The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 4, Episode 20 - The Test - full transcript

There was one daily reality to our life
on Walton's Mountain,

and that was the Depression and our
constant and continuing need for money.

I count it remarkable that we
and others like us

were not totally defeated by hard times.

The credit for that, of course, must go
to our parents and their unique strengths.

Strengths that were tested almost daily.

Get that finish down real good.

I just wanna be sure everything looks
just right when Mr. Knightley gets here.

Is he coming today for sure?

He said he was coming today.
Said he'd pay me today.

Sounds good to me.



Here he comes again.

Your daddy was never one
for biding his time.

- Daddy.
- Is this the chair for the hotel order?

Oh, no. You might say
this is one for the next order.

The one we haven't got yet.

It's better than saying I miscalculated
and made one too many.

- I guess we can use it in the house.
- Hope so.

You've all done a real good job
and I'm proud of you.

We met our obligations
and that should be satisfying.

Maybe the best pay you ever get.

These days, just having
work to do can be a blessing.

A father's obliged to talk to his sons
like that now and again. Some kind of law.

- You're a bad girl.
- What's she done?

Well, she keeps making me trip over
her dress.



Elizabeth, that's beautiful.
Where did you find that material?

I didn't find it.
The Baldwin ladies gave it to me.

Do you think you can make
a real dress for her?

I think there's enough material here
to make a dress for both of you.

- You're the best mama there is.
- I imagine you're right.

Better take this inside before it gets dirty.

I'm the best mama there is.

Elizabeth's too young to know
what she's talking about.

Oh, I don't know. I agreed with her.

Honey, you got any plans
for this afternoon?

What would you say if I told you I was
gonna go over to Martha Langley's house?

And we were gonna go through
all the wonderful things in her attic.

She's gonna tell me every single thing
she's thought or done since I saw her last.

And I'm gonna tell her every single thing
that I've thought or done

- since I saw her last.
- Then?

And then maybe we'd go out
to the pasture and ride their horses,

or stop and gather some wildflowers.

Or maybe even bake a layer cake
and eat it while it was still warm.

Talk and talk and laugh and laugh.
What would you say if I told you that?

- I'd say who's Martha Langley?
- She was a close, close friend.

She moved to Waynesville, Georgia,
when she was 14 years old.

It was one of the nicest things about her.

That she moved to Georgia
when she was 14?

No. That we were the same age.

If you're gonna have a friend,
it's nice to have one that's the same age.

I could use one now.

Somebody I'm not older than
or younger than or related to.

You've been thinking about that
a lot lately, haven't you?

- Yeah, I guess I have.
- Let me ask you this.

When Ed Knightley pays me,
how would you like to take a ride with me

into town to the bank?

I'm not Martha Langley,
but I'm a lot of fun.

- Okay.
- You got a date.

Grandpa, I think you're mistaken about it.

Well, it was all right for Lynchburg.

No, it has nothing to do with Lynchburg,
I'm telling you. You don't need anything...

Well, I am seldom, if ever, wrong.
We'll just let Esther decide.

- All right. Grandma.
- Esther.

Well, it's a chair,
if that's what you're arguing about.

No, no, no, we just want you to sit in it.
Go on, have a seat.

It's not fixed to give way?

Grandma!
We wouldn't do something like that.

Esther, how could you?

Just sit in here.
We want you to try it out for comfort now.

Get your hands off. Don't you...

It's loose.

- That's not the issue.
- We'll get some glue.

- What do you think?
- It's fine.

- Good a rocker as I ever sat.
- You see?

It doesn't need any padding at all.

See, Grandpa thought it needed a cushion
or something. I didn't think so.

- Could use a little padding.
- Oh, yeah.

I don't know. Are you sure?

Esther isn't too well-developed in that
department, but elsewhere...

Grandpa.

Look who we have here.

Well, well, Maude Gormley.
What a surprise!

Oh, I came to visit with Myrtle.

- Hiya, Maude.
- Morning, Maude.

Myrtle is out in the barn, but why don't
you come up here on the porch

and idle with us for a spell?

- Yeah, sure.
- Oh, that's nice.

- Have a seat right here.
- Esther, would you be good enough

to let Maude try the rocker out for size?

Well, I didn't plan it that way,

but believe me, I'm getting old.

Oh, this is nice.

It's got a nice, easy lope,
none of them quick sudden jerks.

