The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 6, Episode 15 - Spring Fever - full transcript

You're really sweet, James
Robert. And such a gentleman.

- See you tomorrow night.
- Okay.

Night.

Yahoo!

Jim-Bob, what
are you trying to do,

wake up the whole family?

Oh, Ben, old boy,
you home already?

What do you think?

You know, you should
go out with older girls.

You can stay out a lot later.

Jim-Bob, will you knock it off?



They're like a
couple of roosters

trying to decide which
one is king of the coop.

They'll settle it between
themselves sooner or later.

Get smart with me!

Come on, Ben, let's go.

All mouth and no muscle.

One of these days I'm going to teach
him I'm not his little brother anymore.

It was spring on
Walton's Mountain,

and after the confinement
of a long winter,

life burst forth
with such energy

that every creature
seemed charged with it,

including the two young
stallions in our house.

Ben and Jim-Bob.

Jim-Bob, wait a second
till I open the door!



What's wrong with you, Ben?

Cut it out, Jim-Bob!

Jim-Bob!

I've got work to do.
- You sure are

in a good mood today.

Cut it out!

You sure are a pain in the neck.

You've been a grouch ever
since that date last night.

Some date!

What did you and
Ruby do last night?

Went to Whippoorwill Rock.

Did she let you kiss her?

Oh, yeah, Jim-Bob, it's
none of your business.

Quit the yakking,
we've got work to do!

You're not the boss of me,
why don't you just lay off!

Look, bird-brain, we have... We
have to paint the living room this week,

and I'll tell you right now, I'm
gonna do my share and that's it!

Since when have you
done more than your share?

Jim-Bob, you can
take it and beat it.

Why don't you get
off my back, big shot!

Usually those boys
are real friendly.

What makes them get
so angry at each other?

Spring of the year, I think.

You know, the
sap's starting to flow.

Boys get like that. Most young animals,
they get kind of restless in the spring.

Well, I'm not restless.

'Cause you're a girl!
Girls are different.

Boys, they sort of act
like young billy goats.

They stand off from one another
and start butting one another's horns.

Girls, they just sit
around kind of moony-like.

Well, I'm not moony.

Mmm, yeah. Maybe
another year or so,

things begin greening up
and the crocuses are croaking,

you'll fall in love with
some young moon-calf fella.

You'll start pulling
the daisy petals off,

"He loves me, he loves
me not, he loves me..."

Maybe even cheating a little to
make things go the way you want it to.

Well, love is fine,

but they act like
they hate each other.

You haven't seen anything
yet. They've scarcely got started.

Pretty soon you'll be
getting to see their fur flying.

- Is that normal?
- Perfectly normal.

Mother Nature
starts egging them on

in the spring of the year.

Spring, sprang, sprung
Beautiful spring, tra-la-la-la

Cut it out, Mary Ellen,
we've got work to do!

Jase, can you leave now?

Elizabeth, come here.

Here, Ben, you can
be Queen of the May...

Mary Ellen! Cut it out!

Come on, Elizabeth,
let's get out of here

before the grouch
eats our head off.

He's such a big cheese!

Boy, am I glad I'm working
out in the garden today.

I wouldn't last very long in here
with the mood you're in, Ben.

Oh, get out of here, Jason, all of
you! You're just a bunch of babies!

Listen to the pot
calling the kettle black.

I'm sure glad my business school
doesn't have a spring vacation.

A week off around
here could kill you.

Well, it wouldn't take so
long if they'd just get to work.

Ben, what's eating you
this morning, anyway?

Nothing.

Something's bothering you.

Oh, yeah, how was your date
with Ruby Davis last night?

You mean little Miss Iceberg?

Oh, so that's what's
bothering you.

The trouble with you, Ben, is
that you're just a typical male.

You expect a girl to
do everything you want

and then when she does,
you get bored with her.

Well, I think Ruby's
too good for you!

Ye gods and little fishes!
It's Miss Emily alone!

Run!

Miss Emily, nice of you to
drop in on us, so to speak.

I'm so upset. I haven't
driven for years.

Well, it seems to be coming
back to you, somewhat.

What can we do for you?

It's poor Mamie. I don't
know what's come over her.

She wants to see you right
away, if possible, Mr. Walton.

She's acting most strangely.

Oh, dear, well, I guess
that could be arranged.

You fellas do the best
you can for a spell, will you?

