The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 8, Episode 21 - The Travelling Man - full transcript

Oh, here, let me
get out of your way.

Yeah. Just put these
right here. That's fine.

Mr. Perkins.

Blue moon

Have you thought
about me, Miss Rose?

Oh, my, yes. Oh, those
postcards from all over...

No, I mean, really
thought about me.

- What's that thing?
- That thing, young man, is my crown.

Don't you remember when I was
Queen of the Blue Moon Ballroom?

I've been to Chicago, where the weather
gets so cold, it'll steal your breath away.

Des Moines, St. Louis, on down
to Mississippi to New Orleans.



I just don't know if I could get used
to going to all those places by myself.

Well, it's fine till nightfall.

Then it's time to face
another empty hotel room.

Rose, what are
you talking about?

Mr. Perkins has
asked me to marry him.

There were times when
the war seemed further away,

and life on the mountain went
about its ordinary business.

My father often said that he
didn't ha ve to sail the seven seas,

or swim the Hellespont, or soar with
eagles if he wanted high adventure.

All he had to do was
wake up in the morning,

and his family or his
friends or a total stranger

would ride up the
road and hand it to him.

Cut it out, Nick. You've ruined
enough of my stuff already.

Come on, Nick,
give me my sweater.



You come back here.

- What on earth?
- Everything all right up there?

- Somebody sure scared Nick.
- Well, I know the girls have gone.

- But there's nobody up there but Jim-Bob.
- Jim-Bob?

- Did you fall down?
- Wouldn't you?

Out, out.

Oh!

That's just awful.
Look at that, Jeffrey.

Well, things are bound to rip
when you pull them away from him.

- Well, maybe I could fix it.
- No, no, that's my responsibility, Cindy.

Why don't you sit down and
have something to eat, Son?

No thanks, Daddy,
I'm not hungry.

You know, that dog's not going to
learn anything unless you teach him.

How much did you know when
you were only three months old?

Mind your tongue, young man.

I'm sorry, but all he's
got to chew on is that ball.

Well, why don't you give
him something of yours?

Jim-Bob, you know you got a
big hole in the back of your pants?

I got a hole in everything.

Well, he's just a puppy.

Well, maybe you can make him into
a nice dog by the time I get back, huh?

- Is it time for your bus already?
- Yes, it is, Rose.

- We'll take good care of your women, Son.
- Thank you, Daddy, I count on it.

We're going to say our goodbyes outside
on the porch. Ben gets very emotional.

I do? Bye-bye, everyone.

- Bye.
- Bye.

Four, six, eight, ten,
twelve, fourteen...

Make that fifteen Number
Three green beans.

Mr. Godsey, I cannot keep pace.

Well, do you want to
switch places for a while?

I want to stop awhile.

Corabeth, we've got to
finish this before noon.

Morning, Ike, Corabeth. I
haven't missed the bus yet, have I?

Morning, Ben. No,
it's not here yet,

but I'm sure it's going
to be along any minute.

Hey, while you're waiting, why
don't you take Corabeth's place?

And why would I want to do that?

How dashing you look.

I declare, Ben Walton, there is
something about a sailor's suit.

Corabeth, that is not a sailor
suit, that is a "See Me" suit.

Let her alone, she's doing fine. Save
some of that for next time, Corabeth.

Well, hi, is the bus out there?

I just passed it. Ought
to be here in a second.

- Great. Thank you. Bye-bye.
- Bye, Ben.

- Good morning, sir.
- Morning.

Is there something
I can do for you?

What a nice store. What a good feeling
it gives you when you come in here.

I'm afraid we are in
somewhat of a disarray.

Yes, we are right in
the middle of inventory.

Well, I've taken inventories the
length and breadth of this land.

I want to tell you, this is the finest
book of instructions that I've ever seen.

- No charge.
- Well, thank you very much.

Stanley Perkins at your service.

- I'm Ike Godsey. My wife, Corabeth.
- Dear lady.

What brings you to this
somewhat remote area?

I was told there is a very nice
boarding house hereabouts.

Do you know there's not a
room to be had in Rockfish,

or in Westham, for that matter?

- Is that a fact?
- Yeah.

Zuleika does run a
very nice, clean place.

