The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 7, Episode 11 - The Yearning - full transcript

How did you know
Ashley was the right man?

I looked into his eyes one
day and suddenly I was lost.

Just the way it was with me.
You were never able to forget him?

He's been locked in
my heart all these years.

Some people can love
only once, you know.

So, I shut myself up and
lived with my memories.

Miss Emily, that's just
what I'm going to have to do.

Oh, dear.

There is a fine moment in our lives
when we are young and innocent

and our hearts first awaken
to the mystery and pain of love.

At such a time we can give our
love freely without fear of hurt or pain.



The arrival of a new young
minister in town caused my father

to witness such an awakening
in the heart of my sister Elizabeth.

John, I appreciate
your coming by.

Glad to, Reverend.

Haven't seen much of you. I
guess you've been busy settling in.

Name's Andy and you know
where I can be found any Sunday.

Now, don't try to convert me,
Andy. I've been a heathen too long.

Wouldn't dream of it, John.

What can I do for you?

Well, looks like there's
some rotten floor boards here.

Reverend Buchanan neglected
to mention it when he moved out.

I worry about my parishioners.

I have visions of Corabeth Godsey
putting her foot right through the floor.

That would sure
ruffle her feathers.



Well, what do you think?

I think it's probably rotten
underneath. Let me check the closet.

- Are you all right?
- Hey.

The floor caved in right
to the ground. Uh-oh.

- What is it?
- Uh-oh.

- Watch out.
- What?

- There's an animal there.
- What?

- Come on, come on. Run.
- What it is?

Come on, run!

Tell me there was
a skunk in there.

Boy, he got you real good.

Stay back, stay back, stay
back. Stay back! Stay back!

You sure tomato juice
is gonna kill the smell?

It's the only thing
I know that does it.

After a while, I'll give
you some soap and water.

Then you can stop
smelling like tomato juice.

What am I going to do?

I can't let that skunk have
free run of the parsonage.

Not much you can do about it. He'll
leave when he gets good and ready.

Till then, you could stay
with us for a few days.

Thank you, John.

Good morning, Reverend. I
brought some more tomato juice.

Smells like I'm just
in the nick of time.

I'll get some soap and
water and some fresh air.

I certainly hope that batch
is warmer than this one

because I am freezing to death.

No wonder Mama won't
let you in the house.

I think I'm getting
used to this.

Your nose must've gone numb.

This is no joke, Elizabeth.

Being attacked by a
skunk is not very funny.

Well, skunks are
wonderful animals,

as long as you
aren't mean to them.

I wasn't mean to him.

They catch mice and rats.

But I don't have mice or rats.

Well, that's because the skunk was
in your house, clearing them all out.

Well, somehow I find it
difficult to be appreciative

when I'm up to my
waist in tomato juice.

A skunk is one of
God's own creatures.

As a minister, don't you think
you should forgive and forget?

Elizabeth Walton,

if you don't start showing some
respect for your new minister,

I'm going to see that you
take a tomato juice bath, too!

Hello, Corabeth.

Oh, hello, Erin.

What can I do for you today?

Well, Mama needs
six cans of tomato juice.

Oh, I'm so glad that
Olivia has given up

the old-fashioned
method of home canning.

Store-bought tomato juice is just
every bit as pleasurable to the palate

as the old-fashioned kind.

Oh, well, it's not for drinking.
It's for the Reverend's pants.

I beg your pardon?

A skunk got into the
parsonage and sprayed him.

We had to throw away his shirt, but
Mama thinks she can save his pants.

Oh. How disagreeable.

- Oh! Hello, Erin.
- Miss Mamie, Miss Emily.

- Hello.
- Corabeth.

Hello. Your visit
is so fortuitous.

I have just gotten in a new
shipment of lace antimacassars.

Well, I'm sure they
must be lovely, Corabeth,

but today we just
want some Mason jars.

For the Recipe, don't you know?

