to get to, Mr. Walton.
Raleigh, huh? Well,
worst comes to worst,
you can always go
back to Dorchester.
I don't ever wanna
go back to Lancaster.
Come on, Muffin,
it's time to go.
Goodbye, dear. Goodbye.
You ought to be
ashamed of yourself,
just doubting that,
that innocent child.
Esther, if you look deep
into those baby blue eyes,
you'll see someone
older than time.
Everybody else thinks
that she's an angel.
But you, no, no, you
have to be contrary.
Well, I've got nothing
against angels in their place.
But Miss Muffin Maloney
is just too good to be true.
(SIGHS)
Here's the key. I got it
off the nail in the kitchen.
Well, thank you
very much, Muffin,
but that's a spare.
This one is mine.
Jim-Bob, would you
put this back for me?
Thank you.
Well, goodbye.
Bye, Muffin. Good luck.
Maybe you'll come
back again sometime.
Well, goodbye, Jim-Bob.
Well, maybe you will
come back sometime.
Maybe.
Well, we gotta go. Okay.
Bye. Bye-bye.
Let's get to work.
Well, Muffin,
I don't know what to tell you.
I really think the
only thing to do
is to take you down
to the Sheriff's office.
No.
What are you doing?
Maybe I can hitchhike
back to Raleigh.
Oh, no. You're not
gonna hitchhike anyplace.
I'm not gonna let you
set out on your own.
I was alone when you found me.
Look, I'll go down and talk
to the Sheriff myself, all right?
I promise I won't
mention your name.
I won't say anything
about you at all.
I'll... I don't know.
I'll tell him that I'm looking
for a story for the newspaper.
Maybe I'll hear something
about your stepfather,
whether he's looking for you or whether
there's been word from your mama.
Maybe there'll be a
message from your mama.
I don't think so.
Well, anyway, would you please
just wait here for a few minutes
while I go speak to him,
and I'll be right back, all right?
Okay. Um, I'm gonna look in
the windows while you're gone.
All right. I'll be right back.
Miss Emily, Miss Mamie.
Oh, John-Boy, how
nice to see you. How do?
Nice to see you. You're
out very early today.
Well, Papa's clock is
gaining more and more.
We arose this morning at what
we assumed to be our usual time...
And then the man on
the radio advised us
it was a whole hour
earlier than we thought.
So we thought instead
of wasting the hour,
we'd drive into town and see
some friends, do a little shopping.
Well, good. I hope
you enjoy yourselves.
Our regards to your parents.
I certainly will do. Have
a pleasant day, ladies.
Well, there's no accidents.
Well, then, how about
missing persons?
You know, children,
missing children. That's...
We got a few runaway
reports, if that's what you want.
Richmond, Roanoke...
How about out of
state? Fredericksburg...
You know, Pennsylvania, maybe?
Lancaster?
No Pennsylvania. No, sorry.
Morning, Sam.
Goodbye.
Remember us to Velma.
Poor Sam. He's
not looking too well.
No.
Oh!
Oh, Sister, what have we done?
Oh, my dear, be
careful. You'll cut yourself.
But this is the medicine for my
baby brother. He's been so sick.
I just spent the last
$2 we have for it.
What am I going to do?
Oh, hush, dear, hush.
But it was our fault
you spilled the medicine.
Sister...
Now, don't you
cry anymore, dear.
Now, here. Here are $2.
You go, you go buy
yourself another bottle.
I can't take your money.
Oh, please, dear, you must.
Otherwise we'd never
forgive ourselves.
Well, in that case, thank you.
MISS MAMIE: Now,
you go buy another bottle
and hurry home
to the little brother.
God bless you.
The brave little thing.
Oh, isn't that a shame?
Well, there's no news, huh?
I'm sorry.
You're a newspaperman?
I want to talk to you.
Oh, uh, well...
Who's that? What's he in for?
Who, Nifty? Nifty's a con man.
He's a bunco artist, a
second-rate swindler.
You see before you
an innocent victim of a
gross miscarriage of justice.
Falsely accused,
falsely arrested,
falsely held here in
this backwoods pokey!
And he can go on
like that for hours.
Really?
Well, thanks, Sheriff.