Tell me something, Maude.
You figure it needs a cushion?

- No, I don't think so.
- I told you.

Zeb made that rocker right here
in our own mill.

Here, Maude.
Put your footsies right up there.

Well, I'm obliged to you, John-Boy.

What are you getting
for one of these, Zeb?

- Well, it's kind of a special rocker, Maude.
- Well, I'd buy the footstool, too.

Well, the footstool and the rocker
have seldom been separated.

We deliver, you know...
Well, look at this.

- Coming to see her mama.
- Hey, Myrtle.

Well, my goodness.

Oh, you see, she's punishing me
for giving her away.

And Myrtle's no one to hold a grudge.

Now you see what I mean?

That's why I gave her away.
She's too blamed affectionate.

I can't abide a loving goat.

- Come on, Myrtle.
- Bye-bye, Myrtle.

Maude, John-Boy and I have been
talking it over,

and we think we'll let you have
this rocker and the stool

in return for all the enjoyment
that Myrtle has given us.

Well, I think I'll just accept it,
long as you turn Myrtle against me.

- Isn't that Ed Knightley?
- Yeah, it looks to be.

Hey, here comes the sale, Grandpa.

Mr. Knightley, why don't you move on
down to the mill there,

- you can pick everything up.
- Howdy, John-Boy.

- Hey.
- Howdy.

Hey, Ed.

John.

- I haven't got the best news, John.
- What's wrong, Ed?

Hotel canceled the order.
Just like that, this morning.

What are you talking about, Ed?
The order is ready to be delivered.

Boiler blew up on them in the night,
ruined the basement, half the first floor.

And it took their capital.

- Ed, that's rough.
- They can't pay me, John. I can't pay you.

- Can they take part of the order?
- No money, John.

I gotta get back and tell the carpet mill
people the same thing now. No money.

- All right, Ed, thanks for coming out.
- All I could do, John.

- Mine gonna be as pretty as that?
- Much prettier.

Same stuff.

Same stuff's gonna look better on you,
'cause you're much prettier.

Well, you were much prettier. Here.

Wait till I show Erin and Mary Ellen.

- That time already?
- No, I just got out of class early.

Smart enough for one day, were you?

I'm not smart enough
to get myself another job.

Job on the paper and your school work's
about all you can handle.

- Gonna need more work, Mama.
- Finding work is no problem.

Daddy has plenty of work.
It's getting paid for it is the problem.

That's the truth.

- Elizabeth, that's just beautiful.
- Thank you. Mama made it for me.

Now do sit down. And I'll go fetch some
cookies that Sister made this morning.

Oh, no, please don't. We can't stay long.
We just came by to say thank you.

- Oh, isn't this a treat, Sister?
- Oh, it is, to be sure.

We just wanted to tell you how much
we appreciate it. Don't we, Elizabeth?

My doll appreciates it, too.
Mama even made one for her.

But we don't know
why you're thanking us, Olivia.

Elizabeth said you
gave this material to her.

For my doll.

Oh, we were looking through
our treasures, Sister.

All the lovely fabrics Papa brought us
from all over the world.

Boxes and boxes of them.

I haven't put them back in the attic.
Would you like to see them, Olivia?

I'd love to.

- Oh, come right this way.
- Come on.

Here we have laces from France.

Papa was making a tour of the
wine country. Don't you know?

- Elizabeth, look at this.
- Silks from China.

- Look how soft it is.
- Like spun gold.

- All soft and gossamer.
- From India.

And, of course,
the marvelous cottons from Egypt.

Where Papa fell off the camel.

- What was he doing on a camel?
- We never found out.

It seems a shame to keep
all these beautiful materials hidden away.

We've had to throw some of them away.

I'm afraid only memories
improve with age.

Such stitching.

Sister, did you ever see
such beautiful work?

- Why, Olivia, you're a gifted seamstress.
- Indeed.

And the only seamstress we know
is in Westham.

And her work doesn't compare to Olivia's.

Sister, dare we ask?

Olivia, would you fashion

some of our lovely treasures
into dresses for us?

We'd pay you happily.
Oh, we'd insist on it.

But I never even thought...

And think what a favor you would do us,
as old friends.

Yes.

Well, all right.

- Good, good!
- I'd be happy to.

- Be aware that this is sold to me.
- Yes.

- Lovely, isn't it?
- I love this.