We've just finished a superb run
through Papa's Recipe machine.

And we were on our way over
to your house, Erin, to find you.

Oh, then I'm glad we
ran into each other.

Sister and I are writing a book

based on excerpts from Papa's
journals and our own diaries.

We feared we could
never complete such a task

if we had to write it
all down ourselves.

So we were thinking, with
your knowledge of shorthand,

perhaps we could
dictate it to you.

We would, of course, pay you.

Well, I'd be happy to help you.

We are anxious to write our
book quickly because of the war.

We have heard that the soldiers
want books to read in their fox groves.

I think that's
fox holes, Sister.

Wherever they want to read
it, I'm sure it will be just fine.

Ben, Jim-Bob, mind your manners.

It's the first time our new
preacher has come for supper,

I don't want him to think that
you can only behave in church.

Sometimes they don't look so
well-behaved in church either.

I wouldn't go high and
mighty if I were you Jason.

I saw you yawning at
the last week's sermon.

I think you should all model
yourselves after John Curtis.

He behaves himself
perfectly and quietly.

Andy, why don't you sit
over here, next to Erin?

Daddy's clothes doesn't look
too becoming on you, Andy.

Elizabeth, will you
say the grace, please?

Dear Father, thank you
for the food before us

and the good company
to share it with.

Bless this food so it may give
us strength in the day to come.

- Amen.
- Amen.

It was a very nice
blessing, Elizabeth.

I hope you don't mind if
I use it myself sometime.

Ben, will you
please start the corn?

- Why, of course, Erin.
- Thank you.

You're welcome. Jim-Bob,
would you please pass the beans?

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

Mama, can I please have a
biscuit? If it's not too much trouble.

Liv, why don't you
introduce me to these folks?

I don't think I've
met them before.

I didn't want you all to act
like you're in finishing school.

It's Andy, he's an
inspiration to us all.

You look like you could
use a little inspiration.

Uh-oh, sounds like the
beginning of a sermon.

Now, I don't know what
Reverend Buchanan's ways were,

but the only sermons you'll be getting
from me are in church on Sunday.

That's a relief. Sounds
like a real person, huh?

- Jim-Bob!
- It's all right.

I like to think of myself as
a person before a minister.

- Let's start that ham down here, come on.
- Pass the ham.

Sorry, Daddy.

I don't know why you
keep getting all the fish.

A little prayer goes a long way,
John. You give it a try sometime.

I would if I thought
it would do any good.

Well, maybe I ought
to leave the pond to you

and get working on
next Sunday's sermon.

Oh, no, no. You can't
run off when you're ahead.

You're providing supper
tonight and earning your keep.

I got one. I got...

What'd you say about prayer?

Well, maybe Elizabeth
here will change your luck.

Mama thought I'd find you here.
Mr. Sarver wants you to call him.

Well, here, you take
this. Catch some fish.

We can't let the preacher think
he can beat us in our own pond.

I didn't know you were
a fisherman, Elizabeth.

Grandma used to take
me down here all the time.

What's this?

19th century English poetry?

I have to learn a
poem for school.

Well, you don't
sound too pleased.

I like the poem, but I'm having
trouble remembering parts of it.

Well, why don't you try reciting it to
me and I'll follow along in the book?

Oh, would you? I asked Jim-Bob
but he thinks poetry is sickening.

Well, not me.

There's not too many
things I like better

than listening to a
pretty girl read poetry.

Okay.

It's this one.

First Love by John Clare.

Ready when you are.

"I ne'er was struck before that hour
With love so sudden and so sweet,

"Her face...

"Her face it bloomed..."

"His face it bloomed..."

Her face.

"Her face it bloomed
like a sweet flower

"And stole my heart
away complete.

"My face turned
pale as deadly pale.

"My legs refused to walk away."

That's very good. Good.

I think I know the
rest, except for the end.

All right.

Um...

"She seemed..."