Yeah. Drop in anytime, John-Boy.
JOHN-BOY: All right.
(LAUGHS)
Little game of cards, Sheriff,
pass the time?
Tell you, Nifty, I'd
sooner play solitaire.
At least I'll have some
chance of winning.
Good morning. Morning.
Um, our Sunday school class
baked cookies to give the unfortunates.
Anybody locked up in
jail is surely on our list.
Well, uh, I don't know.
Sunday school cookies might
not be fancy enough for Nifty,
but I'll sure see he gets it.
Oh, please, could I give it
to the unfortunate myself?
Why, sure.
Might do the old
fraud some good.
Nifty, put on your
spirit of righteousness.
You got company. Go ahead.
Hello, sir. My name
is Clarissa Winkleman,
and on behalf of our
Sunday school class
I've brought you some
home-baked cookies.
A T-bone steak would
be more appreciated.
"For inasmuch as we do it for
the least of these my brethren,
"you do it unto me."
How you doing, Grandpa?
(WHISPERS) Where have you been?
This is food for your body.
Now let me give you
some food for your soul.
♪ Bringing in the sheaves,
bringing in the sheaves
♪ We will come rejoicing,
bringing in the sheaves
♪ Bringing in the sheaves,
bringing in the sheaves
I've got to raise $25 bail
♪ We will come rejoicing
or I'm stuck in this sardine can for
30 days. ♪ Bringing in the sheaves ♪
Why don't you try a verse?
(GRUNTS)
♪ Bringing in the sheaves
I have half of it.
I'll have the rest
in a day or two.
I've connected with a
whole family of easy marks.
♪ Bringing in the sheaves ♪
Well, uh, very good,
and enjoy yourself.
Remember, I'll
be praying for you.
I'll remember you in
my prayers also, Sheriff.
You do that, honey.
You promised to wait for me.
Well, I just can't ask your
family to do anything else for me.
Get in.
No, you've already done so much.
Look, I got it all figured out.
You get in, we'll go home.
We'll raise the bus fare
and we'll send you to Raleigh.
That's so much money.
We can do it. You and your
mama can pay me back later.
Come on, get in.
I'll get your suitcase.
(ALL CHATTERING)
(SHUSHING)
Muffin, would you ask
the blessing, please?
Thank you for this warm house,
good food and kind friends.
Share your most choice
blessings with this family
as they share theirs with me.
Amen. GRANDMA: Amen.
JOHN-BOY: Amen. That's a nice
blessing. Let's pass the ham down here.
(ALL CHATTERING INDISTINCTLY)
MARY ELLEN: How much will it
cost to go to Raleigh on the bus?
MUFFIN: John-Boy
says I should have $11.
That's for my ticket and
money to buy food on the way.
$11? I've never even seen
that much money all at once.
Me, neither.
Well, Lilymae Orcutt
owes me a quarter.
I'll try and collect
it tomorrow.
And I have a bucket of choice
walnuts that Ike wants to buy.
I might be able to get as
much as 75 cents for them.
But you have other things
you wanna do with your money.
Well, nothing as important as
you getting back with your family.
Besides, when people
owe me money, I feel rich.
When I have it, I just spend it.
Get away from my suitcase!
I'm sorry, Elizabeth.
I didn't mean to yell at you.
It's just that...
Well, everything that
I have in this suitcase
is all that I have to
remind me of my mother.
Please say you forgive me.
It's all right.
We understand.
Elizabeth, you shouldn't
have been snooping around.
Friends?
75, 85, 95, $1.
25, 35, 45,
50.
Dollar and a half.
I'll keep the six cents.
That's really gonna
help, Grandma.
Thank you, Mrs. Walton.
Well, you thank the hens.
They did all the
hard work laying.
I've got 27 cents you can have.
Thank you.
Well, I've been saving
up to buy myself a new tire,
and here's $1 of that money.
Well, if you need
the tire, John-Boy...
The old one's gonna have to
hold out a little bit longer, that's all.
Let's go see how much Ike
will give me for these walnuts.
I'll tell you something.
If you tell him it's
for a good cause...
John-Boy, are you
telling me how to bargain?
Like telling a fish how to swim.