All right, Pa, be careful!

Nice to see you, Miss Emily.

Now, I haven't got
a driver's license,

but would you like to
have me drive, Miss Emily?

I don't think I should get
out from behind this wheel,

because Mamie warned
me not to kill the engine.

Well, I guess it's
either me or the engine.

- Uh, can you back up?
- Sure.

Papa planted that rose bush
for me with his very own hands.

He called it his Mamie rose.

And every year it
bears lovely buds

that open into
glorious blossoms.

But not this year.

It is surely dying.

And so am I.

I saw Papa in a
dream last night.

He was beckoning to me.

And before he died, he
saw his father in a dream,

beckoning to him.

It is most definitely an omen.

Thrips!

- Thrips?
- Thrips?

Yes.

Thrips are little invisible
insects, sucking insects.

Your rose bush has a bad attack

of aphids and thrips.

I think we could use
some dusting powder.

Dusting powder?

Oh, I do believe we have
some in the storeroom.

Perhaps it would be
good for sister, too.

- Mr. Walton.
- Yes?

My time has come,

and dear Emily
must be provided for.

I would so deeply appreciate
it if you would become

the executor of my estate.

Miss Mamie.

You mustn't feel that way

simply because your little old
rosebush is infested with the thrips.

It... It's more than just that.

It's...

It's just that spring used
to be so much more.

I can see Papa playing
croquet with us out on the lawn.

Handsome young men
in white flannel trousers.

Picnics, hayrides.

It will never be that way again.

I'll not see another spring.

Oh, Miss Mamie,
you can't mean that.

I feel... I feel it
inexorably approaching.

My very last spring.

It's not that I don't like Ben.

He's just so...

Well, so fresh, you
know, and impatient.

I know how you feel, Ruby,

and I know how
impossible Ben can get.

Yeah, but I do like
to go out with him.

If he'd just behave himself.

You know, last
night we had a date

and he just insisted on driving
out to Whippoorwill Rock.

Uh-oh.

He got so fresh, I
finally had to slap him.

I just don't know what
to do with him, Erin.

Make him jealous.
Go out with other boys.

If he sees that someone
else wants to take you out,

well, maybe he'll settle down
some and be more of a gentleman.

But with being new in town, I
just don't know many other boys.

I wouldn't worry about it, Ruby.

Boy, am I hungry!

Plowing that garden
sure gives you an appetite.

It's real man's work.

I know washing curtains is
supposed to be woman's work

- but it sure isn't easy.
- Yeah,

and it makes you just as hungry.

Hot dog! Bologna sandwiches!

Look at him.

He just started painting and
he'll spend the next hour eating.

Why don't you stuff something in your
mouth, Ben? That way you can't talk.

Mama, where are you going?

Out to eat with your daddy so I
can get some peace and quiet.

And I'm going to go
eat with John Curtis.

Fortunately, he can't talk yet.

I don't know if I'm going to
get through this week, John,

not the way Ben and Jim-Bob
are going at each other.

Aw, it's kind of natural,
Liv, don't worry about it.

Natural or not, they're
getting on my nerves.

They keep pecking at each other.

They're like a
couple of roosters

trying to decide which
one is king of the coop.

They'll settle it between
themselves sooner or later.

Now, Sister, you
can get some rest.

Now that you're assured your
rose bush will bloom again.

Nothing like tobacco dust to
cure a bad case of the thrips.

What is it, Sister?

Papa's favorite clock.

The pendulum, it's stopped.

It's another omen.

He's calling to
me. I know he is.

He is?

Well, it's a sign, all
right, Miss Mamie,

but the sign is something's
wrong with your old clock.

No.

No, I know what it means.

And I'll go

and prepare for
the final journey.

Sister!

Don't you think you
should rest for a while

and have a sip
of the Recipe first?

Oh...

Whatever shall we do?

Well, first, I'm going to
try to fix your old clock.

And then I think we've
got to convince Miss Mamie

that she's healthier
than either one of us.

It's just like dear Papa.

He sensed he was going to expire

and he did.

Well, considering he passed
on at the advanced age of 93,

it couldn't have been
too much of a surprise.

Well, now we got to get this clock tocking
so Miss Mamie can start ticking again!

Got a screwdriver?

Hey, Grandpa, you need a ride?

Oh, hi, Jason.

