The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 7, Episode 1 - The Empty Nest - full transcript

You know, I sure thought
I'd stop missing Pa by now,

but I feel awful empty inside.

He wouldn't want
us to grieve too long.

I could use his advice tonight.

I'm at a crossroads, Liv.

There's all kinds of
opportunities out there

for a man who's not
afraid to take them.

I've got to do it now or
stop trying once and for all.

You know what
Grandpa would tell you.

He'd tell you to get on with
it, go do what you have to do.

Even if it meant
leaving the mountain?



For as long as any
of us could remember,

our house had stood in the
shadow of Walton's Mountain.

We counted time by its seasons,

growing up and growing old,

and even those of us who
went away never really left it.

It was a fitting place for
my grandfather to be buried.

And in the six
months since his death

we had learned to
live with our grief.

We never looked up at the
mountain without feeling his strength.

We were to need it.

The year was 1941

and there was a
tension in the air

that threatened
to pull us apart.

Pa took care of these tools.



He had real respect for them.

They haven't been used
since he last put them away.

It's gonna take a good man to
measure up to this set of tools.

What's that on your lip?

I'm growing a moustache.

Thought maybe it was
milk left over from breakfast.

Well, it's coming a little
thicker, like Grandpa's was.

Get a little respect
around here.

It wasn't Pa's moustache
that got him respect, Son.

It was what was going on
inside that counted with him.

And you know Pa made very
few mistakes working with wood.

Those cuts you made
yesterday are five-eighths short.

I'm sorry, Daddy.

It was late when I measured them
and I've been working extra hard since...

Well, we're kind of
short-handed these days.

I'm as tired as you are,
Son. Go do them over.

Is everything all right, Daddy?

You seem a little
sharp-edged lately.

Don't worry, Son.

We'll be all right.

Sure.

I'd like to resign
from this kitchen,

walk out and never come back.

I'm going to marry a rich man
and have a maid do things like this.

That's what Mary
Ellen used to say.

You'll change your mind soon enough
if you fall in love with a poor man.

Mom, has the phone rung yet?

It's still early, Erin.

I've got to get that job,
and the floor is all wet.

I hate this icebox.

Why don't we get
an electric one?

Costs too much.

We can afford it. Daddy has more
work now than I can ever remember.

Elizabeth, you're
getting me all wet.

Either help clean up
or get out of the way.

Listen, smarty pants, you're
the one that never helps

when we clean up our room.

My side's always clean.

That's because you shove
everything underneath the bed.

All right, that's enough.

Elizabeth, go up and get your
books. You'll be late for school.

Erin, you can finish mopping up.

- Good morning.
- Good morning, young lady.

Something I can do for you?

Oh, yes, you can.

Tell me, is this
the Walton place?

Yes, it is.

Are you a Walton?

I'm Olivia Walton.

They tell me that John Walton

has one of the biggest
lumber operations around here.

Well, I'm looking for him.

His mill is through those
trees. He's working there now.

Thank you, Olivia Walton.

Boy, have you ever seen
anything like that convertible?

How come you're not dressed?

Oh, I have a sore throat.
What's for breakfast?

I suspect the only thing wrong with
you is you haven't done your homework.

Well, I did forget to bring
my algebra book home.

Mmm-hmm. There's
cereal on the table.

Go get ready for school,
eat your breakfast and go.

- Hi, Mama.
- What'd you do with John Curtis?

Oh, he woke up cranky this morning,
so Grandma's giving him his bottle.

Was that the telephone?

You've got bells
in your ears, Erin.

You still haven't heard from
Pringle Freight and Storage?

No. I know Mr. Pringle liked me.

And I have all
the qualifications,

typing, shorthand and I
can answer the switchboard.

Can you sit in his lap?

Very funny, Mary Ellen.

Mom, I've been thinking. If Erin
does get that job in Charlottesville,

and I'm going to be
going to school there, too,

maybe we should start
looking for our own apartment.

I'd have my own room.

And I wouldn't have to
put up with you anymore.

Come on, Elizabeth. I'll
give you a ride to school.

I'm not letting strangers
look after John Curtis.

Well, it might be good for
us to try living on our own.

There's plenty of room for you here.
It doesn't make sense you moving out.

I'll see you at supper, Mama.

Come on, Elizabeth.

Well, if you're looking for lumber,
you've come to the right place.

I'm glad of it. I drove all
the way up from Richmond

and I don't have
time to shop around.

- So you're a contractor?
- Uh-huh.

From the size of this order,
you must be building a hotel.

No, my company builds barracks
and other defense projects.

This is a lot of wood
here, Mr. Sarver.

I could fill part of
this order for you.

I didn't think this looked
like much of an operation.

Sorry, I don't deal small-time.

These two-by-fours, I could
have them to you in under a week.

With all the timber
in these mountains,

it's a shame you got nothing
but two-bit operators to mill it.

We may be small
Mr. Sarver, we do good work.

We've been around
here a long time.

The times are
changing, my friend.

In the next few years, this country
is going to be fighting for its life.

It's going to take work,
resources and big men with guts.

I need more than two-by-fours.

And if you can't supply it,

I'll find a man who can.

Who's the big shot?

Nobody you'd want to know.

Hello.

Yes, this is she.

Really? Oh,
Mr. Pringle, thank you!

Yes. I'll be there
tomorrow morning.

I got it, Mama! I got it!

It's my first job as
a real secretary!

- Did you hear, Daddy? I got it.
- Sure did, honey. Congratulations.

I've got to go rinse out my
pink blouse for tomorrow.

That's nice.

I'm taking a ride over
to Ike's, you want to go?

I was planning to do the carpet.

Okay.

Something wrong?

You want to go or don't you?

Yeah, let's take a walk.

We're going over to Ike's, Ma.

Anything you need?

No. No.

She sure takes good care of
those plants Pa started, doesn't she?

They ought to be up
there on the mountain

alongside of those young
trees Grandpa was planting.

It's fitting he went that
way, planting seedlings.

Paying nature back for
what we took from her.

That was a fine-looking
gentleman that called this morning.

Matt Sarver didn't get where
he is by being a gentleman.

A couple of years
ago he was a plumber.

Now he's making a fortune doing
cost-plus contracts for the government.

Must be real money in
government contracts.

Not for me there isn't.

He offered me a deal,
I had to turn him down.

We're not big enough.

I can remember when there wasn't
enough work to feed the family.

I don't know, maybe I'm
doing something wrong.

Look at a man like Sarver,
making money hand over fist.

We're having trouble keeping
our heads above water.

I don't know whether it's
luck or something else.

Grandma was in the hospital a
long time. The bills mount up fast.

I just wish Pa would have told us he
was going to borrow money from the bank

to pay the bills.

Is the bank pushing you?

No, but if we fall too far behind
they're gonna make us sell.

What have we got
that's worth anything?

We got the mountain.

Mr. Godsey objected to me
moving the pool table, of course.

Oh, but you were
right to insist, Corabeth.

Why, a tea room is no
place for a pool table.

