The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 6, Episode 19 - The Ordeal - full transcript

Take good care
of your sister, Ben.

She's going to be
a dancer one day.

Jim-Bob.

Just where do you
think you're going?

I'm leaving, Grandpa.

May your favorite
grandpa ask why?

Elizabeth's never
gonna walk again.

It's my fault.

Scarcely a year or a season
passed on Walton's Mountain

that did not bring a test
of my parents' courage

and the strength
of our family ties.



In the spring of 1940,

the test came as
always, without warning

and from a direction
none of us expected.

You and Daddy better take it easy
or I'll be treating you for heat stroke.

Have yourself a rest, Pa.

Yeah, I think I will.

Okay... Got you on that one.

We could use some of
that beezum around here.

Grab a mallet and
wedge the other side.

None of that. You take this mallet
and put some elbow grease behind it.

But didn't you already
get a side done?

One side is like bailing
out one end of a boat, son.

If these logs start going, we'll
have a pile of them everywhere.

Okay. Come on, Jim-Bob.



Now, look who's here.

Hi!

What's going on?

Hello, Ep.

What in the dickens
have you got in there?

Well, I guess it's
some kind of a

sewing box that's been
passed on down from

Sarah's great-grandmother.

Do you fix things like this?

I guess we could do it up,
put a couple of dowels in.

Yeah? The blind side there
where you wouldn't see it.

Bring it over to the mill.
We'll see what we can do.

My daddy said, "If you
only save the pieces,

"you could put anything
back together again."

Take the Chinese people,

they'll take an egg, smash
it into a million pieces,

then put it back together

so no one would know the
difference, including the hen.

- You think that's true?
- With Grandpa, who knows?

Bet you could lift a
ton with this thing.

You're probably right.

Come on, let's try it out.

- Okay. You go up first.
- Okay.

- Okay?
- Yeah.

Do you want to know what we're
having at the store next month?

- What?
- A jamboree sale.

What's a jamboree sale?

Well, it was Mama's idea.

It's kind of like a bargain sale

and a big party all at once.

Mama says everybody'll come.

We'll sure be there.

Good. Afterwards there's
going to be a big dance

in Daddy's hall with a band

and favors and all
kinds of surprises.

- Are boys going to be there?
- I suppose.

Are you in love with anybody?

- Yeah.
- Who?

It's a secret.

I promise not to tell.

Jim-Bob.

Aimee, you're wasting your time.

All he likes are planes and
cars and Patsy Brimmer.

Oh, well. You in
love with anybody?

No, nobody special yet.
Just kind of looking around.

You know something,
it's hot out here.

Jim-Bob, you're brilliant.

Come on, let's go down to
the pond and go swimming.

Yeah, what about the log pile?

It's not going anywhere.

- That's true.
- We can do it when we get back.

I'll beat you.

Reflections get so pretty
when the waves hit each other.

- I know.
- It's like... Beat you.

You kids better scram.
We're gonna go swimming.

Well, we got here first.

Okay, then stay here.

Our clothes is going off.

You wouldn't dare.

- No?
- Big bluffers!

Let's get out of here!

You're horrible!

Well, here I go. Come on,
Jim-Bob. What's taking you?

- Come on!
- I'm coming, don't worry.

If you could be anybody,
who would you be?

I think I'd be Ginger Rogers.

You'll have to learn how to
dance better if you want to be her.

Wouldn't it be neat, though?
Dancing with Fred Astaire?

I'd rather be Jeanette MacDonald

and get chased around
the woods by Nelson Eddy.

Look, a little bird.

Do you think he's hurt?

No. I just don't
think he can fly yet.

Must've came out of the nest.

Maybe that's where he came from.

Maybe we ought to put him back.

Yeah, let me get him. Come on.

- It's okay, little bird.
- Be careful with him.

I am.

Hmm.

Sure that's his nest?

I've looked and it's the
only one around here.

I think I can reach
it from up there.

Be careful of him.

He's just shaking.

He's just shaking.

Now, stay in here this time.

Watch out!

Oh, my God!

Help! Help! Elizabeth!

Help her!

Help her. Come on!

Help Elizabeth!

Help Elizabeth!

Okay, don't move her,
we got to get her fastened.

Here, hold that.

Use this as a splint.

Be real careful.

Have to keep her back straight.

- Hold her knees. Hold on to them.
- She's still unconscious.

- Okay. Now, keep her still.
- Watch her face, Jason.

John, her legs aren't moving.

Careful! Keep her back straight.

Let's get her to the hospital.

Okay, watch where you're
going and keep her real straight.

All right, put her in my car!

Put the feet up in first.

Put the feet in.

All right, Livie.

- I got her.
- Got her?

- Watch her arm.
- Keep her back straight now.

Easy, easy, easy.

I got her.

Keep her real still now.

- Erin, take care of the baby!
- Okay.

Baby's crying.

Ben, I think I got
a fish in my ear.

We better get to that log pile or
we're gonna have Daddy in our ears.

I wonder what happened here?

I don't know.

Come on, Grandpa! Hurry up!

Now you be sure and call us
as soon as you hear anything!

Just keep your prayers a-going.

- Prayers for what?
- What's going on?

Daddy and your mama have
taken Elizabeth to the hospital.

She got hurt on the log pile.

How bad is she hurt?

There's no time to talk.
If you want to go, hop in!

Let's go!

There's not much
of this senna here.

- That's about 20 cents' worth.
- No!

That's hard to come by.

That's 50 cents.

I need some sassafras root.

There you are.

And also...
- Ginseng.
- Yes, ginseng.