"She seemed to hear my silent
voice, Not love's appeals to know.

"I never saw so sweet a
face As that I stood before."

"My heart has left its dwelling-place
And can return no more."

"My heart has left its dwelling-place
And can return no more."

- You're getting a bite!
- I know.

Come on. Pull it in.
Haul it in. Here, here.

I will.

Look. Look what you got. Look
at this. Look what you caught here.

There you go. Look at it.

- Andy?
- Reverend?

Oh, Mama. It's only me.

Andy went up on the
mountain to make some calls.

You sure have this
place looking nice.

I see you found a
use for the old lamp.

Well, it was kind of
dark and gloomy in here.

I didn't want him
to strain his eyes.

It looks like he
won't starve either.

Well, he's bound to be tired and
hungry from his hike up on the mountain,

and he'll need something
to give him his energy back.

Looks like you've thought
of just about everything.

When I was up in the
attic looking for the lamp,

I came across some material
that you were going to use for Erin

to make her a new dress.

I remember I didn't have quite
enough for the style she wanted.

Anyway, I thought wasn't it
about time I had a new dress?

I should've
thought of it myself.

But it's got to be a grownup
dress, no bows or frills.

I wouldn't want to remind
anybody of Shirley Temple.

I certainly wouldn't
mistake the two of you.

All right, no bows, no frills.

Can I get started today?

I don't see why not.

I think I have a pattern
you might approve of

and just about everything else
you'll need, except the buttons.

Mama, there is one
more thing I might need

to make the dress just perfect.

What's that?

Silk stockings?

All right. Silk stockings.

Reverend, thank you so much.

Oh, you have been a godsend.

Well, that's just
part of my job.

What would we have done
if you hadn't come across us

stuck in the middle of the road?

That automobile never
ran out of gasoline before.

Oh, when did we
fill the gas tank last?

Only last spring.

What should I do
with the groceries?

Right this way.

Miss Mamie, Miss Emily?

In here.

Oh, Miss Emily. The door
was open, so I just came right in.

Oh, Erin, do sit down.
I'm delighted to see you.

As you can see, we
have everything ready.

We brought all of Papa's
journals down from the attic.

And I stopped at Ike's on my way
over and bought a brand new note pad.

I've been trying to convince
the Reverend March

to stay and have
some Recipe with us.

Oh, do.

The Recipe is excellent medicine
when one has been bitten by porcupines.

Oh, Miss Emily, it was a skunk.

Oh, my.

Well, then you simply must
have some of the Recipe.

Well, thank you. But I really
should get back to the parsonage

and check and see if the
skunk has moved out yet.

I can't stay with
the Waltons forever.

Well, it's only been
a couple of days.

What's the matter? Are you
getting tired of us already?

Hardly.

You know, when I got back today, I
found a plate of cookies in my room.

It was a very pleasant surprise,
even if I don't know who left them.

You must have a secret admirer.

I don't recall whether I've told
you, but once upon a time I had...

Sister.

A secret admirer.

Well, that's what
I'm hoping for, too.

Well, I'd better be going.

Erin, I'll see you when
we get back to the house?

I'll see myself out. Thank you.

- Thank you again.
- Goodbye.

Oh, what a nice young man.

And a minister, at his age!

Well, he just graduated
from the seminary.

This is his first congregation.

I'm sure he and Ashley
would have been great friends.

Yes, Sister.

Now let's get on with the book.

One hardly knows where to begin.

Well, why don't
we start with a title?

Yes.

It should be something
dignified, but catchy.

I do like Gone with the Wind.

Too bad it's already been taken.

How about Ballad
of the Baldwins?

Oh, yes. Ballad of the Baldwins.

All right.

- Andy, are you in there?
- Elizabeth? Come on in.

Saw your car parked outside
on my way home from school.

Where's the skunk?

Gone, it seems.
I've checked all over.

Doesn't smell like he's gone.