Papa and Ashley
played billiards,

but neither of them
was fond of tea.

Of course, what Mr. Godsey
does not understand

is that there are people
around here simply

starving for a little
charm and good taste.

Isn't this delightful, Sister?

A tea room right in
Walton's Mountain?

Oh, nothing
pretentious, of course.

Small and intimate, two
or three tables at the most,

some flowered
chintz, a few fern.

And, oh, of course my china tea
service I brought with me from Doe Hill.

Well, we will be
your first customers.

Isn't that so, Sister?

And your last.

How kind.

Of course, I expect
that as word spreads,

I will draw a rather large clientele
from Charlottesville and Rockfish.

"Ye Cozy Tea Shoppe."

An oasis for the genteel

of Jefferson County.

Oh, my.

Ike?

Hello, John, Olivia. You'll
have to excuse this place,

it's so cluttered. There's so much
stuff around here, I can hardly move.

But there's a lot of new
stuff coming on the market

and Corabeth, well, she's got
to stock every piece, you know.

Is this what I think it is?

A coconut. Give you
a good price on it.

Amazing how something so
strange-looking can taste so good.

I think I'm going to go
sample some of those bottles

on Corabeth's perfume counter.

That's what you need around
here, Ike, a perfume counter.

Yeah, worse than that,
she's taken my pool table

and she's turned
it into a buffet

where she can serve tea
and cookies in the back room.

At least you'll
keep the riff-raff out.

I've come here to measure
those shelves you wanted, Ike.

Oh, yeah. Right over here, John.

I don't know exactly what I
want, but you can take a look at it.

A dab of that, Olivia,

and you'll be transported
on a cloud of fragrance.

That's exactly
what I'm looking for.

"Breath of Bathsheba."

Dare I, Sister?

Oh, I think that Corabeth
and Olivia will keep your secret.

Olivia, this came in the morning
mail, it's from St. Louis, Missouri.

I don't think I know
anyone in St. Louis.

You ladies smell good enough
to chase around the store.

Oh, Sister, I do hope
we get home unmolested.

It's from Patsy Brimmer.

Oh, she sent me
Flossie Brimmer's ring.

The cameo, the one
that was her favorite.

Flossie Brimmer.

God rest her soul.

"Dear Mrs. Walton,

"Aunt Flo loved Walton's
Mountain and all her friends there.

"I know she would want
you to have this ring.

"Please wear it
and think of her.

"Love, Patsy Brimmer."

There was never a truer friend.

Flossie Brimmer.

Zeb Walton.

Hard to believe.

The boarding house looks
so lonely all boarded up.

I never think of Zebulon
without a little sigh.

A sense of loss is the price
one pays for good neighbors.

Elizabeth, how long is it going
to be before you turn off the light?

When I finish this chapter.

How many more pages?

Mama, how am I supposed to get to sleep
when Elizabeth has the light on all night?

You don't usually
turn in this early.

I need to be fresh for
my first day on the job.

You don't need to tuck me in.

Is there any law against
just saying good night?

You know what next
Saturday is going to be?

Sure do. It's
Grandpa's birthday.

We used to go up on to
the mountain and celebrate.

He'd always take us on walks

and tell us the names of
the wildflowers and plants.

You girls have been up
there for so many birthdays,

you must know all
their names by heart.

There's the mountain laurel.

- Rhododendrons.
- Trailing arbutus.

- Rosebay.
- Rhododendrons.

I already said that.

Violets.

Lupines.

Forget-me-nots.

You planning to work all night?

Liv, I got some
heavy thinking to do.

Why don't you go
on to bed without me?

I could do that.

Trouble is, I wouldn't
be able to sleep.

You can add those things
up over and over again.

It's still going to
come out the same.

I know.

I know there's enough
profit in this Sarver order

to make a dent in what we owe.

Why are you letting
that man trouble you so?

Because he makes me think of
what I might have been by now.

You know, I wouldn't mind being
rich, driving a fancy car like him,

being able to buy you a fur coat

or send the kids off to
college without worrying.

Besides, I'm tired
of overdue bills.

I'm tired of being poor.

I keep wondering, what
would have made a difference?

You could have married a brunette
and had 12 children instead of seven.

You know, Liv, I keep thinking,

this just might be
my last opportunity.

I got a notion
to fill that order.

You counting on
some kind of miracle?

No, but

there's plenty of lumber in
these mountains, like Sarver says,

and a lot of two-bit
operators like me.

I have a notion to
get it all together

and deliver it to Richmond
the day he wants it.

You'll have to borrow some
more money from the bank.

I could take care of that
first thing in the morning.

Banks want interest,
not paid-up loans.

I could make a down payment
on the lumber and pay it off later.

I know I'd be risking more debt,

but a man's got to take a
chance once in his life, Liv.

I mean, there's
opportunities out there

and I feel like I gotta take hold
of it before it vanishes into thin air.

These bills aren't
going to vanish.

Besides, I'm tired
of being two-bit.

Don't set places for
John and Ben, Grandma.

They were up and gone
with the sun this morning.

Erin and I won't have
time for breakfast, either.

We want to get an early start.

Oh, would you, Grandma?

Thank you.

Where's Daddy off to so early?

He and Ben have gone off to talk to
some mill operators about business.

I think your Daddy took Ben along
mostly to keep him out of trouble.

Ben sure has been
down on himself lately.

He claims every time he walks
past a door, the knob falls off.

From what your daddy says,
there's some truth to that.

Put these on the
table, will you?

How's Grandma's boy
this morning? Hmm?

Grandma,

I've been thinking.

Grandpa's birthday's
coming up soon.

I was wondering if you'd like to
celebrate it the way we always did.

Go up on the mountain,
get some fresh air together?

No.

You haven't been up to the grave
since the day he was buried, Grandma.

It might do you some good.

No, no, no.

Sorry, I didn't
mean to upset you.

Business before pleasure, Son.

Hi, Daddy. I, uh... I
thought I knew her.

You stick with me, you'll be able
to take girls like that to Europe!

Well, did you get the loan?

Sure did, we're
ready to do business.

Well, that's great.

Had to put you and Jim-Bob up
for collateral. I hope you don't mind.

I bet you didn't get
as much for Jim-Bob.

ZULElKA: Yoo-hoo!

Yoo-hoo, Jason!

Jason!

Jason Walton.

Well, you got time to
say hello to an old friend?

Good to see you back
in town, Mrs. Dunbar.

Oh, Zuleika to you, Jason.

Zuleika.

Is the boarding
house open again?

Oh, I thought everybody
would have heard by now.

I've bought it.
Isn't that a hoot?

Well, I can't think of
anybody more natural for it.

You're gonna have people lined
up down the block waiting for rooms.

That's very kind of you.

And I certainly hope so.

Not too soon, however.

There's a lot of remodeling
to be done, you know.

I've got to paint that
house up and down.

And all those kitchen
appliances have to be replaced.

Glad to have you in the
neighborhood, Zuleika.

You'll really
brighten things up.