That's true. Thanks, Grandma.
Give me one of those
walnuts. Come on.
Elizabeth! All the walnuts back.
The more we get, the
more money we get.
Grandma, I really do appreciate
you giving up your egg money.
Well, I like that child.
Never asks for anything.
You wanna help her,
fine. But she's not begging.
That's the truth.
Well...
Hi, Grandpa. Hi, Grandpa.
Hi, lad and lasses.
(GRANDPA WHISTLING)
Zeb, where've you been?
Oh, I've been over calling
on neighbor Thornley.
Why, I never knew you to
give that man the time of day.
Neighbor Thornley happens
to have spent most of his life
in the city of Raleigh,
North Carolina.
JOHN-BOY: Raleigh? You thought
maybe he knew Muffin's aunt?
I copied down the
address you gave me,
and neighbor Thornley
happens to know
most all of the
highways and byways
of the city of Raleigh,
North Carolina.
It seems that address
is located almost square
in the middle of the city dump.
Where?
City dump.
(LAUGHS) That's impossible.
Oh, he couldn't remember that.
Well, he didn't
rely on his memory.
He had a recent map,
and he showed me on it,
8300 West Garner
is located almost
in the middle of the
Raleigh city dump.
Grandpa, there's obviously
an explanation for it.
Oh, yes, I am
looking forward to that.
City dump!
(LAUGHS)
MARY ELLEN: Gee,
Ike, this is the first time
you ever paid me
that much for walnuts.
And it's the last time, too.
Well, I guess it's a good cause.
How much we got?
What we have is four, about.
Two, two, eight, seven...
Uh, probably a little over $4.
We need about
three times as much.
And that's a lot of walnuts.
Let me count again.
Mr. Godsey, my
grandmother gave me this.
I was wondering if you
might perhaps buy it.
Pretty, Muffin!
It looks like an amethyst.
That's, uh, that's
Corabeth's birthstone.
Mine, too. And my grandmother's.
(EXCLAIMS)
Well, it sure is beautiful,
but, uh, you know, it
belonged to your grandmother.
Mr. Godsey, all my
friends have given up things
they wanted so
they could help me,
and I do have to get to Raleigh.
It would be a nice
surprise for Corabeth. Yeah.
Well, uh, how much were
you thinking about asking for it?
Say what you could give me.
Well, I mean, I don't know...
Well, I'd say a ring like that,
you'd pay at least $10 for it.
$10? That's a lot of money.
$7.50?
Well, uh, I'll think about it,
and I'll, uh, I'll... I'll sound
out Corabeth on that.
You know, fundraising takes a lot of
energy, and... Well, I'll tell you what.
I'll give everybody
some candies.
Gee, thanks, Ike. Thanks, Ike.
MARY ELLEN: Oh, no.
Hey, come on, kids.
Those are my walnuts now, huh?
Let's pick them up.
It's okay, Ike.
There's no harm done.
All right.
There's a whole lot of
them down there. Forget it.
I'll sweep it up
later. It's okay, Ike.
And you didn't
get your candy yet.
Here. You get your candy.
I didn't get any, either.
Oh, me, either. Okay.
Didn't anybody get some before?
Well, I guess we
really should be going.
Okay. And I'll, I'll decide
what I'm gonna do about
the ring, and I'll let you know.
Oh, no!
W-What happened?
The setting!
The beautiful amethyst is gone!
Well, now, that stone was in
the ring when I put it down there.
I know it was, a minute ago.
Must have rolled on the floor.
Oh, be careful.
Don't step on it.
It's gotta be right here
somewhere. I don't see it.
It's gotta be down
here someplace.
Did anybody find it yet?
Oh, no. What am I gonna do?
Oh, we'll find it sooner or
later. Don't worry about it.
But I hoped to be on the bus
going to Raleigh tomorrow.
I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll give you those $7.50,
and then when I find the
stone, I'll... I'll have it set
and I'll give it as
a gift to Corabeth.
I can't let you do
that, Mr. Godsey.
A ring without a setting?
Oh, I'll find it.
Don't worry about it.
Here you go. Five, six, seven,
and a shiny new 50-cent piece.
$7.50.