And it looks like I'll be spending
a few more days at your place.

I thought I'd bring
some books over.

- Poetry?
- Mmm-hmm.

I thought maybe we
could read some together.

Sure.

I better start airing
this place out.

Why don't you let me help you?

I know about these things.

Oh, well, then maybe you
can tell me, where do we start?

Well.

How about those curtains?
I bet they're pretty bad.

We can take those down

then we can decide what
else we have to clean.

Yes, ma'am.

Must be hard living so
far away from your family.

Do you have any
brothers and sisters?

No, I wasn't as lucky as you.

I'm an only child.

Must have been strange
growing up all by yourself.

I don't know. It's no
stranger than growing up

with a houseful of
brothers and sisters.

Little quieter
maybe, and lonelier.

You must have had neighbors
and bunches of girlfriends?

Well, hardly bunches, a few.
But none special enough to last.

How come?

Well, none of them had
that lasting sort of sparkle,

the kind that
starts deep inside.

How did you decide you
wanted to be a minister?

Well, it's what I
always wanted to be.

When I was little, I thought
I wanted to be a detective,

just like a girl spy.

You've changed your mind?

Well, now I'm thinking
of becoming a missionary.

A missionary?

You think I'd be good at it?

I think that whatever you go after
in life, whatever you want to be,

you're going to be terrific.

I hope you're right.

Mama, do you think I have a
sparkle? I mean the inner kind.

I'd say so.

The way you
whipped up this dress,

it looks like you could be
a professional seamstress.

That can only be a hobby.

I'm thinking of devoting
my life to missionary work.

Andy said I'd
be real good at it.

Hey, Elizabeth, are
you getting religion?

No, I think she's just getting interested
in religious men, or a religious man.

Ben Walton, that's not true!

Then why can't anyone
take a breath around here

without hearing "Andy
this" or "Andy that"?

You shut your mouth.

Elizabeth, will you go upstairs and
get me that spool of thread, please?

Anything to get
away from brothers.

I don't want to hear you two teasing
Elizabeth about Andy again ever.

Even if it's true?

You heard me. Jim-Bob!

Yes, Mama. But Elizabeth
sure is acting goofy lately.

Hey, Daddy.

What's Jim-Bob mumbling about?

It looks like Elizabeth's
got a crush on Andy.

- Reverend March?
- You're as bad as the boys.

- Who would've figured that?
- Doesn't surprise me.

Elizabeth's 13 now, these
things start happening.

I'm just glad she's got a
crush on a man like Andy.

You think we ought to warn him?

I expect he can
take care of himself.

Elizabeth getting
romantic notions?

Looks like she's developed
a taste for good-looking men.

- Takes after her mama.
- That's right.

There are times that loving seems
to be a very easy and natural thing.

But when it comes to carrying out
Christ's instructions to love thy neighbor,

many of us find that our hearts and
our minds are closed to the words of...

Well, come in. Come in, ladies. I
was just going over Sunday's sermon.

Andy, Corabeth
is here to see you.

- What can I do for you?
- Ah, what can I do for you?

As a member of your flock, Reverend,
I felt it my duty to offer my help

in your battle against, how shall I
say, the whimsies of the animal world.

That's mighty thoughtful of you.

Is that wretched beast still
occupying the parsonage?

He was as of yesterday. I'm
going back today to check again.

Well, perhaps I can
be of some assistance.

I have brought you a small
book on animal husbandry.

I thought, perhaps, it could
help to bring about an eviction.

Well, I'll be sure and
take a good look at this

before I go back
to the parsonage.

And here are some bayberry
and pine sachet essences.

Ah!

To help freshen any clothes
that might need reviving.

They smell wonderful.

- And lastly, for your own self...
- Men's cologne!

Oh, not that you need
it, please understand,

but just in case you should
have another encounter

with that offensive animal.

Well, I don't know what to say.

The vicissitudes of the animal
world often catch us quite unaware.