Well,

aren't you the
sweet-talking boy?

How's it going, Joe?

Well, I'm not sure.

I was hoping you might be a
customer instead of the competition.

Well, I might fool you. I
might be looking to buy.

Well, John, in that case,
welcome to Murdock Lumber.

Good to see you, Ben.

Your old man treating you okay?

Yeah, I guess so.

If you ever want to come back
here to work, you just let me know.

Don't try to steal my foreman.
Good help's hard to find these days.

I was real sorry to
hear about Zeb, John.

His like will not be seen in
these parts for many a day.

Thank you, Joe.

I won't soon forget how he tricked us
into trying to move lumber on the river.

Say, you haven't got something like
that up your sleeve today, have you?

No tricks.

I just got to thinking.

Maybe it's time we
started working together

instead of cutting
each other's throats.

You said no tricks.

It's on the level, Mr. Murdock.

There's a lot of big
orders floating around, Joe.

None of us alone can fill them.

But maybe if us small dealers
start working together, we could.

You could work the heavy
timber, I'm long on two-by-fours,

and the others
could do the rest.

Where you selling it all?

Don't you worry about that, Joe.

If you can meet this date, I'll
give you earnest money up front,

and the rest on delivery.

Well,

if the U.S. can do that
lend-lease with the Russians,

I guess the Murdocks can
do business with the Waltons.

You're not doing a very
good job of waiting up for me.

I was beginning to think you
weren't going to make it back tonight.

It worked, Liv. I did it.

Signed and sealed,

all the lumber Sarver needs.

John, just like you said.

We've been undercutting
each other so long,

it took me quite a while to
talk those other operators

into thinking I
was on the level.

But I convinced them.

And to celebrate, tomorrow night

I'm taking you to the fanciest
restaurant we can find.

Anywhere but Corabeth
Godsey's tea room.

We're going by bus to
Richmond in the morning.

I've got to button up
that deal with Sarver.

I could telephone him,

but I want to see his face
when I put that order on his desk.

John?

It's kind of short notice.

I don't know if I can
get ready on time.

All you got to
do is fill this up.

It's not a good
time for me to leave.

Grandpa's birthday is coming up
and Grandma's feeling awful alone.

I guess you're right.

- But I'll miss you.
- Miss you, too.

Now listen, Ben, you just take
your time finishing up on Ike's order.

No mistakes.

Don't worry, Daddy, I'll
keep my mind on the work.

You're in charge while I'm gone.

If this works out, we're
gonna have to get going

on the Sarver order
as soon as I get back.

Looks like we're out of gas. I
thought I told you to get some.

Oh, no, I forgot!

I don't know about you, Ben.
I really don't know about you.

That bus won't wait.

Daddy, can I help
you take your suitcase.

Just put some gas
in the truck, Ben.

We're just looking to see what's available,
in case we decide to move to town.

My sister's in nurses
training. I'm a secretary.

Well, I'm just tickled pink
to have you girls drop by.

Of course, this little nest
won't be available long.

The last time it came vacant it
was snapped up in three days.

Well, it's awfully small.

Well, it was an attic. I had
it remodeled for renters.

As you can see, it has
its very own bathroom.

Well, you can't stand
up straight in there.

Well, that's the
way the roof slopes.

But that's seldom a problem.

Oh, Mary Ellen, look
at this adorable kitchen.

It's so compact.

And it's completely furnished.
Dishes and pots and pans.

I'll bet you can mop the
whole floor in 30 seconds.

Now, there's storage
space in the closet over here.

It's awfully small.

I don't suppose we'd be
bringing much with us at first.

Oh, look, an ironing
board in the wall.

The one thing I can't figure
out is where is the bedroom.

Oh, honey, you're
standing right next to it.

A Murphy bed!

Oh, what an adventure.

Oh, I can tell you girls
will be just happy as clams

tucked away up here.

Now, the rent is $20 a month,
that includes laundry privileges.

Of course, baby
sitting's a little extra.

You'll just love John Curtis.

Well, I have 13
grandchildren of my own.

I think I know all
about spoiling babies.

What do you think, Mary Ellen?

Erin, we're just looking.

I could use some help, Jim-Bob.

- Where have you been?
- Over at Buck Vernon's.

Are you buying junk again?

- What have you got this time?
- Something neat.

Whatever it is, it's busted,
broken-down or it doesn't work.

Well, that's what makes it neat.

It's too big to be
something for your car.

Why don't you show it to us.
We have to get back to work.

Ta-da!

A jukebox.

I told you it was neat.

And it doesn't work, right?

Well, what are you
going to do with it?

I'm going to fix
it up and sell it.

You better not spend
too much time at it.

Mama's already mad at you for
goofing off on your school work,

and Daddy wants you to help me.

How's your little moustache
coming along, Ben?

Well, it's filling in
nicely, thank you.

I've got three more
hairs on my chest.

Oh, you see if I ever
put a nickel in that thing.

I didn't see you there, Grandma.

Any requests?

Sit down, let's try a duet.

Oh, no.

Now, I'm not going to let you
get away that easy, Grandma.

Come on, I haven't heard you
play the piano for a long time.

One hand is all you need. Look,

you play the treble
and I'll play the bass.

Okay.

Okay.

Oh.

You mustn't give up, Grandma.

A little practice and we'll knock
them dead at the Dew Drop.

Hi, sorry we're late.

I figured it might be a long day,
being Erin's first day on the new job.

Take a letter, Miss Walton.

I was so nervous that I
kept dropping my pencil.

But Mr. Pringle
was very patient.

Your supper's in the oven.

I just finished putting
John Curtis down.

He might want
you to tuck him in.

Okay, I'll go right up.

Are you two up to something?

Mama, Erin and I rented an
apartment in Charlottesville.

Oh, you should see
it. It's very quaint.

It's close quarters,

but Erin and I have shared a
room before, so we're used to it.

And we're splitting
the expenses.

And Mrs. Boren, the landlady,

will take care of the
baby while I'm in class.

And we're moving
out tomorrow morning.

Miss,

I've been here
for over two hours.

Are you sure that
Mr. Sarver's coming in?

Well, he said he was,

but that man is so busy

I just never know if he's
going to show up or not.

It's real important I see him.

I come all the way from
Jefferson County, you know.

Oh, dear.

I just don't know
what to tell you.

Now, if you could leave
me the name of your hotel

I'll call you the very
minute Mr. Sarver arrives.

I'm staying at the Fairmont.

Will you make sure
he calls me there?

Oh, yes, of course,
I'll be glad to, Mister...

- Walton, John Walton.
- Walton. John Walton.

Mmm-hmm.

Thank you.

Here you go.

Okay.

Elizabeth's up there putting
her clothes in my bureau.

What did you expect?

She could wait till I'm gone.

Come on, Erin, we've got to go.

Bye, Mama.

Bye.

I thought we agreed
to keep it light.

Tell that to John Curtis.
Most of this stuff is his.

Oh, come on.

- Goodbye, Mama.
- Did you say goodbye to your Grandma?

