The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 5, Episode 7 - The Wedding: Part 1 - full transcript

Mama, Daddy, guess what!

David and I are getting married.

If you planned this
reception in my honor,

I'm afraid I'm not
prepared with a speech.

Well, in that case, why don't
you just tell us who you are?

Name's Curtis Willard.
I'm your new doctor.

How is she? Weak.

Hey. Easy does it.

I'm trying. The road
won't cooperate.

On Walton's Mountain,

our family ties were
strengthened by hardship.



The walls of our house protected
us from wind and weather,

and we managed, somehow, to survive
grief and illness and disappointment.

Who, then, could have believed

we would find ourselves so
defenseless against romance?

Our music is
coming to you tonight

from the Edgewater Beach Hotel
on the beautiful lakefront of Chicago.

Melodies for your
dancing pleasure.

Imagine being able to hear what
people are doing clear up in Chicago.

Wish you were there?

Can't think of
anything to beat this.

I'll get the radio.

I'll leave one light
on for Mary Ellen.

Let's go tell them.

Now?



Mama, Daddy, guess what!

David and I are getting married.

Aren't you going
to say something?

I think we could've
prepared them

a little better than
this, Mary Ellen.

When did all this happen?

Tonight. Not that I
haven't asked her before.

Whoa. Whoa, now.

Aren't you two
moving a little fast?

We've been at school
together all year.

Sir, we're in love.

Yeah, well, we think
very highly of you, David,

but isn't Mary Ellen a
little young for all this?

No younger than you were, Mama.

What about your career,
your nursing school?

You worked awful hard to get in.

We don't want to see
you waste it, honey.

Oh, it won't be wasted.

I can always find some
kind of practical nursing job.

How about you
getting to be a doctor?

I'll be through
interning in six weeks.

We want to be married then.

Six weeks? Aren't you
kinda rushing into this?

That's the way I am, Mama.

Well, the way I
understand things,

doctoring is not easy.

What are you two gonna live on?

My father wants me to join
him in his practice in Richmond.

I can provide for Mary Ellen.

Our minds are made up.

We want to be together.

Mama, please try to remember
how it was with you and Daddy.

I remember.

I guess I do, too.

Thank you. Thank you.

See, I told you. They
are getting married!

I knew it! I don't believe you.

See? Oh, my God!

Wow. Congratulations.
Congratulations.

Congratulations, brother.

What kind of a three-ring
circus is going on down here?

Looks like we're gonna
have a wedding, Grandpa.

Good Lord! Whoopee!

Congratulations. It's wonderful.

Picnic! Picnic, Esther.

Oh, Jim-Bob, I asked you to give them
bushes a haircut, not to harvest them.

Esther, where do you want these
sawhorses for the picnic table set up?

Well, we don't want
the company to roast,

so put them there,
over by the path.

It'll get shadier there.

I'll bet the Spencers don't
have to put a table together

with sawhorses and boards.

We can just throw one of
your pretty tablecloths over it.

They won't know the difference.

Well, I'll know,
and I'm somebody.

And I'll just bet they
have enough chairs

they don't have to
borrow from the church.

And I suppose they
won't set down outdoors

unless they got French
Chippendale chairs under 'em, huh?

I'll get the tablecloth.

Hoity-toity.

You'd think the Queen
of England was coming,

instead of Mary
Ellen's in-laws-to-be.

Come and give me a hand
with these chairs, boys.

I have to get my music ready.

The boys are coming
over to practice.

Wish I had talent. Gets
you out of a lot of work.

You got talent, son. A
strong back, just like me.

Put these up in the porch.

You get those
glasses nice and shiny.

Bad enough they don't match.

Nobody's gonna mind
that but you, Grandma.

Yeah, well, I just want
everything to be just right.

It's not the engagement
party I'm worried about.

I just hope Mary Ellen
knows what she's doing.

Oh, she's in love, Mama.

Seems like she made
up a mind all of a sudden.

Yeah, well, sometimes
it happens like that.

You should remember that, Livie.

I do.

But I also know it's
got to be strong enough

to tide you through
when the moonlight fades

and you find yourself with a sick
baby and a pile of bills on your hands.

Yeah, well, I don't think Mary
Ellen will have to worry about money.

I just hope she
learns to feel at home

with that well-to-do
family in Rich...

Look at that.

Will this be okay, Mama?

It'll make a lovely centerpiece.

Oh, good. We'll
put it over the hole.

Come on, you help
me set the table.

How come Mary Ellen isn't doing
any of the work? And it's her party.

She's the guest of honor.

Well, how can you be a guest of
honor and still part of the family?

Bushes are all trimmed.

Those are for the party.

It's time to get ready and
put on your best clothes.

My best clothes? That's right.

And try to look like
you're enjoying yourself.

All this engagement
business is a waste of time.

Congratulation, David.
You, too, Mary Ellen.

- Thank you.

Oh, thanks, G.W.

Mrs. Brimmer, did
you see my ring?

Oh, it's beautiful, Mary Ellen.

It's almost half a carat.

Mary Ellen let me try it on.

I'm her maid of honor.

And Elizabeth will
be my flower girl.

David's gonna take me
sailing on the James River

when I visit them in Richmond.

I built a raft on the river
once. Had a sail on it.

Well, you'll have to visit
us sometime with Erin.

Oh, it sounds like everybody's
gonna live happily ever after.

I sure never thought Mary Ellen
would be the first one to get married.

One thing you can count on with
Mary Ellen is not to count on her.

You remember how she always
said she was gonna marry rich,

live in a big house,
travel all over the place?

Looks like she's gonna get it.

Could be.

This is a lovely
occasion, Olivia.

Thank you, Lillian.

I feel kinda sorry for David
coming into such a big family.

He'll probably feel more
like an outlaw than an in-law.

He'll fit in.

We're so pleased to meet the
parents of Mary Ellen's future husband.

You've raised a fine,
high-spirited girl there, John.

Hope you don't mind
we're taking her from you.

Got to admit I did at first,

but I'm getting
used to the idea.

Well, console yourself, John.

You'll have plenty of others
when Mary Ellen has left.

That doesn't mean we
aren't gonna miss her.

We were kinda hoping
that David would take over

Dr. Vance's practice
here on Walton's Mountain.

People are growing weary of
going into Rockfish for a doctor.

Dr. Vance's shoes
are hard to fill.

David would have
been highly acceptable.

Well, I'm afraid I've
got other plans for him.

But don't you worry. We'll
take good care of Mary Ellen.

We're looking forward
to having grandchildren.

So are we.

A boy. David W. Spencer III.

Mama will get mad if
you get your clothes dirty.

Oh, I don't care.

This love stuff gives me a pain.

I'll be glad when
the wedding's over.

When the wedding's over, Mary
Ellen won't be a Walton anymore.

Mary Ellen will
always be a Walton.

Uh-uh.

She'll be Mary Ellen Spencer.

Well, you'll get married, too,
someday, and change your name.

Oh, not me. I'm
never getting married.

Yeah?

Me neither.

Promise?

That's kid stuff.

Not if you really mean it.

Jim-Bob and me swear
that we'll never fall in love,

get married, and never
leave the mountain.

I thought you folks
might like to see this.

It's Mary Ellen's quilt.

There's my square.

My sister loves gold
and russet leaves.

We had quite a time with
Mary Ellen over that quilt.

Oh, she fought
me tooth and nail.

She said, "I do not
want to get married."

And now, you're going
to tell her, "I told you so"?

Well, it is a temptation.