I'll wager that's a
Beau Brummell cravat.

Reinhart Tie and Novelty
Company. Potwin, Kansas.

Well, I'll be darned.
Corabeth, he's right.

And the lady is
wearing a Miss Matron,

and that's from the Cornish
Company in Linville, North Carolina.

- Let me see the label, Corabeth.
- Mr. Godsey, please.

We will take
Mr. Perkins' word for it.

Forgive me. But in my lifetime, I've
sold everything from soap to chiffon,

from screwdrivers to headstones.

I'm afraid a salesman
is always a salesman.

Anyway, about
that rooming house?

Sure, well, it's not far from
here. I'll show you where it is.

Fine. Very nice to
meet you, Mrs. Godsey.

Now, you're a
traveling salesman.

You must have some
marvelous stories to tell.

"Miss Matron. The
Cornish Company."

I wonder if he gets samples.

- Jim-Bob, supper's ready.
- Okay.

- Where's Daddy?
- Had to go to Rockfish.

What are you bothering me for?

You know you got a hole
in the seat of your pants?

Well, of course I know,
I can feel the draft.

Well, why don't you change into
another pair? I'll patch them for you.

- Well, problem is, they're all like this.
- Nick?

Yeah, I don't know what I'm
going to do about that darn dog.

He's eating his way
through my clothes, my bed.

Well, he should live
outside. Reckless did.

That would solve part of the problem.
It's just I don't have a place that's mine.

- I know.
- I guess you don't either.

No, but it's different. You're
a lot older than Jeffrey.

Serena and I are closer in age.

No, it's not just Jeff. I got
to have a place that's mine.

I got things I want to
do, think about, work on.

Well, we're fresh out of rooms. If you want
one all to yourself, you got to move out.

- Yeah, I know.
- I'm kidding, you know that.

Yeah. I'll be along, Elizabeth.

Corabeth, I certainly hope you
have something to match this.

- Well, what in the name of heaven?
- I hope you have some yarn to match that.

Jeffrey's puppy is eating
Jim-Bob's clothes right off his back.

Please don't just shake
your head, Corabeth.

Well, I have to. I don't believe
we have anything this color.

Unless I have some
in my private stock.

Rose, find everything you need?

Well, I'd just as soon
you took over, Ike.

Okay, Rose.

Here, let me get
out of your way.

Yeah. Just put these
right here. That's fine.

- You were never in my way, Miss Rose.
- Mr. Perkins.

Blue moon

You two know each other?

You remember I mentioned the
Blue Moon Ballroom in Baltimore?

We were dancing
partners together.

Oh, yes.

I'm sorry, Rose, I just can't seem
to find a sign of that color yarn.

You know, there was not a soul at the
Blue Moon who knew where you'd gone.

Well, I'm not one for goodbyes.
Just the idea of the word and I tear up.

I think of those times,
Mr. Perkins, and those dear people.

- Good friends, Miss Rose.
- The very best.

You remember Hattie Hargreaves?

I should say I do. Always
so much fun, Hattie was.

Well, she's the current Queen
of the Blue Moon Ballroom.

Well, I declare...

- Surprised, aren't you?
- Oh, I don't know...

Shocked then? I was
frankly shocked, Miss Rose.

Well, I'm glad
because I'm shocked.

She was always inclined to lead.
A man doesn't like that, you know.

And she had none of your easy
grace, Miss Rose. None at all.

Have some more cake, Mr. Perkins.
Have the whole cake, Mr. Perkins.

It's hard to believe
we're here together.

I tell you, when you looked at me
over those brooms, I nearly gave way.

Walton's Mountain. I never
even heard of it until this morning.

- It beats all, it really does.
- Kismet, Miss Rose.

You always could pull those
words right out of thin air.

I don't recognize that car.

Wait a minute, I'll bet
that's Nana's Mr. Perkins.

- He drove a car like that.
- Nana's Mr. Perkins?

He used to take her dancing
a lot when he was in town.

- I think Nana was in love with him.
- She was not.

You don't even remember him.

Half the time when he called
for her, you were already in bed.

I've never heard
her talk about him.

That's because she's
not in love with him.

Just ask her about him sometime.

Her face changes. She
smiles in a different way.

