The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 8, Episode 16 - The Idol - full transcript
There is a new teacher at school who is fun and modern. Elizabeth likes her. The teacher is not well, but wants to teach and live. She teaches reproduction and the town is outraged. Cindy and Ben are expecting a baby.
Hazel Lamphere.
Don't look so surprised. I'm
actually a very good teacher.
You just don't look
like our usual teachers.
- What'd you expect?
- Warts.
Being a father just
comes natural to you.
When you see that little creature,
how much it needs you, you'll feel strong.
Cindy and I should've
waited. I'm just not ready.
If you waited till you were ready,
you'd be a white-haired old man like me.
I have to go to the hospital!
- Now?
- This minute.
- But the baby's not due yet, is it?
- Try and tell the baby that.
- Where's Ben?
- He's not home yet.
I wish that we had years
of adventures to share,
but we still have a
couple of months.
You lied to me.
You said we were going to go to New
York together, and you never meant it.
You say you love
me, but you don't.
You said that the world
was beautiful, but it's ugly.
You lie.
In each of our
lives, if we are lucky,
we encounter a few extraordinary
people who forever alter our perceptions
and color our thoughts. They
become the touchstones of our lives.
In the spring of 1944,
m y sister, Elizabeth,
came to know one of
these special people.
- Here you are.
- Thank you.
Oh, blast it. Direct
hit. Wonderful.
The bus broke down twice,
the woman traveling next to me
was with a molting
chicken, and now this.
What do you think of the combination
of mohair, mud and feathers?
I don't suppose there's a
dry-cleaning shop handy?
- I'm afraid not.
- How about a taxicab?
- You could try Rockfish.
- I did. That's where I got the bus.
Well, why don't you tell
me where you're going,
and maybe I can help
you with your bags?
Well, I'm not actually sure. Where
is the schoolteacher's house?
- You're the new teacher?
- Hazel Lamphere.
Don't look so surprised.
I'm a very good teacher.
Oh, Miss Lamphere,
here, let me take your bags.
Please call me Hazel,
except in the classroom.
- How about telling me your name?
- Oh, Elizabeth Walton.
You just don't look
like our usual teachers.
- What'd you expect?
- Warts.
First word is
"arithmetic." Arithmetic.
A-R-I-T-T-H-E-M-A-T-T-I-C?
Wrong?
It's very simple. "A rat in the
house might eat the ice cream."
Now, the first letter of
every word in that sentence
- makes the proper spelling.
- Hi, Rose. Hi, Jeffrey.
Hi. You know something? I
wish you'd be our new teacher,
'cause the last one we
had was a real jerk. J-E-R-K.
I'm going to Godsey's. I have a
craving for pistachio nuts and pigs' feet.
- Can I get you anything?
- Yes, yes.
We could use some more lemons
if we're going to have
lemonade for the baby shower.
Okay. Be glad to.
See you later. Bye-bye.
- Is Cindy's baby gonna get rained on?
- No, no.
A "shower" is a party given to
celebrate the coming of the blessed event.
Us gals are going to have
a party for Cindy next week,
and then you menfolk
will have a party for Ben.
Is that when we're
going to get the baby?
No, the baby comes
a few weeks after that.
Where's it arriving from?
I don't think you'd find
that very interesting.
- Yes, I would.
- It's like this. In a few weeks,
- Cindy will be off to the hospital.
- Then what?
Well, then, the doctor will
come around to see her, and...
You know the black
bag a doctor carries?
Well, he'll take the baby out
of the bag and give it to Cindy.
- That's it?
- Pretty close.
- Now, let's spell "geography."
- Is there a trick way to spell that?
Yes. George Ellen's old grandpa
rode a pig home yesterday.
Home sweet home. I like it.
- Here we are.
- Oh, it's nice.
- Except for that painting. What a horror.
- Don't you like it?
It's from the Corabeth Godsey Private
Collection of Art. Corabeth's very refined.
Being refined is no guarantee
of good taste though, is it?
- Not with Corabeth.
- Come on, old Cupid, down off your perch.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm just a little
tired from that walk, I think.
- What are those?
- Oh, nothing important. Just aspirin.
Let's unpack.
- Where did you get this?
- In Thailand.
- What were you doing in Thailand?
- Riding the rickshaws
and going to see all the temples. I
was on my way around the world.
Certainly sounds a lot
more fun than teaching.
It's just a different kind of fun. I
love working with young people.
I've always thought of
a teacher as the enemy.
There seems to be a lot of
that going around these days.
But I always feel that, for me, my
students become a kind of family.
It's the only family I've got. Do
you have brothers and sisters?
Bunches. That reminds me. I'd better
be getting home. It's about suppertime.
Yoo-hoo!
Miss Lamphere!
- It's Corabeth Godsey.
- Cupid lady?
Mmm-hmm.
It's too bad you didn't like her
picture. She's liable to stay mad
- at that for a long time.
- I can handle her. You run on home.
- Hi, Corabeth. Bye.
- Goodbye.
How do you do? You must be Miss
Lamphere. I am Corabeth Godsey.
I'm very glad to meet you.
Thank you so much for the job.
Well, it was not
entirely my selection.
However, I must admit that a
great deal of the responsibility
from the Board of Education
does fall on my shoulders.
My, you are much younger
than I ever expected.
Well, I trust that I was given the position
because of my qualifications, not my age.
Well, how do you like
your accommodation?
Oh dear. Now, I am sure I
told Mr. Godsey to hang that up.
Well, he did. I took it down.
There just isn't enough room here for
both me and Cupid. Thank you anyway.
Well, it's such a pity that
you don't appreciate art.
- I, myself, find it so inspiring.
- Oh, so do I.
But, I guess my tastes seem
to run in a different direction.
I think I have an abstract
print I'm going to hang instead.
Oh, dear. One of those
decadent moderns.
- Well, I suppose it is your decision.
- I suppose so.
- Elizabeth, you're late for supper.
- I'm sorry.
- Guess what I've been doing today?
- Making eyes at a soldier.
Visiting the new schoolteacher.
She needed help unpacking.
- What's her name, Elizabeth?
- Hazel Lamphere. It's French.
She's really nice. She's pretty,
too. She's been around the world.
Sounds like you've taken
quite a fancy to her, honey.
I have. I think
she likes me, too.
Good morning. I'm Miss Lamphere. It's
an odd name, so let me spell it for you.
I know we'll all get along
better if from now on
I can use my energies for
teaching, and not for whistling.
Also, all paper airplanes
and any other missiles
have been grounded for
the duration of my stay.
I'm here because I love to teach.
But I suspect that most of you are here
because your parents told
you you had to come. Right?
Okay. Then why don't you tell me
some of the reasons you don't like school?
Come on, I'm not going
to grade you on this. Yes?
- It's boring.
- All right, fair enough.
And I'm going to try to
do something about that.
So, for your first homework
assignment, I want each of you
to write on a piece of paper
some subjects that interest you.
And then I will find some time each
day to study these things with you.
- Any questions?
- How about cowboys?
Cowboys are
great. Also cowgirls.
Now, this is an interesting
subject. A snake.
Green with some stripes, non-venomous.
He's very beautiful, in a way.
He's also very slippery. I don't
know much else about him,
but I do know that his natural
habitat is not the schoolroom.
So, from now on, the only living creatures
to be in this room are human beings.
Got that? Good.
Even Jim-Bob likes you and
he's never liked a teacher before.
That's quite a compliment.
- Where do you think I should hang this?
- What is it?
- It's modern art.
- That's art?
I'll have you know that the original is
hanging in a museum in New York City.
- It's just lines and colors.
- It's called abstract art.
- I like it, I think.
- Me, too.
But you know, a lot of people don't.
They think anybody can paint this.
- Babies, monkeys.
- Not you?