And I need some goldenseal.

No, you can't have that.
I need that for myself.

I'll take that one in my sack.

I owe you $4.18 even.

I'll take it in cash.

We're having a sale
on yard goods today.

I don't need no yard goods.

Come here. Come here.

You got yellow in your eyes.

That means bile in your blood.

Flecks of gold in the
eye run in my family.

Well, it ain't a natural thing.

It's against nature.

Ada Corley,

I will buy herbs from you,

but I must ask you to refrain

from informing me what is
natural and unnatural to me.

Bile in your blood.

Mama! Mama!

It's Elizabeth. She got hurt. They
had to take her to the hospital.

- Oh, my stars!
- What happened?

Well, she was up on
the logs and she fell

and the logs fell on her.

Well, how bad is it, Aimee?

Both her legs are
broken, I guess.

Gaynor Sipes' girl
busted her ankle.

I had her walking the next day.

Ada Corley, you
are not a doctor.

Now, will you please
take your money and go!

I could've been a doctor.

I know a heap more about
curing folks with herbs

than all them doctors
and their fancy ways.

- Oh, excuse us!
- Oh! Well!

- Sorry.
- Ada Corley seems

in a worse humor than usual.

Perhaps she should
have one of her tonics.

Hello.

I'm afraid we got some
bad news for you, ladies.

Oh?

Elizabeth Walton has had a
dreadful accident and is in hospital.

Oh, dear.

It happened down near
the mill. The logs were...

Will you please
spare us the details?

It is unnerving enough to think that
that could have happened to Aimee.

Well, they're taking her down
to the hospital in Scottsville.

Do you suppose there's
something we can do, Sister?

There is always
something one can do.

We could go to the
Waltons', prepare food,

clean up, make ourselves useful.

Erin's there and

she's taking care of the baby.

And worried sick, no doubt.

Alone with a tiny infant.

Sister, we must move quickly.

Yes, at least we can help Erin.

Well, I'm sure
she'll appreciate it.

That baby's a handful.

Is there something I
can help you ladies with?

What was it we
came in for, Sister?

I haven't the slightest idea.

Come along, Sister.

Daddy?

I'm sorry about everything.

If only I'd done my job, it
never would have happened.

We'll talk about that later.

Seems like we should have heard
something from somebody by now.

We will when there's
something to say.

Pa? You all right?

Sure, John, I'm all right.

They're almost finished
with her in surgery.

She has multiple
fractures of both legs.

Mother, Dr. Jamison's the best
orthopedic surgeon in the county.

What does he say?

We haven't talked about it yet.

He'll be out as soon as the
casts are on. You can talk to him.

I feel sorry for
you two. I really do.

None of this would
have happened.

It's on your shoulders,
every bit of it!

Mary Ellen, it was an accident
and we are all to blame.

I don't believe that!

This is not the time.
There's hurt enough as it is.

Jim-Bob!

Let him go, Son. He's
bearing a heavy burden.

Elizabeth is doing fine,

considering the extent of the fractures
and the tissue damage involved.

When can we see her?

She's being moved
to her room now.

It'll be a while before she
comes out of the anesthetic.

How long before
she'll be up and about?

It's too early to tell.

There's considerable
damage to the nerves.

We never know for sure
how those are going to heal.

There's nothing
more you can tell us?

I'm sorry. Not now. Not yet.

Just don't let her
get discouraged.

How easily you say that.

Mrs. Walton, I have a
daughter about Elizabeth's age.

Why don't you all go home now?

The head nurse will
keep you informed.

No, I think we'll wait here.

I want to be with her
when she wakes up.

I would have suggested that, but
I know what you've been through.

I'll keep you informed.

John, the boys and I will
go on home, let Erin know.

Come on, boys.

I wonder where Jim-Bob went?

Over there.

You boys get on to the
truck. I'll be with you directly.

Well, Elizabeth's settled
down in her room up there.

It's time we ought to head home.

What did the doctor say?

More or less what
Mary Ellen said.

And we best go on home now
and let Erin know what's going on.

Well, you all go ahead

and I'll stay here for a while.

Lookie here, James Robert,

there's no use blaming
yourself for what happened.

I can't help it, Grandpa.

How would you feel?

About like you'd feel,
I guess. More or less.

But I'd try to
see the truth of it,

that it wasn't done on purpose.

You and Ben made a mistake,
which we all do, more or less, regularly.

Particularly me.

But it wasn't done with
any evil intent, we know that,

so you just gotta
pick up and carry on.

I don't know if I can look
Elizabeth in the face again.

Of course you can.

Time's a great healer.

This, too, will pass.

Well, come on now.

Have you heard one
word I've been saying?

This, too, will pass.

Abe Lincoln said that in the back
end of a train going to Washington.

Such a cunning child.

I do so long to hold him.

As long as he's not crying, I'd
leave him where he is, Miss Emily.

I simply don't seem to be able to
get the hang of folding these diapers.

Well, I'll help you when I
get a minute, Miss Mamie.

I fancy I would have
made a good mother.

Don't you think so, Sister?

I daresay.

Papa always said we could
accomplish anything we set our minds to.

I think John Curtis
is asleep now, Erin.

Is there anything else
you'd like me to do?

If you'd really like to help, there
are some dirty dishes in the sink.

I'd welcome it.

This rattling is almost
putting me to sleep.

Erin, Sister,

I seem to be doing
something wrong here.

That doesn't seem
to be the right shape.

It's supposed to
come out like a triangle.

But it's a rectangle, Sister.

How can a rectangle
become a triangle?