- Zeb.
- What is it?

- Someone went into the barn.
- Well, who is it?

I just caught a glimpse.
But it's not one of ours.

Fetch me my musket, Esther.

According to old Virginian law,
anyone caught tampering with livestock

is to be shot on sight.

Maude, what are you doing?

Well, I'm at my wit's end,

and I'm scared, and I run over here to hide.

Well, whoever can do
anything like that to you, Maude?

Well, Leonard Gormley, if he has his way.

- You're not afraid of your own son.
- Well, I never was before.

Well, never before

has her boy threatened to send her
to an old folks' home.

Oh, he can't mean that.

Well, it's all in the letter,
and he's coming for me today.

And I couldn't think of anything
but just running away.

Oh, Maude.
Well, don't you worry. We'll stand by you.

Oh, that makes me feel good.

Some young folks,

they say it's best for us
when it's just easier for them.

I'm a long ways from Mother.

What if she falls? What if she gets sick
and no one knows?

- What if there's a fire?
- Oh, what if there isn't?

Leonard, we're right here.
Right near your mother,

- where we can keep an eye on her.
- Pa, I think it's their business.

Well, as long as they're discussing it here,
they've made it our business.

I'm glad to have this all
out in the open, John.

It means a lot to me that
Mother is not too far from you all.

He didn't used to be that long on palaver.

Olivia, have you seen the home
in Westham?

No, I haven't, Leonard.
But I'm sure you think it's very nice.

It is. And mother's room is sunny
and looks out on the grounds.

It is very homey, and there are people
her age right there all around her.

Oh, I can't abide people my age.
I like to be amongst young people.

And she has her own room,
and her own radio.

I had it put in especially for her.

Leonard, your mother is over there.
Talk to her. It's between you and her.

Maybe we all better go outside
and let Leonard talk to Maude.

Oh, no, this is my doings.

And no amount of talk's
gonna change his mind.

Oh, what's the use?

It's the best possible thing, Ma. You'll see.

Don't anyone try to do that to me.
Anyone.

Mama, isn't this material just gorgeous?

- It's from China or India or somewhere.
- What?

Here.

- Why don't you say so?
- I can't talk with pins in my mouth.

Mama, you shouldn't try and talk
with pins in your mouth.

Mama, would you like to wear
dresses like this?

Well, not to wash dishes in,
or do the gardening.

- But if I were the Baldwin sisters...
- You'd be an old maid and you'd be rich.

See if you can find a seat and sit down.

You know there's not a job to be had
in all of Jefferson County?

Nobody wants to buy
lumber or furniture or firewood.

Nobody wants to hire anybody.

- I was wondering where you were all day.
- Guess it's good that Mama has work.

Go take that dress off in your room.
And watch out for the pins.

Well, I hope I don't bleed all over it.

- I'm sorry it's such a bad time right now.
- Could be worse.

At least my wife's working.

You don't know how happy I feel
being able to help out.

Liv, I can't remember a time
when you haven't helped out.

Olivia!

- Good afternoon.
- Hello.

Well, look at you.
Don't you two look wonderful?

- We know that. That's why we stopped by.
- Isn't it a fine afternoon?

Your dresses turned out beautifully,
ladies, if I do say so myself.

Well, you sure do look fashionable.

We've just come from a garden party
in Westham,

and it's not too much to say, Olivia,
that you were the star of the show.

Our gowns caught the eye
of the finest modiste in the area.

"Stella Lewis."

She looked us over thoroughly
and then wanted us to tell you

that she can give you all the work
that you can handle.

Well, that's very flattering.
And sewing, I can do that at home.

Seems to me you have enough to do,
but if that's what you want...

Sister and I could hardly wait
to carry the glad tidings.

Now, you just remember, she sent for you.
She saw your work, and she admired it.

- I guess she did.
- Yeah.

- Oh, hello there.
- Miss Lewis?

- Stella Lewis.
- I'm Olivia Walton.

Walton? Walton's Mountain?

The Baldwin sisters.
You made their gowns!

They said you might be interested
in my doing some sewing for you.

I didn't say "might be interested."
I am very interested.

- You sew beautifully.
- Thank you.

Please sit down.

- Would you like some coffee?
- No, thank you.

I understood the ladies to say
that you have something ridiculous

- like seven children?
- I do.

And it does seem a bit ridiculous at times,
but mostly, I like it.