No. I think it's going to
endure, like all important art.
You certainly
know a lot about it.
Well, I used to live in the museums in
New York. They have rooms and rooms
full of magnificent artworks. Some very
new, and some hundreds of years old.
You know, I've never
even been to one museum.
Then you should put that
on your list of things to do.
- You have a list?
- Of course.
I remember when I first started it. At
the top of the list was, "To ride a camel."
- Have you?
- Here, hold this.
Yes, in Egypt. The
camel's name was Nefertiti,
and it was the bumpiest
ride I've ever had.
I know now why they call
camels the ships of the desert.
I was seasick most of the
time, but I loved it. That's good.
You know, you can even
make being sick sound like fun.
Oh, well, I've had my
share of dull moments,
but I try to make every
experience an adventure.
Maybe you could
show me the museums.
We could go to New
York together this summer.
Well, summer's a long way
off to be making plans already.
Yeah, but I need
time to save money.
You have plenty of time, and
New York will always be there.
Miss Lamphere? I'm John Walton.
- Hello, nice to meet you.
- Hi, Daddy.
Honey, we've been looking all over
for you. You know what time it is?
- Is it late?
- It's after 6:00.
I'm sorry. We were
talking about modern art.
I apologize, Mr. Walton. I
thought Elizabeth had called you.
I meant to, but I forgot.
The afternoon went very fast.
Well, let's go. Modern art
can wait till tomorrow, can't it?
Of course. Art endures.
You know, Daddy, I've been
thinking about becoming a teacher.
When did that happen?
I think when she discovered
you didn't have to have warts.
- Bye-bye, Hazel.
- Bye. Nice to have met you.
- Bye-bye, nice to have met you.
- Good night.
Good night.
- What was that?
- That was Rover.
You cannot tell
me Rover is a dog.
No, Rover is Jim-Bob's peacock.
- He runs wild now.
- What would you be, if you were a bird?
A bird? I've never
really thought about it.
Well, just supposing.
Well, I suppose I could
be an eagle. I'd be the boss.
I can be a nightingale. They
sing so beautifully, and I just don't.
- What about you?
- The phoenix.
- Phoenix. I've never heard of them.
- There's only one in the world.
It lives for hundreds of years, and then
it builds a funeral pyre made of branches
- and leaps into the flames.
- It kills itself?
Yeah, well, hold on. This is the
best part. It then rises from the ashes,
- young and resurrected.
- I change my vote to the phoenix.
- I'd like to live forever.
- Oh, but we do. Even if our bodies die,
bits of us live on, in
others, in our friends.
- Still, I'd rather rise from ashes.
- Me, too.
I've never seen
anything like it.
The lady at the store
said it's one of a kind.
- I can believe it.
- My, what an unusual gift.
I think it's cute.
And I like it.
I'll get it.
Everybody, this is Hazel Lamphere.
She's the new schoolteacher.
- Hi!
- Hey, there.
- How do you do?
- It is our pleasure. I do so admire you.
I've always had a secret
wish to be a schoolteacher.
- As have I, Miss Lamphere.
- What could you teach?
Oh, Sister was first in
her class in elocution.
And Emily is an
expert in etiquette.
Well, perhaps you'd care to
address the class one day?
We'd be delighted,
wouldn't we, Sister?
Congratulations, Cindy.
This is for you and the baby.
And this is a rum
cake for the rest of us.
The demon rum.
I think you
overestimate the cake.
Why don't we get some plates?
- Okay. Is this from you?
- Yes!
There're some
plates in the cupboard.
- I gather the rum cake was a mistake.
- Only with Corabeth.
It looks good. I
can't wait to try it.
- Hazel? What's wrong?
- Just a little dizzy.
Don't tell the others. Corabeth will think
I've been dipping into the demon rum.
- Have you seen a doctor?
- It's nothing serious.
- This is from Sister and me.
- Oh, thanks.
It's been in our family
since we were babies.
- Corabeth.
- Oh, thank you.
- It's a music box.
- Oh, isn't that a charming gift?
I have always felt that an
infant was never too young
- to start learning to appreciate music.
- I loved it as a baby myself.
I just felt the baby kick.
In time to the music.
- Well, well, look at that.
- That's great, Jim-Bob.
The lady at the store said it was
the only one of its kind. It's unique.
- It should be, for my baby.
- It's real nice, Jim-Bob.
Anybody want any
more of the Recipe?
- Sure, sure.
- Not you, Jeffrey.
I think we better drink it up
before Corabeth gets back.
- This is like a bachelor party.
- Well, you know, why not?
Because we didn't have a chance to
give you one when you were a free man.
The only thing that's missing is
the girl coming out of the cake.
You know, I considered that, but I
thought it would be more appropriate
- if we had a stork coming out.
- Why a stork?
Because the stork
brings the baby, of course.
I always thought that the doctor
brought him in the black bag.
- Drink your orange juice, son.
- Oh, Ben, here's something practical.
I like those
wrappings there, Ike.
- I did it all myself.
- It's the thought that counts.
At any rate, that's a first aid kit. And
it's got stuff in there for convulsions
and for croup, and it's
got all sorts of instructions.
- I thought it'd come in handy for you.
- Anything for colic?
- Thanks, Ike. It's really nice.
- I got one more thing here for you, son.
I bet it's money.
I opened up a bank
account for my grandchild.
- You can fill in the first name later.
- Thanks, Daddy, that's real thoughtful.
It's not much money, but... Oh,
it's not going to pay a dental bill
or a college education,
but it's a start.
I guess I have to think
about those things, huh?
Yes, you do, son.
Come on, Ben, drink up, for in a few
tomorrows, you're going to be a father.
Ike says so. He says
they come from the storks.
But there aren't any storks around
here, and there are plenty of babies.
Well, how about the
doctor's black bag?
Nana told me that's
where they come from.
She's wrong, too. They
come from the cabbage patch.
- Who told you that?
- My mother, and she should know.
- That's where she found me.
- You're both wrong.
What is all the shouting about?
The older children
are still in school.
Jeffrey thinks a baby
comes from black bags,
and Lauren thinks they come from
cabbage patches, but I know the truth.
It's in the mama's stomach.
That's why Cindy's so fat.
- You mean the baby is in there?
- Well, the baby is inside Cindy,
but it's in a special
place just for babies.
How does the baby get out?
It squeezes through
the mama's bellybutton.
Hold it. That idea belongs
with the cabbage patch theory.
- But that's what I was told.
- I'm sorry, it's wrong.
How would you all like it if we had a
class all about how babies are born?
- Yeah.
- Can we still have a class about cowboys?
Certainly, but after
the baby class.
Cowboys were not born in the
saddle, you know. Okay, scoot on home.
- Hi, everybody.
- Hello, Jeffrey.
Hey, what do you think
of your new teacher?
I like her. She says a lot of interesting
things, and she's not afraid of snakes.
What sort of interesting things?
Today she told us that
Cindy's baby was inside Cindy.
You got it all wrong, Nana.
They don't come from black bags.
Well, I just thought maybe you
were too young to understand.
Did she tell you anything
else about babies?
Nope. She's saving the rest to teach
us in class. Beat you home, Nana.
See you, Jeffrey.
Oh, dear. First it was
rum cakes and modern art,
and now it's lessons in
childbirth. What are we to do?
Well, I guess from now on, we better start
teaching the children the truth ourselves.
Why, the parents should be warned.
Now that woman should be dismissed.
- Well, then, who'd you find to teach?
- Why, you don't have to look very far.
I am as qualified as
anyone in this backwater.
Oh, dear.
- If it's a girl, I'd call it Anastasia.
- Sounds like some kind of medicine.
- What about Sarah?
- No, thank you.
- I like Frank.
- Or Manfred. Sounds manly.
- Tom isn't bad.
- What about Karen?