Well, I'm very grateful.

Well, I'm pleased if I have brought
you some comfort during your exile.

You've been more than generous.

Well, Corabeth, I think
we ought to be going.

Leave Andy to get to his
sermon. He's doing God's work.

Oh, yes.

Yes, of course.

- À bientôt, Reverend.
- Bye, Corabeth.

And thanks again.

Perhaps, Sister, if Ballad of
the Baldwins is well received,

it might be made
into a motion picture.

Wouldn't that be thrilling?

Oh, I wonder
who would act in it.

Well, Bette Davis
would play my part.

Miss Katherine
Hepburn would be me,

and Ashley Longworth could be
portrayed by Mr. Leslie Howard.

Now, what actor could play
my beau, Octavius Fairweather?

Dear Mamie, Octavius
Fairweather was hardly your beau.

He never did kiss you.

Well, how true.

But I'm sure the
thought crossed his mind.

The Fairweathers
never were men of action.

Oh. Well, maybe, we better
get to your papa's journals.

We were halfway through
October 14th, 1901.

Now where was I? Oh, yes.

"Mamie and Emily were taking
their afternoon constitutional

"when a most
unwelcome letter arrived."

Do go on, Sister, it
sounds mysterious.

"It was addressed to Emily
from Mr. Ashley Longworth.

"We know so little
about this young man

"that I cannot consider him to
be a fitting suitor for my daughter

"and, hence, I feel no good can
come from any communication with him,

"and yet I hesitate
to destroy this letter.

"Consequently, I have taken
pains to hide it in a place

"where Emily will
never think to look.

"And, someday, when she has
overcome this silly infatuation,

"I will give it to her."

Emily. Sister!

When each waves
comes a-rolling in

We will duck or swim

And we'll float and fool around the
water Over and under and then up for air

Ma is rich, Pa is rich
So now what do we care?

I love to be beside your side
Beside the sea, beside the seaside

By the beautiful sea!

- Ta-da!
- Perfect.

I've always wanted
a cap like this.

Well, now you got one.

- But this is yours.
- Not anymore.

That's your reward for helping
me clean the parsonage this week.

Besides, it looks
better on you, anyway.

By the sea, by the sea
By the beautiful sea!

You and me, you and
me Oh, how happy we'll be!

- Hey, Elizabeth.
- Hello.

You're in a good
mood to be ironing.

This is Andy's shirt. We had to
wash all of his clothes three times.

After you're done with his,
how about doing some of mine?

Not a chance.

You can't blame
a guy for trying.

Oh, uh, when you see Andy,
would you be sure and tell him

I've picked out some
hymns for Sunday?

Sure, when I do see him.

Well, he'll be here in a couple of
minutes. I just passed him at Ike's.

Hello, Elizabeth.

Hi.

You know, you are gonna
make somebody a terrific wife.

I've never seen
anybody so industrious.

It's only ironing. How do
you like my new dress?

Oh, it's a real knockout.

You're just a heartbreaker, that's
all. But there's one thing missing.

"Ode to a Skunk.

"When first that skunk came to call,
he roamed your house and gave his all.

"In truth, the smell was severe.
But luckily, it brought you here."

"I know you'll soon be on your way.
Yet still I hope we'll meet each day.

"For though we live a few miles
apart, you'll stay forever in my heart."

I was just on my
way to find you.

Here I am.

Well, I think we've got
something to talk about.

Well, can it wait till after I
come back from the Baldwins?

Miss Emily is frantic because
she can't find Ashley's love letter.

That's what I wanted
to talk to you about.

And what do you
know about Ashley?

I don't mean Ashley. I
mean love letters, poems.

You know.

No, and I don't have
time for guessing games.

What about me?

You did keep me
guessing until this afternoon.

But now I'm sure it was you who was
leaving me those flowers and cookies.

Me? Why would I do
something like that?

Just your way of
showing that you like me?