It's beautiful.

If you planned this
reception in my honor,

I'm afraid I'm not
prepared with a speech.

Well, in that case, why don't
you just tell us who you are?

Name's Curtis Willard.
I'm your new doctor.

Looks like you got
quite a history here.

Never laid claim
to being a writer.

This is better than I expected.

Gentlemen, you surprise me.

Yes, sir, even better
than I expected.

A little smaller,
maybe, but, uh...

I can knock out a few
walls, open it up some.

You say the equipment's
part of the deal?

That's right, Doc.

Well, then, who do I
see? I'm ready to move in.

You're looking at 'em. Reverend
Fordwick, my son John and myself.

Dr. Vance asked us to
find a buyer for his practice.

What he wants is a down
payment, monthly installments.

What we want is
a reliable doctor.

Then you got one.

Well, actually, we had in mind

someone more like Dr. Vance.

Older, settled, a family man.

Well,

I'm not much to
look at, I'll admit.

I've been traveling.

But I'm a good doctor.

Says here you spent
some time in Stony Gap.

That's right. Company
doctor in a mining town.

How come you left?

All my life I dreamed of having
my own practice in a place like this.

When I read your
notice in the paper,

I figured you must have
written it with me in mind.

I've got a cash down payment

and I can make the installments

on... on Florence
Brimmer's arthritis alone!

How'd you know about that?

The Blue Ridge Chronicle.

I admired your editorial about
the need for more country doctors.

Thank you.

And, Reverend, congratulation
on getting those new hymnals.

Well, maybe you'd like to stop by
tomorrow morning and try 'em out.

Well, I'm not much
of a churchgoer,

but I do believe that the doctor
upstairs can do more than any of us.

Agreed.

Churchgoin' is not
a major requirement.

It's a tough job,
needs a young man.

Well, I'd say that any man who
reads The Chronicle religiously

has got a lot going for
him right from the start.

Well, I don't know about
religiously, John-Boy,

but Dr. Willard certainly
has the enthusiasm we need.

Welcome to Walton's
Mountain, Dr. Willard.

Doctor.

Congratulations,
good to have you.

Hey, marvelous! There!

Oh, Grandma!

Mary Ellen, are you sure you
want to be married in this old thing?

Well, of course I do. It
was Grandma's dress.

Well, it needs a
little mending is all.

Oh, Corabeth, you can't
find material like that anymore.

Do you think you
can match the thread?

You know, it used to be
considered fashionable

to be married in your
grandmother's wedding dress.

But nowadays, people just
think you can't afford any more.

Well, those "nowadays" people
can think anything they want.

Oh, it's a beautiful dress.

Oh, it sure is,

but it looks kind of dainty
for a robust girl like you.

You're planning to
let it out a little, I hope.

I don't think it's any of
your business, Dr. Willard.

Well, why not? Didn't I drop
in on your engagement party?

I just don't appreciate
being insulted is all.

Sorry, I was trying to
pay you a compliment.

Uh, put this on my bill, Ike.

I'm off on a couple
of house calls.

Okay, Doc.

That's the third time he's
been in here this morning.

And that's the third time you
let him get away without paying!

Well, I'm just giving him a little
credit while he's getting settled.

And what's even worse,

while he helps
himself to our goods,

he feels free to tell us how to
store our meat and vegetables

so they won't spoil,
as if we didn't know!

Young smart aleck!
Giving everybody advice.

Well, I could give him some.

At the rate he's not going to
be very popular around here.

Here, how's that?
A perfect match.

Five cents, please.

Yeah, well, I hope the thread's
not as old as the material.

You say the attack
began this morning?

Yes.

You didn't need
to fetch him, Ben.

A man ought to be
allowed to die in peace

without come quack
doctor poking him.

Doctor, it was
right after breakfast.

He said it was like a
mule hanging on his chest.

The old ticker just pooped out.

I couldn't hardly
draw a deep breath.

What'd you have to eat?

I ate hearty.

A bowl of chili and
a couple of biscuits.

You got any left?

Over on the stove.

Help yourself.

Ben,

see to it Sissy gets any of
my belongings she wants.

And the rest are yours.

Make sure my pets
get a good home.

Yancey, you're not gonna die.

When a man's time
is come, it's come.

No sense in messing
with what has to be.

What did you put in this?

Little of this, little of that.

I may have seasoned
it a bit heavy this time.

Your socks in the sink?

That way I know where they are.

I've seen coal mines
cleaner than this place.

Is that any way to talk to a
man who's facing his maker?

A man who's heart
has attacked him?

There's nothing wrong with
your heart. You've got indigestion.

Huh?

You mean I ain't dying?

Only by some miracle.

What I can't figure out
is why you don't have TB,

botulism and bubonic plague.

You better get things
cleaned up around here, mister.

You can use that
chili for disinfectant.

Oh, oh!

Now you're going too far, Doc.

It's one thing to attack
the way that I live,

but when you start to
badmouth my red devil chili,

you've gone too far!

Okay, Yancey.

Only when you have to call me
back to treat you for the mange...

Mange!

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Tiger! Attack!

And if you don't
clean up this yard,

you're gonna have
flies as big as chickens.

The county ought
to close you down!

Get off the
property! Go on, get!

Easy, Tiger.

I got half a mind to
stick Tiger on you. Easy.

Easy, Tiger, easy.

Five, 3.80, one, two... 3.85.

It's not enough.

We're just gonna have to think of
another wedding present for Mary Ellen.

Yeah, but we already
decided on the radio.

So she can think of
us when she plays it.

And David, too.

Imagine the two of them
listening to the radio, holding hands

and looking deep
into each other's eyes.

Yeah, but 3.85 just
isn't going to do it.

We all have to think of
other ways to raise money.

I don't know how to raise money.

There's a fellow at the Dew Drop

who always hollers for requests.

Think I'll hit him
for a tip tonight.

You better hit him
for more than one.

Dr. Willard, I certainly
appreciate you coming by.

It'd be the end of me if I to
go down to your office today.

The arthritis in my
feet is killing me.

Is that why you
wear those slippers?

I spend 12 hours a day on my
feet looking after my boarders.

Mmm-hmm.

How's your appetite?

Everyone says I eat like a bird.

Is that true?

At the table.

But at the stove it's different.

Every good cook has to taste
as she goes along, you know.

Dr. Vance always gave
me something for the pain.

Is this a prescription?

No.

It's a diet.

A diet?

I want you to lose 20 pounds

and get yourself a pair
of shoes with arches.

What about the pain?

The pain will go
away when this does.

Dr. Willard, you are forward!

Mrs. Brimmer, you are fat!

Hiya, John.

Hey, Doc.

What are you doing up
here on a Sunday morning?

Just out walking the
hills. I saw the smoke.

We're a little short
of honey, though.

Let me give you a hand.
You smoke, I'll scoop.

All right, Doc, careful
you don't get stung, now.

Don't worry.

The secret is to stay calm.

That's it.

Right.

There you go.

Watch 'em.

All right.

Easy, Doc. Go ahead, go ahead.

Uh-oh!

Go ahead, Doc. All right.

There you go.

I thought you said
to stay calm. Yeah.

But you gotta tell
that to the bees.

Look out.

Hurry up, Doc, come on.

Looks like our Blue
Ridge honeybees

got through that
thick skin of yours.

Bent their stingers, though.

Doc, how about
staying for supper?

I'm sure Liv can come
up with another drumstick.

I'd like that if you're
sure she won't mind.

Hey, Doc, I'm plumb out of
alcohol, rubbing and otherwise.