Now that I like.
Yeah, Ben used to have an
old girlfriend named Karen.
Well, I think we'll
forget about that one.
Elizabeth would probably
want to name it Hazel.
- Oh, dear.
- What's wrong with that?
Oh, it's not that. It's just that
Hazel's got herself in hot water.
- Well, what happened?
- JIM-BOB Corabeth found out
she's teaching a class on
childbirth. Now she's on the warpath.
- Poor Hazel.
- And it's all my fault.
If only I had told Jeffrey the
truth. But, you know, when children
begin to ask ticklish questions, it
gets very difficult. Now you wait and see.
Our baby won't be asking
too many questions for a while.
Well, at Jeffrey's age
they're curious as cats,
which is healthy for
them but awkward for us.
When our kids start asking questions,
I'm going to send them to Daddy.
- You'll be fine.
- Oh, sure. Man-to-man talks?
- Unless it's a daughter.
- How about Isabel or Reginald?
Reginald? With a name like
that, he'll probably get enlisted
- into the Foreign Legion.
- You guys keep on thinking.
- I have to go make a delivery in Rockfish.
- Are you going to be back by dinner?
- I'll try, but don't count on it. Bye-bye.
- Bye-bye.
Hello. If you were a goldfinch flying by,
would you be interested in this birdfeeder?
I desperately long to see some
goldfinches and I hear they do come around.
Depends upon what
kind of birdfeed you got.
I have got seed that even a
gourmet bird could not resist.
- What's on your mind?
- It's Corabeth.
- She's out to get you.
- Sounds serious.
She found out about
your class on childbirth
and she's going
to try and stop you.
- Oh, no, she's won't.
- You don't know her. She's impossible.
I can get pretty stubborn,
myself, you know.
- You can't fight her.
- Then what should I do?
Tell her you won't do the class.
- I can't do that.
- She's gonna try and get you fired.
Trying is not succeeding.
But I want you here.
I don't want you to go.
Elizabeth, we will be
friends no matter where I am.
I also want you here so I can
learn how to teach from you.
Then the first thing
you better learn is that
you've got to stick
fast to your principles.
Well, you could say that
you've changed your mind,
and that you don't have
time to teach that stuff.
I'd be lying.
And worse, I'd be letting narrow-minded
people like Corabeth push me around
- and tell me what I can teach.
- Learning about babies isn't so important.
What is important is that I'm
able to teach what I choose.
And that means that the
parents have to trust me,
and understand that I would
never teach something harmful.
- Corabeth could win.
- Possibly,
but sometimes in life,
we've gotta take chances.
You've gotta make a stand
for something you believe in.
And if you run away from it, then
you'll hurt something inside yourself.
- You understand that?
- I guess.
Listen, there are always going
to be dragons around us in life.
And when a dragon, even a
small one, starts to breathe fire,
then we gotta stop it.
And sometimes,
you get burned trying.
- Corabeth can be quite a dragon.
- And I am going to muzzle her.
- I wish I could help you.
- Well, you can.
How about asking Mary Ellen for
some medical books about birth?
I want to make sure that
I've got all my facts straight.
Maybe you could teach the
class with such complicated words
that nobody could
understand you.
- Elizabeth Walton.
- Okay, you win.
That's the spirit.
Easy, son. Easy.
- Ben, will you pay attention, please?
- I'm sorry, Daddy. My mind's on things.
- It's sure not on your work.
- I'm just not cut out to be a father.
A little late to be thinking
about that now, son.
Just never thought there
were so many serious things,
like talks, college,
dentists, the croup.
Whoa, whoa. Like I've
been trying to tell you,
you don't have to worry
about all those things at once.
First you get the little thing out of its
diapers. You take the rest as it comes.
Being a father just
comes natural to you.
Ben, after 25 years of on-the-job
training, it does come easier.
It can get rough sometimes.
You'll catch on, Ben.
I just wish I had
your confidence.
When you see how much that little
thing needs you, you'll feel real strong.
Cindy and I should've
waited. I'm just not ready.
If you waited till you were ready
you'd be a white-haired old man like me.
The way I'm feeling right now, I'm
going to be a white-haired young man.
Ben, it's gonna
be all right, son.
- Thank you, Corabeth. Oh, dear.
- Thank you.
I don't think I'm gonna ever
get used to this rationing.
Yes. It does cause one to
lead a more circumscribed life.
- It certainly does.
- Thank you.
- Good afternoon, ladies.
- Oh, Miss Lamphere.
Hello, Miss Lamphere.
Miss Lamphere, if there's
something that you require,
- you must wait your turn.
- Well, actually I came to see you,
but I'm glad Miss Emily and
Miss Mamie are here, also.
I want to invite you all
to school this Monday.
Well, I do hope that
you have reconsidered
teaching childbirth in
the public school system.
Well, I haven't.
And I'm counting on you to tell
the other parents that they're invited.
I remember after Ashley
Longworth kissed me,
Papa gave us a book about what
every young lady should know.
And that's the last time the
subject was ever brought up.
Well, then, do come to my class.
- May we ask questions?
- And get some answers?
Certainly, I hope so.
And, Corabeth, if you have any questions,
I'll be happy to answer them for you.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye.
Hazel?
Hazel, it's Mary Ellen. I
brought the medical books.
Hazel, are you here?
Hazel.
Hazel?
Hazel?
Hazel. What happened?
Oh...
Oh, it's just a headache.
I must have fainted.
- Some headache. You were out cold.
- Did you bring those medical books?
- I'm taking you to see a doctor.
- Oh, thank you, no.
- I think you need one.
- Please, Mary Ellen.
Well, if you won't go see
one, I'll bring one here to you.
It's stupid to try to fool you.
I've already been examined
by a doctor, many doctors.
And they all say the same thing.
I'm going to die. Three,
four months. No longer.
Why didn't you tell us?
If you could only
see your expression.
I don't want to spend
the little time I have left
seeing only pity
in people's eyes.
What is it?
The poetic name for
it is acoustic neuroma.
- A brain tumor?
- I've always hated the way that sounds.
Will you keep my secret?
- What about Elizabeth?
- I dread telling her.
Don't underestimate her. She
is a young woman, not a little girl.
Let's get to those
books of yours.
Why did you come here if
you have so little time left?
Because I needed to teach, and
Walton's Mountain needed a teacher.
I want to open my students'
eyes to the wonder of ideas
and the wonder of this Earth.
And if one student, just Elizabeth,
learns from me to treasure
or challenge life a little more,
then I will have put
back into the world
some of the joy and
excitement I've known,
and my life will have been of some
value. Does that make sense to you?
- How about another?
- It's about time to close up.
You a family man?
- No. Single, and like it that way.
- Thank you.
Yeah. I sometimes
miss being single, myself.
- The missus giving you a hard time?
- Cindy? She's wonderful. The best.
That's why you're in here
drowning your sorrows, huh?
I'm going to be a father soon. Do
I look old enough to be a father?
Hmm...
I don't feel like I am.
It's hard being a parent.
Got a whole other life
that's dependent on you.
- It's too much.
- That's why I'm a bachelor.
Well, I better be getting home
to the diapers, the college tuition,
bills for the braces,
the colds, the coughs...
- You better have another one for the road.
- Now, that's a good idea.
John!
John, I have to
go to the hospital.
I have to go to the hospital.
- Now?
- This minute.
- But the baby's not due yet, is it?
- Try and tell the baby that.
- Where's Ben?
- He's not home yet.
- What time is it?
- It's after 3:00.
We can't worry about him now. Okay.
Get ready. Come on, go ahead. Let's go.
Mary Ellen! Come on, Mary Ellen!
- Hazel.
- Elizabeth. What's happened?
- Cindy's gone to the hospital.
- The baby's come.
We don't know that yet. They
left in the middle of the night.