Indeed I do. I accept
without hesitation.

You know, that walk
from the Baldwin ladies'

seems to be getting
longer every time I make it.

Miss Emily offered
to give me a ride

but more than one ride a day
with that lady is stretching your luck.

How is Miss Mamie?

Well, she seems to be afflicted with a
disease that my dear daddy used to call

the tulip-time vapors.

What's that?

Well, it's a seasonal affliction

that seems to happen
to maiden ladies.

The symptoms sort of vary.

Your great-aunt Melissa,
she had it in a bad way.

She got the notion that
Teddy Roosevelt was hiding

under our front porch
waiting to grab her by the legs.

Miss Emily thinks she's about
to enter the gates of Heaven.

Well, that's too bad.

You think she
might really be sick?

No. I don't think she is really

but if she keeps pushing on those
gates the way she's doing now,

she's likely to
force her way in.

I wish there was something
we could do to help.

She and Miss Emily are
always doing something for us.

Yeah. We got to
put our minds to it.

I remember how they took
me in when our house burned.

They treated me
like the king of Siam.

We didn't think we were gonna
be able to get you to come home

for a long while.

Well, we'll think of something.

They need more socializing...

These are the last of
the curtains from upstairs.

It seems like we add
windows every year.

I think we should
get Venetian blinds.

They're in fashion now and all
you have to do is wipe them off.

- Have you finished yet, Ben?
- Yep.

Looks like Jim-Bob's
got half the wall to do.

How come he gets
to quit so early?

Because he kept on working
the same as you're going to.

Daddy wants this first coat
of paint finished by supper.

I'll go get it.

- Hello, Patsy.
- Hi, Ben.

Come on in.

Is Jim-Bob ready?

He's still painting.

Hi, Patsy.

Wow!

Well, if that's a
compliment, I thank you.

It's nice to be appreciated by
some members of your family.

Some others I could name seem
to have forgotten I'm still alive.

I guess I kind of
forgot about our picnic.

Forgot?

You must have really
been looking forward to it.

Well, I was, it's just
that I got to working,

and the time sort of
went by, and well...

Well, I wouldn't want to
take you away from anything

so important as your painting.

But at least I got some appreciation
from one of the Walton boys.

And Jim-Bob, didn't you say

you have a couple more
hours left of painting ahead?

Well, I could hurry.

But I'm all ready to go now.

Yeah, well, what did you bring?

Fried chicken and potato salad,

and Aunt Flossie helped
me bake a chocolate cake.

Chocolate cake, huh?

Well, I'll tell you what,
Patsy. Since Jim-Bob can't go,

I feel obligated that I should fill in
for my absent-minded brother, there.

It's the least I can do.

- You mean it?
- Well, sure.

Since he can't go, I'm
sure Jim-Bob won't mind.

Yeah, well suppose I do?

Tell Mama not to set a
table for me at supper.

Better not go to the
Whippoorwill Rock.

Go on, Jim-Bob, your turn.

What?

You waiting for
someone, Jim-Bob?

Maybe Ben and Patsy
got lost in the woods.

Who cares?

Anyone who paints windows
instead of walls cares.

If you're so smart, Elizabeth,
you finish the game by yourself!

- I'm going to get some fresh air!
- Hoity-toity.

Jim-Bob, come on!

Poor Jim-Bob. I think
the love bug's bit him.

Bugs, bugs...

- Grandpa?
- Hmm?

You're buying
the spring flowers?

No, no, I'm just
looking for some

dust to put on
Miss Mamie's thrips.

Has Miss Mamie seen a doctor?

I don't think it's anything
physical with Miss Mamie.

More mental.

Thrips. Do they hurt?

I think both the Baldwin
ladies should get out more.

They stay cooped up in
that old house too long.

Absolutely.

There's plenty of other spring flowers
without worrying about just one rose bush.

How did she catch these thrips?

Grandpa, aren't we having
a picnic on Saturday?

We always do to celebrate
the end of spring cleaning.

That's a good idea. Maybe we
could ask Miss Mamie and Miss Emily.

Probably be real
good for Miss Mamie.

That's a great idea.
Thank you, Mary Ellen.

Well, I'll just go ask your
Pa and Ma if it's all right.

Mary Ellen, I can just
see them on a picnic.

Mosquito netting,
parasols, footstools!

And books of poetry!

Can we catch these thrips?