Yancey has got stashed away
here some of his white lightning.

Do you think that'll do?

Must be Yancey's health secret.

I wonder if it's up to par.

Pa.

Eh?

Uh-oh.

Looks like you got
some explaining to do.

Maybe I'd better
not stay after all.

You're staying, Doc.

Yes, to explain to the ladies

the medicinal value
of white lightning.

Your bee sting still hurt?

Nope. Not anymore.

When I get stung I
put creek mud on.

Oh, no, a piece of
ice is the best thing.

Well, those are
just home remedies.

I don't know, those
old home remedies

can be pretty good sometimes.

I remember when I was little,

I was stung by a
big old bumblebee.

Grandpa took three
different kinds of weeds

and he just kind of
rubbed 'em on there.

The sting went away.

I suppose there... there is some kind
of medical value in home remedies,

but I'd just as soon
rely on modern methods.

And these new miracle drugs that
are coming along look very promising.

That's fine for
you city doctors,

but up here in the hills,
we still have facilities

like horse-and-buggy days.

Well, Dr. Vance
certainly made do.

And he didn't
insult people, either.

Mary Ellen.

Well, it's true.

Mrs. Brimmer's having a fit
because he said she was so fat.

I'm afraid that I'm used
to treating working men,

and when they get sick they
want to know what's wrong,

so I tell them.

Anyway, I never did get good
marks in bedside manners.

That's why I need someone who
knows the area to help me get started.

Would you be
interested, Mary Ellen?

In what? Working
with me for a while.

You could, uh...

You could tell me how to
sweet talk the folks hereabouts.

I'm a nurse, Doctor,
not a miracle worker.

She's also engaged.

David?

If you have the time
and you want to, why not?

You could always work
part-time. It's money.

Yeah, that'd be enough
to help me figure out

that cockeyed filing
system Dr. Vance used.

What's wrong with
the filing system?

A moron could figure it out.

A moron must have set it up.

I set it up, Dr. Willard,

and I wouldn't work for you if
you were the last doctor on earth!

Sure am off to a great
start at Walton's Mountain.

Mmm-hmm.

What are you doing here?

What are you doing here?

Remodeling. I want my patients
to have a comfortable waiting room.

Dr. Vance thought it was
enough to practice good medicine.

Well, I don't need all this
space for my own living,

so I'm going to expand
the examining room, too.

Come on, I'll show you.

See, someday, I... I'm going to
put in a pharmacy right back here,

maybe, uh, set up
an operating room,

put in a few hospital beds.

You've rearranged everything!

Sure. It's more
convenient this way.

Well, there's nothing
wrong with the way it was.

You disapprove?

Dr. Vance certainly would.

What did you stop
by for, anyway?

I thought you wanted a nurse.

I thought you
weren't interested.

Well, I changed my mind.

Well, what makes
you think that I haven't?

Yoo-hoo! Is anybody here?

Good Lord, a patient!
Bring her in, Nurse Walton.

Miss Mamie, Miss Emily.

Why, Mary Ellen Walton,
what a pleasant surprise.

We expected to see the doctor.

Won't you come in?

Dr. Willard, this is Miss Emily
and Miss Mamie Baldwin.

Good morning, ladies. Please
make yourself comfortable.

We do apologize for calling
without an appointment, Dr. Willard,

but my sister's having so
much discomfort in her chest

and the doctor in Rockfish
doesn't seem to be available.

I see. Sit up here, ma'am.

Here.

When did the pains begin?

They came on quite
suddenly last evening.

Well, we'd better see
what's causing them.

Pray, Doctor, what
do you intend to do?

What?

What do you intend to do?

Just check your
breathing, ma'am.

But, sir, we are
perfect strangers!

I'm also your doctor.

Would you mind
unbuttoning your blouse?

May I point out that Dr. Vance
was our doctor for 30 years

and sister never unbuttoned her
garments! Unbuttoned my garments.

This is the only way I'm going
to find out what's wrong with you.

I'd die first!

That's about the most unreasonable
thing that I've ever heard.

If modesty is unreasonable,

then we best find
ourselves another doctor.

Come, sister.

Now see what you've done.

You've offended my sister
and she's very delicate.

I doubt if you'll
ever see us again.

Goodbye, Mary Ellen.

Well, you certainly know
how to handle people.

Okay, tell me how Dr. Vance
would have handled it.

Well, the Baldwin ladies are
left over from another century.

They have to be
treated very gently.

Miss Emily holds
the stethoscope.

You're kidding.

No.

I can see that you're going to
be very useful, Nurse Walton.

Just do me one favor.

What's that, Doctor?

Don't tell me how
Dr. Vance used to do things.

Good Lord! What are you doing?

This is 1937. What?

Esther, do you
know this is 1937?

I've known it since
January the first.

Twenty years ago, it was 1917.

You remember what
we were doing in 1917?

Of course I don't remember.

In 1917, Esther,

you and I went over to
Charlottesville, to the bank,

and we bought
ourselves a Liberty Bond

on the same day that
John went into the Army.

Oh.

Now, it is matured by
now and we can cash it in.

If you'd just remember
where you put it.

Now, where...
where did you hide it?

Where did I hide it?

Now I remember! You hid it!

You said that you were going
to put it away for our old age.

What do you want it for?

Well, since I don't intend
to get old and you never will,

I thought we ought
to give it to Mary Ellen.

A dowry?

Oh, Zeb, that's a fine idea.

She'd gonna be a rich doctor's
wife and she should have a dowry.

I'm glad you agree
with me for once.

Now, we can cash it in if you
just remember where we put it.

Where we put it?
Where you put it.

Esther, you had it in your
hands many a time. I did not.

I never had it in my hands. You
wanted to take it and cash it in

long before it became mature.

I remember that distinct,
Esther. You took it!

Are you trying to tell me that
I forgot where I put it, if I did?

You did!

You're trying to accuse
me of being absent-minded.

Elizabeth, Jim-Bob, I
have a surprise for you.

Patsy, I want you to
meet some friends of mine.

My niece from Baltimore
is staying with me

while her daddy is
working down in Panama.

Maybe you could show her around.

Patsy Brimmer, this is
Elizabeth and Jim-Bob Walton.

Hi, Jim-Bob, Elizabeth.

Hi. Hi.

I think Patsy's in your
grade at school, Jim-Bob.

Maybe you'd come by in the
morning and show her the way?

Uh, well, you know,
it's only down the road.

You could practically
spit that far.

It would help me to have
someone to go with, Jim-Bob.

My name is James Robert.

Well, me and Jim-Bob
will come and pick you up.

We always walk
to school together.

My name is James Robert.

We're on our way to Ike's to go and get
some candy. Would you care to come along?

Uh, no. We were
told to do our chores.

Well, we'll see you later, then.

See you tomorrow, Jim-Bob.

Jim-Bob, you
remember our promise?

Yeah.

Yeah?

John-Boy, you busy?

Oh, Ike, come on in.

I want to talk to you
about that new doctor.

Everybody wants to
talk about the new doctor.

Well, I've been giving him
a lot of credit at the store.

You know, groceries and materials
and paints and Lord knows what all.

Is that causing you trouble?

Well, Corabeth wanted me
to check out on his credit.

And Stony Gap claims that Dr. Curtis
Willard left town owing money.

His credit rating is zero.

Well, who'd you check with?

There's only one bank in town.
There's only one Dr. Curtis Willard.

Well, I'm... I'm surprised that you
and your daddy and Reverend Fordwick

didn't check him out better
before you invited him to stay.