- Oh, God. I hope it's a girl.
- The father probably hopes it's a boy.
That's true. What do you want to have if
you have your first child? Boys or girls?
- I'm not going to be having children.
- Why not? You love children.
It's not that simple.
Elizabeth, there's a problem,
and I'd like to tell you about it.
Sounds like a pretty
big fire-breathing dragon.
The very biggest.
And he's gonna win.
I want you to know about
this because I love you.
- I'm dying, Elizabeth.
- You're not serious.
I am. I'm sorry.
I don't believe you.
I wish that we had years
of adventures to share,
but we still have a
couple of months.
You can get better. I
mean, new medicines?
No. No, Elizabeth.
This is what is, and I
cannot run away from it.
Now, let's just try to enjoy
the time we have together.
How?
We were going to go
to New York together.
But you must still go. It's on
your list. You don't need me there.
You lied to me.
You said we were going to go to New
York together, and you never meant it.
You say you love
me, but you don't.
You said that the world
was beautiful but it's ugly.
You lie.
Elizabeth. Elizabeth, wait!
Elizabeth, stop. Wait! Listen to me!
Elizabeth!
- Daddy, is Cindy all right?
- Where have you been, son?
Had a little too much to drink
last night, so I slept in the truck.
Rose told me you were here.
She's doing fine. She's a
little upset. Worried about you.
- Can I see her?
- She's right inside, waiting for you.
- Cindy?
- Hi.
I'm so sorry.
All of a sudden I got
scared of being a father.
I tried to run away.
- I needed you last night.
- I know.
And I need you now. Always.
- Please forgive me?
- I already have.
You know, I've been pretty
scared about being a mother.
But with you with me,
I'm sure we'll both be fine.
- Cindy, where's the baby?
- It's already been born, silly.
- Where is it? How is it? Is it all right?
- She's perfect.
- She?
- You have a daughter.
- You don't mind?
- Are you crazy?
If she's anything like her mother,
I'll be the happiest father on Earth.
Congratulations, Daddy.
- She's so tiny.
- Don't be afraid. She won't break.
Look at the little
fingers and fingernails.
She came with a full set.
Now that we have her, what
are we going to name her?
I've been thinking.
I'd like to name her after the most
beautiful and special place I know.
- Virginia.
- I love it.
Virginia Walton,
how do you like that?
Here's your mama now.
We're going to take the best
care of you any baby ever had.
- That sure is one beautiful baby.
- Well, not any more than John Curtis was.
Well, let's just say it's the most
beautiful granddaughter I've ever had.
Oh, well, that's
playing it safe.
Serena and Elizabeth ought to be
happy. They were rooting for a baby girl.
Elizabeth could use some
good news about now.
Something happen?
I think I better tell you
about it. It's about Hazel.
They're here!
Is it a boy or a girl?
Well?
Where's Elizabeth?
She'll want to hear this.
Oh, she's acting very strangely.
She hardly touched her lunch,
and then she went for a
walk, all by her lonesome.
- We'll tell her about the baby later.
- Well, tell us about it now.
- Ben and Cindy had a baby girl.
- It's a girl?
Not "it." Virginia,
Virginia Walton.
I win, because I said
we'd call her Ginny.
You're up late.
Daddy told me about Hazel. It
must've been a big shock and hurt.
Why'd she come here like that?
Pretending we were
gonna be friends for always?
You are.
You're probably as deep friends now
as many years would have made you.
But we don't have many years.
I wish I'd never met her.
You remember my friend
Seth, who gave me this?
I remember. He died.
When he gave me this recorder,
I couldn't even play
it, I was so mad at him.
You know why? 'Cause I
felt like he was deserting me.
But he really wasn't. 'Cause I
still have my memories of him.
That's the part of Hazel
that'll live on with you.
And the things she's taught you.
Your new love of art. And
your interest in teaching.
Seems to me she's given
you some lasting gifts.
- Except for herself.
- That wasn't hers to give.
Looks like you've got
quite a crowd here.
Had I known, I would've
charged admission.
That way, if I'm fired, at
least I'd have a nest egg.
- I can feel the hostility from here.
- I'm on your side.
If you get any questions
you can't answer, call on me.
Thanks.
- Where's Elizabeth?
- She wouldn't come. I'm sorry.
Me, too. For myself and for her.
Well, I guess it's time
to face the dragons.
- Good luck.
- Thanks.
Good morning, everyone.
Today I'm going to talk about
how babies come into this world.
If any of you have any questions,
please feel free to raise your hands.
- Miss Lamphere?
- Yes, Corabeth?
Birth education has never been
taught in our public school system.
And I, for one, am very
opposed to the addition of it now.
Well, normally, I feel
that this is a subject
that should be
explained by the parents.
Precisely my point.
However, several of my students
seem to have been misinformed.
Cindy Walton gave birth to
a baby girl this past weekend.
And I feel sure that all
the Waltons here now
will vouch for me when I say that
none of them spent the weekend
scouring cabbage patches
or waiting for the stork.
It's time that we start answering
the children's questions honestly.
Because if we don't, they'll
turn elsewhere for the answers.
- I always liked the one about the stork.
- Please, Jim-Bob. Just questions.
Now I believe that the birth of a child
is a very intimate and personal event.
But it is also a magnificent
process designed by God.
And we should be in wonder of
it, not ashamed or embarrassed.
If any of you feel
otherwise, please, speak up.
Good.
Now, inside every woman is a
special place called the womb or uterus.
It's shaped like an upside-down
pear, and is very much the same size.
This is the baby's first home,
where it lives and grows,
safe and warm, for nine months.
- Yes, Jeffrey?
- Isn't it a bit too small?
Well, when life begins,
the baby is so small
that you can't even
see it in the womb.
But as the baby grows, the
womb stretches to fit the baby,
much like a glove stretches
when you slip your hand inside it.
- You sick, honey?
- No.
Honey, it's not right to mourn
for Hazel when she's still alive.
I just want to
forget all about her.
This is not the time to be
feeling sorry for yourself.
- I love her.
- Then show her.
Remember how you
felt when Grandpa died?
How you never said goodbye to him?
You have that chance with Hazel now.
Elizabeth.
You and Hazel have chosen
each other to be friends.
That means you have to
be friends in bad times, too.
It's important to try to
make her feel happy, honey.
No matter how much it hurts.
- I don't know how.
- You'll find a way, because she needs you.
- It's not fair.
- I know.
I know.
Oh, Miss Lamphere, you have
neglected to mention how important it is
that the expectant
mother have a good diet.
Good point.
Yes, the mother must be sure that
the baby gets the proper nutrition.
Sometimes pregnant
women have strong cravings
for very bizarre food combinations,
but this is only normal and healthy.
You mean like pistachio
nuts and pickled pigs' feet?
Right.
Sounds rather tasty. We
should try it sometime, Sister.
Sister.
Near the end of the pregnancy, the
baby begins to kick inside the mother.
Does it hurt?
No, I'm told that it's
quite a wonderful feeling,
because the mother knows
that the baby is anxious
to begin the adventure
of life in the world outside.
I would hardly call this
vale of tears an adventure.
I would.
So would I.
Life is the most extraordinary
adventure we know so far.
And if we've been lucky
enough to share it with friends,
then when the time comes to die,
we know we've lived fully and are
ready for the next great adventure.
Now, then.
From that da y onward, Hazel's
teaching was never again questioned.
Elizabeth and Hazel's
friendship grew stronger,
and even though Hazel
died a few months later,
her zest for life
lived on in m y sister.
- Good night, Jeffrey.
- Good night, Erin.
If Virginia is your niece,
is she my niece, too?
- No, she's your cousin.
- But you're my cousin.
So is Virginia, only
she's once removed.
Removed where? - One generation.
What's that? - Complicated.