She doesn't either!

Serena. Serena, you
remember Mr. Perkins.

- Nice to see you again, Serena.
- Hi, Mr. Perkins.

And this is my niece, Elizabeth
Walton. Mr. Stanley Perkins.

- Pleasure to meet you, Elizabeth.
- It's nice to meet you.

- Where's Jeffrey?
- He was right behind us.

So, you just got home from
school? What grade are you in?

Ninth.

Jeffrey, we have
company. Come along.

- Can't I stay out and play some more?
- No, you cannot. Now, come on.

Jeffrey, go shake
hands with Mr. Perkins.

I don't think that that is
such a good idea, Nana.

Do as you are told, please.

Uh-oh.

- A dog that hates salesmen.
- I'm sorry, Mr. Perkins.

I tried to tell you, Nick
doesn't like strangers.

It's all right, Miss Rose.

I'm used to unfriendly
dogs. Me and the postman.

Well, it's unfriendly
children I'm worried about.

Jeffrey's bark is
worse than his bite.

You were always a
good sport, Mr. Perkins.

Oh! That must be John.

And the girls, too.

It's that time of day.
The gathering of the clan.

And I want you to meet them all.

John, this is my
friend, Stanley Perkins.

- How do you do, Mr. Perkins?
- How do you do, John?

From my old Baltimore
days. And this is Mary Ellen.

- Hi, nice to meet you.
- Mary Ellen.

- And Erin.
- Nice to meet you.

- Erin.
- And Jim-Bob.

Hey, Jim-Bob.

- And that's about most of the family.
- Here's some more family right here.

I want you to meet my grandson,
John Curtis. Come on, son.

Meet Mr. Perkins here.

- This is my grandson.
- Hey, John Curtis, nice to meet you.

- And here's Cindy and little Virginia.
- Hello.

Everybody, I have an announcement
to make. Virginia is cutting a tooth.

Miss Rose, I have an
appointment in Rockfish, Miss Rose,

and I just wanted to ask
you something before I leave.

I can't hear you, just a minute.

Would you all mind cutting
it down to a quiet roar?

I just wanted to ask...

Would you go dancing
with me tomorrow night?

- Why certainly, I'd be delighted.
- Thank you.

Well, it was very nice to meet all of
you, John, John Curtis, Mary Ellen, Erin,

Jim-Bob, Cindy, little Virginia, Elizabeth.
And nice to see you again, Serena,

and, of course, Jeffrey. I
hope I'll see you all again soon.

I'm sure you will.
Of course you will.

- Nice seeing you, Mr. Perkins.
- Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

- He someone special, Rose?
- No, mercy, no. Just an old friend.

How long it's been since
you went dancing with him?

About an hour ago at Ike's.

He hummed our song, John.
What was I supposed to do?

- What's that thing?
- That thing, young man, is my crown.

Don't you remember when I was
Queen of the Blue Moon Ballroom?

Serena said that I
slept through all that.

Well, I didn't. Your nana
was wide awake that night.

Jim-Bob said that I got to
get so that I can hit Nick.

Hit him? Jim-Bob said that?

You know, with a rolled up
newspaper. He showed me how.

He said that if I don't, then
nobody will like either one of us.

Well, that's probably true.

You know, you had to be
punished when you misbehaved.

But you always said that
it hurt you more than me.

It probably did.

- Can I have them?
- No, you can't, but I'll show them to you.

Now, look, that's the
New York City skyline.

And there's the mighty
Mississippi River.

- Oh, Jeffrey, look, Niagara Falls.
- Wow.

I'll say, wow.

- Where'd you get these?
- Mr. Perkins sent them to me.

New Orleans. The Mardi Gras.

Daddy, I'm going over
to Jake Healy's to study.

Strange time of night
for that, isn't it, Son?

Well, I figured his history book
probably has pages 119 to 136.

- Nick?
- Well, I didn't eat them. See you later.

- Did Daddy say you could take that?
- Yes, he did.

I was wondering if you
were going to drop in.

Sorry, Daddy. I've been
talking things over with Jake.

I was thinking I might
move in there for a while.

What do you mean "a while"?

Well, Billy Healy's gone into the
army, so they've got a spare room now.