Yeah, she doesn't
seem very excited for us.

Well, you didn't give us much
warning. It takes a little getting used to.

Oh, I moved out before, Mama.
When Curt and I got married.

This is different.

We're not going very far away. We'll
be home practically every weekend.

That's what my brain
keeps telling my heart.

Goodbye.

Bye-bye, John Curtis.

I'm going to miss you.

- There you go.
- Come on, John Curtis.

We're going bye-bye.

- Bye, Mary Ellen.
- Goodbye, Elizabeth.

You take care of
Mama and Grandma.

My own room. All to myself.

This house is beginning
to feel awful empty.

Yes, ma'am, it's
John Walton again.

Oh, yes, John Walton,

I remember now.

I am so sorry,
Mr. Walton, but I do believe

that Mr. Sarver has been called to
Washington for a special meeting.

Won't be back until tonight.

I guess I'm stuck waiting, then.

Would you have
him call me, please.

Operator, long distance, please.

- Hello.
- I miss you, Liv.

Oh, John. I'm so glad
to hear your voice.

How's everything at home?

Same as usual.

Everybody going in
different directions, you know.

How about you?

Kind of slow. I haven't been
able to get in to see Sarver yet.

I'm staying here at
the Fairmont Hotel.

Want to come?

Yes, I'd love to.

But I can't leave
the family just now.

You know how it is.

Something different
comes up every day.

Sure, I know how it is.

You'll come home as
soon as you're through?

It might take a while.

Don't worry about me.

I love you.

I love you, Liv.

Go.

Oh, Grandma, I don't
want to leave you.

Go.

With him now.

All right, I will.

It's working.

Of course, it's working.

Shut up, Chance.
You, too, Rover.

It's really beautiful,
Jim-Bob, uh, to look at.

Elizabeth, what did
you do with my tools?

And quit laughing.

I don't have them.

I think Ben has them.

What are you doing
with my tools, Ben?

I'm trying to get this motor back
to work, that's what I'm doing.

Smells like the armature's
burned out. Did you overload it?

No, I didn't overload it.

But Daddy's gonna think so, the
way things have been going lately.

Now I can't finish Ike's order.

Well, if we could
get it out of there,

we could rewind it or
replace it or something.

You want some help?

You know, I'd appreciate that.

And Mr. Pringle also said
that he's never had anybody

learn the filing
system as fast as I did.

Have you asked
him for a raise yet?

After two days?

Well, you're either the most
brilliant secretary he's ever had

or he's in love with you.

He has a wife.

And a bald spot
that he tries to hide.

But he's a nice man.

Oh, is that everything?

Doesn't seem like it,
considering what we paid for it.

Let's get supper, I'm starved.

You get supper. There's not
enough room for both of us in here.

I'll finish unpacking.

Hey, give me that. Give me that.

What are you doing,
huh? Here, sit down.

There you go.

- What have you got there?
- Wine.

- Where did you get it?
- Mr. Pringle gave it to me.

A housewarming present.

You going to drink it?

I don't know, should we?

- Let's.
- Okay.

It doesn't taste like
I thought it would.

Grandma would have a conniption
fit if she could see us now.

I love Grandma,

but there comes a time
when you outgrow your family.

And you have to move on.

I wonder what
they're all doing now.

Oh, they're probably just
settling down for supper.

And Jim-Bob is shoving Ben.

And Elizabeth is
chattering a mile a minute.

There were times when you
couldn't even hear yourself think.

All that noise.
Everybody interrupting.

Well,

it's peaceful here, isn't
it, just the two of us?

It's nice and quiet, all right.

Nobody arguing.

Just the way we planned.

Just because there's only four
of us doesn't mean we can't talk.

I'm thinking about my jukebox.

Cat got your tongue, Ben?

I'm still thinking about
what Daddy will think

when he finds out that I
haven't finished Ike's order.

Well, maybe they'll get that
armature rewound before they said.

No way, two days
at the earliest.

They're swamped.

I don't know.

I've been trying to make
up for extra time, since...

Since we're a little
shorthanded these days

and everything I do turns sour.

I just give up.

Toy

dancer...

Get it.

That dancing doll, Elizabeth.

You mean the one I
made for her, Grandma?

Yes.

Think.

Think.

That's right, Grandma. I did
have to think a lot to figure it out.

That's not very
complicated to make.

Well, Jim-Bob, it is when
you're nine years old.

Grandpa told me not to
give up, to figure it out.

Is that what you
mean about the mill?

Maybe you're right. Maybe
I did give up too soon.

Thank you.

That's it, Grandma.
Just take your time.

You see? There's no
such word as "can't."

You keep practicing and we'll be as good
as Ohmen and Arden before you know it.

I've got to get to the Dew Drop.

I'll see you later.

You practice.

What do you mean
you don't remember me?

You come over to Walton's Mountain
just the other day and you talked to me!

Look, I talk to a lot
of people every day.

Who do you think you are, leaving
a message for me to call Dr. Walton?

Mr. Sarver, all I'm trying to tell
you is that I got the lumber you want.

Look, my wife
and I are going out

and I don't have time to talk to
some timber jockey from the sticks

about a deal that I never made.

Now listen, Sarver, I'm going to see
you if I have to stay in Richmond all week!

Well, you just may have to stay
all year before that happens, buster!

Can you believe that!
The nerve of that guy.

Two-bit operator thinks he can
solve all my lumber problems.

Cool down, honey.

Seems not too long ago I
remember this big, lovable plumber

who said he didn't have
the smarts to make it,

but he sure had the nerve.

You coming, babe?

What do you...

Liv, what are you doing here?

- I couldn't stay away.
- So good to see you.

- I missed you, Liv.
- I missed you, too.

Grandma just pushed
me out the door.

Are you going somewhere?

Oh, I can't get in to see Matt Sarver.
I feel like poking him in the teeth.

Well, why don't you poke
him in the teeth in the morning?

You promised me a night
on the town, remember?

I remember.

Just sit right down here.

- Thank you very much.
- Welcome to the big city.

Grandma?

Grandma?

I thought you might be lonely.

Oh, that's true, dear.

I couldn't sleep. It's
awfully quiet upstairs.

Do you want to
turn the light off?

I miss Grandpa.

I never had a chance
to say goodbye to him.

Mama says we should be
glad when we think of him.

She says dying is a
beautiful part of living,

like being born or growing up.

I wish I could believe that.

It's true.

Then why are funerals so sad?

With Reverend Buchanan saying all
those awful things about dust and ashes.

And we left Grandpa
up there on the mountain.

If death really is so beautiful,

then why didn't we have a
celebration instead of a funeral?

You were right,
Grandma, I got it working!

Yeah, but it's my car
that makes it work.

You charged me enough to use it.

You're getting it cheap enough.
A few old records for my jukebox.

Looks like a Rube Goldberg
contraption from the funny papers.

Yeah, but this one works!

Well, see you after
school. Bye, Grandma.

All right.

Got to go back to work.