- Good night, Jeffrey.
- Good night, Erin.
Good night, Virginia.
English -SDH
Don't look so surprised. I'm
actually a very good teacher.
You just don't look
like our usual teachers.
- What'd you expect?
- Warts.
Being a father just
comes natural to you.
When you see that little creature,
how much it needs you, you'll feel strong.
Cindy and I should've
waited. I'm just not ready.
If you waited till you were ready,
you'd be a white-haired old man like me.
I have to go to the hospital!
- Now?
- This minute.
- But the baby's not due yet, is it?
- Try and tell the baby that.
- Where's Ben?
- He's not home yet.
I wish that we had years
of adventures to share,
but we still have a
couple of months.
You lied to me.
You said we were going to go to New
York together, and you never meant it.
You say you love
me, but you don't.
You said that the world
was beautiful, but it's ugly.
You lie.
In each of our
lives, if we are lucky,
we encounter a few extraordinary
people who forever alter our perceptions
and color our thoughts. They
become the touchstones of our lives.
In the spring of 1944,
m y sister, Elizabeth,
came to know one of
these special people.
- Here you are.
- Thank you.
Oh, blast it. Direct
hit. Wonderful.
The bus broke down twice,
the woman traveling next to me
was with a molting
chicken, and now this.
What do you think of the combination
of mohair, mud and feathers?
I don't suppose there's a
dry-cleaning shop handy?
- I'm afraid not.
- How about a taxicab?
- You could try Rockfish.
- I did. That's where I got the bus.
Well, why don't you tell
me where you're going,
and maybe I can help
you with your bags?
Well, I'm not actually sure. Where
is the schoolteacher's house?
- You're the new teacher?
- Hazel Lamphere.
Don't look so surprised.
I'm a very good teacher.
Oh, Miss Lamphere,
here, let me take your bags.
Please call me Hazel,
except in the classroom.
- How about telling me your name?
- Oh, Elizabeth Walton.
You just don't look
like our usual teachers.
- What'd you expect?
- Warts.
First word is
"arithmetic." Arithmetic.
A-R-I-T-T-H-E-M-A-T-T-I-C?
Wrong?
It's very simple. "A rat in the
house might eat the ice cream."
Now, the first letter of
every word in that sentence
- makes the proper spelling.
- Hi, Rose. Hi, Jeffrey.
Hi. You know something? I
wish you'd be our new teacher,
'cause the last one we
had was a real jerk. J-E-R-K.
I'm going to Godsey's. I have a
craving for pistachio nuts and pigs' feet.
- Can I get you anything?
- Yes, yes.
We could use some more lemons
if we're going to have
lemonade for the baby shower.
Okay. Be glad to.
See you later. Bye-bye.
- Is Cindy's baby gonna get rained on?
- No, no.
A "shower" is a party given to
celebrate the coming of the blessed event.
Us gals are going to have
a party for Cindy next week,
and then you menfolk
will have a party for Ben.
Is that when we're
going to get the baby?
No, the baby comes
a few weeks after that.
Where's it arriving from?
I don't think you'd find
that very interesting.
- Yes, I would.
- It's like this. In a few weeks,
- Cindy will be off to the hospital.
- Then what?
Well, then, the doctor will
come around to see her, and...
You know the black
bag a doctor carries?
Well, he'll take the baby out
of the bag and give it to Cindy.
- That's it?
- Pretty close.
- Now, let's spell "geography."
- Is there a trick way to spell that?
Yes. George Ellen's old grandpa
rode a pig home yesterday.
Home sweet home. I like it.
- Here we are.
- Oh, it's nice.
- Except for that painting. What a horror.
- Don't you like it?
It's from the Corabeth Godsey Private
Collection of Art. Corabeth's very refined.
Being refined is no guarantee
of good taste though, is it?
- Not with Corabeth.
- Come on, old Cupid, down off your perch.
Are you okay?
Yeah, I'm just a little
tired from that walk, I think.
- What are those?
- Oh, nothing important. Just aspirin.
Let's unpack.
- Where did you get this?
- In Thailand.
- What were you doing in Thailand?
- Riding the rickshaws
and going to see all the temples. I
was on my way around the world.
Certainly sounds a lot
more fun than teaching.
It's just a different kind of fun. I
love working with young people.
I've always thought of
a teacher as the enemy.
There seems to be a lot of
that going around these days.
But I always feel that, for me, my
students become a kind of family.
It's the only family I've got. Do
you have brothers and sisters?
Bunches. That reminds me. I'd better
be getting home. It's about suppertime.
Yoo-hoo!
Miss Lamphere!
- It's Corabeth Godsey.
- Cupid lady?
Mmm-hmm.
It's too bad you didn't like her
picture. She's liable to stay mad
- at that for a long time.
- I can handle her. You run on home.
- Hi, Corabeth. Bye.
- Goodbye.
How do you do? You must be Miss
Lamphere. I am Corabeth Godsey.
I'm very glad to meet you.
Thank you so much for the job.
Well, it was not
entirely my selection.
However, I must admit that a
great deal of the responsibility
from the Board of Education
does fall on my shoulders.
My, you are much younger
than I ever expected.
Well, I trust that I was given the position
because of my qualifications, not my age.
Well, how do you like
your accommodation?
Oh dear. Now, I am sure I
told Mr. Godsey to hang that up.
Well, he did. I took it down.
There just isn't enough room here for
both me and Cupid. Thank you anyway.
Well, it's such a pity that
you don't appreciate art.
- I, myself, find it so inspiring.
- Oh, so do I.
But, I guess my tastes seem
to run in a different direction.
I think I have an abstract
print I'm going to hang instead.
Oh, dear. One of those
decadent moderns.
- Well, I suppose it is your decision.
- I suppose so.
- Elizabeth, you're late for supper.
- I'm sorry.
- Guess what I've been doing today?
- Making eyes at a soldier.
Visiting the new schoolteacher.
She needed help unpacking.
- What's her name, Elizabeth?
- Hazel Lamphere. It's French.
She's really nice. She's pretty,
too. She's been around the world.
Sounds like you've taken
quite a fancy to her, honey.
I have. I think
she likes me, too.
Good morning. I'm Miss Lamphere. It's
an odd name, so let me spell it for you.
I know we'll all get along
better if from now on
I can use my energies for
teaching, and not for whistling.
Also, all paper airplanes
and any other missiles
have been grounded for
the duration of my stay.
I'm here because I love to teach.
But I suspect that most of you are here
because your parents told
you you had to come. Right?
Okay. Then why don't you tell me
some of the reasons you don't like school?
Come on, I'm not going
to grade you on this. Yes?
- It's boring.
- All right, fair enough.
And I'm going to try to
do something about that.
So, for your first homework
assignment, I want each of you
to write on a piece of paper
some subjects that interest you.
And then I will find some time each
day to study these things with you.
- Any questions?
- How about cowboys?
Cowboys are
great. Also cowgirls.
Now, this is an interesting
subject. A snake.
Green with some stripes, non-venomous.
He's very beautiful, in a way.
He's also very slippery. I don't
know much else about him,
but I do know that his natural
habitat is not the schoolroom.
So, from now on, the only living creatures
to be in this room are human beings.
Got that? Good.
Even Jim-Bob likes you and
he's never liked a teacher before.
That's quite a compliment.
- Where do you think I should hang this?
- What is it?
- It's modern art.
- That's art?
I'll have you know that the original is
hanging in a museum in New York City.
- It's just lines and colors.
- It's called abstract art.
- I like it, I think.
- Me, too.
But you know, a lot of people don't.
They think anybody can paint this.
- Babies, monkeys.
- Not you?
No. I think it's going to
endure, like all important art.
You certainly
know a lot about it.