It's all right with me for a day or
two, just don't get in Mrs. Healy's way.

Well, they've got this room. I
was thinking about renting it.

- You've got a room.
- Well, it's not the same.

Jim-Bob, I don't know
what your problem is,

but just remember, you were
the little guy in that room once.

I know you don't think so,
Daddy, but I am growing up.

Well, I know you are, and I
understand. But you're 17 years old.

Pretty soon, I expect you'll
be going in the Air Corps.

I'm not going to
stand in your way.

But until then, you're
going to live under my roof.

I thought you'd
be fair about it.

Don't tell me you've not been out
dancing. You're better than ever.

All due to my partner. This
is a lovely place, Mr. Perkins.

Have you thought
about me, Miss Rose?

Oh, my, yes. Oh, those
postcards from all over...

No, I mean, really thought about
me. Remembering, warmly, kindly.

'Cause I thought
about you so much.

Seeing you again, well,
it's like your dancing.

It's even better than
I remember it to be.

It is no wonder you are
the salesman you are,

the way you have with words.

You thought of me just when
the postcards came, Miss Rose?

Oh, those postcards,
Mr. Perkins.

I could just imagine you standing
there at Niagara Falls, in real life,

and drifting down the Mississippi
River on a big paddlewheel boat.

Yeah, well, then you
did think of me kindly?

Oh, my, yes.

And sadly, too.

I didn't think I'd ever see you
again. I thought you'd be out West,

working that prime territory
you were always talking about.

Well, I was passed over
in favor of a younger man.

I vow and declare, doesn't
experience count for anything anymore?

Well, you'll get there yet, Mr. Perkins.
There are other companies in the world.

I believe my traveling
days are behind me.

See, I've been giving a great deal of
thought to settling down in one place.

- Some of that is your fault.
- Well, I can't imagine why.

Well, I find I envy you,

that family and
this lovely country.

A kind of life I've never known.
I've never had people, Miss Rose.

I've just had my products
and a bunch of road maps.

Well, I never
thought of it that way.

Yeah, I never had time to
make friends with children.

I just don't know how
to talk to your Jeffrey.

- Oh, now...
- No, truly.

Once I get past, "How's
everything at school?"

and, "What would you like
to be when you grow up?"

I'm at the end of my rope.

Well, Jeffrey hasn't made it
any easier and that's my fault.

I've tried to be mother,
father, and nana all at once,

and I guess I overdid it.

But think how he cares
for you and so does Serena.

That great hearty Walton
family, they love you, too.

Oh, my, I love them. They gathered
us in when we needed them most.

There's nobody to
gather me in, Miss Rose.

That Mr. Kismet just doesn't
know when to quit, does he?

I asked them to play that
to give fate a little nudge.

And to give me the courage
to ask you to marry me.

- That's just the music talking.
- Will you marry me, Miss Rose?

I'm afraid I spoiled
the evening.

I can't have you
thinking anything like that.

I just never in the world
expected the question.

Well, I've thought about
you so much, Miss Rose,

and when I found you again,

well, I just kind of took that as
a sign that it was meant to be.

You're alone, you
can speak for yourself.

I have those two dear children, and I
can't answer for them without asking.

Sure.

You say a good word for me.

Isn't that pretty?

It's a train crossing
the trestle into Rockfish.

Yeah.

- Good night again, Mr. Perkins.
- Pleasant dreams, Miss Rose.

The loft? Why the devil would
you want to move up to the loft?

Nobody else wants it, I guess.

- You're not using it, are you?
- No.

You'd have to fix it
up, make it livable.

Well, I'll fix it up. I'll
make a real room of it.

- It's all right with me, Son.
- Thanks, Daddy.

Going to have to fix it up
on your own time, though.

Sure.

Okay, now get to work.
Do some work for me now.

- Hey!
- Hi.

You must be lost.

That's the first "For
Sale" sign I've seen.

But I must say, this
place is in dreadful repair.

Yeah, this is a case of aggravated neglect.
I mean, it's just stood here for years.

Yeah.

You're not really serious
about settling down, are you?

I never thought I'd say
so, but I look forward to it.

- An old fire horse like you?
- Yeah.

- Wouldn't have believed it.
- It's lonely, Ike.