Ah, Livie, John,

the girls think it would
be a splendid idea

if we invite the Baldwin
ladies to our picnic.

All right, Grandpa. Do
you think they'll come?

I don't think I'd have any
difficulty persuading them.

Pa, we weren't planning
anything fancy, now.

Ah, don't you worry about that.

Plain food in nature's palace

is a banquet fit for royalty,
or the Baldwin sisters.

And the girls, they
promised to help me.

We'll have wienies, and, uh,
marshmallows and homemade ice cream.

Trouble with Pa is he
won't admit he's getting on.

He's got a few
years on Miss Mamie.

Sometimes I think
we're older than he is.

- Nice evening, huh?
- Sure is.

You seem to be in a better
mood than you've been in all day.

You bet! Had a
great time with Patsy.

She's really okay.

Must be kind of hard
having a picnic in the dark.

Oh, well, uh, we were over
at Mrs. Brimmer's porch,

you know, talking,
getting acquainted.

Jim-Bob, you never told
me how much fun Patsy is.

You never asked.

I tell you, we had so much fun,
we're going out again tomorrow night.

No skin off my nose.

I just might call up
Ruby Davis for a date.

You, go out with Ruby?

Yeah!

Oh, boy, fat chance!

Good luck, little brother.

- Good luck.
- Yeah? Who says I'll need it?

I'm going for a walk.

I think it's about time you
had a heart-to-heart talk

with one or both of those boys.

It's all right, Liv.
Just let them cool off.

Well, how about it?

The Walton family
cordially invites you ladies

to our annual spring-day clean-up
picnic on Saturday afternoon.

Why that sounds delightful.

Wouldn't that be fun, Sister?

I'd only spoil
everyone's good time.

I doubt that, Miss Mamie.

Not much can slow down
the Waltons on a family picnic.

It would be so pretty
to see the spring flowers

and the birds and the beasts.

We have nothing much but pleasant
beasties down at Drucilla's Pond.

It'll be a lovely day. The
trailing arbutus will be trailing,

and furthermore,

especially since your
daddy's clock is ticking again.

Why, it is, Sister!

Isn't that astonishing?

It's looking pretty
good in here, Ben.

What do you mean, "pretty good"?

My part of the
wall's a masterpiece.

Where's Jim-Bob?

Jim-Bob claims he has an
errand to do over at Ike's.

He'll do anything
to get out of work.

I know how he feels.

I thought I'd be doing spring
cleaning at my own house this year.

Here I am, airing out
the same old blankets,

and cleaning out the
same old cupboards.

At least you have a lot of
brand-new diapers to change.

Yeah, that helps.

I sure wish Curt
were here, though.

Well, it's about time you showed
up. Gonna get to work today?

Yeah, I thought I might.

What're you gloating
about, Jim-Bob?

What's that supposed to mean?

Well, if ever a cat
swallowed a canary, it's you.

That's pretty good, Mary
Ellen, you're pretty close, too.

- What do you mean?
- Oh, nothing.

I just went over to Ike's and called
Ruby up for a date and she said yes.

That's good, Jim-Bob.
Isn't that nice, Ben?

Oh, sure. I don't mind.

Well, it sure is nice to see you
two boys enjoying your work.

This rose seems to be afflicted
with considerably more than, uh,

aphids and thrips.

What do you think is
the problem, Mr. Walton?

Well, it could be nematodes.

Could be black spot.

You see, Mother Nature, in
her infinite wisdom, arranges

for everything to
come from seeds

and then grow to
maturity and blossom,

each one fulfilling
its mission in life.

It's dying, isn't it?

Well, yes, it is, Miss Mamie, but that
has nothing whatever to do with you.

I appreciate what
you're trying to do, Zeb,

but what I wish you would do is
agree to be executor of my estate.

Will you do that?

You know I'll do anything in
the world for you, Miss Mamie.

But that time is a long way off.

I'm so relieved to know that
you'll be looking after things.

Don't you fret, Miss Emily.

I'm not through
by a long way yet.

Jim-Bob! Haven't you
ever heard of knocking?

You're not a little kid
anymore, you know.

So what, you're
still just my sister.

You think this looks all right?

I think you look fine.
What're you worried about?

Well, I've never gone out
with an older girl before.

- How do you think I should act?
- I think you should act yourself.

Ruby's a real nice girl.