Well, I used to live in the museums in
New York. They have rooms and rooms
full of magnificent artworks. Some very
new, and some hundreds of years old.
You know, I've never
even been to one museum.
Then you should put that
on your list of things to do.
- You have a list?
- Of course.
I remember when I first started it. At
the top of the list was, "To ride a camel."
- Have you?
- Here, hold this.
Yes, in Egypt. The
camel's name was Nefertiti,
and it was the bumpiest
ride I've ever had.
I know now why they call
camels the ships of the desert.
I was seasick most of the
time, but I loved it. That's good.
You know, you can even
make being sick sound like fun.
Oh, well, I've had my
share of dull moments,
but I try to make every
experience an adventure.
Maybe you could
show me the museums.
We could go to New
York together this summer.
Well, summer's a long way
off to be making plans already.
Yeah, but I need
time to save money.
You have plenty of time, and
New York will always be there.
Miss Lamphere? I'm John Walton.
- Hello, nice to meet you.
- Hi, Daddy.
Honey, we've been looking all over
for you. You know what time it is?
- Is it late?
- It's after 6:00.
I'm sorry. We were
talking about modern art.
I apologize, Mr. Walton. I
thought Elizabeth had called you.
I meant to, but I forgot.
The afternoon went very fast.
Well, let's go. Modern art
can wait till tomorrow, can't it?
Of course. Art endures.
You know, Daddy, I've been
thinking about becoming a teacher.
When did that happen?
I think when she discovered
you didn't have to have warts.
- Bye-bye, Hazel.
- Bye. Nice to have met you.
- Bye-bye, nice to have met you.
- Good night.
Good night.
- What was that?
- That was Rover.
You cannot tell
me Rover is a dog.
No, Rover is Jim-Bob's peacock.
- He runs wild now.
- What would you be, if you were a bird?
A bird? I've never
really thought about it.
Well, just supposing.
Well, I suppose I could
be an eagle. I'd be the boss.
I can be a nightingale. They
sing so beautifully, and I just don't.
- What about you?
- The phoenix.
- Phoenix. I've never heard of them.
- There's only one in the world.
It lives for hundreds of years, and then
it builds a funeral pyre made of branches
- and leaps into the flames.
- It kills itself?
Yeah, well, hold on. This is the
best part. It then rises from the ashes,
- young and resurrected.
- I change my vote to the phoenix.
- I'd like to live forever.
- Oh, but we do. Even if our bodies die,
bits of us live on, in
others, in our friends.
- Still, I'd rather rise from ashes.
- Me, too.
I've never seen
anything like it.
The lady at the store
said it's one of a kind.
- I can believe it.
- My, what an unusual gift.
I think it's cute.
And I like it.
I'll get it.
Everybody, this is Hazel Lamphere.
She's the new schoolteacher.
- Hi!
- Hey, there.
- How do you do?
- It is our pleasure. I do so admire you.
I've always had a secret
wish to be a schoolteacher.
- As have I, Miss Lamphere.
- What could you teach?
Oh, Sister was first in
her class in elocution.
And Emily is an
expert in etiquette.
Well, perhaps you'd care to
address the class one day?
We'd be delighted,
wouldn't we, Sister?
Congratulations, Cindy.
This is for you and the baby.
And this is a rum
cake for the rest of us.
The demon rum.
I think you
overestimate the cake.
Why don't we get some plates?
- Okay. Is this from you?
- Yes!
There're some
plates in the cupboard.
- I gather the rum cake was a mistake.
- Only with Corabeth.
It looks good. I
can't wait to try it.
- Hazel? What's wrong?
- Just a little dizzy.
Don't tell the others. Corabeth will think
I've been dipping into the demon rum.
- Have you seen a doctor?
- It's nothing serious.
- This is from Sister and me.
- Oh, thanks.
It's been in our family
since we were babies.
- Corabeth.
- Oh, thank you.
- It's a music box.
- Oh, isn't that a charming gift?
I have always felt that an
infant was never too young
- to start learning to appreciate music.
- I loved it as a baby myself.
I just felt the baby kick.
In time to the music.
- Well, well, look at that.
- That's great, Jim-Bob.
The lady at the store said it was
the only one of its kind. It's unique.
- It should be, for my baby.
- It's real nice, Jim-Bob.
Anybody want any
more of the Recipe?
- Sure, sure.
- Not you, Jeffrey.
I think we better drink it up
before Corabeth gets back.
- This is like a bachelor party.
- Well, you know, why not?
Because we didn't have a chance to
give you one when you were a free man.
The only thing that's missing is
the girl coming out of the cake.
You know, I considered that, but I
thought it would be more appropriate
- if we had a stork coming out.
- Why a stork?
Because the stork
brings the baby, of course.
I always thought that the doctor
brought him in the black bag.
- Drink your orange juice, son.
- Oh, Ben, here's something practical.
I like those
wrappings there, Ike.
- I did it all myself.
- It's the thought that counts.
At any rate, that's a first aid kit. And
it's got stuff in there for convulsions
and for croup, and it's
got all sorts of instructions.
- I thought it'd come in handy for you.
- Anything for colic?
- Thanks, Ike. It's really nice.
- I got one more thing here for you, son.
I bet it's money.
I opened up a bank
account for my grandchild.
- You can fill in the first name later.
- Thanks, Daddy, that's real thoughtful.
It's not much money, but... Oh,
it's not going to pay a dental bill
or a college education,
but it's a start.
I guess I have to think
about those things, huh?
Yes, you do, son.
Come on, Ben, drink up, for in a few
tomorrows, you're going to be a father.
Ike says so. He says
they come from the storks.
But there aren't any storks around
here, and there are plenty of babies.
Well, how about the
doctor's black bag?
Nana told me that's
where they come from.
She's wrong, too. They
come from the cabbage patch.
- Who told you that?
- My mother, and she should know.
- That's where she found me.
- You're both wrong.
What is all the shouting about?
The older children
are still in school.
Jeffrey thinks a baby
comes from black bags,
and Lauren thinks they come from
cabbage patches, but I know the truth.
It's in the mama's stomach.
That's why Cindy's so fat.
- You mean the baby is in there?
- Well, the baby is inside Cindy,
but it's in a special
place just for babies.
How does the baby get out?
It squeezes through
the mama's bellybutton.
Hold it. That idea belongs
with the cabbage patch theory.
- But that's what I was told.
- I'm sorry, it's wrong.
How would you all like it if we had a
class all about how babies are born?
- Yeah.
- Can we still have a class about cowboys?
Certainly, but after
the baby class.
Cowboys were not born in the
saddle, you know. Okay, scoot on home.
- Hi, everybody.
- Hello, Jeffrey.
Hey, what do you think
of your new teacher?
I like her. She says a lot of interesting
things, and she's not afraid of snakes.
What sort of interesting things?
Today she told us that
Cindy's baby was inside Cindy.
You got it all wrong, Nana.
They don't come from black bags.
Well, I just thought maybe you
were too young to understand.
Did she tell you anything
else about babies?
Nope. She's saving the rest to teach
us in class. Beat you home, Nana.
See you, Jeffrey.
Oh, dear. First it was
rum cakes and modern art,
and now it's lessons in
childbirth. What are we to do?
Well, I guess from now on, we better start
teaching the children the truth ourselves.
Why, the parents should be warned.
Now that woman should be dismissed.
- Well, then, who'd you find to teach?
- Why, you don't have to look very far.
I am as qualified as
anyone in this backwater.
Oh, dear.
- If it's a girl, I'd call it Anastasia.
- Sounds like some kind of medicine.
- What about Sarah?
- No, thank you.
- I like Frank.
- Or Manfred. Sounds manly.
- Tom isn't bad.
- What about Karen?
Now that I like.
Yeah, Ben used to have an
old girlfriend named Karen.
Well, I think we'll
forget about that one.