- Good morning.
- Good morning.

We were passing the
flower shop this morning

and my wife saw this pretty
red rose in the window and said,

"I bet that nice secretary over
there would like this." Would you?

Yes, thank you.

Thank her, it's just lovely.

Well, you see, I knew it was
going to be a good day today.

I see Mr. Sarver's in.

Why don't I just
go and say hello?

- Oh, no...
- Don't bother. Just sit right there.

Enjoy your flowers. Don't worry.

Hey, who said you
could come in here?

Nobody said I couldn't.

- Well, this better be good.
- It is.

Signed orders for every board
foot of lumber you wanted.

And at the right price. I'll get it
where you want it, when you want it.

Yeah, sure you will.

And you'll get a commission
from each of these dealers

plus what you get from me.

That's right. Same thing
you'd do, Mr. Sarver.

Now look. Boyer will do the
six-bys. Hinman, the one-by-twelves.

And Murdock the planks.

They'll set for one
cut and really go at it.

We may be two-bit operators
when we are alone, Mr. Sarver,

but we're big enough
when we're together.

Well?

We'll talk it over
at dinner tonight.

- What's wrong with right now?
- Because I'm busy right now,

and I want my accountant
to go over these.

My place at 7:00.

- I got my wife with me.
- Bring her along.

I've got one at home myself.

All right, I'll call you
if we're gonna come.

Guess who?

- Don Ameche?
- No.

The lumber tycoon you
were in the hotel with.

Which one? The tall
one or the short one?

No, sir. The one who just put together
the biggest business deal of his life.

And I couldn't have
done it without you, Liv.

I doubt that's true, but you can
go on thinking that way if you want.

I got one more favor to ask.

Sarver's invited us
over for supper tonight.

I guess they call it
dinner around here.

John, not me. You go on ahead.

I'm not going unless you go.

I don't have the right kind of
clothes to wear to that sort of thing.

I'll take care of that.

You're going to find
me a fairy godmother?

Yeah, me. Now, come
on, I'll buy you a new dress.

That seems like an
awful extravagance to me.

Not for something like this.

All right.

Then I just might buy
me a lipstick to go with it.

Oh, you hear that. I think the
Baptist Church just caved in!

Come on, come on.

Lemon, ladies? A spot of cream?

Oh, neither, Corabeth.

We drink our tea unadorned.

Or perhaps with just
a touch of the Recipe.

- Sister, you didn't...
- No, I'm afraid not, dear.

But we'll bring some
along the next time.

In that charming little silver
container that Papa always carried.

I forget what he called it.

- Papa called it a flask.
- Ah.

Oh, Corabeth, I do hope
your tea room does well.

In time. I am
prepared to be patient.

There's something
so romantic about tea.

Yes. One always pictures
faraway places, exotic scenes.

A Chinese junk
sailing into the sunset,

servants in kimonos gliding
about the emperor's court.

Chop suey.

Excuse me, ladies.

Ike Godsey, I am
trying to run a business.

So am I, Corabeth. Would you hand me
that cream of tomato over there, please?

You will have to do that later.

I have customers.

- Corabeth, the only customers you have...
- Shh!

The only customers you've had
have been the Baldwin ladies.

Others will follow.

Corabeth, you're crazy if you think
that I'm going to close this business

so that you can have a tea party
in the back with the Baldwin ladies.

After all, somebody's got to work
and earn some money to pay the rent.

Mr. Godsey, I'm just as aware as
you are of economic necessities.

However, I am aware
of other things as well,

of the little niceties that uplift and
elevate us above our daily humdrum lives.

But I am wasting my words.

How could I expect a
clodhopper with poolroom tastes

to have the remotest idea
of what I'm talking about!

No.

You'll learn to
love it, Grandma.

All you do is put in a nickel and
you can hear your favorite song.

There, how about that?

Come on, let's dance.

Come on, Grandma! Swing it!

Liv, I'm going to go out and
see about a taxi, run an errand.

Don't hurry. I'm
having a few problems.

What's that, Liv?

Take your time, please!

Don't worry, Liv,
you'll look beautiful!

I wish I could be sure of that.

Hi. Sorry I'm late.

Mr. Pringle wanted me to stay late
and finish up some letters for him.

Your dinner's on the stove.

But I didn't mind, though.

I want him to know that
I'm willing to cooperate.

And besides, he drove me home.

Spaghetti again?

We've got to finish it up. You
made enough to feed an army.

Well, I'm not used to
cooking in small batches.

Mary Ellen, let's go
see a movie tonight.

There's a new Alice
Faye musical at the Ideal.

I'm sure Mrs. Boren
will watch John Curtis.

Erin, I've got to memorize a whole
list of muscles and their functions.

Oh.

Well, can I help? I could
read them off to you.

Thanks, anyway. But, I don't think
you could even pronounce them.

Lord, oh, Lord!

I feel like I'm going out on
my first high school date.

You don't look it.

Afraid to touch.

I won't break.

- What's that?
- See that? You made me forget everything.

Now who feels like the
first high school date?

You're really going to
dress up those flowers, Liv.

I suppose my fairy godmother's got a
pumpkin waiting outside for us to ride in.

Right in front,
yellow as can be.

Come on, Liv. We've
got a world to beat.

Well, this is really a
pleasure, Mrs. Walton.

We've met before, Mr. Sarver.

Oh, I know we have. Through
the screen door. I remember.

I keep her locked in
there, for good reason.

Matt Sarver, let go of
that pretty lady's hand

before I take a
big stick to you.

You behave yourself.

Betty Lou, I'd like you to
meet Olivia and John Walton.

How do you do?

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

Honey, these folks
got their own mountain.

That's something you
haven't got, Matt. Yet.

Oh, it's so nice
to meet you both.

Matt always manages to invite
people over on the maid's night out,

so I'm afraid you're going to have to
put up with some down home cooking.

You don't know how
relieved I am to hear that.

Is there anything I can do?

Not in that scrumptious dress.

But you can come into
the kitchen and talk to me

while I fry up some
grits and caviar.

Olivia, I wouldn't plan
on doing too much talking.

Not with Betty Lou around.

- Shall we have a drink?
- I came here to talk business.

You don't give
up easily, do you?

No, I don't.

Care to join me, Jason?

Oh, no thanks, Ike. I'm trying
not to mix music and beer.

Don't you think you better
go easy there yourself?

You've just about
polished off that pitcher.

We've got to celebrate
your new piano bar.

Pretty fancy for the Dew Drop.

Just like in the movies.

It gives me a chance
to talk to the customers.

I suppose a lot of your customers
come in and tell you their troubles, huh?

Well, you know, everybody needs a
shoulder to cry on every once in a while.

Yeah.

I don't suppose I'd ever be
confused with Tyrone Power,

but do you think I deserve
to be called a clodhopper?

You're a good simple man, Ike.

The best kind.

I can see how that
would hurt your feelings.

You always hurt
the one you love.

You suppose that's true?

It sure has happened
to me enough times.

Sing it for us, Ike.