Well, it has to be folded

in such a way so that
the thickest portion

is in the place where
it's needed most.

And where is that?

Oh.

They're here.

I do hope they brought
good news of Elizabeth.

How is she?

She's doing okay.

- Miss Mamie. Miss Emily.
- Hi.

Mr. Walton, we've been so
concerned about the dear child!

Where's the rest of the family?

Olivia and John stayed
on down at the hospital,

Mary Ellen with them, of course.

It was nice of you ladies
to come and be with Erin.

I couldn't have
done it without them.

Tell us what the doctor said.

Well, it has appeared
those logs fractured

both of Elizabeth's legs.

Dr. Jamison has
them in a cast now.

Knowing Elizabeth, I predict
she'll be up dancing around

as usual before very long.

Well, that's a relief.

Not knowing what's going on,

you imagine the
most awful things.

Yes. We've all got to think of
Elizabeth as being well and healthy

and full of steam
as she usually is.

- Indeed we will.
- Oh, yes. Of course.

Erin, I seem to have
finished folding the diapers.

Is there anything else
you'd like me to do?

Well, you can just
stay at the table.

I don't know exactly
what it is we're having,

but whatever it
is, I think it's ready.

It'd be a pleasure, ladies.

I'm worried about Jim-Bob, too.

It took some self-control.

I wanted to beat the
tar out of him and Ben.

They probably would
have felt better if you had.

I couldn't then.

Too late now.

Mama, Daddy, she's
beginning to stir.

She's so pale.

It's the anesthetic, Mama.

Elizabeth?

Elizabeth?

- Mama?
- I'm here.

I'm right here with you.

Where am I?

You're in the hospital.

Your daddy's here.
Mary Ellen, too.

Hi, sweetheart.

I don't know how I got here.

I just remember

a little bird

and climbing on the log pile,

and putting the
little bird back.

What happened?

You fell and hurt your legs.

Are those mine?

How's the little bird?

He's fine.

Will I have to be in crutches?

Probably for a while.

You always wanted
to do that, remember?

When John-Boy hurt
his leg on the motorcycle?

You got pretty
good on his crutch.

I'll have two.

That's right.

That'll be neat, for a while.

You know,

you remind me of something.

Of what?

I have to be off them in
time for the Godsey's party.

Thanks for the ride, Ep.

I hope Elizabeth
gets along all right.

Thank you, Ep. Be well.

I hated leaving her there.

I know, Liv.

The family's waiting.

They're home.

Don't wake the baby.

Quiet, quiet, quiet.

- How is she?
- How is she, Mama?

We were there when she
came out of the anesthetic.

They've got her strapped in those casts,
but she seems to be holding her own.

That Dr. Jamison is in for a
surprise with that little patient.

Will she be able
to walk all right?

They're...

They're not sure...

They have to wait
and see how she heals.

I think the main thing is to be

grateful that
Elizabeth is alive.

I agree with Grandpa.
It's happened,

and blaming people isn't
gonna change anything.

We never thought anyone
would be playing on the log pile.

I'm gonna want to talk
to you about this, Son.

You and your brother.

But not now.

Now, I want you to go to bed.

Good night, Daddy.

How soon will we
be able to see her?

Visiting hours tomorrow.
She'll be looking for you.

Good night.

Good night, Son.

All kinds of terrible things
keep running through my head.

She looked so small in that bed.

So helpless.

The awful thing is, Liv, there's
nothing we can do about it.

Why don't you get some sleep.

What about you?

I can't do it.

I'm gonna make some coffee.

Jim-Bob, what're you doing?

None of your business.

You running away again?

Why don't you just
leave me alone?

We're not going to leave you alone
when you're doing a dumb thing.

I'm getting out of here. I
can't stand sleeping up here,

having nightmares, and
everybody hating me.

Why don't you just act your age?

Can't run away from your conscience,
and that's what you're trying to do.

Jim-Bob, I'm just
as guilty as you are.

Even more so. I'm older.

I'm telling you, Jim-Bob,

put those clothes back in
the drawer and go back to bed.

You think you're Daddy?

Look, Mama and Daddy got all on
their minds they can handle right now.

You do as I tell you.

I'm packed, John.

- What?
- Where are you going, Mama?

I'm gonna go and stay
with Elizabeth for a while.

You'll all have to
make do without me.

They have room for
you at the hospital?

They'll have to make it, even if
they have to put a bed in her room.

Now, Liv, don't try
to do everything.

Mary Ellen is strong and
she's got the know-how.

A child does better in the
hospital if the mother's close by.

It'll mean a lot to Elizabeth.

Now, you take some
care of yourself, you hear?

- Isn't there something we can do?
- You can all help Erin.

She's going to be running
the house while I'm gone.

Me?

You're not a kid anymore.

Well, I never said I was.
But doing everything?

The cooking, the cleaning
and taking care of the baby?

I said the boys'll help.

You all have to carry
your own share of the load.

This isn't an easy time.

That's why I want you all to
pitch in without complaining.

All right, let's go.

Jason, will you carry
my suitcase for me?

- Yes, ma'am.
- Wait a minute, Mama.

Take this to her.

It's the Nancy Drew
book she was reading.

- And tell her we miss her.
- I will.

Do say we'll all be
down to see her soon.

I'll see her this
afternoon, okay?

Don't run yourself ragged, Erin.

Give her a kiss for me.

Tell her the baby's
getting a tooth.

Tell her we'll be down
there to see her real soon.

Erin, what do you think
Elizabeth would like?

I think she'd like to be
walking to school this morning.

You're a big help.

Something's
burning on the stove.