You did it, Muffin.
You got your bus fare.
Here's your bus fare.
Thanks to all of you.
Especially you, Mr. Godsey.
Thank you.
Thanks, Ike. Gee, thanks, Ike.
Bye-bye.
Now you got your bus
fare. Hope you find it.
MARY ELLEN: We'll have you
on the bus tomorrow morning.
It's gotta be here somewhere.
Muffin?
I'd like you to have this.
It's just beautiful.
Well, I made it myself.
And I thought if you had it,
you might remember, you know?
I will. Thank you, Jim-Bob.
Pioneers crossing the prairie
didn't have any more food
than what you're giving her.
Child's gonna be on
that bus a long time.
Oh, well, with what's left over,
she could always
open up a restaurant.
Call it Muffin's City Dump Cafe.
Zeb, now, I don't know
what's got into you. You just...
I'm gonna put Muffin
on the southbound bus
and then I'm gonna pick up
Mama and Daddy, all right?
Oh, it'll be good
to have them back.
Muffin!
Eyes... Don't! Hey, Ben!
Okay, eyes closed.
(WHISTLING)
John-Boy, you explain to the
driver so he can keep an eye on her.
I will. I know, I will.
She'll be driving the bus by
the time they get to Lynchburg.
Grandpa! Zeb.
Is that the Baldwins?
Yeah.
It's an odd time of day
for them to come calling.
Well, Miss Emily, Miss Mamie,
how are you this morning?
Good morning!
(LAUGHING)
How are you today?
I hope we're not intruding.
Well, you're never intruding.
You know you're always
welcome here, ladies.
Morning. Morning.
It's always a pleasure
to see you, ladies.
Well, Mr. Godsey told
us about your campaign
to reunite a little
girl and her mother.
And Sister and I would
like to be part of it.
Oh, that's very
sweet of you, ladies,
but we've already
got the bus fare raised,
and that's really all we need.
Oh, here she is right now.
Oh... Oh.
No. No.
MISS EMILY: Oh, hello, dear.
And how's your baby brother?
This is the little girl whose
little brother was so ill.
What?
Yes, and we gave her $2
to buy some more medicine.
You what?
Hey, wait a minute.
Hold on, hold on. Hold on.
You young ones stay here.
It's your brother's
responsibility.
Let him handle it.
All right.
Let's have it. Come
on, I'm waiting.
Wait till you turn blue. I don't
owe you any explanations.
You owe everybody,
and not just explanations.
You owe $2 to
the Baldwin ladies.
You owe $1.50 to my
grandma, and an amethyst ring...
You even pulled a switch
on Ike Godsey, didn't you?
Who are you?
What's the true story?
Whatever you want it to be.
What's that supposed to mean?
The truth is whatever
you want it to be.
I tell people what I
figure they wanna hear.
That makes them
feel good, right?
While they're feeling good,
I touch them for a buck or two.
That's completely dishonest!
Who cares? It works.
It works? Using people?
Taking advantage of
people's generosity works?
Grow up, big brother.
Everybody takes advantage.
Everybody uses everybody else.
You were even using me.
That isn't so.
Now who's dishonest?
Helping me made you feel good.
Set you up as being so
noble and wise and generous.
Oh, you are wrong.
You're wrong. No.
Whatever I took from you, the
old girls, the rube storekeeper,
they all got something in
return. They were all happy.
Well, they're not happy now.
Well, what did you expect?
A lifetime of happiness
for two bucks?
You're gonna return that money
to the people you took it from.
Okay. We'll make a deal.
I give you the money and
you let me take a powder.
No. Why not?
'Cause I'm gonna take you
down to Sheriff Bridges' office.
Why, you
flannel-mouthed poke-nose!
Who asked you
what you think is best?
Oh, you don't know
your ear from your elbow.
Turn me over to the Sheriff!
You're the one who needs a keeper!
Well, that may be so... Yeah!
But I know that one
thing is true for certain.
I can't take care
of you anymore.
I'm not supposed
to take care of you.
You'll stay down there
with Sheriff Bridges
until we find someone who can.
Now come on. Come
on! Leave me alone.
Better stay away from me
or you'll get contaminated.