Ike, it's not unusual for anybody
to have bad credit these days.

Well, yeah, but you'd think
at least a doctor'd pay his bills.

Dr. Vance couldn't
pay his bills.

That's how come he had to leave.

Ike, I'd really appreciate it

if you wouldn't say
anything about this just yet.

Curt has enough
troubles as it is.

Okay, John-Boy.

But I'm gonna
keep my eye on him.

You can bet your
ukulele on that.

That's it.

Doctor, can you come?

My sister has taken a
severe turn for the worse.

She can hardly
breathe! I'll wash up.

Mary Ellen, get my bag,
and you'd better come, too.

I may need you. I'll be
right back, Miss Mamie.

Thank you.

It'll be all right, Miss Mamie.

Just take it easy.

I got to get her to
a hospital, and fast.

Mary Ellen, unroll the
mattress in the back of my van.

Miss Mamie, we'll need blankets.

Doctor, I will be desolate if
anything happens to my sister.

It's about time
somebody showed up!

What kind of an office is this?

Not a soul in sight!

You know, a doctor ought
to keep regular hours.

That's what I keep telling him.

Well, where is he? House call.

Maybe you can tell me how
come he's got everybody riled up.

Oh, sure. He's rude, unpredictable
and impossible to get along with.

But he's also a good doctor.

Mmm-hmm.

Would you say that
reads "sulfanilamide"?

Mmm-hmm.

Yeah, looks like it to me.

Doctor's giving
it to Miss Emily.

He says she's got a
fast-moving case of pneumonia.

What? We got to get her
to the hospital right away.

I don't understand how it
could come on so suddenly.

We'll get there as fast as
we possibly can, Miss Mamie.

Dr. Willard seemed to know
right away what was wrong.

Well, he's worked
on a lot of coal miners.

I have a feeling he knows
a lot about lung disorders.

How is she? Weak.

Hey. Easy does it.

I'm trying. The road
won't cooperate.

Twenty-six miles of this
won't do Miss Emily any good.

How's Miss Emily?

She's holding her own.

Dr. Willard's doing a fine job.

He's a good man.

He's not the easiest
man to work for.

That's because you
got spoiled around here.

Ike's gonna tell 'em we'll be
home late. What's the news?

That ride from Walton's Mountain

was pretty rough on Miss Emily.

Miss Mamie.

Miss Mamie.

Your sister's stronger than we
thought. She's gonna be all right.

She wants to see you.

You know, my grandma almost died

because we're so far away
from the hospital out there.

You know how I feel about that.

We have got to find a way to
take care of our own people.

Yeah.

Right there on the mountain.

Grandma.

Grandma.

Must have dozed off.

Miss Emily's gonna be fine.

It's a miracle. Get
your shoes off the table.

Sulfanilamide. Hmm?

Sulfanilamide. It's a new
drug. Dr. Willard used it.

I'm glad he's good
for something.

Why don't you go to bed?

Where's Mary Ellen?

Curt's driving her home.

John-Boy, do you
realize it's after 5:00?

She's... She's an engaged
young lady and he's a single man.

Now, that's just not right.

Grandma, she's his nurse.

Well, I don't like
him. Well, I do.

I think he's got
some good ideas.

We were talking over
some plans for a new clinic.

New what? A new clinic.

He wants to use the Vance house.

Turn it into a clinic where he
can handle emergency cases.

I think it's a good idea.

Well, I understand he can't
even pay his bills as it is.

Now, where's he
gonna get the money?

We're gonna raise money.

Raise money, in
these hard times?

That's the whole point. We're
gonna have a "hard times" party.

To raise money.

Refreshments, dancing, prizes.

Use The Chronicle
to advertise it.

Any money we take
in will go to the clinic.

And Miss Mamie and
Miss Emily Baldwin said

that any money we
make, they'll match it.

They will? Yep.

Curt says he knows
where he can get

good laboratory
equipment half-price.

I think it's a good idea.
I think we can do it.

Well, I just wish it would come at a
different time, with the wedding and all.

Grandma.

I'm too sleepy to stay awake,
I'm too tired to go to sleep.

Well, let's make some breakfast.

Rough night, Doctor.

Rough night, Nurse.

Did your car finally give up?

No. I just stopped to soak
in a little mountain beauty.

Guess when you live in
it, you don't appreciate it.

Ah, you would if you'd
grown up where I did.

Where was that?

The other side of the
tracks in Wheeling.

How'd you get to be a doctor?

A lot of kicking and scratching.

And a certain amount
of slick dealing.

What made you decide
to go into nursing?

I like taking care of people.

Pretty soon you'll
be serving them tea.

How come you're not married?

I never found the right girl.

I know someone you should meet.

Miss Nora. She's
the county nurse.

Where's she been hiding?

She spends a lot of time
tending people in the back country.

I'll introduce you next time
she comes down from the hills.

Come on, let's get back.

Well, I sure hope she's easier
to get along with than you are.

I wish we could have had these invitations
engraved like Corabeth's book says.

I bet that's what
David's family is used to.

Well, there's nothing wrong
with a handwritten note.

Besides, your handwriting's
much prettier than engraving.

Mary Ellen, are you gonna have
something old, something new,

something borrowed
and something blue?

I hadn't even thought about it.

Well, this dress is old enough.

Oh, look at that tear.

Now, that's where your grandpa
stepped on it the day we were married.

Well, there's another
one up here somewhere.

The white gloves that Mama
got you could be something new.

And I'll let you borrow
my lace handkerchief.

What about something blue?

I have a blue yo-yo.

Elizabeth, somehow
I get the feeling

you're not in favor
of this wedding.

She wants you to marry
G.W. and stay on the mountain.

Now I'm stuck with him.

Oh, what's wrong with G.W.?

He's another one of
your hand-me-downs.

Yeah, well, don't
you burn any bridges.

G.W. might well be a pillar
in this community someday.

Who wants a pillar, Grandma?

Oh, everyone, listen to this.

"Mr. and Mrs. John Walton
request the honor of your presence

"at the marriage of
their daughter Erin."

What's Grandpa
doing up in the attic?

I expect he's looking for that old
suit to wear at the hard times dance.

He couldn't find his head
if it wasn't fastened on.

Where you going?

Out to exercise Blue.

Well, then how come
you're all slicked up?

I'm not all slicked up!

Well, I'll go with
you. No, you won't!

You look real nice, Jim-Bob.

Ever since that Patsy
Brimmer came to town,

Jim-Bob spends more time
in front of the mirror than Erin!

Come on. Come on, Elizabeth.

Who came to town?

Hi, Jim-Bob. I've
been waiting for you.

Hi.

I see you brought
your sister along.

It wasn't my idea.

I don't mind. We
can all go for a ride.

All right, hop on.

Will this be all right, Jim-Bob?

Sure. Come on, Blue.

Here, listen to this.

"I think of you every
minute of the day,

"every moment of the night.

"I cannot live without you."

Which one of your
moon-faced beaus

wrote that awful
piece of drivel?

Might have known
you didn't mean it.

I did?

Oh, well, I'm sorry, Esther.

I just can't get my mind
off that Liberty Bond,

where... where we hid it.

Well, we tore this place apart.

Just might as well kiss
that Liberty Bond goodbye.

Oh, dear.

Oh, dear.

I know where it is.

I remember.

It's in John's picture.

John is in John's picture!

In the back of John's
picture! Here, here.

You know that time
you wanted to cash it in,

I decided to hide it
where you'd never find it?