The baby's formula!

You'd think somebody
would have sense enough

to know when
something's burning.

- You're not eating breakfast?
- I'm not hungry.

Jim-Bob, you can't starve yourself just
because you feel guilty about Elizabeth.

Leave me alone.

Jason, will you stop
by the telephone office

and tell Miss Fanny
that I won't be in till later?

I don't think she'll
be expecting you.

I'm sure Corabeth's called everybody
in town about what's happened already.

Jim -Bob go to school?

I don't know. He went out.

Think he's in bad shape.

In the middle of the night
he was fixing to run away.

Well, I'm going to stop
by the hospital after school.

Well, you tell Elizabeth
that I'll be down there

as soon as I can get
away from this house.

- I'll do that. See you later.
- Okay, bye.

What did you find, son?

It's one of Elizabeth's shoes.

Well, you're gonna
have to eat more than this

if you want to get those
legs working again.

I thought the food tasted funny.

It's not Mama's
cooking, that's for sure,

but you're still
tasting the anesthetic.

Look who's in bed
this time of morning.

Did you sleep any?

Off and on.

Can you imagine
sleeping in those things?

I woke up in the middle of the
night and I didn't know where I was.

Everybody at home sends love.

Here's a big kiss from Grandpa.

And a book from Erin.

I tried to get up
and I couldn't move.

I forgot where I was,
thought I was in a trap.

I'm gonna stay here
with you for a while.

Your mama's gonna
move in with you.

Will they let you do that?

You know your mama.

I guess Aimee's walking
to school about now.

I'm sure she's
thinking about you.

I never thought I'd
miss walking to school.

Honey, can't you feel that?

No, can't feel anything at all.

See the little sign
I have outside

for a special on laundry soap?

I made that. You like it?

It's coming along
very nicely, Aimee.

I wish everyone in the class was

putting as much care into their
projects as you and Elizabeth.

Well, Elizabeth has
nothing else to do.

Corabeth, that's Mrs. Godsey,

well, she's in Scottsville
now, visiting Elizabeth.

As a matter of fact, she brought
that Fan Tan gum that she just loves.

Aimee, I think we'd better
move this model off this counter.

- So I'm gonna have to, okay?
- Okay.

Well, there are
the Baldwin ladies.

- Hello.
- Miss Emily, Miss Mamie.

Have you met our new schoolteacher?
This is Miss Evelyn Winfield.

No, I don't believe
we have met, dear.

Well, what a pleasure.

I'm Mamie Baldwin.
This is my sister, Emily.

Our father was Judge
Randolph Baldwin.

Well, I'm very happy
to know you both.

We don't have children
in school, of course,

but we do believe in education.

- We were tutored privately.
- By Papa.

He was most
progressive in his ideas.

You would have
liked him immensely.

Miss Winfield has brought a lot
of new ideas to the school, too.

Perhaps she can help us, Sister.

We are at our wit's end
to think of something

that we can give to Elizabeth.

She enjoys books.
Perhaps Little Women.

Well, we were
thinking of a pony.

A pony?

She would really like that.

- Aimee!
- Sorry.

You're not serious.

Oh, yes. We are. Quite.

We thought it would give her
something to look forward to.

An incentive, so to
speak, to get well.

A dear little pony
waiting for her recovery.

Do you think it
would inspire her?

It would inspire me.

That settles it.
A pony it shall be.

- When?
- Aimee!

Sorry.

- Erin?
- Yeah?

I was wondering if I
could borrow some money.

Two or three dollars
until I can find me a job?

Well, I have a little bit.
What do you need it for?

I was thinking of
buying Elizabeth a gift.

Ben, you don't have
to buy her anything.

Just go see her. Be with her.

Read to her.

You don't understand.

All you have to do
is be with her, Ben.

You don't understand.

Why you sneaking around here?

I'm sorry.

You scared me.

Your mama put you
out spying on me?

No, ma'am. I was
just going to school.

You tell nobody I
get my herbs in here.

No, ma'am.

Your mama is glad
enough to buy my medicines,

but the minute I tell her how I
do my doctoring, she run me off.

Could... Do you
think... Could you cure

Elizabeth's broken legs?

No, not while she's in
the hospital I couldn't.

All they think is chemicals.

They ain't got time for nature's
way. Book crazy in there.

Book crazy, that's
what they are.

Mary Ellen's a nurse.

Growing bones
need growing things!

Out of the ground,

green, growing things!

When you get that finished, you're gonna
have a bird's-eye view of where we live.

You know what it
looks like to a bird.

Remember the time that

airmail pilot
landed in the field

and took you up for a ride?

That's right.

I remember that.

Him flying around up there
and you waving down to us.

I could hardly
believe it was you.

I could hardly believe
it was me, either.

You all looked about that big.

I suppose one day Jim-Bob
wants to fly over the farm.

He sure enough aims to.

Mama,

why doesn't Jim-Bob
come to see me?

I think he's ashamed.

He feels responsible
for what happened to you.

That's just silly.
You tell him that.

I mean, everyone else
has come to see me but him.

He has to figure
that out for himself.

- Did you see what Ben brought me today?
- Uh-uh.

It's a dollar.

I think it was his last one.

I kind of hate to
ask Thelma for a job.

Why? That's the way I got mine.

You're a musician.
It's different.

Look, you say you need money.

The only way you're
going to get it is by working.

If you're going to be choosey about
what you want to do, that's your business.

Might as well call the White
House and ask to be president.

You know, you can really
be mean if you put a mind to it.

You make me sore sometimes.
Always have to be Mr. Big!