Well, I was beginning to,
but now I'm not so sure.

- Well, what about the poem?
- What poem?

The poem I found in the
shed. You even signed it.

It sounds like one of the
boys is playing a practical joke.

I'd like to see how my
signature was forged.

Well, actually, it
was just signed "E."

- "E"?
- For Erin.

It seems to me that you're forgetting
there's more than one Walton girl

with the first initial "E."

Elizabeth?

John, you got a minute?

You wanna do some fishing?

No. No, I need some advice.

I thought preachers were
the ones who gave advice.

Yeah, well, not this time.

It's a little awkward for me to say, but
I think Elizabeth's got a crush on me.

Well, I wouldn't
fret about that.

Girls Elizabeth's age tend
to moon about something.

Well, if it were anybody
else, I'd just call it puppy love.

Elizabeth's young, but
her feelings are strong.

Maybe she's growing up
faster than I thought she was.

What do you think I ought
to do? Should I talk with her?

Yeah, sounds right
to me. Level with her.

But do it kind of
gentle, will you?

Yeah. I will.

I'll see you.

Elizabeth!

I'm up here.

How about going
for a walk with me?

Sure. I'll be right down.

You know, instead of calling up to
my window, you could toss pebbles.

That's what they
do in the movies.

I bet it'd sound real nice,
if they weren't too big.

I think I'm gonna be moving
back to the parsonage tonight.

Tonight?

But I thought you'd be here
for at least a few more days.

I mean, we're gonna
finish that book of poetry

and you were going
to take me fishing.

But I went back
there this afternoon

and there's no longer any
danger that I'll suffocate.

What about the skunk?

He could be waiting down that
hole just to come up and get you.

Your daddy and I
boarded it clear up.

So, you see, there's no longer
any danger and I'll be perfectly safe.

You know, these past few days,
we've shared some fine times together.

And they won't have to stop.
I can come by after school.

Then we'll have
weekends together.

It'll be just as good
as it's been, only better.

Elizabeth, listen to me.

These past few days,
I kept finding surprises.

Flowers, cookies, even a
poem. It was awful nice of you.

I felt as though a little
elf had been visiting me.

An elf?

Look, you're a sweet,
young, beautiful girl.

And I want us always
to stay pals, all right?

Just don't say anything else.

Elizabeth.

How could Papa have
done such a thing?

I've never before been
so provoked at him.

Oh, Sister.

Just look at him.

I never noticed before, but
he's positively smirking at me.

I cannot stand to look
at his face any longer.

Now, Emily, don't
do anything rash.

I shall turn Papa to the wall.

Very well, if he upsets
you so. But I'll do it.

The sooner, the better.

And I'll help.

I find this most distressing.

This is the first time Papa's been off
the wall, since the day he was hung.

Wait, Erin. Sister, look!

Can it be?

It's addressed to you.

It's Ashley's handwriting.

I'd recognize that anywhere.

"Dear Emily,

"I know that your father
feels I am not a worthy suitor,

"and so rather than
bring any anguish to you,

"I will not come to call again.

"But, Emily, dear sweet Emily,

"I could not take my leave without
first putting a memento of my affection

"in our place.

"I hope it will induce you
to think of me occasionally.

"And now I bid you adieu with a
heavy but loving heart. Ashley."

- I must go there now.
- Where, Sister?

To our place, of course,
Ashley's and mine.

Where's that?

There's a tree in the
woods where he kissed me.

Oh, Miss Emily, you can't
go now. It's dark outside.

Oh, Erin's right. You
must wait until morning.

I have waited 40 years.

Then you can be
patient a bit longer.

Very well.

Now, Erin and I will
accompany you in the morning.

You will come, won't you, Erin?

Oh, yes. I wouldn't miss
this for anything in the world.

Would you like me to put
your father's picture back up?

I think not.

Oh, but, Sister, Papa
belongs over the fireplace.