You see? You were hiding it.

Maybe I was so awful sorry
and ashamed of what I did

that I forgot about it.

And aren't you glad that I did?

Yeah, well, that
depends on if it's in here.

Zeb, it is.

Oh, Esther.

It looks almost
brand-new, don't it?

Twenty years.

Don't that take us back a while!

1917.

I remember it was to be
put aside for the future.

Well, it is, isn't it?

Well, what do you
think of it, Dr. Willard?

Great day in the morning.

I didn't think I'd be
in church this Sunday,

but here I am, in a cathedral.

Well, I thought you'd like it.

There's an even better
view over here, Curt.

Here, let me do that for you.

Thank you. I do admire a
man with good manners.

I just don't want a corn
worm to jump out and bite you.

You're sweet, Jim-Bob.

You going to the
hard times dance?

Probably.

You taking anybody?

I don't know.

I haven't really
thought about it.

If you did, who would it be?

I don't know. You, I guess.

Why, James Robert Walton, are
you asking me to have a date with you?

Yeah, I guess I am.

Well, then, I'd be pleased
to accept, James Robert.

Thank you.

Hardly seems like
a Sunday dinner.

The family feels
kind of shrunk to me.

The things people do on
the Sabbath these days.

All the more dinner
for yours truly.

Elizabeth, you set the
silver kind of lopsided.

Your mind wandering?

Well, it's just
it's hard to know

where to put the
knives and the forks

when everyone's gone.

Kind of makes you the
onliest child, huh, Elizabeth?

I still don't know
why I couldn't go

to Mrs. Brimmer's
with Jim-Bob for supper.

Elizabeth, why don't
you say the blessing?

Dear Heavenly Father, we
thank you for this food on this table

that Mama and
Grandma made for us,

because we know
that it's better than what

Jim-Bob is getting
at Mrs. Brimmer's.

Amen. ALL: Amen.

I can understand why you
enjoy the back country, Nora.

Beautiful, isn't it? - Yeah.

You had the start of a
good bird's nest here, Doctor.

I still have.

What are we all sitting around
here for? Let's go for a walk.

Okay.

You ready? NORA: Yeah.

Okay. Left, your right.

Yeah. Okay, steady.

No!

Grandma thought they'd
be good chaperones.

They're the ones
who need a chaperon!

I don't get it.

First of all, you practically
push Miss Nora on Curt,

now you don't want
him to have a good time.

You just work for him, Mary
Ellen, you don't own him.

Oh, David, I wish
we didn't have to wait.

I wish we could get
married right this minute.

Mary Ellen not in
yet? Haven't seen her.

I thought I heard
David's car leave.

Over here, Mama.

I'll be glad when
the wedding's over.

Are you having second thoughts?

No.

Well, I hate to see you go away,

but if you're sure that you and
David are going to be happy,

I'm almost willing to let go.

Mama, will I feel any
different the next day?

I think you will.

Well, I guess the romantic
part doesn't matter much

after you've been married
as long as you and Daddy.

At your age, it must seem so.

David is steady and reasonable.

I don't think it'll be
hard to live with him.

Are you sure you're not trying
to talk yourself into something?

No, I'm just counting
my blessings.

Sometimes it seems
too good to be true.

I think I'm gonna go for a walk.

I want to get off a ways
and look back at the house.

I'm not going to be
living here much longer.

Find Mary Ellen? Mmm-hmm.

Did you fix the iron?

As good as new.

She all right?

She's just got a little
case of the jitters.

When did you start
wearing glasses?

Yesterday. Got them at
the five-and-ten-cent store.

I didn't know there was
anything wrong with your eyes.

Gonna have a
married daughter soon,

gonna be a grandfather
before you know it.

They're just for
reading and working.

You know, there are an awful lot of
young men been around here lately,

and every one of them could
learn something from you.

Be careful, Liv, you're
steaming up my glasses.

Mary Ellen says being
romantic doesn't count at our age.

Is that so?

Oh, you devil, you.

Oh, Mary Ellen, I've just
had the most marvelous news!

Dr. Willard has informed Sister

that she's well enough to attend the
benefit dance on Saturday evening.

Perhaps you could tell us what
we should wear to a hard times ball.

I-Is it like a cotillion?

Not exactly, Miss Emily. You're
supposed to wear old clothes.

Old clothes?

Oh.

Well, uh, I... I do have
that old black dress, Sister,

but it's got a moth hole in it.

Well, just put a
red patch on it,

wear your old bedroom
slippers, and you'll win first prize.

Oh, Doctor... Oh,
Doctor, you are so droll.

Indeed, you are.

Now, you come along,
Sister. You mustn't tire yourself.

Dr. Willard, Mary Ellen.
- Goodbye.

Goodbye, Mary Ellen. Goodbye.

Doctor. Bye.

You're improving.

Well, I've had a good teacher.

It's a dirty trick, you
quitting just to get married.

That other doctor doesn't
need you as much as this one.

You won't have any
trouble finding another nurse.

No, maybe not.

But it's the secretary and
decorator that I'm worried about.

I've kind of gotten used
to having you around.

Hi, Curt. Hi, Mary Ellen.

Well, looky who's here, Miss Nora
Nightingale of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

What are you making Mary
Ellen do now, you slave driver?

No wonder she's
planning to quit.

Nurse Walton is just doing
a little plastic surgery for me.

Come on in. I want to show
you the plans for the clinic.

I'll talk to you
later, Mary Ellen.

Curt's asked me to the dance.

I don't know what to wear.

Any luck, Ben?

Not much. Got a dollar
advance from John-Boy.

A quarter from
sweeping Ike's floor.

Still doesn't give
enough for that radio.

Hey.

I've got 25 cents. I sold
my pencil box to Ruth.

Good. Good.

I played a special request last night
for Hubie Noonan at the Dew Drop.

He gave me a quarter tip.

And mark down 30 cents
that Miss Fanny gave me

for washing her
upstairs windows.

How much does that make? Great.

That gives us
$6.85... Call it $7.

And the radio's $9.75.

We're never gonna make it.

Hey, how about you, Jim-Bob?

You haven't got us
any money for the radio.

Well, I got 50 cents.

Where'd you get that?

You know that practically
new headlight for my car?

I sold it to Buck Vernon.

You're a good man, Jim-Bob.

That gives us $7.50!

You think maybe Ike would come
down on the price of the radio?

He Might. Not a chance.

Corabeth wouldn't let him.

That's true.

What are we gonna do?

Two dollars? Who gave
us those two dollars?

Thank you, thank you
very much. Appreciate it.

Two, three, that's four, oh...

That's five. All right,
all right let's see where...

Look at this.

Halfway there, halfway there.

We wanted to flavor the punch

with a little of
the Recipe, but...

But your grandfather
didn't want us to spoil it.

The Recipe, that is.

I sure wish I could do some
of these new dances, Erin.

Well, we'll just do an old one.

How we doin', John-Boy?

Oh, we got $25,
still bringin' it in.

Dad sent this.

It's the Spencers'
contribution to a good cause.

Thank you very much.

Ten dollars? A ten-dollar bill.

Zeb...

Hold your horses, old dear, I
can't remember where I put it.

On behalf of the
entire Walton tribe,

we present $10.

Where'd you get $10?

Shall we dance,
old girl? Come on.

Jason, Jason!

Everybody, listen up now.

We've received
some more money...

Oh, Mamie, we'd
better get over there.