Come on.

This old thing. I don't think
these girls would suit anything.

Oops.

- Hey, Thelma?
- Yeah? Huh? Oh, hi!

- Hello there.
- Brought Ben with me.

Yeah, so I see.
How are you, Ben?

Just fine. Can I talk
to you for a minute?

Why, sure.

Say, how's your sister? I was so
sorry to hear about Elizabeth, isn't it?

Well, yes. She's doing
much better thank you.

I'm so happy to hear that.

Now, what can I do for you?

Well, I was wondering if
you had a job that was open.

Something like a night manager.

Night manager. Well, don't
you know, I'm the night manager.

Of course, I'm the
day manager, too.

Let's see here,

what kind of job could
we get for you here?

How about a clean-up man?
We need someone to clean up.

It pays 50 cents an hour.

I'll take it.

Thought you might.

Okay, you got yourself a job.

Thank you.

Now, let's see, you can start by
cleaning up this mess around here

and picking up
the butts over there.

- I'm mighty glad to see you.
- What's going on here?

Dr. Jamison says she's
through with traction.

That's a good sign, huh?

He says the breaks are healing

and he wants her to lie flat
to bring up the circulation.

- Things are looking up.
- I hope so.

He doesn't say exactly.

- Hi, Daddy.
- Hi, honey.

You can come in now.

Look at me, Daddy. No ropes!

Look at that!

They're about to let you go.

Pretty soon, I hope.

It must be nice to have your
head higher than your feet.

At least I don't have to
look at them all the time.

- This pretty little thing here?
- Where?

- This toe. I'm wiggling it.
- Can't you feel it?

- No, I can't feel that at all.
- How about this one?

Nothing there, either.

Will I be able to
feel my toes again?

When the nerves grow together.

It's like cutting the
electric wires in a house.

No lights until the
wires are connected.

Doc says the bones
are healing good.

Nerves take a lot longer.

Will I be able to walk again?

Of course you will.

And run and dance and play.

Daddy,

look what I'm making for
school. Bring it over here.

Well, look at this.

This is quite a job, honey.

Mama, I have to tell you.

The doctor isn't at all sure that
Elizabeth is going to walk again.

Well, if he isn't,
then we have to be.

I don't want anyone to say
anything to that child like that.

Well, it's a question of when
we tell her she might not.

Mary Ellen, you know how
I feel about these things.

There's a power far
greater than Dr. Jamison

who decides the
course of our lives.

Can't argue with that.

Liv, now just look what this
young lady has been doing.

I've been watching it grow.

That goes back there.

- Yeah.
- And don't knock over Bluey.

- Myrtle's over.
- Come on now, be careful.

Does Elizabeth Walton live here?

I brought you some flowers.

They're real nice, Ben.

Will somebody feed John Curtis?

The bottle's on the stove.

Well, I'll be glad to please myself
with such a pleasant occupation.

Which kettle would
the bottle be in?

You're blocking traffic, Pa.

Grandpa, wait. Let
me get it for you.

No, no.

Be right there. Grab it.

It's hot. Watch out.

I didn't know if that was
supper or the laundry.

Here I come.

I don't know how Mama does it.

Whenever I try to get
supper, everything falls apart.

She's had more
experience than you, honey.

I'll sure be glad when she
and Elizabeth can come home.

I reckon we all will.

Jim-Bob.

We're going to be sitting
down in a minute, son.

I'm not eating with the family.

Come on, Jim-Bob.

We got few enough
at the table as it is.

You're going to have to change
your ways, Son, and right quick.

If I eat down here,
I get picked on.

You've been feeling sorry for
yourself ever since the accident,

and we've had enough of it.

I don't feel sorry for myself.

I'm just tired of everybody
looking at me like I was a criminal.

Well, sit down and no one
will look at you, all right?

You know, it seems to me

you're thinking a lot more about
yourself than you are about Elizabeth.

Everybody else has been down
to the hospital to visit her but you.

Couldn't stand to see
her with her legs broken.

You see, you're
thinking of yourself again.

She's been asking about you.

Wondering why you
haven't come to see her.

Jim-Bob's weird.

Some of the things you've
been doing are worse, Ben.

I haven't done anything.

Giving her money.
Buying her flowers.

It's like you're trying
to buy her forgiveness.

That's not what
I'm trying to do.

Buying her things to
please her, make her happy.

She liked those
flowers, didn't she?

While you been bickering here,

little Johnny has
expressed his disapproval

by swallowing down
every drop of his milk.

- Mr. Walton?
- Miss Winfield.

Why don't you come in?

Can we offer you some supper?

Thank you, but I only
stopped by to leave some clay

and construction paper for
Elizabeth's school project.

I'm sure someone from
your family will be seeing her.

Someone goes by every day, yeah.

I'll... I'll take it to her.

- Bye, Miss Winfield.
- Thank you.

I'll see her tonight.

Ike? Corabeth?

I thought I heard the door.

We were having
a little late supper

because I went to visit
Elizabeth this afternoon.

That's where I'm going now.

Thought I'd pick up
something to take her.

It was almost more
than I can bear,

to see that poor child
lying there in the hospital.

It was pretty bad, I guess.

You would like to
give her something.

Well, she was always very
fond of chocolate-covered cherry.

I'll take a box of those.

How fortunate we are to be able
to rise from our beds in the morning.

Thanks, Corabeth.

Jim-Bob!

Grandpa, I don't
know if I can go.

Nonsense. See your own sister?

It'll do her a world of good.
She'll expect to see you.

Come on, get in.