Well, I'm open five days a week,
Mrs. Walton,

and as far as I'm concerned,
you have a full-time job here.

- I'd have to do the work here?
- Well, where else would you do it?

I thought I could do the sewing at home.

But surely, you must see that the people
come here.

They have to be fitted here.

The fabrics, the patterns,
everything is here.

I understand.

- How much would the job pay?
- $12 a week.

- When would I have to start work?
- You've already started.

- Could you excuse me just a moment?
- Sure.

John-Boy?

- How'd it go?
- I've been hired. I'm gonna work.

Congratulations!

Five days a week,
starting right here, right now.

You could pick me up on your way home
from school.

Five days a week?

What do you think Daddy's
gonna have to say about that?

Well, I won't know until I tell him.
You don't have to worry about it now.

Oh, I'm not worried about it at all.
I just don't think he had that in mind.

Well, none of us did.
It's a full-time job and we need the money.

It's what I've been praying for.
I'm not gonna turn it down.

- Go on.
- All right.

- Congratulations.
- Thank you.

See you later.

- Well, it's clean.
- The whole place smells of lye soap.

I think they mop the walls with it.

Rest your bones, Esther.

We could bring down
your new rocker for you.

Oh, no. The rocker wouldn't be happy here.

- It has to be on Walton's Mountain.
- Yeah, I suppose.

Oh, it's so nice
to see a friendly face from home.

Oh, everybody sends their love.

How's Myrtle?

Myrtle?
Oh, she's turning in to be a fine goat.

I just wish I could put my arms around her.

There's nothing here to hug.

I'm just kept here like a hothouse flower.

Well then, you can take a walk
now and then.

Oh, they're afraid I'll get lost.

"Sit in the parlor," they say.

Well, I never was any great shakes
at parlor-sitting.

Well, you got around all right at home.

Oh, you know what I wish
we were doing right now?

You and I picking blackberries
up on John-Boy's Meadow.

Yeah, we always put more in our mouth
than we did in the basket.

Yeah.

Well... We'll be doing it again sometime.

Oh, no, Esther,

they've got me in jail here.

One time there were about
four or five ladies in the shop

just waiting to spend money on clothes.

You'd think they didn't even know
there was a Depression on.

I'd put a fork to that food, Livie.

Oh, I'm sorry, Grandma.
There's just so much to tell.

I don't know how Stella and I
got anything done today.

- We just rattled on and on...
- Stella? What happened to "Miss Lewis"?

Oh, we did away with "Miss Lewis"
and "Mrs. Walton"

not 10 minutes after
I walked into the shop.

Do you know she was born not more than
three miles from our house?

Of course, her family moved to
Washington when she was just little,

but they used to come back
summers and visit.

She went to the same dances I did,
she knew the same boys I knew.

Sounds more like a meeting
in the Merry Maidens Club than a job.

Old home week.

It's not like working at all.

There's more laughing and carrying on
than anything else.

We were like old friends
right from the start,

as if we'd known each other all our lives.
You met her, John-Boy. Isn't she nice?

Oh, yeah. Very nice, Daddy. Very nice.

And she has a way of telling things.

Like the night Sissie Marlowe eloped
with Garland Yates over in Scottsville.

Why, that's
Jennie-Lee Marlowe's daughter.

That's the one.

And Stella had to get
Dr. Marlowe out of the house

- by pretending she had the measles.
- Excuse me.

Well, I just hope you ate better in town
than you're doing here.

I'm just so excited, Grandma.

It's all so new, and there's so much to tell,
I just can't keep it all to myself.

- I'm happy for you, Livie. Real happy.
- Thanks.

But eat.

- Had yourself quite a day, didn't you?
- Sure did.

I'm not sure I'm gonna have
another one quite like it.

Why do you say that?

Well, the work isn't here at home.
The job's full-time in Westham.

- Liv, I didn't understand it that way.
- I didn't either. But it's what Stella needs.

How do you feel about that?

Children are all in school.
Grandma'd be here when they get home.

I'd be along shortly after.
I'd always be home before dark.

I don't know. It's a big change.

We're used to having you around here.

Well, it's not gonna be forever.
Just until your work picks up.

And it's important to me
knowing that I can help out.

I'd feel a whole lot better if you'd say
it's all right with you.

It's not all right with me.

I don't much like the idea,
you out supporting us.