And we're now going to announce

the final tabulation of... of
the money we've taken in

for the fundraising drive of
the Walton's Mountain Clinic,

and it's been tabulated and
computed by Mrs. Corabeth Godsey.

And the number is...

Well, we've taken
in, today, $65.50!

Which is right up there!

John-Boy, as we promised,
here's our check, all signed.

Ready for you to fill out
with the proper amount.

Thank you very much.

As you all know, Miss Mamie and Miss
Emily Baldwin have consented to match

whatever figure we come up
with tonight with their check.

Now, we have their check,

and that brings the
grand total to $131!

Dr. Willard? CURT: Yes?

I believe this is yours.

No, it's yours,

for better medical care
at Walton's Mountain.

Well, I hate to admit
it, but I'm speechless.

I think I kind of got off to a
bad start when I first came here.

I, uh... I ruffled
a few feathers,

and I stepped on some toes,

and I "gee'd" when I
should have "hawed."

I probably won't be any
different in the days to come,

because that's the
kind of man I am.

But I want you to know that I'm
gonna try my best to keep you all well,

and you've gone a long
way to help me do that

with the kind of generosity
that you've shown here tonight.

I thank you.

Jason!

All right, everybody, enjoy
yourselves, 'cause the night is young!

Yancey! Congratulations on
winning first prize for your costume!

Sure surprised me. I thought
this was a come-as-you-are party!

Mary Ellen?

I thought you'd gone.

I, uh... I took Nora home

and then I stopped back at the
office to lock up the contributions.

I came out. It
got stuffy in there.

Uh, I was hoping to have
another dance with you. May I?

Here? Yeah, why not?

This may be our last
chance to be alone.

You're about to turn
into a married lady.

People might not understand
if they see us out here together.

There's nothing to
misunderstand, is there?

Unless you feel it, too.

Feel what?

The chemistry.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

I never was any
good at chemistry.

It's easy.

Is your headache
any better, Erin?

No.

Well, can I get you anything?

No, thank you.

Okay. I'd better hurry
or I'll be late for church.

Oh, you're a fine one
to be going to church!

What's the matter
with you, anyway?

You've been
acting weird all day.

Mary Ellen, hurry up! Grandpa
and Grandma have a surprise for you!

Come on. Okay.

Well, whatever it is that's
bothering you, I hope you get over it.

♪ Brighten the corner
where you are ♪

What's going on?

You ask your grandpa. He
finally found it. Found what?

Mary Ellen, your grandma
and I have a surprise for you

which may partly
explain the mystery

why the Waltons were able to
come up with a donation last night.

Zeb, now, get on with it. Oh,
you always drag things out so.

Hold your horses, Esther,
this is a momentous occasion.

Twenty years ago,

your grandma and I
purchased a Liberty Bond

on the same day that your
daddy went into the Army.

You cashed it in, Grandpa?
- I did.

Which now explains why
our eldest granddaughter

is able to be hitched up in
proper style with a dowry,

and something left over for us.

How much is it?

Twenty-five dollars!

Not bad! That's terrific!

Oh, my.

Now, let's take some of
this joy and this happiness

on to church with us. Come on.

Livvy! Well, where's Erin?

Oh, she's got a sick headache.

Well, you tell your daddy
to look in on her. Go on.

You... You tell your
mama to come on.

Mama, we're leaving!

I can't go to church, Esther.

Why? I can't find my collar.

What's that?

It's a blue jay's nest.
Still got an egg in it.

You can't put that thing
on the tree. It's full of mites.

And that old rotten
egg'll smell bad.

The egg is not rotten.

Who wants a nasty thing
like that on a Christmas tree?

I do, and it's not nasty.

You're such a crazy...
Oh, turn blue, Erin.

Thought you said you wanted
practice. Well, where's your mitt?

Not baseball, dancing.

What's that? Ricky-Mae's movie
magazine. She loaned it to me.

Look, that's what I want for us.

Mary Ellen... Okay, now
take me in your arms.

Are you gonna take me in your
arms, or am I gonna wham you?

Closer. Okay, now relax.

One, two, three,
one, two, three,

one, two, three...

I know how you
feel. It's hard, isn't it?

Wanna walk me
part way to church?

You're awful quiet.

I was just thinking.

The next time I go to
church, it'll be to get married.

I'd be scared.

What makes you think I'm not?

It seems to me you were a lot
more excited about this whole thing

before Curt Willard
came on the scene.

Jason Walton,
what a thing to say!

Oh, I don't know,
it's just that,

you know, when I'm up
there on that bandstand

every night, I get
to studying people.

And after a while,

you can kind of tell when a man and
a woman are really right for each other.

You don't think David and
I are right for each other?

Well, I did, until I saw you
dancing with Doc Willard last night.

There's something between you.

He called it chemistry.

What are you gonna do about it?

I can't build a
life on chemistry.

Come on, I'll race you home.

Mary Ellen?

In here, John-Boy.

Is Curt here?

I was gonna take that money
down to the bank for him.

I don't know where
he is, John-Boy.

His van isn't here, and some
of his clothes are missing.

The money for
the clinic was here.

Operator.

Hold on, John-Boy.

Superintendent, Stony Gap Mine.

I'm ringing,
John-Boy. Thank you.

She's trying to get through.

Can't figure why he'd run
out without telling anyone.

I believe we should give him the
benefit of the doubt until we know more.

Well, I don't know
what to tell his patients.

Yes, Erin?

The Superintendent is a
Mr. Bradley, but he isn't in right now.

But his secretary, Miss
Lynch, is on the line.

All right, I'll talk to her.

Hello, Miss Lynch? Hello,
this is John Walton, Jr.

I'm trying to get some
information on Dr. Curtis Willard.

I think he resigned from your
company a couple of months ago.

Well, I wouldn't say
Dr. Willard resigned, exactly,

but he did leave.

I... I don't understand.

I'm not authorized to give out that
kind of information on the phone.

Miss Lynch, this is a
very important matter.

Do you have any idea where
Dr. Willard might be right now?

I... I'm sorry. Mr. Bradley
makes all the decisions here.

That's all I can tell you.

Do you want me to try her again?

No, thank you, Erin.

Well?

Well, Curt didn't resign, which
means he was probably let go.

Or just plain fired. It's a
fine time to find that out.

We didn't really
check on him, did we?

You know, I think she knew a lot
more than she was willing to tell me.

You know what I'd like to do? If
we don't hear from him by tomorrow,

I'd like to go down and talk
to that Mr. Bradley myself.

Probably the only way we're
gonna get to know anything.

Okay, take the pole.

Okay, move it through
the water nice and slow.

That's it.

Did you ever kiss a
girl, James Robert?

Sure.

Where?

Oh, out behind the
swings at school.

No, silly. I meant, where?

On the cheek, or on the lips?

Both.

Really?

Supper's ready! Come
on, everybody, sit down.

I still don't see why
John-Boy has to be the one

to go traipsing off
after Dr. Willard.

The wedding rehearsal
is Wednesday night.

He may not have to go, I'm
just warning you it could happen.

Yeah, Curt could
show up any time.

Mary Ellen, are you
going to help or not?

I'm helping.

Mmm-mmm!

Stop that!

Mama, Elizabeth's not
coming down to supper.

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

John, would you
go up and get her,

and bring the boys
down, too, please?

All right.

♪ Into each life some
rain must fall... ♪ Elizabeth!

Elizabeth!

So wear your smile
for an umbrella.

Who wrote that?

What's this about you not
coming down for supper?

I don't feel like it, Daddy.

How come?