Them hospital hours are over
at 8:30 and that bunch there,

they won't let you
stay a minute longer.

- I drive, Grandpa?
- Yes, drive carefully.

Oh, you got some
cherry chocolates.

I wish you'd gotten
me one extra.

One thing for sure.

When I go home, I'm going to
know how to play Chinese checkers.

You may just be
the world's champion.

I think you have to be Chinese.

There you are.

- Grandpa!
- Elizabeth.

Every time I see you, you
look prettier and spunkier.

I know a girl who
misses her grandpa.

Grandpa, the reason I like you to
visit me is 'cause you smell like home.

Do I, now?

Well, I didn't bring Myrtle with
me, but look what I did bring.

Jim-Bob!

Well, don't just stand in
the doorway. Come on in.

Hi, Elizabeth. How do you feel?

You can tell she feels better

particularly since she
got her legs out of the air

and free from those
pulleys and ropes.

I was getting so mad at you.

All this time I've been in the hospital
and you've never even came to see me.

Elizabeth, I'm sorry
about your accident.

I didn't mean for
anything to happen.

I just...

Here.

Jim-Bob, come
back here. Jim-Bob.

That boy just can't get
over blaming himself.

I've never seen
him like that before.

Grandpa, I want
you to talk to that boy.

I have such strange brothers.

Did you see what Ben brought me?

Ben must've bought out half the flower
shops between Lynchburg and Schuyler.

Elizabeth, tell
Grandpa the good news.

In the morning, Dr. Jamison's
gonna take off my casts

and X-ray my legs and I
just might be able to go home.

Why, that is the best
news I have ever heard.

Any word from Dr. Jamison?

Nothing. She's been
gone over an hour.

Those X-rays take time, I guess.

You cold, Liv?

Just trying to hold myself
together, keep from shaking.

You haven't heard
from Mary Ellen?

Not a word.

I wish I knew what was going on.

They're probably just
being extra careful.

Hi, Daddy.

What's the word, honey?

Elizabeth's going home.

You're not smiling.

Mary Ellen?

John. Olivia.

Well, we took her cast
off and X-rayed everything.

And...

The fractures are healing
better than we expected.

It's not all good news.

The nerves still haven't joined.

Without the nerves, there's
nothing to make the muscles work.

You telling us she
won't walk again?

I've done all I can.

From here on, it's up to
you and John and the family.

And to Elizabeth herself.

You tell us what to do.

Give her all your faith
and encouragement.

Make her keep
believing and trying.

It's going to be a
hard road for the child,

but she must never
lose her determination.

We understand that.

You both should be
prepared for what we've done.

Your child in braces
is not a pretty sight,

but it's the next step.

She'll be able to
get herself around.

When she's used to them,

help her as little as possible.

Mama. Daddy.

Hi, Grandpa.

Erin, can I give you
a hand with that?

I think I can manage, Grandpa.

You're getting
strong as a horse.

Thanks, Jason. That's
what I've always wanted.

Hey, everybody, gather
around! I got some great news!

Your mama called
from the hospital

and Elizabeth is coming home!

That's wonderful!

Hear that, Jim-Bob?
Your sister's coming home!

Why we changing the
sheets? They're not dirty.

We're not putting Elizabeth
into a bed without clean sheets!

I changed them a while back.

Grandpa, where are
you gonna be sleeping?

You boys will be
pleasantly surprised to know

I intend to take up
residence in your room.

Grandpa, there's only
three beds in there.

We'll shove the
beds all together.

Sleep in my bed. I'm
moving out to the shed.

What?

I said I'm moving
out to the shed.

I'm not part of this
family anymore.

Well.

Here they come!

Come on, everybody!
Elizabeth's back!

Welcome home!

- Oh, I'm so glad you're back.
- All right. Watch out. Clear out.

Olivia, we all know the dreadful
ordeal which you've been through.

Poor child.

Elizabeth is holding
up just fine, Corabeth.

And now that she's
home, she'll do even better.

We got our little girl home!

It's time to massage your legs.

Come on, let's turn you over.

You been having yourself a cry?

I get so mad.

I can't do anything alone.

It's like I'm half a person!

This half alive,

and that half just
dragging along.

Will my legs ever be alive?

Of course they will.

You just never let it out of your
mind that they're going to work again.

They're going to be
strong and healthy.

Is that what the doctor says?

That's what I say.

What does Dr. Jamison say?

He doesn't know.

You do?

Dr. Jamison says it's up to you,

and I know you a whole
lot better than he does.

May we say goodnight
to Your Highness?

Come in.

It sure is nice to have you
back home again, squirt.

I think everyone
should go to the hospital

so they know how nice it
is coming back to home.

Pleasant dreams,
little princess.

Are you sure one of your
ladies-in-waiting hasn't put

a bean in your bed?

Why a bean?

Well, in the olden
days, that's the way

they used to tell whether a
princess was real or not, you know?

Someone put a bean or a
pea under their mattress,

and if she woke up
all black and blue,

they'd know she was tender
enough to be the genuine article.

Grandpa!

See, he hasn't changed a bit.

I've got to get to work.
I'll see you in the morning.

I wish sometime I can
come and hear you play.

We'll walk down there
together sometime.

Just you and me.

Good night.

Where's Jim-Bob?

Sitting in the shed
like a bear in a cave.

Come in.

You're being mighty
unsociable these days.

I don't go where I'm not wanted.

You're wanted right
now in your sister's room.

Why don't you go in
and say good night?

I came to say good night.

Good night, Jim-Bob.

That was the worst
"good night" I ever heard.

Sorry, Grandpa.