Nobody waiting for you. Nobody
to care if you get home or not.

No home.

- You don't know how lucky you are.
- Yeah.

I guess other lives are greener
on the other side of the fence, huh?

Something like that.

Listen. Who owns this place?

Well, it used to belong to a
man by the name of Ernie Bender.

I expect the bank's
taking care of it now.

- If you're really serious about this...
- I am.

Well, I'd get a
hold of John Walton

and have him tell you
whether it can be fixed up or not.

You know, I bet it can be
picked up for back taxes.

- Good.
- I almost forgot. I got something for you.

- It's not bad news, is it?
- It's amazing news, really.

I've just been offered the finest selling
territory in the country, the Far West.

- You got a chance to go out West? Really?
- Yeah. I never expected it.

I mean, they passed over
me before, but this time...

I can't believe it.

I just can't believe it.

I've almost never
been so nervous.

Imagine that, your nana being
nervous about talking to the two of you.

Just because he
wants to marry you?

Because I want you to
want me to marry him, too.

I want you to know how I
feel and why I feel that way.

Don't expect Jeffrey to
understand about love, Nana.

- I know Nana loves me.
- I love you and I love Serena

and Mr. Perkins too,
but in a different way.

And I'd no sooner try to explain
the difference to you now than I'd fly.

You'll just have to take my
word for it. Now, can you do that?

- We want Nana to be happy.
- Yeah, but...

No buts about it. Now,
I want you to be happy.

When I say yes, I
want it to be for all of us.

I could try, but
what about Nick?

Mr. Perkins and Nick will
simply have to become friends.

Now, that is all
there is to that.

- Can I tell Elizabeth?
- Not yet, now.

Mr. Perkins is coming
to supper tomorrow night.

I think we ought to
tell him first, don't you?

That is better.

- Don't you tell, Jeffrey.
- I never tell secrets.

You know, we're the same age.

I just realized how much
a part of this feeling that is.

We can talk about the same things
and laugh about the same things.

Can you imagine
how much that means?

I just can't believe it.

- Hey, Mr. Perkins.
- Hey, Jim-Bob.

I want to ask you something
before I take this in to Miss Rose.

Is that the right color?

Well, it sure looks like
my sweater. Thanks a lot.

Sure.

What are you doing?
Moving into the hayloft?

It's not a hayloft anymore.
Do you want to see it?

Sure.

- You manage this okay?
- Yeah, I think so.

Whoops.

Thanks.

- Wouldn't a ladder be a little sturdier?
- Well, I moved up here for privacy.

Ah.

- You did this yourself?
- Well, I'm pretty proud of it.

It's the first room I
ever had all to myself.

Yeah?

And before they started moving
out, I had three brothers with me.

- Now I've got Jeffrey.
- Yes, young Jeffrey. And his dog?

Yeah.

Yeah, but starting tonight,
I'm all by my lonesome.

It's like that with me
sometimes, you know, lonesome.

But the other times, when
I'm out there on the road,

traveling from town to town,
meeting new people all the time,

- then it's marvelous.
- I'd kind of like to do some traveling.

Well, Jim-Bob, you're
talking to a traveling man.

I've been to Cincinnati, where
they got a wondrous train station

with a mural made out of
thousands of bits of glass.

I've been to Chicago, where the weather
gets so cold, it'll steal your breath away.

Des Moines, St. Louis, on down
to Mississippi to New Orleans,

where I swear... Now
you may not believe this,

but I swear that they
live on crawfish and wine.

Yuck!

I just don't know if I could get used
to going to all those places by myself.

Well, it's fine till nightfall.

Then it's time to face
another empty hotel room.

We thank you for
blessing this family.

And for this food that was
made with such special care.

We ask you to bless all those
loved ones who are not with us today,

and to help us welcome
a new friend in our midst.

Amen.

I'm honored to be here.

I wonder if any of you know just how
much a home-cooked meal means to me.

Oh, my goodness, this is nothing special.
Just a little last-minute repast, you know.

Nana, you've been
cooking all day.

Just put a piece of chicken
in your mouth, Jeffrey dear.

Chicken looks to be perfection,
Miss Rose, as I knew it would be.

How are things at Zuleika's?