Well, I hope you've
learned your lesson.
Yes, ma'am. Crime doesn't pay.
I still like you just as
much as ever, Muffin.
Yeah?
I hope you feel the
same way about me.
Exactly.
If you really like me, you've
gotta go into Rockfish with me.
I want to, but
John-Boy says I can't.
He would.
Well, I asked him.
He just won't let me.
Listen, if you really
like me, you'll find a way.
There's a rumble seat.
Yeah, but... Shh!
All right, let's go. You ready?
Mrs. Walton, may I
have a drink of water?
Come on.
I'm thirsty.
Well, now, goodbye
and good luck.
Only suckers count on luck.
Uh-oh. So you still think
you know all the answers.
Come on.
You're pretty smart.
I know, Esther,
that's one of the things
about me you
find hard to forgive.
I've never been so completely
taken in in all my life.
Since you married me.
All right, now,
you wait right here.
I'm gonna go in and
talk to the Sheriff.
I can see you from in there,
so don't you try to do
anything like run away.
All right?
Jim-Bob?
Yeah?
Do you know a woman
named Delilah Millhouse?
Sure.
Well, when he takes me into
the jail, go over to her place.
Then when you see
the bus come into town,
go in and set off the alarm.
Okay, let's go.
Come on.
(WHISTLES)
Now, there's a professional
bunco artist's kit if I ever saw one.
Who are you, kid?
Shirley Temple.
Muffin!
Under this wig are
all my beautiful curls.
All right. Now,
that's, that's enough.
You were in here the other day
passing out Sunday
school cookies, weren't you?
Sheriff, uh, my mama
and daddy are coming in
at the bus depot right
now from Newport News,
and I think maybe I ought to go
over there and... and pick them up.
I'll be back, I guess.
All right, now, what were you
doing in here the other day?
I like jails.
(ALARM RINGING)
Oh, no.
All right, you.
Come on, in here.
You wouldn't put a little child in
a cell, now would you, Sheriff?
Yeah. It's just till I turn
off the burglar alarm.
Won't be long.
Be right back.
Grandpa, quick,
give me that cane.
Mama.
John-Boy.
Car's... Oh, sorry. The car's
parked over by the jailhouse.
Well, I can tell by the smiles
it must have been a great trip.
Your daddy got himself
a fine lumber contract.
Your ma was the
belle of Newport News.
Everything all right here? Well,
yeah, everything's pretty good.
I have something I have
to talk to you about later.
But... All right.
What's Jim-Bob
doing with the Sheriff?
I don't know.
OLIVIA: Jim-Bob! Look out!
Hey, that's Nifty.
That's my car! I know.
Come on. We'll get my car
and go after them. Come on!
Wait here. We'll be right back.
Jim-Bob, what is going on?
It's a long story.
JOHN-BOY: You reckon
Nifty was a relative, Sheriff?
SHERIFF: Her
grandfather, probably.
(SIREN WAILING) I think she was
trying to raise bail money for him.
There's your car, John-Boy.
Yeah.
Well, that's the tire I've
been meaning to change.
Hey, John, I'm
gonna go on a ways.
'Course, they're probably in
the next county by now, I hope.
Bye, Sheriff. Thank you.
Looks like Jim-Bob found
himself another loser.
Yeah.
I should have let him smash
this up while he had the chance.
I guess he'll just
have to handle it.
Come on, Son.
Let's get this tire
changed and get home.
So tell me about that...
You mean about
this little girl, huh?
JOHN-BOY: You would expect
that after such an experience,
I would have given up trying to
be a big brother to everyone I met.
I did for a while,
but it wasn't long
until I had lapsed back
into the comfortable
and familiar role
I had learned to play.
In fact, I suspect
that even today,
if I found Muffin Maloney
sitting on my running board,
I might say, "Hi, there. You
look like you need a friend."
BEN: John-Boy?
JOHN-BOY: Yes, Ben?
You know those shelves I put up?
They all fell down.
Is that so?
I wish I'd listened to you.
Wider supports,
eightpenny nails.
Well, they probably would
have fallen down anyway,
but at least it would
have been your fault.
(LAUGHING) Good night, Ben.
Good night.