- Good night, Livie.
- Night, Grandpa.

- Good night, Grandpa.
- Come here.

Elizabeth? I got you something.

- More flowers?
- No. Open it.

Perfume?

No, it's cologne. From the
Fashion Center in Charlottesville.

It's from France. Go
ahead and smell it.

Thank you.

Ben, where you getting
the money for all this?

I got me a job. That's
where I'm going right now.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Ben,

don't you think
there's a better way

of letting your sister know
that you care about her?

Well, she liked the cologne.

I'm sure she did.

But all you're doing is
trying to ease your guilt.

Don't you know that all
expensive presents say

is that you got the
money to pay for them?

Is that what you're
trying to tell her?

Of course not.

I didn't think so.

If you really want to tell her that you
love her and that you care about her,

why don't you spend
some time with her?

Give her something of yourself.

Play some games with her.

That would mean far more to her than
all those presents you've been giving her.

Can't do that, Mama.

I have to go to work.

What is this new job?

I'm working as the janitor
at the Dew Drop Inn.

Now I've got two sons
working nights in a saloon.

Come on, girls!

Time to get to church!

Coming!

Daddy, how do I look?

My little girl's a pretty one.

I told you she's gonna be
our little old beauty queen.

- Will you help me?
- Sure, honey.

Come on.

I got you.

Here you go.

Now come on, girls.
Let's get on to church.

How am I doing, Daddy?

You're doing fine, honey.

Thanks.

Sounds like Jim-Bob's car.

Grandpa!

Grandpa!

He's gonna do that all night.

What's wrong?

- You were snoring.
- I never snore.

Forgive me.

Jason, what are we gonna do?

Forget it.

Can you sleep in
those things all right?

I don't have to.

Mama takes them
off before I go to bed.

So they don't bother you?

Well, it's kind of
hard to roll over.

Have to use my hands.

Don't you think you could walk?
I mean, if you tried really hard?

Not even one step?

Well, it's hard to explain.

It's like

my legs aren't even mine.

Like they're not there.

Doctor didn't do much.

Well,

he put the bones together.

What's the use of together
bones if you can't even walk?

I bet Ada Corley could fix you.

She's not a doctor.

She cured Gaynor Sipes'
daughter of a broken foot.

I'm scared of her.

Jim-Bob,

is that you under there?

Who do you think it is?

No.

- Kick him.
- Better not.

Elizabeth?

Hey, there you are.

I've been looking all
over for you young ladies.

Elizabeth, your
Grandpa thinks that

a dip in the hot springs
might do you some good.

President Roosevelt goes down
to the Warm Springs, Georgia

to soak his limbs that
got injured by polio.

What's good for the President
ought to be good for you.

President Roosevelt?

We'll take the truck, Daddy.

Mama will be right out.

Aimee, you, Grandpa
and I can sit in the back.

And Elizabeth, you and Mama
and Daddy can sit in the front.

Let's go.

Bet that feels good.

It's like a big bathtub.

Try to bend your knees a
little. Pretend you're swimming.

Feels like they're
not even there.

Her skin's starting to
show some red marks.

Think maybe it's
too hot for her?

Well, it's not burning us.

That could be a
good sign, you know.

Gets all the little red
corpuscles a-working,

might just feel alive,
doesn't it? The skin?

Got all those nerves on edge.

Scat. There's a bee.

I hit him, watch out, Mama.

Get out there. Look out there.

Get out!

Don't do that,
Elizabeth, it'll sting you.

I think she already has.

Yeah, there's a stinger.

Get some mud and we'll rub
it on, take the stinging away.

- Does it hurt, Elizabeth?
- No.

This is one time I wish it did.

Come on, Aimee. Whoops!

- All right, Jason. Thanks.
- Good catch.

All right, here you go. Ready?

Come on.

Keep your eye on the ball now.

Here we go.

- Yay!
- Good catch.

We're gonna burn it in here.

Here we go.

Don't let Livie see you do that.

Well, now, what do we got here?

There's a horse trailer too.

And the Baldwin sisters.

Boy, are you going to
be surprised, Elizabeth.

My, what a pretty one.

- Jason, help me down the stairs.
- Mamie, Miss Emily, what are you up to?

We brought Elizabeth a pony.

To give her something
to look forward to.

An incentive to
walk and ride again.

This is George Lister, who
cared for all of Papa's horses.

He's mine? Really mine?

I'll ride him and keep him
exercised till you can ride.

Go ahead, honey.

Show Elizabeth
how she will do it.

Her name is Judy.

Come on, Judy.

George went over to
the coast and found her.

She came from Assateague
Island off the Virginia shore.

I never thought I'd
ever have my own pony.

Isn't she beautiful?

Elizabeth, I got a great idea.

I'll show you later, okay?

Watch out, Reckless.

Bet she can take us
all the way to Rockfish.

She's got two white
socks and two white boots.

Mama! Daddy!
Everybody come here!

The cart just fits Judy.

Looks like we got the
cart before the pony.

Won't be needing
these till we get back.

Looks pretty good, doesn't it?

Yeah. Is this your great idea?

Yeah. Elizabeth's going
to have so much fun!

You know, Ben,

this means more to Elizabeth than
all the presents you could ever buy her.

Understand what I was
trying to tell you before?

I do now.

You girls ready?

- Yeah.
- Okay. Get down, Reckless.

Let's go!

Mr. Godsey?

- Mr. Godsey?
- Right here, honey.

Mr. Godsey, where
is your motorcycle?

That fool thing
broke down again.

Down by the bridge.

Mr. Godsey, have you forgotten
the purpose of your visit?