You always hurt the one you love

The one you
shouldn't hurt at all

You always take
the sweetest rose

And crush it
till the petals fall

You always break
the sweetest heart

Till you say a hasty
word you can't recall

So if I...

Mr. Godsey.

I've been looking
for you everywhere.

Well, I'm... I'm just a
guy with poolroom tastes.

I'm surprised you
didn't come here first.

Well...

Perhaps, I was a bit hasty in
my judgment of you this afternoon.

Marrying me, that's
where you were hasty.

You know, Corabeth, I don't think you
ever thought I was good enough for you.

Oh.

Well, I never meant
to give that impression.

Come home with me, Ike.

I have something I
want to show you.

You know, folks, I had a hunch this
evening was gonna call for champagne.

That dinner was so delicious,

I don't think I could find
room for another thing.

I think your Baptist
upbringing is the only reason

you'd turn down a
sip of champagne.

Yeah, Olivia, I hope
you can join us this time,

because

I would like to propose a toast

to a new associate of mine...

John Walton.

Aren't you going to
make a speech, John?

I wouldn't know what to say,

except I guess, I
deserve that toast.

All right, here's
to Matt Sarver,

the most bull-headed man I've
had the pleasure doing business with.

Coming from the
stubbornest man I've ever met,

I'm going to take
that as a compliment.

Am I to assume that you
two have worked things out?

Well, we settled all
that before dinner, Olivia,

but I'm going to tell you
something he doesn't know.

That this deal is just a drop
in the bucket to what's coming.

John, I want you on my team.

You play hard
and you play to win.

I'm offering you a permanent
job with Sarver Construction.

Vice-president in charge
of lumber procurement.

You're dumping that in my
lap kind of sudden, aren't you?

You don't have to
decide right now.

The job carries a good salary,

it'll be a real challenge.

We've got a
first-rate bonus plan.

You'll be the quarterback
for your department.

And, honey, I have the cutest house
picked out for you right here in Richmond.

We'd have to leave the mountain.

You know, I suddenly realized

that billiards has always been
known as a gentleman's game.

Judge Baldwin, I am told,
had a billiard room in his home.

Miss Mamie and Miss Emily
used to enjoy watching him play.

And after all,

the only difference between
a billiard table and a pool table

is a matter of pockets.

So when Yancy came by this evening
I asked him to move it back in here.

If you don't mind, dear,

we could call it Godsey's
Tea and Billiard Parlor.

Dear?

Corabeth, you called me dear.

I thought I might find you here.

Oh, I was tossing and turning,
I didn't want to wake you up.

Fine trip this has turned out
to be. You can't even sleep in.

What am I going to do, Liv?

I never thought we'd have
to make a decision like this.

We've lived all our
married life there.

I grew up on the mountain.

Pa grew up there.

His Pa before him.

Funny how a place
takes hold of you.

I'm always complaining about
how old and run down it is,

never realized how much
a part of the family it is.

You know I'm never gonna
have another chance like this.

Overnight, going from a nobody
to vice president of a big company.

You've always been somebody.
You just never knew it before.

We wouldn't have to stay away
from the mountain the rest of our lives.

The war in Europe
can't go on forever.

If we saved our money, we could build
us that dream house we've always wanted.

Big enough for the kids and
grandkids when they visit.

Pretty soon, it's just
going to be the two of us.

Maybe we ought
to think about that.

A change just might
be good for everyone.

The whole world is changing.
We're just going along with it.

Row, row, row your boat

Gently down the stream

Merrily, merrily,
merrily, merrily

Life is but a dream

I have to keep pinching myself to
make sure this is really me sitting here.

Rides like a dream, doesn't it?

It ought to. It cost enough.

You heard what Matt said.
We're gonna need a good car.

Going to be doing a
lot of business out of it.

We'll pay him back
a little bit at a time.

Pay off one debt and take on
another, is that the way rich folks live?

Better start getting
used to nice things.

I'm going to sure
see you get them.

How about letting
me take a turn driving?

All right.

Hey! Hey, hey!

Boy! Now I can't wait
to learn how to drive.

And it's got a radio!

Look, the seat folds down!

You could put a bed in here
and go camping and stuff like that.

I can take a whole load of
lumber in here and go in style.

Hold on, now. This is the bossman's.
I might have to do some traveling.

It must've gone real
well for you, Daddy.

We'll talk about that at supper.
Let's get these bags unpacked.

Daddy, I had a little problem
with the mill while you were gone.

What now, Ben?

Come on, I'll show you.

We got a surprise for you, Mama.

We got to go get it ready!

Grandma and I
have a surprise, too.

We're saving ours for later.

It looks like there are going
to be surprises all around.

I got it working, Mama.

Jim-Bob, it is truly a
wonderful machine.

That's why I'm sorry I'm going to
have to ask you to get it out of here.

I thought you liked music, Mama.

I do.

But that monster belongs in a
roadhouse, not in the living room.

- Mama.
- I was just learning how to jitterbug.

I'm sorry.

You and Jason are going
to have to get it out of here.

I'm kind of glad
to see it go myself.

I have enough competition with one
of these things at the Dew Drop Inn.

Well, he was charging us
a nickel to play it, anyhow.

He's just gone out of business.

Mama? There's
something different.

I was beginning to think
no one's going to notice.

I don't know if I like it.

I guess I like it.

Table's all set, supper's cooking,
it looks like I'm unemployed.

We'll hire you back
in the morning, Mama.

This sure is a funny
old kitchen, isn't it?

You wouldn't want anything
to be different, would you?

How do you like having
your own room, Elizabeth?

It's great. Aimee loves it, too.

She's been spending the
night so I don't have to be alone.

Oh.

Did you bring me anything?

We brought you all something from
one of those fancy department stores.

This one is for Grandma.

Do you want me to open it?

Oh, my.

We thought you could
put something special in it.

A picture of Grandpa!

Shall I tell her, Grandma?

Grandma decided that we are
going to go up on the mountain

to celebrate Grandpa's
birthday, just like we always did.

We're going to plant the
seedlings that he started,

and we're going to
clean off his grave.

Mary Ellen and
Erin are coming, too.

You sure?

I was a little
surprised, but it worked.

I'm proud of you, Ben.

That's using your head for something
besides keeping your ears apart.

I was about ready to give it up

but Grandma showed me I
should think about it a little bit more.

Pa and me used to do that with
an old truck when I was your age.

It runs in the blood, I guess.

I didn't want to let you
down again, Daddy.

Ben, what happened to that
little fringe you were growing?

I shaved it off. I decided
I didn't need it anymore.

Let me ask you something, Son.

If I was to let you use Grandpa's tools,
promise you'd take good care of them?

Well, yes, sir.

I sure would.

You got a deal.

Move to Richmond?

Ben's gonna have to
stay here and run the mill.

I'm gonna need you
to supply me lumber.

You can count on me.

Yeah, but I don't want
to move to Richmond!

Chances are it will only be
for a couple of years, Elizabeth.

Years?