And you don't have
to put on airs for her.

Really? That sounds good to me.

Thanks a lot, Erin.

There's nothing like having an
older sister to give you good advice,

especially when she's
a sexy older sister.

Jim-Bob!

James Robert,
you are really good!

Well, there's nothing to it.

- Would you like to try it?
- Okay.

Here, I'll show you how.

- Put your hand on this...
- Okay.

- You know, this is fun!
- Sure is.

You are a riot, James
Robert, a real riot!

You're kind of
nutty yourself, Ruby.

You know, I was kind of afraid you'd
be, well, you know, sort of stuck-up,

but I sure was wrong.

You're really sweet, James
Robert. And such a gentleman.

- See you tomorrow night.
- Okay.

Night.

Yahoo!

Ow.

Jim-Bob, what
are you trying to do,

wake up the whole family?

Oh, Ben, old boy,
you home already?

What do you think?

You know, you should
go out with older girls.

You can stay out a lot later.

Jim-Bob, go to bed.

You know, me and
Ruby had a good time.

You should have told
me she was so much fun.

Jim-Bob, will you knock it off?

You know, she was
willing to try about anything

from marble
boards to goofy golf.

Dry up!

In fact, we had
such a good time,

we're going out to the
airport tomorrow night

and watch the planes come in.

Yes, sir, nothing like
an older, experienced girl

for having a good time.

Say, Ben, where you going?

I'm going out to the shed to sleep
so I don't have to listen to you!

Night, Ben.

Hey, there they are.

John!

I need to have a
conference with you.

Well, all right, Pa, but if it's
anything about Miss Mamie's estate,

you'd better ask somebody else.

Oh, lawyer Daniels and
all that gobbledygook.

It's not Miss Mamie's estate I'm
worried about, it's her state of mind.

And I need Jason this
afternoon to help improve it.

I guess we can work that out.

Oh, and you keep him
away from that Recipe.

What's going on, Grandpa?

You're gonna wear your white pants
and I'm gonna put on my best dress.

- What?
- And you bring that straw hat.

I borrowed lawyer
Daniels' white pants.

Oh, it's going to be
a real high-tone affair!

And Elizabeth, we've got to help
prepare the punch and the cookies now.

White pants?

I used to have a pair of
white pants when I was young,

two-tone shoes and a straw hat.

I'll be down to get
you in a taxi, honey

Down to get you
about half past eight

Uh, Daddy.

Daddy?

Now don't be late
I'm gonna be there...

Morning, Liv. How
are you this morning?

I was wondering when you were
going to take me strutting, John Walton.

Any time you say!

Look at this, a
little lemonade here.

- There you go, son.
- Looks good, thank you.

This is to you, my dear.

The thing about Patsy
is she'll listen and learn

about the things in life
from someone who's older,

more experienced.

Yeah, well, Ruby's already experienced.
She's been around, you know.

Lived in Richmond.

Yeah, Patsy's from Baltimore.

I know that.

Yeah, and I know everything
there is to know about Ruby, also!

All right, then cut
the chatter, okay?

Jim-Bob, I don't care if
you never talk to me again.

That's fine with me.

You won't believe the pleasure
it's been sleeping in the shed lately.

Heck I can't.

You moving out of upstairs is the
best thing that ever happened up there!

I thought you weren't
going to talk to me again.

It would be a pleasure
not to talk to you!

Ben, you missed
a spot, right there.

Tell Jim-Bob. That's his part.

Well, why do I need to tell
Jim-Bob? He heard me, didn't you?

Tell Ben. That's not my part.

You two have just about
convinced me that John Curtis

should be an only child.

We're going to the store,
and while we're gone,

why don't you tell each other to
go take a flying jump in the lake?

It's a good idea.

Well, I'll have to admit
I was a little surprised

about James Robert's age.

I guess I got him
mixed up with John-Boy.

- Isn't he the older one?
- Yes, but he's in New York.

And Jason is older,
too, but he works at night.

- And Ben's older.
- Yeah, I know.

But James Robert is a lot of
fun, even though he's younger.

- You know, he's very mature for his age.
- Really?

I'll be darned.

Has Ben said anything?

Well, he hasn't come right
out and said he's jealous,

but you can tell
something's bugging him.

It isn't that I'm not having
fun with James Robert.