Guess I'm not gonna change you now.
It's too late for that.

Sometimes I wonder if I made a mistake
going into the dress business.

Always jumping around the country,
not really having a place to call home.

Guess I could've gotten married
and stayed right here but...

- What are you looking at?
- I don't often have lunch in a drugstore.

There's a diner on the outside of town
that's even more fun.

I'm sorry. I really was listening.

I'm sure you've had
plenty of chances to get married.

- Olivia, do you remember Ox Beaudry?
- Ox?

- He owned the livery stable, didn't he?
- That's the one.

Now, you know the
type of man I appeal to.

I can just picture you and Ox Beaudry!

- Excuse me. Hi, Miss Lewis.
- Oh, thank you, Nancy.

And then there was Oatie Fryer.

A traveling baseball team
came to town, he played left field.

I was 17, he was 30.

He had a little bald spot right here in front
from running into a fence.

I was in love with our minister.
Do you remember Reverend Perry?

- New, young, and Baptist!
- I was about 13.

I always planned to faint in prayer meeting
so he'd have to carry me out.

John, I fixed that soup to be eaten hot.

Wonder what Olivia's eating today.

Well, wherever it is,
they probably call it lunch.

Instead of dinner as it had ought to be.

Well, I just hope it's a hot meal,
whatever they call it.

Save this till later, will you, Ma?
I'm just not hungry now.

You've heard of being lonely in a crowd?
That's John.

Hi. What's it gonna be?

Tuna fish sandwich on white
and coffee black, please.

I'll have an
egg salad sandwich, please, and coffee.

Thank you.

Olivia, did you ever belong
to the 4-H Club?

- When I was in high school.
- That's it.

I knew when you came into the shop,
I had seen you somewhere.

- Were you a member of the 4-H?
- No.

But there was a group that gave a
demonstration at the county fair.

And there was girl who had designed
and made her own dress.

- It was white taffeta, and it had a...
- A white velvet collar!

With rosettes embroidered on the velvet.
You're that girl.

I don't know how you could
remember that.

Because you made
such an impression on me.

I guess it was the first time in my life,

that I saw the beauty of design.

And how much fun it would be
to create new patterns.

It's been a good life for you, hasn't it?

Thank you.

Lots of rewards and loads of fun. Thanks.

Traveling in Europe.
I always loved that part.

And trips south to the mills.
Running up to New York.

You just pick up and go. Thank you.

- Nothing to stop me, no ties.
- It sounds so carefree.

Well, it's like everything else.
A little good and a little not so good.

Now you tell me about
John Walton and all those children.

I still can't believe you have seven.

Oh, John's wonderful, and I love him.

And I love all those children.

We have a good life.

I don't know how to make them
sound as special as they are to me.

But I don't just pick up and go.

Olivia, stop it.
You're gonna make yourself dizzy.

I am dizzy!

Mama, Mama, I've never seen
you look like that. You look beautiful.

I never saw the like.
I never felt this way before.

Olivia, how would you like to
wear that dress in New York City?

I've given this a lot of thought
and I really think

that you should go
on this buying trip with me.

Well, now, that just sets my mind dancing
in all kinds of crazy directions.

- I never even imagined it.
- And why not?

Well, John-Boy, you know perfectly well
I can't go streaking off to New York City.

- Why not?
- New York City.

Seventh Avenue, the garment district,

fashion shows, the theater, hotels,

- dinners, luncheons.
- I couldn't. I couldn't.

- Just think about it.
- Sounds like a great idea to me.

Who knows when the chance is
gonna come your way again.

- How long would we be gone?
- Oh, I'd say a full week.

- Oh, I don't know.
- Olivia,

it would be a great help to me,
and a wonderful opportunity for you.

I've never been away
from my family for that long.

- We can get along just fine, Mama.
- Well, I'm sure you can.

But this is all happening so quickly, I...

Could I have till Monday
to think about it, Stella?

As long as the answer is yes.

Come in.

Pa, Ma. Livie has something
she wants to say to you.

- Well, it's something I wanna ask you.
- Well, come on in.

This is a surprise.

The way you're smiling,
I can tell it's not bad news.

Well, Stella wants me to go to
New York, Grandma, on a buying trip.

New York?
Well, I guess that is worth smiling about.

- Oh, how I envy you, daughter.
- She'll be gone a week, Ma.