There's a big airport
there and I can get a job.

We can buy things
we can't afford now.

Clothes, you can have your own
room, everybody can go to college.

Yeah, but all my
friends live here.

Aimee and Clarence
and all the kids at school.

There's a lot of friends to be
made in Richmond, Elizabeth.

You can spend weekends with me.

Well, I'm not going. If
you make me, I'll run away!

Wait.

Don't worry, Daddy.
We'll get used to the idea.

Elizabeth?

What's the matter
with this family?

There's nothing the
matter with this family.

People's needs
change, that's all.

It'll happen to you soon enough.

I'll never be able to
leave Walton's Mountain

the way Erin and
Mary Ellen were.

It hurts all of us, the
thought of leaving here.

That's why when it happens

we're going to need
each other more than ever.

So there will be no
more talk of running away.

Even if I hate it in Richmond?

It may take time,
but you'll accept it.

That's what they said
when Grandpa died.

You're not too old
for a little rocking.

Let me call you
Sweetheart Is that Grandma?

I'm in love with you

Let me hear you whisper

That you love me too

Keep the lovelight glowing

In your eyes So blue

Let me call you Sweetheart

I'm in love

with you

Ma! That's wonderful!
How did you do that?

She's been working
real hard at it.

Better be careful, Grandma,
or they'll put you on Broadway.

Are you almost done, Erin?

I can't answer and
count at the same time.

Well, it's impossible to put the
bed down until you're finished.

This is important.

Erin, I'm going in the
bathroom to brush my teeth.

And if you're not finished
by the time I come out

I'm gonna put the bed
down on top of your head!

Mary Ellen, you just
made me lose count.

One, two, three,
four, five, six, seven...

Who is it?

It's Mrs. Boren. Your
father has come to see you.

- Shall I send him up?
- Yes!

Mary Ellen, Daddy's here!

Daddy... Mr. Pringle!

- Surprised, honey?
- What are you doing here?

Oh, come on, sweetie.
Quit playing games.

I've being noticing how you've
been looking at me. Come on, dear.

Who's she?

I'm her sister.

And I think you better
get out of here. Right now.

You didn't tell me you
lived with your sister.

Where did he come from?

That's Mr. Pringle.

He said he was Daddy.

Didn't he know I'd be here?

It doesn't sound very grown-up
to say you're living with your sister.

Just in time to tuck you in.

You don't mind, do you, Ma?

You always used to tuck me in,

until that time you found a
girlie magazine under my pillow.

Guess you figured I was
too old after that, huh?

Oh, boy!

Ma, I've been...

I wonder how you feel
about us moving to Richmond.

You see, Ma, this may be my last
chance to make something of myself.

I thought Pa might
think it's a good idea.

I know it won't be easy
for any of us to move,

especially you.

You go back a long
way in this house, Ma.

But I promise you
this. Wherever we go

we'll make you comfortable,
give you plenty to do.

Ben... Ben?

You're right. He's going
to need looking after.

There's no one who
can do it better than you.

But do this for me,
Ma. Think about it.

Whatever you decide,
we'll work it out.

But please, don't let it keep you
awake. We got a big day tomorrow.

It's Pa's birthday.

Goodnight, Ma.

I guess I could find a room
near the conservatory if I had to.

What's wrong with
staying here with me?

Come in.

I thought I could hear voices.

Yeah. Who can sleep?

I hate having my own room.

You'd better get used to it.

You and Jim-Bob are going to
be the only ones staying at home.

I could probably go to
flying school in Richmond.

There are advantages
to big city living.

Concerts, museums.

You can order parts for things. You
don't have to wait for days to get them.

Yeah, when you go somewhere
you don't have to smile at everybody.

You could be in a bad
mood and nobody cares.

Yeah.

In a big city nobody cares.

Hey, look, this had to happen
sooner or later, anyway.

John-Boy left over a year ago

and now Erin and Mary Ellen
have got their own apartment.

We can't all stay
at home forever.

This is a terrific
opportunity for Daddy.

We'll still be a family.

It'll be all the more fun
when we do get together.

Maybe if this house weren't so old,
Mama and Daddy wouldn't want to move.

The boys are up
kind of late still talking.

It's all I can do to keep
from going in there.

I don't think they'd
appreciate that.

Remember when they were babies?

Used to have to get up
in the middle of the night.

Stomach aches, croup
tents, nightmares...

Always waiting for the last
minute to finish their book reports.

Whatever it was that was keeping
them awake, we could always fix it.

Sounds to me like you're getting
a head start on homesickness.

I saw you staring at the
mountain after supper

like you were
trying to memorize it.

You changing your mind?

No. No going back.

Either leave the
mountain or lose it.

It's only going to
be for a little while.

That's what we said
when we moved in here.

Look what happened.

We liked it.

What are you going
to do with the jukebox?

Find it a happy home.

Make sure you're back
in time for the birthday.

- Bye.
- Bye.

Mama, Grandma, Mary
Ellen and Erin are here!

- Hello.
- Hello.

Hey, Elizabeth. - We're back.

Yes.

Hello! Welcome home!

- I feel like I've been gone 1,000 years!
- Hello, Daddy.

Look who's here!

- I cleaned under the bed.
- Let's have a look at you.

Oh, Mama, he missed
you almost as much as I did.

How does it feel to be
independent young ladies?

Well, it didn't work out quite
the way it was supposed to.

- I got fired.
- You quit!

Well, it's hard to tell
which happened first.

That must be the
shortest job in history.

Her boss turned
out to be a wolf.

And besides, the apartment was so
small we kept tripping over each other.

We started hating each other!

It was awful!

Maybe you better pack
up and come home.

- We already did! Yes.
- You did!

We are so happy to
see you both, I could cry.

Look at this! They're
home! They're home!

Here. All right.

Elizabeth? Oh, here.

It's going to be hard
telling them, isn't it?

It's going to break my heart.

You should see it
when it's lit up, Zuleika.

Be just the thing for that
recreation room of yours.

Oh, Jim-Bob, I
am sorely tempted.

It would pay for
itself in no time at all

and your boarders will have
some beautiful music to listen to.

The trouble is, I've
bought so many new things

I'm a little short of cash.

Wouldn't that be
something? My own jukebox!

Jason said you might have
something to trade for it.

Well, I just might at that.

You just come right on in and
we'll find something to trade with

because I want that jukebox.

And I know I can find you
something special to bargain with.

- Erin? I packed your pajamas by mistake.
- Oh.

I think these diapers
belong to John Curtis.

Seems like all we do
lately is pack and unpack.

Mmm-hmm. By the time I hang
these up we'll be moving out.

Mary Ellen,

do you think we gave up
too soon in Charlottesville?

With that creep making passes at you? I
couldn't get you out of there fast enough.

You sound more like
my mother than my sister.

I'm the bossy one, remember?

Mary Ellen, what
are you going to do?

I don't know.

I can't decide whether to stay
here or move back to the house.

It's lonely there
with Curt gone.

It's going to be even
worse around here.