It's just that watching
airplanes land at night

or going down to the depot
to see the train come in,

well, it's okay the first time.

I'm afraid the only time
Jim-Bob gets romantic

is over a piece of machinery.

Almost the only time.

He's changing.

Jim-Bob? Really?

Isn't it delightful, Sister?

Just the way it used to be.

Why, I almost expect to
see Mr. Ashley Longworth

walking through that
gate at any moment.

Ladies, may I offer
you some of my punch?

I hope you noticed I took the liberty
of putting some of the Recipe in it.

Just for added flavor.

Yes.

And that's how I know there's
something very serious wrong with me.

I don't even enjoy
the Recipe, Zeb.

Dear me!

I didn't realize it
was that serious.

- Grandpa, it's your turn.
- Coming!

Could I induce you to play a game
of croquet with me, Miss Mamie?

No, but I do appreciate
your efforts to make me happy

during my last spring.

Cheers.

Be right back.

- There we go.
- Grandpa, that's my ball.

Out of my way.

- Grandpa, that's his ball!
- Your ball is over there.

Come on, Grandpa!

Grandpa, come
in out of the rain!

Grandpa!

Uh-oh. He's got his
foot stuck in that wicket.

Grandpa!

Grandpa, you're
gonna get all wet.

You're gonna get
soaked out there!

Forget about the
punch. Come on in!

Those fresh flowers sure are
beautiful. They look like spring.

Are they from your garden?

Yeah, I was taking them over to my
grandma's house before the rain came.

Why don't you take some home?

Oh, well, thank you.

Our place is such a mess
right now, it'll brighten things up.

How's the paint job coming?

Very quietly. Ben and Jim-Bob
aren't speaking to each other.

Oh, I didn't think
Jim-Bob cared.

Well, it isn't just Jim-Bob.

Ben won't admit it, but he's
not too happy about Jim-Bob

having taken out Ruby Davis
just about every night this week.

He's been going out
with that older girl?

Sounds like an Andy
Hardy movie, doesn't it?

You must think we're all
pretty scatterbrained and fickle.

Well, when it comes
to love in bloom,

anyone can have
a change of heart.

I know all about it.

Oh, it stopped raining.

Thanks for the flowers, Patsy.

Sure. Jim-Bob helped me plant
these so they'd bloom this spring.

I'll walk part way with you.

Okay, move 'em out, John Curtis.

Those flowers Patsy brought
make a lovely centerpiece.

That Ben's a real Romeo.

Girls are sending him flowers.

The way Patsy talked, they
could have been for Jim-Bob.

Sure, sure.

Well, don't say
I didn't tell you.

Ruby still talks an
awful lot about Ben.

I'd rather not hear
about it, if you don't mind.

Uh, did anybody
notice that Jim-Bob is

now combing his hair
the way Ruby likes it?

That's just the
way I slept on it.

Jason, do you want to
pass the potatoes, please?

Ask Jim-Bob. I can't reach them.

- You ask him.
- Me?

You're the one who wants them.

I'll ask him. Jim-Bob,
pass Ben the potatoes.

Not if they're for Ben.

Now just a minute, you two,
this has gone on far enough.

You're upsetting
the whole family,

not speaking to each other,
Ben sleeping in the shed.

It's ridiculous!

Either you two start acting like
human beings or leave the table.

Excuse me. I
have a date tonight.

Excuse me. I have a date, too.

Jim-Bob, can I
have your chicken?

I cannot for the life of me understand
what's gotten into those two.

That's because when you
were their age, you was a girl.

Thank heavens for that. You didn't
have a young brother to contend with.

Me and Ben did get
into it once and awhile.

I remember one
time, when both of you

was courting a young
filly over at Rockfish.

You got in an argument about it.

I swear, I had to almost
pry you apart with a crowbar.

Young filly?

Well, Pa, you're talking about that...
That four-legged kind, aren't you?

Liv, he was talking
about a horse.

Yes, and that was in
the spring of the year, too!

Pa, you're no help. Liv, I'm telling
you, he was talking about a horse.

Grandpa, would you please tell
John that I don't believe a word of it.

Now, Pa... Now, just stop...

Here they are.

They're all ready. Lawyer
Daniels looked 'em over,

and I am now your
official executor,

as much as I dislike the job.

Sister and I do appreciate
what you have done, Mr. Walton.

It will be a comfort to know
this while I wait for my time.