Well,

because Jim-Bob
broke his promise to me,

and this afternoon I pushed
him and Patsy in the lake.

You did, huh?

How come?

Well, you see, me and Jim-Bob have
this promise that we'll never fall in love,

get married, or
leave the mountain.

Well, he was kissing her.

Hmm.

You know, Elizabeth, everybody's
got to grow up someday,

make new friends
outside the family.

Not me.

Oh, yes, even you.

I'd like nothing better than to
keep you for my little girl forever,

but that can't be.

Jim-Bob's gonna be having a lot
of girlfriends in the next few years,

but you're always
gonna be his little sister.

Someday, you'll be
having boyfriends, too.

Boyfriends!

That's right, and lots of 'em.

When that happens, you want
Jim-Bob tagging along after you?

Maybe not, but I'll
have to think about it.

All right, you think about it.

Grandma says
supper's on the table,

and if you wanna eat,
come now or go without.

Let's go. Jim-Bob?

I'm sorry about
pushing you in the lake,

but I'm not sorry
about pushing her.

Well, let's just not talk
about it anymore, okay?

How come you don't want
to talk about it anymore?

Well, I think I'm in love.

How's it feel?

Awful.

Serves you right.

Pa, would you say
the blessing, please?

A good, strong one.

O Heavenly Father, we thank
thee for the food on the table,

for the roof over our head, and
for our family's being here together.

Help us to remember that
a family is for growing up in,

for going away from,
and for coming back to.

It is for loving concern,
helping each one of us

through the happy
times and the sad ones.

With Your blessing, O Father,
our family will always be together

in our hearts and
in our memories,

permitting us to live our own
lives, be our own persons.

Amen.

I am surprised Curt
didn't leave word with you

about his patients, Mary Ellen.

Or at least a message for you

since you two were so close.

Curt's a lot of fun,
but he's not for me.

We don't know much about him.

I do know he hated
his job at the mines.

That's where John-Boy headed
first. He left this afternoon.

Thanks for the supplies,
Mary Ellen. I really appreciate it.

Oh!

Oh, hey!

Benjamin, can you hammer a nail?

Why, sure.

Then I implore you to see
what you can do with this one.

It has resisted my every
effort to go into the wall.

Okay.

No, up a little higher.

Higher? Yes, a little higher.

Is that okay?

Make sure it's even. Is it even?

Does it look even
to you? Mmm-hmm.

Merci. Merci. Merci.

That's French for "thank you."

Oh, I know. John-Boy
speaks it sometimes.

Would you like to
make a purchase?

Why, yes. I had my eye
right on that radio right here.

This one.

Oh! Well, that is a
splendid instrument.

It has a fine, clear tone
and it's beautifully made.

You have very fine
taste, Benjamin.

The trouble is,
it goes for $9.75.

Well, but for an instrument of this
quality, that's a reasonable price.

I'm sure it is,

but so far, all we could
do was scrape up $7.50.

And who is "we"?

Well, that's Jason,
Jim-Bob, myself and the girls.

See, we're getting Mary Ellen
and David a wedding present.

You know, I believe
Mr. Godsey has made an error.

This is on sale, and
he has simply forgotten

to mark down the
price on the tag.

It should be $7.25.

Corabeth, you aren't doing this
just because it's a present, are you?

Benjamin,

are you accusing me of
losing my business acumen

by the wave of romance
that is sweeping the country?

I guess not.

Would you like it gift-wrapped?

You know, Corabeth, I'm gonna take
back everything I ever said about you.

I'm sure that that is
very generous of you.

Miss Lynch? Yes?

Miss Lynch, my
name is John Walton.

I spoke with you Monday
regarding Dr. Curtis Willard.

I was wondering if
Mr. Bradley was in.

No, he's not, Mr. Walton,
and I don't believe

he'd want to talk to you or
anybody else about Curtis Willard.

Now, if you don't mind...

Ma'am, did you know Dr. Willard?

Uh, he had a way of
making himself known.

I had a feeling you knew him.

What do you want here?

Well, I want just what I
said I wanted on the phone.

I'd like to know where he is.

I was wondering if anyone
here could answer that question.

I'm very lucky to have
this job, Mr. Walton.

Most of the miners down there
are lucky to be working, too,

even though a disaster
could snuff out their lives

or they could die a slow
death from black lung.

Curt knew that. He went
down in the mines with them.

He helped some, he lost others.

But he couldn't beat the system.

Neither can I.

I can't even afford to try.

There's nothing I can
tell you, Mr. Walton.

Miss Lynch, I really
need your help

and if you help me out, no one
would know about it, I promise you that.

Bureau of Mines,
State Capitol Building.

There's a hearing in progress.

Now please leave me alone.

Thank you.

Will you just believe me?
The radio's in John-Boy's office.

Sure it is, Ben.

Why didn't you tell us at
supper so we could see it?

Because Mary Ellen and
David were there. You know that.

Oh, there you are, children.

Now, attention, everyone.

Now, we have a great deal to do,
so let's get this rehearsal underway.

Now, John, you and Mary
Ellen can take your places there.

You gonna let her take over?

She is a little high-handed,
but at least she'll get it right.

Now, Jim-Bob, Ben and Jason
will usher the guests to their places,

friends of the
groom on the right,

friends of the
bride on the left.

Jim-Bob, will you
please stand up straight?

Now, the bride's family sits
in the first pew on the left.

Zeb, you will follow
Jim-Bob, who escorts Esther.

Then Ben brings
Olivia down the aisle.

Will you take these
places, please?

That woman should
be in the Army.

Now, David, you will stand
here, next to the Reverend.

Reverend.

He will signal you at the
appropriate time to take your place.

Oh, now, girls,

we want to get your
entrances just right.

Now, with the music.

Step and hold, step and hold...

And then I will say to
you, "Do you, David,

"take this woman to be
your true and lawful wife?

"And do you promise to
cleave unto her, and her alone,

"for as long as life shall
last?" And you will say, "I do."

I do. Good.

Now, then I will say
to you, Mary Ellen,

"Do you, Mary Ellen, take this man
to be your true and lawful husband?

"And do you promise to
cleave unto him, and him alone,

"for as long as
life shall last?"

And you will answer, "I do."

Mary Ellen?

Mary Ellen?

Mary Ellen?

Mary Ellen?

I don't understand.

Oh, David, neither do I.

Part of me does
love you very much,

but I know now it's not enough.

Something's missing.

You'll feel
differently tomorrow.

That's what I keep telling
myself, but I know I won't.

We'd end up hating each other.

Mary Ellen, you don't
know what you're doing.

Oh, yes, I do, David, and it's
the hardest thing I've ever done.

Do you want some breakfast?

No, thank you, Grandma.

I have to hurry or I'm
gonna miss my ride, Mama.

Then take an apple
to eat on the way.

Thank you.

Do you think Mary
Ellen will be all right?

Mary Ellen knows her own mind.

Well, see you later, everybody.

Bye, Son. Bye, Jason

I don't know why
everybody is so upset.

I didn't want Mary Ellen
to leave in the first place.

Elizabeth, don't start
that again. Thanks, Mom.

Bye, Daddy. Bye, Mom. Bye-bye.

Bye, honey.

Erin, you'd better
have some breakfast.

No, thank you,
Mama, I'm not hungry,

and I still don't
want to go to school.

School goes on no matter
what happens to Mary Ellen.

Everybody will
know about it by now.

You're getting too
wrapped up in this thing.

Let her lead her own life.