You were to pick up Aimee.

Aimee's gonna spend
the night with Elizabeth.

It's okay.

She asked and I
said it was all right.

Besides, Elizabeth
needs the company.

I wish it had been
another night.

Why another night?

'Cause I don't like this one.

Listen, do you want to
be a cripple all your life?

Well, no.

Then you ought to
go see Ada Corley.

I'd be afraid to.

She cured Gaynor
Sipes' daughter.

- How would we get there?
- In the pony cart.

They wouldn't let us.

We'll sneak out. Okay?

Okay.

I'll go get dressed.

- Ow, you're hurting me.
- Shh.

- It hurts.
- Okay.

- Elizabeth, get down.
- Okay.

Careful.

Okay.

- When I tell you...
- Shh.

- Just the way when I tell you.
- Okay.

- Help me get my braces over this...
- Okay, okay.

Okay. Okay.

Okay.

This ought to cover you.
This ought to keep you warm.

Okay.

Okay.

Ready?

Come on.

Okay, come on. Come on. Come on.

Come on.

She's right out in front.

I don't want to go over there.

We can't go back now.

Let's go home.

- She won't hurt us.
- How do you know?

Well, Mama says that you
can't judge a book by its cover

and that looks are deceiving.

Quick, let's go home.

- I'm not afraid of her.
- Well, I am. Hurry, let's go.

She might be able to
help. Isn't it worth trying?

What do you want here?

Well, she needs doctoring.

You cured Gaynor
Sipes' daughter.

What's wrong with her?

Well, she was in an
accident. She can't walk.

The Walton girl.

We wondered if you could help.

You got any money?

Well, we didn't
think about that.

Well, I don't do
my curing for free.

Well, how much would it cost?

I usually accept

whatever people offer.

Well,

if you can help,

I've got three dollars
in the bank at home.

I'll bring it over for you.

I don't like promises.

Aimee, let's go home.

If you promise to
bring it back here,

then I'll do what I can.

What'll you do?

First, we're gonna
get rid of them things.

Come on to the house.

What do you want to do?

Do you really
think she can help?

I don't know.

Well,

I suppose she can't hurt my
legs any more than they are.

Ike!

Ike!

It's John Walton! Ike!

- John, what is it?
- Are Aimee and Elizabeth here?

Well, no. Aimee's spending
the night at your house.

Get your clothes,
Ike. The girls are gone.

But how can Elizabeth...

Now what dreadful
thing has happened?

The girls are gone
from the Waltons'.

The pony and the
cart are gone, too.

The only possible thing that could
have happened would have been they'd...

They'd go into Ada Corley's.

Aimee heard her
talking about her cures.

Just wait while I change my
clothes. I'll be right with you.

No.

Yeah, it's little
wonder you can't walk,

legs in these clamps,

no blood flowing.

It's against nature.

Oh, I'd like to cut
off that leather.

Cut off those strings.

Throw that away and
you'll never see that again.

Nothing wrong with them bones.

They're as sound as hickory.

The doctor said
it was the nerves.

Buzzard croaking!

Fetch me that crock yonder.

What is that stuff?

It's my own recipe.

It's roots and herbs

and spiny-vine juices.

It's medicines them book
doctors never hear of.

All right now.

Walk.

You can walk.

You can walk now.

Come on.

Come on.

Gonna walk now.

You gonna walk now.

You can walk.

You can walk now.
Walk. That's right.

You gonna walk now. Oh, no! No!

Walk!

I can't!

You can walk!

You just don't want to.

She can't walk! She's
telling you the truth!

You got the medicine
and you got the bones.

Only reason you ain't walking
is because you think you can't!

I can't!

In your brain, you're a cripple!

They poisoned your mind!

I want you to get up
off that floor and walk!

- I can't!
- You can! Yes, you can.

- Please!
- No! No, don't take her!

Please, don't take her.
I can make her walk.

- All right.
- They got her thinking she can't walk,

but she can!

If you'd just leave her.

No!

Well, at least there's
nothing broken.

Both legs are fine.

Thank heavens.

What on Earth possessed you two

to go to Ada Corley's in
the middle of the night?

She cured other people.

What did she do to you, honey?

She rubbed my legs
with this green stuff.

Elizabeth could have
been injured for life.

Think she'll walk again?

I'm praying every minute.

- All right. Who wants it?
- Come on.

- Me.
- Okay.

Kick it!

Let me get it. Just...

Just wait. I'll get it.

Just... Don't...

I'll get it. Just wait.

- Swing me higher.
- That's high enough.

Ben, will you come give
your grandpa a hand here?

Okay.

- Hey, are you coming back?
- I'll be back in a second.

That's more than good news.

There was no question. I was
standing just a few feet from her.

I saw her take a step
without her crutches.

Maybe even two.

Elizabeth.

Elizabeth, walk to me.

Come on. You can do it.

Come on, Elizabeth. Walk to me.

Come on, you can do it.

Walk to me.

She did it! She did it!

Mama! Daddy! She did it!

Grandpa!

Elizabeth. Oh, Elizabeth!

She did it! She did it!

By the fall of that year,

my sister was entirely free
of the braces on her legs

and was able once
again to take part

in the active life
of the mountain.

Everybody asleep?

Not now.

I was wondering something.

Let's hear it, Jim-Bob.

What is time?

Well, while I had my braces
on, that was a long time.

The jamboree party
at the Godsey's,

that was a high old time.

Full moon in June,
that's a-courting time.

What is time? It's
not in the clock.

It's time to go to sleep, Son.

Good night, everybody.