Wait.

I have been putting
up with that all along

and I've got to tell
you you're falling

for the oldest line of
malarkey in the world.

That at a certain age everything
comes to a roaring halt. Hmm!

That you're too old for this
and you're too old for that.

Well, they're wrong.

No. Life is not getting
any older, but just better!

I've learned that I'm
gonna hold onto life

with both two fists and they'll
have to fight to get it away from me!

Now, where'd you get the
notion that you want to quit?

Well, that's just
the way I feel.

And I... I've seen the signs.

And after all, I'm
not young anymore.

Well, I've got a
pleasant surprise for you

and I want you to be ready
when I come tomorrow.

Oh, Zeb, I'm not
sure that I can.

Oh, of course you can,
Sister, if you just try.

Don't you worry about that now.

But you see that you're
ready when I get here.

Pleasant dreams to both of you.

I do hope that it don't rain.

Maybe now that we've
painted the living room,

we can think about remodeling
the kitchen next year.

Not a bad idea, if things stay as
good as they have been this year.

I guess at our age

it's a better spring pastime
to be remodeling the kitchen

than howling at the moon.

That fresh, warm air

used to make me as feisty
as it does Ben and Jim-Bob.

You thinking about that
filly in Rockfish again?

Not me.

I'm glad all the
mooning and craziness

of those years is past.

At least I keep
telling that to myself.

It's good to hear that
you're finally settling down.

It's nice to be
grown up, all right.

Young lady, I think
you dropped your pillow.

- Hi.
- Hi.

Uh, good show, huh?

It was all right.

I thought it was good.

- Yeah, but what do you know?
- I know what I like.

It was really romantic.

You're a real expert at that.

Especially at
robbing the cradle.

How about yourself, Ben?

Get smart with me!

Come on, Ben, let's go.

- All mouth and no muscle.
- Come on.

Just forget about it, okay?

One of these days I'm going to teach
him I'm not his little brother anymore!

John, I'm afraid I haven't been much
help with spring planting this year.

It's all right, Pa.

Being between government
contracts gave me the time.

Tell you the
truth, I enjoyed it.

You know, I'd much rather have
been with you, don't you know that?

How's Miss Mamie doing?

Well, she's still down
at the bottom of the well.

But I've got a plan and I
need your help this afternoon.

She going to the picnic?

Yeah, and what I need is
to get a big bunch together.

Have them all ready by
2:00. The more the merrier.

I don't know, Pa,

what with the way Ben and
Jim-Bob are going at each other.

Well, it's gonna be kind
of a surprise for them, too,

but more especially
for Miss Mamie.

Oh, I sure wish I never
give up like Miss Mamie.

I'll never see that, Pa.

You know, I believe in
growing old gracefully.

Certain age, they tell you,

"Climb up on the
shelf, you're 65.

"It's all over at 65." 65, 75...

What are they? Just
nothing but numbers.

I tell you what, Pa.

If I ever see you going
down in the dumps,

I'll just walk you on
down to Drucilla's Pond,

put a fishing pole in your hand.

A fishing pole?
That'd just suit me fine.

Fishing pole...

By george, that's it!

Well, could you tell me
which way the Walton place is?

- You like it?
- Very nice job, honey.

Well, I had some
pretty good help.

At least half the
paint job is good.

- Yeah, and I know which half.
- Yeah, my half.

All right, that's enough.

Grandpa wants us to go on a
picnic with him this afternoon

and there'll be no
bickering to spoil it.

- I can't. I have a date today.
- Me, too.

Well, you bring them
along. And that's final.

I don't think I'd better take
John Curtis. He's got the sniffles.

So I think I'll stay
home and write to Curt.

Well, we'll miss you, honey.

But the rest of us are going and
we're gonna have a nice, peaceful time.

Right?

Right.

I can't wait much longer.

I think I'm gonna
die of boredom,

surprise or no surprise.

Well, it better be something
good to liven up this bunch.

I'm sure glad I'm not in love.

I couldn't stand
to be that happy.

Jason. Look!

Is that Grandpa?

Holy cow!

- Look at that.
- I don't believe it!

- Well, look at that.
- Wow.

Looks like fun, huh?

Hey, Grandpa!

It's beautiful, Grandpa!

All aboard!

Hayride, hayride.

Come on, let's get going!

A hayride.

I knew he was up to something,
but I never guessed it was this.