Mary Ellen is a
silly, fickle girl, and

she'll regret this for
the rest of her life.

Guess I gotta go, too.

You know, I was
thinking about that radio.

I don't know what to do with it.

Bye. So long.

Well, personally,
I'm just as happy

that our oldest girl
will not take the vows.

It was all just
too, too perfect.

The girl don't know
what she wants.

Guess she found out what
she didn't want, Grandma,

and I've got a fair idea
what changed her mind.

And who.

Huh?

Well, look.

A friendly face.

Or is it?

I've been looking all
over the county for you.

Didn't Mary Ellen tell
you about my letter?

She never got a letter.

I left word where I was going
and how she could reach me,

and I told her what to
do about my patients.

And you took the money.

Sure! I got some great bargains in
equipment while the hearing was in recess.

Oh, boy.

Everybody thinks I
walked out on 'em.

Well, I have to admit, the idea
crossed a lot of people's minds.

What's this hearing
all about, anyway?

Well, when I was company
doctor for the mine,

I tried to get them to clean
up the working conditions.

The timbering was bad,

and the ventilation was terrible.
The men needed new equipment.

"Couldn't afford
it," they claimed.

So, I turned them in
to the Bureau of Mines,

and I got myself fired.

They held my pay,

and they've been trying to
give me a bad name ever since.

Why didn't you
tell us about this?

Because it's my
problem. It's not yours.

You think you're gonna
be able to clear yourself?

I could use some help.

Well, first, I better call
home, tell them I found you.

In fact, in my opinion, I would
call him downright malicious.

And in support
of that statement,

I should like to point
out that Dr. Willard,

owing money to the company
store and elsewhere in town,

completely disappeared.

He was hiding out
in some remote area

so that he could not be questioned
by our lawyer or pay his debts.

Well, these are hardly the
actions of what you would call

a truly ethical or
professional man.

I thereby request, Mr. Chairman,

that your examining board refuse
to accept Dr. Willard's testimony

on the grounds that he
is not a reliable witness.

Dr. Willard, you have a right
to respond to these charges.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would like to point out first

that my whereabouts
were not unknown,

otherwise you wouldn't have
been able to call me last Sunday

so that I could
attend this hearing.

Also from that "remote
area" where I've been "hiding"

is the publisher and editor
of The Blue Ridge Chronicle.

He can tell you
what I've been up to.

Mr. John Walton, Jr.

Mr. Chairman, I...

A couple of months ago,
about two months ago,

Dr. Willard came
to the community.

And, uh...

Well, he's a pretty
outspoken man.

I guess you all know that.

I might even say sometimes he's
a little too honest for his own good.

Anyway, since he came to the community,
we've had very good medical care from him,

and I think underneath
it all, he's a good person.

Also, Dr. Willard has helped us to
establish our own clinic in the community,

and that's going to greatly
improve our medical service.

I really don't know anything
about this mine business, here.

I don't really know
anything about it at all,

but if Dr. Willard told me

that the safety rules
had been broken,

then I'd bet he was right.

And if there was any way
that he could save lives,

I'd bet my bottom dollar that
Dr. Willard would be found trying.

Thank you.

I'm awake, Mama.

Then how about some breakfast?

I don't deserve it,

after I caused everybody
so much trouble last night.

Well, believe it or not, the sun came
up this morning, the cow got milked,

and the flowers are
blooming in the garden.

Come see. I feel so awful.

Embarrassing
my family like that.

Mary Ellen, it took courage
for you to do what you did.

I want you to know
I respect you for it.

Thank you.

Eat.

She must be in John-Boy's room.

I guess.

Here she is.

Hi, I wondered
where all of you were.

Mary Ellen, we all put in
together to buy you this present.

Well, I'm sending back
all my wedding presents.

Well, this one you can
keep. We want you to have it.

To cheer you up.

I'm not seeing very well today.

Here, let me help you.

Thank you.

All of you.

It's all right, Mary
Ellen. We all understand.

I'll show you
how it works later.

Hope you like it.

Mary Ellen,

I have to tell you something.

I did an awful thing...

Well, that makes two of us.

It's Dr. Willard. It sure is.

Look at him, returning like
some kind of conquering hero.

We've been to the capital
and turned 'em upside down.

Boy, you should have heard him.

He made a speech like Mark
Antony at Caesar's funeral.

He had me looking
so good, I had to win.

I don't think it
was what I said.

It was the fact that
every charge you made

against the mine company
turned out to be true.

As far as the money's concerned,

he made the best deals you could
get in the country on medical supplies.

We got a whole truckload
coming tomorrow.

Well, if it isn't Dr. Willard.
Nice of you to return.

Would have been even nicer if
you'd let us know you were leaving.

Mary Ellen... Dear,
sweet, gentle Mary Ellen.

It sure is great to be back,

and I did let you
know. Mary Ellen, I've...

He left a letter, last
Sunday morning...

I didn't want him to come
between you and David...

So I burned it.

Oh, Erin!

It's okay, it's all over now.

You stay out of this, Curt.

How could you do that, Erin?

I didn't want the
wedding spoiled.

I saw you kissing
last Saturday night.

It didn't mean a thing!

Well, I hope it did, Mary Ellen,

because I'm going to marry you!

I suppose you
call that a proposal!

It's the best one you're
gonna get from me.

Well, I wouldn't marry you, Curtis
Willard, if you were the last man on Earth!

Dearly beloved, we are gathered
together here in the sight of God,

and in the presence
of this company,

to join together this man and
this woman in holy matrimony.

Marriage is an honorable estate,

instituted of God and blessed
by our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is not, therefore, to be
entered into lightly or unadvisedly,

but reverently, soberly,
and with the fear of God.

Who gives this
woman in marriage?

I do.

Do you, Curtis, take this woman
to be your true and lawful wife?

And do you promise to
cleave unto her, and her alone,

for as long as life shall last?

I do.

And do you, Mary Ellen,

take this man to be your
true and lawful husband?

And do you promise to
cleave unto him, and him alone,

for as long as life shall last?

I do.

What token do you give
as a symbol of your affection

and of your
sincerity and fidelity?

A ring.

You will place it on Mary Ellen's left
hand and speak the vow of the ring?

This ring I give thee,
in token and pledge

of our constant faith
and abiding love,

with this ring I do thee wed,

and with all my earthly
goods I thee endow.

And Mary Ellen, do you wish to answer
with a vow from the Old Testament?

Entreat me not to leave thee, or
return from following after thee.

For whither thou goest, I will go.
And where thou lodgest, I will lodge.

Thy people shall be my
people, and thy God my God.

And now, by the
authority vested in me

as a minister of the
gospel by the Old Dominion,

and in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

I pronounce you man and wife.

Therefore, whom God hath joined
together, let not man put asunder.

Congratulations.

We would always
remember that day

when our friends and neighbors
gathered on the Mountain

at the site of the first
Walton homestead.

It somehow seemed fitting that the
days leading up to Mary Ellen's marriage

had been filled with turmoil.

All of us who knew and loved her

had learned to
expect the unexpected.

I can't go to sleep, Mama.

They're still
outside, Elizabeth.

Put your head down
and count to a hundred.

She won't use her pillow.

She's afraid she'll smash
her piece of wedding cake.

I'll come in and eat it.

No you won't, Jim-Bob.
I've made a wish on it.

All right, everybody, go
to sleep! It's getting late!

Good night,
Elizabeth. Night, Erin.

Good night, Mama.

Good night, Daddy.

- Good night, everybody!
- Good night.

Good night, Mary Ellen.