Now, if it's gonna be
too much of a hardship on you...

Now, you just put that foolishness
right out of your mind.

- We'll all pitch in.
- We'll be glad to take care

- of everything for you.
- Looks like you got your answer, Liv.

Thank you.
I couldn't think of going without your help.

I won't have a thing to worry about,

knowing that you're both here
looking after things.

With our age,
it's nice to be needed and wanted.

Just think about old Maude Gormley.

- Hi, Olivia.
- Stella, I never expected to see you here.

John, this is Stella Lewis.

- Miss Lewis.
- John.

Well, now I see
why she hurries home every night!

To tell you the truth, Olivia, I just couldn't
wait until Monday to get your answer.

- John says I can go.
- You're an incredible man.

- Well, I was an incredible boy.
- Can you stay for supper?

I certainly can.
I want to see all those children

and Grandma and Grandpa,
and the goat and the chickens.

And see the pond
and that wonderful mountain.

- Did you put her up there?
- No, I didn't.

Well, she didn't get up there
by herself, that's for sure.

Yancy Tucker had an old hound
that climbed a tree once. I saw it.

Went up there after a raccoon.

Well, probably just chased
a stray cat or something.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

Dumb dog.

- Be careful.
- I'll throw her down to you.

- You are not!
- Okay.

Stella, these are my little three boys.
This is Jason, Ben, and Jim-Bob.

- Hey.
- Jason, the musician?

And Ben the businessman,
and Jim-Bob the aviator.

- Mama said a lot of nice things about you.
- Oh, thank you.

Hey. Has anybody seen that cat?

I think Reckless chased her out of there.

And this is my youngest. Elizabeth.
Elizabeth, this is Miss Lewis.

- Hi.
- Hello, Elizabeth,

- you're a very pretty little girl.
- Thank...

- You really think so?
- I do.

Thank you.

Jase, get up there and
give Jim-Bob a hand. Grandpa.

- Well, who's this fine-looking young lady?
- This is Miss Lewis.

- This John's father, Zebulon Walton.
- Well, now, we've been hearing

about you for some time, my lady.
Welcome.

Thank you. After all the things
Olivia's told me about you,

I just had to see it for myself.

- Well, how long you plan to be with us?
- As long as you'll have me.

Hey, wait a minute.
Think you're gonna need this?

Thank you.

- Got the rope.
- Okay.

Okay. Okay, there.

Now, let's just get her front paw in there.

- There. Okay.
- Got her?

- Yeah.
- I suppose Livie's shown you

- all our beauty spots?
- I intend to, Grandpa.

Oh, I envy you, daughter.

Olivia, you're absolutely surrounded
by an army of handsome men.

Wait till you see the army
at the supper table.

- You know what she's doing up here?
- No.

She's a bird dog.

Hold on, Jim-Bob.

Here we go.

Easy.

Reckless.

Come on. It's gonna be okay,
don't you worry. No.

- Hey.
- Okay.

- You got her, Ben?
- Yeah, I got her.

Now, I wanna see those farm fresh eggs.

- Hey, where are you ladies bound for?
- Drucilla's Pond.

I find that fascinating, Olivia.

To think that, that rough log will some day
wind up in some lady's parlor

as a beautiful piece of furniture.

She's a nice lady.

- Mama purely enjoys her company.
- Seems to.

Come around.

I could lend a hand, Maude,
given half a chance.

Well, I'm trying to learn to do everything
for myself, Abel. Thanks anyway.

Maude, I can't believe it's you.

- Morning, Abel.
- Morning, Esther.

- Esther, she keeps talking about a rocker.
- You didn't sell it on me, did you?

Well, of course not. It's over there at the
mill. John'll see that you get it.

You changed your mind
about having it at the home?

Oh, I flew the coop.

Bus to Rockfish and ice-wagon to here.

Oh, praise be.

If Leonard's so crazy about that home,
let him move into it.

- Oh, I'm might proud of you, Maude.
- Leonard's got to learn to cope.

- It's not that I'm not appreciating my son.
- Well, he means well by you,

- we all know that.
- Well, he's got to understand

that if I set myself on fire
or break my neck,

that it's my neck and my self.

Maude, you know, I feel like
I broke out of that home with you.

- Morning, Mr. Bingley.
- Hi.

Can we have some ice?

- Anytime.
- Thank you.

- Thank you, Abel.
- Anytime, Esther.