One thing about your father, he
doesn't do things in small ways.

Sister! How can you
do this to Mr. Walton?

After all he's done for you

and you won't even accept his
kind invitation to go on a picnic!

Hi, ladies! All aboard!

Miss Mamie!

Miss Emily!

Mr. Walton!

Why, he's organized a
hayride just for you, Sister!

- Come on up!
- Come on!

I'm too old for such frivolity.

Put on your old gray bonnet
with the blue ribbon on it

While I hitch old
Dobbin to the shay

And through the fields of
clover we'll drive up to Dover

On our golden wedding day

Put on your old gray bonnet
with the blue ribbon on it

While I hitch old
Dobbin to the shay

And through the fields of
clover we'll drive up to Dover

On our golden wedding day

Well, here we go, girls.

May I be of
assistance, Miss Emily?

Papa taught us how to fish,

but he always baited
my hook for me.

Oh, I'll do that for you.

Miss Mamie, would
you hold my pole for me?

Please?

There we go! He's
a big one, isn't he?

Great big scrawny ones
Little tiny wiggly ones

Golly, how they
wiggle and squirm!

You're awfully quiet
today, James Robert.

Yeah, I guess so.

It was seeing Patsy
again, wasn't it?

What do you mean?

Well, at least I think we should be
honest with each other, don't you?

Sure.

Then I should tell you

I sort of got that
old feeling today.

Ben?

Me, too, with Patsy.

I still like you, James Robert.

Do you think we
should tell them?

They may not feel the same.

Don't get your line tangled.
Look out for the hook.

Here we go now. Let her rip!

Fine cast.

I've forgotten how
much fun fishing can be!

Oh, it surely is good
for what ails you.

You can sit all day and just
go fishing, not catch anything,

but if you do, it is wonderful!

Oh! Oh, my!

You got something there.

- You better take it, Mr. Walton.
- Oh, no. It's your fish.

You fetch her in!

- Oh, I can't!
- Oh, play it back and forth.

Play it back and forth
the way Papa taught you!

Oh!

Oh, are you all right?

Don't you want some help?

- No!
- Be careful!

No!

I've got him!

Oh, wow!

Wasn't that exciting!

Oh, Mamie, you're smiling again!

Oh!

This is one of the biggest
catfish I've ever seen around here.

Oh, you're a lulu.

Mamie, your feet are all wet.

Don't you want to go change?

Oh, now, really, Mr. Walton.
I'm just getting started!

Where's the bait can?

I'm getting it.

- It sure is a pretty day today.
- Beautiful.

I'm so glad you
were here with me.

I'm glad to be here.

Ben, please.

What's the matter?

Your family's here.

You mean Jim-Bob's here.

Well, I saw you looking at Ruby.

Let's forget about them, okay?

No, Ben, please.

Hey, Ben, what are you doing?

- What are you, spying on me now?
- You let go of her.

You mind your own business.
You got your own date.

Hey!

Brother!

Daddy!

Ben and Jim-Bob are fighting.

Good, maybe we can have
some peace around here.

- John!
- Okay.

Ben, stop it!

Stop it!

- Are you all right?
- I'm okay.

- Are you okay, Ben?
- Yeah, I think so.

Wow, that was some wallop.

I think I broke my
knuckles on your dumb chin.

Yeah? Let me take a look.

- No, it's okay.
- How about your chin?

I'm still talking, aren't I?

Yeah, unfortunately.

Spring that year saw
Jim-Bob come of age.

There was a new maturity
and purpose about him.

And it was the last time that
anyone ever thought of him

as Ben Walton's little brother.

By the light of the silvery moon

I want to spoon

To my honey I'll
croon love's tune

Honeymoon, keep
a-shining in June

Your silvery beams
will bring love dreams

we'll be cuddling soon
By the silvery moon

By the light of the silvery moon

I want to spoon

Are you still awake, Mary Ellen?

I'm trying to finish
my letter to Curt.

I've got a lot more
to write about now.

You can tell him that the two
sluggers are both fast asleep in here,

moaning and groaning
every time they turn over.

Okay, I'll tell him.

Quiet down up there, will you?

You tired out, too, Grandpa?

No, but I have got
to get up at sunrise.

How come?

'Cause the Baldwin ladies,
they want to go fishing again.

Good night, Grandpa.

English -SDH