Elizabeth would probably
want to name it Hazel.
- Oh, dear.
- What's wrong with that?
Oh, it's not that. It's just that
Hazel's got herself in hot water.
- Well, what happened?
- JIM-BOB Corabeth found out
she's teaching a class on
childbirth. Now she's on the warpath.
- Poor Hazel.
- And it's all my fault.
If only I had told Jeffrey the
truth. But, you know, when children
begin to ask ticklish questions, it
gets very difficult. Now you wait and see.
Our baby won't be asking
too many questions for a while.
Well, at Jeffrey's age
they're curious as cats,
which is healthy for
them but awkward for us.
When our kids start asking questions,
I'm going to send them to Daddy.
- You'll be fine.
- Oh, sure. Man-to-man talks?
- Unless it's a daughter.
- How about Isabel or Reginald?
Reginald? With a name like
that, he'll probably get enlisted
- into the Foreign Legion.
- You guys keep on thinking.
- I have to go make a delivery in Rockfish.
- Are you going to be back by dinner?
- I'll try, but don't count on it. Bye-bye.
- Bye-bye.
Hello. If you were a goldfinch flying by,
would you be interested in this birdfeeder?
I desperately long to see some
goldfinches and I hear they do come around.
Depends upon what
kind of birdfeed you got.
I have got seed that even a
gourmet bird could not resist.
- What's on your mind?
- It's Corabeth.
- She's out to get you.
- Sounds serious.
She found out about
your class on childbirth
and she's going
to try and stop you.
- Oh, no, she's won't.
- You don't know her. She's impossible.
I can get pretty stubborn,
myself, you know.
- You can't fight her.
- Then what should I do?
Tell her you won't do the class.
- I can't do that.
- She's gonna try and get you fired.
Trying is not succeeding.
But I want you here.
I don't want you to go.
Elizabeth, we will be
friends no matter where I am.
I also want you here so I can
learn how to teach from you.
Then the first thing
you better learn is that
you've got to stick
fast to your principles.
Well, you could say that
you've changed your mind,
and that you don't have
time to teach that stuff.
I'd be lying.
And worse, I'd be letting narrow-minded
people like Corabeth push me around
- and tell me what I can teach.
- Learning about babies isn't so important.
What is important is that I'm
able to teach what I choose.
And that means that the
parents have to trust me,
and understand that I would
never teach something harmful.
- Corabeth could win.
- Possibly,
but sometimes in life,
we've gotta take chances.
You've gotta make a stand
for something you believe in.
And if you run away from it, then
you'll hurt something inside yourself.
- You understand that?
- I guess.
Listen, there are always going
to be dragons around us in life.
And when a dragon, even a
small one, starts to breathe fire,
then we gotta stop it.
And sometimes,
you get burned trying.
- Corabeth can be quite a dragon.
- And I am going to muzzle her.
- I wish I could help you.
- Well, you can.
How about asking Mary Ellen for
some medical books about birth?
I want to make sure that
I've got all my facts straight.
Maybe you could teach the
class with such complicated words
that nobody could
understand you.
- Elizabeth Walton.
- Okay, you win.
That's the spirit.
Easy, son. Easy.
- Ben, will you pay attention, please?
- I'm sorry, Daddy. My mind's on things.
- It's sure not on your work.
- I'm just not cut out to be a father.
A little late to be thinking
about that now, son.
Just never thought there
were so many serious things,
like talks, college,
dentists, the croup.
Whoa, whoa. Like I've
been trying to tell you,
you don't have to worry
about all those things at once.
First you get the little thing out of its
diapers. You take the rest as it comes.
Being a father just
comes natural to you.
Ben, after 25 years of on-the-job
training, it does come easier.
It can get rough sometimes.
You'll catch on, Ben.
I just wish I had
your confidence.
When you see how much that little
thing needs you, you'll feel real strong.
Cindy and I should've
waited. I'm just not ready.
If you waited till you were ready
you'd be a white-haired old man like me.
The way I'm feeling right now, I'm
going to be a white-haired young man.
Ben, it's gonna
be all right, son.
- Thank you, Corabeth. Oh, dear.
- Thank you.
I don't think I'm gonna ever
get used to this rationing.
Yes. It does cause one to
lead a more circumscribed life.
- It certainly does.
- Thank you.
- Good afternoon, ladies.
- Oh, Miss Lamphere.
Hello, Miss Lamphere.
Miss Lamphere, if there's
something that you require,
- you must wait your turn.
- Well, actually I came to see you,
but I'm glad Miss Emily and
Miss Mamie are here, also.
I want to invite you all
to school this Monday.
Well, I do hope that
you have reconsidered
teaching childbirth in
the public school system.
Well, I haven't.
And I'm counting on you to tell
the other parents that they're invited.
I remember after Ashley
Longworth kissed me,
Papa gave us a book about what
every young lady should know.
And that's the last time the
subject was ever brought up.
Well, then, do come to my class.
- May we ask questions?
- And get some answers?
Certainly, I hope so.
And, Corabeth, if you have any questions,
I'll be happy to answer them for you.
- Bye-bye.
- Bye.
Hazel?
Hazel, it's Mary Ellen. I
brought the medical books.
Hazel, are you here?
Hazel.
Hazel?
Hazel?
Hazel. What happened?
Oh...
Oh, it's just a headache.
I must have fainted.
- Some headache. You were out cold.
- Did you bring those medical books?
- I'm taking you to see a doctor.
- Oh, thank you, no.
- I think you need one.
- Please, Mary Ellen.
Well, if you won't go see
one, I'll bring one here to you.
It's stupid to try to fool you.
I've already been examined
by a doctor, many doctors.
And they all say the same thing.
I'm going to die. Three,
four months. No longer.
Why didn't you tell us?
If you could only
see your expression.
I don't want to spend
the little time I have left
seeing only pity
in people's eyes.
What is it?
The poetic name for
it is acoustic neuroma.
- A brain tumor?
- I've always hated the way that sounds.
Will you keep my secret?
- What about Elizabeth?
- I dread telling her.
Don't underestimate her. She
is a young woman, not a little girl.
Let's get to those
books of yours.
Why did you come here if
you have so little time left?
Because I needed to teach, and
Walton's Mountain needed a teacher.
I want to open my students'
eyes to the wonder of ideas
and the wonder of this Earth.
And if one student, just Elizabeth,
learns from me to treasure
or challenge life a little more,
then I will have put
back into the world
some of the joy and
excitement I've known,
and my life will have been of some
value. Does that make sense to you?
- How about another?
- It's about time to close up.
You a family man?
- No. Single, and like it that way.
- Thank you.
Yeah. I sometimes
miss being single, myself.
- The missus giving you a hard time?
- Cindy? She's wonderful. The best.
That's why you're in here
drowning your sorrows, huh?
I'm going to be a father soon. Do
I look old enough to be a father?
Hmm...
I don't feel like I am.
It's hard being a parent.
Got a whole other life
that's dependent on you.
- It's too much.
- That's why I'm a bachelor.
Well, I better be getting home
to the diapers, the college tuition,
bills for the braces,
the colds, the coughs...
- You better have another one for the road.
- Now, that's a good idea.
John!
John, I have to
go to the hospital.
I have to go to the hospital.
- Now?
- This minute.
- But the baby's not due yet, is it?
- Try and tell the baby that.
- Where's Ben?
- He's not home yet.
- What time is it?
- It's after 3:00.
We can't worry about him now. Okay.
Get ready. Come on, go ahead. Let's go.
Mary Ellen! Come on, Mary Ellen!
- Hazel.
- Elizabeth. What's happened?
- Cindy's gone to the hospital.
- The baby's come.
We don't know that yet. They
left in the middle of the night.
- Oh, God. I hope it's a girl.
- The father probably hopes it's a boy.