Eventually, yes,

but right now I
think it's more fitting

that he should have a
few days of penitence.

Erin, would you please take
Papa to the broom closet?

I just came to check up on you.

My stomach still
feels awful funny.

That's not the real reason why you've been
hiding yourself up here all night, is it?

It seems to me your stomach
didn't start bothering you

until after you went
walking with Andy.

He told you? How could he?

He didn't tell us. Your
daddy and I guessed.

Pretty dumb, isn't it?

Feelings are never dumb.

He's getting his things together to
go back to the parsonage tonight.

Why don't you come downstairs
and say goodbye to him?

I can't.

You're gonna have
to face him sometime.

The sooner you do, the sooner you'll
get over feeling uncomfortable around him.

I just can't.

Say goodbye to him for me.

All right.

I'm going over to the parsonage
tomorrow to re-hang some curtains.

I could sure use your help.

Well, you can find
somebody else to do it.

I'd like it to be you.

I'll keep you so busy you won't
have time to worry about Andy.

Let me think about it.

Sure.

Mama,

would you give this
back to him for me?

Didn't he give that
to you for keeps?

I don't want it anymore.

Then you're gonna have to
give it back to him yourself.

I was hoping Elizabeth
would come with you.

So was I.

I think she's awful embarrassed.

I sure never meant to hurt her.

Give her time. She'll
come to understand that.

You know, looking back on it,

I can see that my actions
might have encouraged her.

I should have known better.

You can't blame yourself for something
you didn't know was happening.

Elizabeth was bound to
fall in love sooner or later.

She's lucky she fell in love with a
man as kind and gentle as you are.

Well, I'd sure feel a
whole lot better about

it if she'd just talk
it through with me.

Yoo-hoo!

- Come on in.
- Reverend.

Afternoon, Corabeth.

Reverend.

Oh, Olivia, what a surprise.

I thought I might just stop by and see if I
could aid the Reverend in his resettling.

Why, yes, you can. How about
helping Olivia with the curtains?

I think I'll go have another talk
with a certain young woman.

Well, how mysterious.

Where do you suppose
he's off to in such a hurry?

I really couldn't say.

Well, perhaps a religious
mission of inspiration.

Religious or not, I
hope it's inspired.

There are so many trees. How
will you know which one it is?

I just will, I hope.

The tree fauna has grown considerably
taller in these past few decades.

Well, Sister, I think
you mean the flora,

the fauna are usually animals,
especially when they're baby deer.

Never mind, Sister, here it is.

He carved my initials on this
side of the tree, I remember.

Because the afternoon sun was
shining in his eyes and he kept squinting.

Sister. Here, Sister.

- Oh, yes.
- There it is.

Ashley really had
a way with wood.

Well, look, the arrow
points... Oh, my gosh.

What is it?

Well, the arrow points
to a hollow in the trunk.

Oh, dear, I think I may faint.

No, Sister, now
you control that urge.

There's just no place
here for you to collapse.

Can you feel anything?

Oh, I'm not sure.

- Oh.
- Oh, my. Oh, my.

Oh, my. Oh, my. Oh, my.

Oh, it's beautiful.

He wore this ring
on his little finger.

He said the stone was
the color of my eyes.

And so it is.

Except I see that they're a bit
more sparkling at this moment.

Well, put it on.

You know, Sister, I've
never said this to you before,

but there were moments

when I had some doubts about
Ashley's true feelings for you.

From the moment we kissed beneath
this very tree, I knew Ashley loved me.

And that was 40 years ago.

And in my heart, it is
as if it were yesterday.

Thank you, Ashley.

Thank you.

Hello, Elizabeth.

Hi.

I've been thinking our walk
ended kind of abruptly last night.

All those things I said, it
was just a game, a big joke.

I hope you don't really mean that
because I have enjoyed your company.

I couldn't help feeling honored
that you would write me a poem

which so sweetly said
that you cared for me.