I hope you don't mind my staying so late.

It's just that I have something
important to tell you, and I thought it best

to spring it on you
after the children had gone to bed.

We can arrange for you to spend the night.

Thank you, no.

This day has given me so much
to admire and appreciate.

You have a wonderful family,
and I know you'll be delighted for Olivia

when I tell you that this trip to New York
is just the beginning for her.

- Beginning of what?
- Well, what I have in mind, Olivia,

is for you to gradually take over
the shop in Westham.

You see, I have my eye on a marvelous
location for a new shop in Richmond,

and I'm just about ready to sign the lease.
And who knows, if that goes well,

I might just expand to
Washington or New York.

I know it sounds presumptuous
for a woman to think like a tycoon,

but I've been dreaming about this
for a long time.

And with your help, I think I'm ready
to take that big step forward.

Just think about it, and talk together.

It's the kind of opportunity that doesn't
come along very often these days.

You do have a way of
dropping bombshells on me, Stella.

- Glad you could come by.
- I'm very happy to have met all of you.

- I'll walk you to your car.
- Why, thank you, John-Boy.

- Liv?
- I couldn't sleep.

You want some coffee?

I just wish this whole thing
had never happened.

If you're gonna lose sleep over it, Liv,
forget it.

I never expected the job to last this long.

Now she's talking about New York
and taking over the shop

and Lord knows what all.

If it's something you wanna do, then do it.
It's that simple.

It's not that simple.

Children are making out all right
without me, I'm not sure I like that, either.

Elizabeth is 10 now. That's half the time
she's gonna be spending here at home.

Maybe you're just gonna have to
say no to Stella.

Then I think about
how we need the money.

Liv, you've steered your whole life
worrying about other people's feelings,

meeting their needs.
All you got for it is hard work.

- Have I ever complained about that?
- Yes, you have.

Well, only when I'm in a bad mood.

- John, tell me what to do.
- I'm not gonna answer that.

I want you to.

Liv, you're gonna have to
make up your own mind.

This coffee's lousy.

Well, if you're gonna criticize my cooking,
I may just take that job with Stella.

It's not from the cooking that
the coffee's lousy. It's because it's cold.

Come on, Liv, let's go to sleep
and think about this tomorrow.

- That's what Scarlett O'Hara said.
- What?

- "I'll think about it tomorrow."
- Who's Scarlett O'Hara?

- Never mind.
- What'd she say?

Come on.

Mama, you know what happens
when I am late?

I come in halfway through class.

Probably flunk the course.
Get kicked out of college.

Probably get disillusioned with life,
I'll even leave the church.

Start hanging around
with low-life characters

and playing cards and drinking
in the bar-rooms and such.

I'll probably end up on skid row
by the time I'm 22.

- Well, what was that for?
- I'm just glad to see you.

- Well, I'm glad to see you. We miss you.
- I treasure that.

Maude and I are going into the woods
to collect blackberries.

- Like old times?
- You know something?

I think I'll give her a hug.

Mama, come on.

- You go on without me, John-Boy.
- What's the matter?

- I'll explain later. Go on, or you'll be late.
- I know I'm gonna be late. Bye.

Bye.

- What's the matter? Aren't you going?
- No.

From now on,
you're gonna have to arrange

to pay for that bank loan by yourself.

You know what you're giving up?
New York?

New York will still be there

when you and I can go together.
And Stella will still be in Westham.

I can go over and have lunch with her
at the drugstore.

I might even work for her
now and then if I have a mind to.

- You sure?
- I'm sure.

- What's going on out here?
- We're smooching, Ma.

In broad daylight?

There were other peaks and valleys
for our family

during the remainder of the Depression.

But it seems now as if each testing was a
strengthening of our regard for each other.

Our family unity
would not permit us to be defeated.

Downed and struggling sometimes,
but never defeated.

- John-Boy.
- Yes, Elizabeth?

- Is a typhoon a rich man?
- That's dumb, Elizabeth.

- I'm talking to John-Boy.
- Honey, a tycoon is a rich man.

- A typhoon is a big wind.
- I guess I'd rather be a tycoon.

- A lady tycoon.
- I'd rather be Ty Cobb.

I'd rather be asleep. Good night, Elizabeth.

Good night, John-Boy.

Good night, Jim-Bob,
or whoever you'd rather be.

- Good night.
- Good night.

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