That's true. What do you want to have if
you have your first child? Boys or girls?
- I'm not going to be having children.
- Why not? You love children.
It's not that simple.
Elizabeth, there's a problem,
and I'd like to tell you about it.
Sounds like a pretty
big fire-breathing dragon.
The very biggest.
And he's gonna win.
I want you to know about
this because I love you.
- I'm dying, Elizabeth.
- You're not serious.
I am. I'm sorry.
I don't believe you.
I wish that we had years
of adventures to share,
but we still have a
couple of months.
You can get better. I
mean, new medicines?
No. No, Elizabeth.
This is what is, and I
cannot run away from it.
Now, let's just try to enjoy
the time we have together.
How?
We were going to go
to New York together.
But you must still go. It's on
your list. You don't need me there.
You lied to me.
You said we were going to go to New
York together, and you never meant it.
You say you love
me, but you don't.
You said that the world
was beautiful but it's ugly.
You lie.
Elizabeth. Elizabeth, wait!
Elizabeth, stop. Wait! Listen to me!
Elizabeth!
- Daddy, is Cindy all right?
- Where have you been, son?
Had a little too much to drink
last night, so I slept in the truck.
Rose told me you were here.
She's doing fine. She's a
little upset. Worried about you.
- Can I see her?
- She's right inside, waiting for you.
- Cindy?
- Hi.
I'm so sorry.
All of a sudden I got
scared of being a father.
I tried to run away.
- I needed you last night.
- I know.
And I need you now. Always.
- Please forgive me?
- I already have.
You know, I've been pretty
scared about being a mother.
But with you with me,
I'm sure we'll both be fine.
- Cindy, where's the baby?
- It's already been born, silly.
- Where is it? How is it? Is it all right?
- She's perfect.
- She?
- You have a daughter.
- You don't mind?
- Are you crazy?
If she's anything like her mother,
I'll be the happiest father on Earth.
Congratulations, Daddy.
- She's so tiny.
- Don't be afraid. She won't break.
Look at the little
fingers and fingernails.
She came with a full set.
Now that we have her, what
are we going to name her?
I've been thinking.
I'd like to name her after the most
beautiful and special place I know.
- Virginia.
- I love it.
Virginia Walton,
how do you like that?
Here's your mama now.
We're going to take the best
care of you any baby ever had.
- That sure is one beautiful baby.
- Well, not any more than John Curtis was.
Well, let's just say it's the most
beautiful granddaughter I've ever had.
Oh, well, that's
playing it safe.
Serena and Elizabeth ought to be
happy. They were rooting for a baby girl.
Elizabeth could use some
good news about now.
Something happen?
I think I better tell you
about it. It's about Hazel.
They're here!
Is it a boy or a girl?
Well?
Where's Elizabeth?
She'll want to hear this.
Oh, she's acting very strangely.
She hardly touched her lunch,
and then she went for a
walk, all by her lonesome.
- We'll tell her about the baby later.
- Well, tell us about it now.
- Ben and Cindy had a baby girl.
- It's a girl?
Not "it." Virginia,
Virginia Walton.
I win, because I said
we'd call her Ginny.
You're up late.
Daddy told me about Hazel. It
must've been a big shock and hurt.
Why'd she come here like that?
Pretending we were
gonna be friends for always?
You are.
You're probably as deep friends now
as many years would have made you.
But we don't have many years.
I wish I'd never met her.
You remember my friend
Seth, who gave me this?
I remember. He died.
When he gave me this recorder,
I couldn't even play
it, I was so mad at him.
You know why? 'Cause I
felt like he was deserting me.
But he really wasn't. 'Cause I
still have my memories of him.
That's the part of Hazel
that'll live on with you.
And the things she's taught you.
Your new love of art. And
your interest in teaching.
Seems to me she's given
you some lasting gifts.
- Except for herself.
- That wasn't hers to give.
Looks like you've got
quite a crowd here.
Had I known, I would've
charged admission.
That way, if I'm fired, at
least I'd have a nest egg.
- I can feel the hostility from here.
- I'm on your side.
If you get any questions
you can't answer, call on me.
Thanks.
- Where's Elizabeth?
- She wouldn't come. I'm sorry.
Me, too. For myself and for her.
Well, I guess it's time
to face the dragons.
- Good luck.
- Thanks.
Good morning, everyone.
Today I'm going to talk about
how babies come into this world.
If any of you have any questions,
please feel free to raise your hands.
- Miss Lamphere?
- Yes, Corabeth?
Birth education has never been
taught in our public school system.
And I, for one, am very
opposed to the addition of it now.
Well, normally, I feel
that this is a subject
that should be
explained by the parents.
Precisely my point.
However, several of my students
seem to have been misinformed.
Cindy Walton gave birth to
a baby girl this past weekend.
And I feel sure that all
the Waltons here now
will vouch for me when I say that
none of them spent the weekend
scouring cabbage patches
or waiting for the stork.
It's time that we start answering
the children's questions honestly.
Because if we don't, they'll
turn elsewhere for the answers.
- I always liked the one about the stork.
- Please, Jim-Bob. Just questions.
Now I believe that the birth of a child
is a very intimate and personal event.
But it is also a magnificent
process designed by God.
And we should be in wonder of
it, not ashamed or embarrassed.
If any of you feel
otherwise, please, speak up.
Good.
Now, inside every woman is a
special place called the womb or uterus.
It's shaped like an upside-down
pear, and is very much the same size.
This is the baby's first home,
where it lives and grows,
safe and warm, for nine months.
- Yes, Jeffrey?
- Isn't it a bit too small?
Well, when life begins,
the baby is so small
that you can't even
see it in the womb.
But as the baby grows, the
womb stretches to fit the baby,
much like a glove stretches
when you slip your hand inside it.
- You sick, honey?
- No.
Honey, it's not right to mourn
for Hazel when she's still alive.
I just want to
forget all about her.
This is not the time to be
feeling sorry for yourself.
- I love her.
- Then show her.
Remember how you
felt when Grandpa died?
How you never said goodbye to him?
You have that chance with Hazel now.
Elizabeth.
You and Hazel have chosen
each other to be friends.
That means you have to
be friends in bad times, too.
It's important to try to
make her feel happy, honey.
No matter how much it hurts.
- I don't know how.
- You'll find a way, because she needs you.
- It's not fair.
- I know.
I know.
Oh, Miss Lamphere, you have
neglected to mention how important it is
that the expectant
mother have a good diet.
Good point.
Yes, the mother must be sure that
the baby gets the proper nutrition.
Sometimes pregnant
women have strong cravings
for very bizarre food combinations,
but this is only normal and healthy.
You mean like pistachio
nuts and pickled pigs' feet?
Right.
Sounds rather tasty. We
should try it sometime, Sister.
Sister.
Near the end of the pregnancy, the
baby begins to kick inside the mother.
Does it hurt?
No, I'm told that it's
quite a wonderful feeling,
because the mother knows
that the baby is anxious
to begin the adventure
of life in the world outside.
I would hardly call this
vale of tears an adventure.
I would.
So would I.
Life is the most extraordinary
adventure we know so far.
And if we've been lucky
enough to share it with friends,
then when the time comes to die,
we know we've lived fully and are
ready for the next great adventure.
Now, then.
From that da y onward, Hazel's
teaching was never again questioned.
Elizabeth and Hazel's
friendship grew stronger,
and even though Hazel
died a few months later,
her zest for life
lived on in m y sister.
- Good night, Jeffrey.
- Good night, Erin.
If Virginia is your niece,
is she my niece, too?
- No, she's your cousin.
- But you're my cousin.
So is Virginia, only
she's once removed.
Removed where? - One generation.
What's that? - Complicated.
- Good night, Jeffrey.
- Good night, Erin.
Good night, Virginia.
English -SDH