Elizabeth, too many people are
ashamed to love or to show their love.

I wish there had
never been a skunk.

Then we wouldn't have shared
so many fine moments together.

And those moments
mean something to me.

Really?

Why do you think I'm here now?

You know, I told you
that I was an only child.

I always wanted a sister.

And these past few days, I've
begun to think of you in that way.

But I guess you've
got enough brothers.

More than enough, especially
when they're Ben and Jim-Bob.

But

since John-Boy's away,

I guess I could use an extra
brother from time to time.

I would like that.

How about if you and I go
fishing in a few days, huh?

No, thank you. It's too soon.

Later, then.

Come on. I'll walk you back.

No. I wanna stay
here for a while.

All right. I'll see you, then.

Elizabeth home yet?

No, and I'm hurting for her.

It's hard to know what to do.

When she was little and she'd
fall down and bump herself,

I could always kiss
her and make it better.

This kind of ache just
has to wear itself out.

I'm gonna call Matt
Sarver and tell him

I won't be picking up
those contracts tonight.

I don't think you have
to cancel your trip.

Charlottesville will
be there tomorrow.

Honey, you all right?

I finished the buttons on your
dress. You can try it on if you like.

I'm not going to
wear that dress ever.

Let me.

Honey, did Andy say
something to hurt you?

Because if he did, I'll whop
him one, even if he is a preacher.

No, he was real nice.

It's not his fault that he can't
love me the way I want him to.

Now, those things
happen sometimes.

Daddy, I really love him
so much, and it hurts.

It's like a hurt as
big as the mountain.

Well, that's an awful big hurt.

When does it stop?

Not today, not tomorrow.

Sooner or later, it'll stop.

I'm gonna tell you something.

You promise not
to tell your mama.

When I was 14,

I fell in love with a beautiful
woman named Julie Roper.

Her hair was black, the
color of deepest night.

Her eyes were
the color of violets.

Did she love you?

No.

She was my history teacher.

End of the school year, she ran
off and married someone else.

I thought my heart would
break for sure, but it mended.

Years later, it mended real
good when I met your mama.

It sounds so uncomplicated.

It sounds that way
because it was so long ago.

Why don't you try on this dress and
give your mama and me a fashion show?

Oh, Daddy, how
can I wear it now?

I made it to show Andy how
grownup and sophisticated I am.

Now, I don't know anything
about being sophisticated,

but you are truly grown up.

I don't know if
you're aware of it,

but something's been
happening to you the last few days.

I can't imagine
what it could be.

You've discovered you
can love someone, honey.

My little girl has turned into a
woman right before my eyes.

Daddy.

You're right about that dress
being grownup, you know.

Why don't I take you and that
dress over to Charlottesville

for dinner and some dancing?

I think I'd rather not.

Okay.

I'll be downstairs if
you change your mind.

I was beginning to
think I was stood up.

You'd look pretty funny
dancing all by yourself.

I never thought I'd be so happy to
see you going out with another woman.

I didn't know you were gonna look
so beautiful. I better put my suit on.

Mama, are you sure you
don't want to come along?

That's very generous of you,

but I wouldn't dream of
intruding on a young lady's date

with a handsome older man.

Shall we show your mama what a
handsome couple we're going to be?

Elizabeth, may I
have this dance?

The passage of time and
the support of her family

helped Elizabeth overcome the
pain of her first bittersweet love.

And eventually, she and the young
minister were to become good friends.

Some years later, Elizabeth
was to find that one love

which would grow and endure with the
steady brilliance that lasts a lifetime.

Good night, Elizabeth.

Erin, did Miss Emily ever
put her father's portrait

- back over the fireplace?
- Yesterday.

I think we ought to put a portrait
of Daddy over our fireplace.

Good idea! And then if
Mama ever got mad at him,

she could just throw
him in the broom closet.

- Good night, Erin.
- Good night, Elizabeth.

Good night, Daddy.