Mama and Daddy are hoping
you'll move to Richmond with them.

I've got to finish school.

Besides, I want John Curtis to
grow up on the mountain the way I did.

It won't be the same.
Not with all of us gone.

What about you? What
are you going to do?

I'll probably find
a job in Richmond.

Just make sure your boss knows
you're living with your parents.

I'm going to miss you.

We've been roommates
most of our lives.

You were the ugliest
baby I ever saw.

You were the
meanest girl in school.

- Oh, Mary Ellen.
- Oh, Erin.

And this is where you
keep track of your shipments.

You got that?

Sure seems like
a lot of paperwork.

I hope I can
keep it all straight.

You'll do fine just as long
as you don't fall behind.

- Joe.
- John.

What can I do for you?

Got a complaint.

What's the matter?
Didn't you get your check?

I'd have been here
before now if I hadn't.

Then what's on your mind?

I heard you might go
work for Matt Sarver.

I've been thinking
about it, Joe.

You'll end up
being just like him.

No, I doubt that.

I've been talking to Boyer,
Hinman, some of the other dealers.

At least I got you guys
together for a change.

We trust you, John.

The way you handled that big order
made for good profits for all of us.

Why can't we keep it like that?

You mean do it again?

It's a thought.

Like a co-op? Like
one big company?

You'd run it, but we'd
each be our own boss.

And I'd get a percentage?

It'd be worth it.

Can I tell the
others you'll do it?

I'll sure think about it, Joe.

Take your time, John,
maybe even a whole day.

I'll call you.

You almost ready?

Yeah, go get her.

Mama, are you coming down?

I'm on my way!

What's all this about?

I got rid of my jukebox, Mama.

You called a meeting
to tell me this?

And to tell you I'm not going to
goof off at school so much anymore.

"So much"?

Okay, at all.

I want to show you what I traded it
for, but you gotta close your eyes.

How can I see if
I close my eyes?

You better do it, Mama,
it'll ease the shock.

Come on.

- Come on, close them.
- All right.

- Keep them closed.
- Is she peeking?

- No.
- I wouldn't peek. You know that.

Except I feel like I'm
going to walk into the table.

- Stay right here.
- All right.

Okay.

- Ta-da!
- Oh, my goodness.

Light goes on when
you open the door.

Oh, that's just beautiful.

It's used, but Zuleika
wouldn't trade her new one.

This used to belong
to Mrs. Brimmer.

That makes it all
the better, Jim-Bob.

- Thank you.
- Sure, Mama.

You want to tell me what
Joe Murdock wanted?

You've been somewhere
else ever since he called.

Joe and the other operators
want me to head up the co-op.

They're gonna pay me to do it.

You'd be in charge?

Wouldn't be as much
money as Richmond,

but me and Ben could
still operate the mill.

Must be nice having two
good things to choose from.

Now you take it easy
with these plants.

Dig the holes deep, gives
the roots plenty of room.

Don't worry, Daddy.
Grandpa showed us how.

Mama, you're gonna
need some help?

It'll keep. I know you
want to be with Grandpa.

Thank you.

- Think you can manage these?
- Here you go.

We've got those. Oh, thanks.

Let's get started.

I hope this won't be
too hard on Grandma.

Won't be easy.

She's had a struggle
getting this far.

Looks like she
wants to be alone.

Let's leave her be for a while.

- It's still as beautiful as ever.
- Hmm.

This could use some paint.

Remember the night we danced
up here on our anniversary?

I never knew you
could be so romantic.

Liv, I'm... I'm torn in half.

Bad enough deciding to
move and getting the kids upset.

Now I got Sarver counting on me.

He's going to be mad as a
hornet if you wind up staying here.

Matt Sarver doesn't own me.

You're a hard man to
harness, John Walton.

You did it.

Oh, it would be nice to
have a house up here.

We'll have one
if we're meant to.

I can feel Pa all
over these mountains.

Sure would be nice to
talk to him about now.

It's 50 years, Zebulon.

I wouldn't miss one
minute of it, old girl.

Remember the day we first
came up here to this place, Esther?

You shouldn't
remember such things.

Why not? We was
married, wasn't we?

And there was the day
I come running up here

when I found out I
was in the family way.

Scared as a cottontail.

Then you found me and
everything was all right.

I was scared, too, Esther.

You know, you was such a tiny little thing,
all I wanted to do was to protect you.

Give you the moon
and all the trimmings.

And all I have ever been able to give
you is just a piece of this good earth.

And one another.

I guess that's about all
anyone is meant to have.

The best there is, anyway.

Young people don't
know what's important.

Memories are important. They
can't take them away from me.

We've had us some good
times, haven't we, Esther?

Grandpa,

you know Jabez?

He was the pig for my 4-H
project, the one Clarence gave me?

Well,

I'm keeping him at home now

and he's getting nice and fat,
for the fair we're going to have.

I hope we don't move to
Richmond before the fair.

You got a real nice
spot up here, Grandpa.

Had a little bit of rain this season,
so everything's growing real nice.

I guess you already know that.

I've been thinking about
you a lot lately, Grandpa.

G.W., too.

If you see him,
tell him I love him.

I miss you both very much.

Grandpa,

there's a lot of
you in John Curtis.

He loves to hold his hands
out to all kinds of people,

just like you did.

He loves playing in the dirt.

I think he's going to be close
to nature the way you were.

Daddy's letting me use
your tools now, Grandpa.

He was gone for a few
days and while he was gone,

I didn't get into
too much trouble.

I'm sure gonna take
good care of them.

I heard this song the
other day, Grandpa.

It reminded me of you.

It's one of your favorites.

Old man,

you live

in all of us.

Grandpa,

don't you spend too much
time sitting on the porch

with Martha Corinne
and Uncle Ben

and Mrs. Brimmer.

We miss you, Grandpa,

but we are all richer for
having had you with us.

Pa,

I've been thinking lately about
moving away from the mountain.

But being up here with you

gave me some fresh
thoughts on the matter.

I'm never going to take hold
of life the way you did, Pa,

but you taught me how to
take hold in my own way.

We got no business
going to Richmond.

So, I guess

us dealers around here are just
going to have to stand together

and stop competing
with each other.

We'll take care of the woods around
here the way you taught us to, Pa.

And I guess we'll be
staying around here,

probably forever.

For years to come, in
times of doubt and trouble,

different members of our family

would make the pilgrimage up
the mountain to visit Grandpa.

He was always
there to comfort us,

help us make decisions,

and to give us the benefit
of his continuing love.

Jim-Bob, are you sure the
light goes out in the refrigerator

when you close the door?

Sure. There's a little man
down there who switches it off.

Don't try to kid me, Jim-Bob,
I know better than that.

Okay, go on down
and take a look.

And while you're down there bring
me a piece of that leftover fried chicken.

- It's all gone, Jim-Bob.
- Oh, come on, who ate it?

The little man in
the refrigerator.

- Goodnight, Elizabeth.
- Goodnight, Jim-Bob.

English -SDH