They're comfortable enough. Of
course, it's just a room, you know.

Corabeth says you're
looking for a house.

Well, yes, I have been.

Well, you might tell a person,
Mr. Perkins. A real house?

Well, I think so. Needs
a little work, but...

Well, we won't mind that, all
of us pitching in and helping.

- Is there room for all of us?
- I believe there is.

Rose, what are
you talking about?

Mr. Perkins has
asked me to marry him.

And Serena and Jeffrey
and I are proud to accept.

- Congratulations!
- Congratulations!

- Such a surprise.
- What good news.

Come on. I have something
to show you outside.

- Right now?
- Yes, right now.

- Come on, come on.
- Okay, I'm coming, I'm coming.

It's right around here.

- How do you like it?
- You build this yourself?

While you were up there doing
the hayloft, I built this for Nick.

It's a nice doghouse.

Uncle John says he's
going to sleep in it tonight.

- He's got to learn to some night.
- Well, I imagine it'd suit him just fine.

Now that he's got his own home,
want to move back into our room?

We'd better go inside, they're
probably wondering where we are.

Wonderful!

Now, Rose and Mr. Perkins
have a lot to settle,

so why don't the rest of
us turn in? Congratulations.

- Congratulations.
- Thank you, John.

- Rose.
- Congratulations, Rose.

Oh, my. Thank you.

- Good night, you two.
- Good night.

- Good night.
- Good night.

- Well, Mr. Perkins, I'll see you.
- Stanley. Please, John, call me Stanley.

Stanley, well,
congratulations and good night.

Thank you.

You kept our secret
just fine, and you, too.

- I love you, Nana.
- I love you, too, both of you.

Well, I hope you enjoy
your new home, Jim-Bob.

Thanks.

Hey, Rose, I was
wondering if it's okay if Jeffrey

stays out in the
loft with me tonight.

- I should say so.
- Come on, let's go get your pajamas.

- Good night, Nana.
- Good night, sweetie.

- Good night, Mr. Perkins.
- Oh, Serena, good night. Thank you.

Well, my dear Miss Rose.

Isn't the silence noisy
when they all leave?

You know, we were talking
about something last night.

I wanted to take
something up with you.

Well, before you do, let
me show you something.

- You made this?
- Oh, my, nothing as fine as this.

My mother made it for
my trousseau years ago.

- Did you ever see such work?
- Never.

It doesn't look as if
it's ever been used.

I'm ashamed to say it hasn't.

All those years with Burt,

and I was always saving it
for some special occasion.

And then Burt died,
and it was too late.

I don't ever want it
to be too late again.

Of course you don't.

Sundays, we'll use it Sundays, or
special suppers when friends come.

Or any supper.

Now, you were trying
to tell me something

when I so rudely
interrupted you. What was it?

I don't remember now, Miss Rose.

Was it about the house? I do
want to hear about that dear house.

Well, it's not exactly a
dear house, Miss Rose.

Not yet anyway.
It's not far from here.

I don't have the slightest
idea how many rooms it's got.

Not many, I'm sure. But
it is in a state of collapse.

It sounds just lovely.

Rose, be careful.

Is this what you'd call a
standard window, John?

No special size, if
that's what you mean.

Well, Mr. Perkins said
you looked the house over,

and I want to make curtains.

They're all about the same
size, I guess. Careful now.

Well, I found this
on sale in Rockfish.

Well, it's nothing special,
but it's neat and clean.

It's nice. Well, he
bought the house, did he?

Well, I don't know. They're
talking about it, him and the bank.

But you've got to have curtains
for a house sometime, you know.

- John, can you believe all this?
- You mean the house, the curtains?

- No, the marriage. I'll tell you, I can't.
- I can. You'll make a wonderful wife.

I guess I was a pretty good wife to
Burt. But, Lord, we were so young.

You know how that
goes. You own the world.

It's not so bad when
you're older. I know.

I'm not just talking
about age, John.

I'm talking about what you've
had from life, what it's done to you.

And I know I'm no prize.

- Now, wait a minute, Rose...
- Now, you wait.

Don't you give me any of your good
Virginia soft soap, bless your heart.

I know what I am
and I know what he is.

Well, he's a fine man,
he's kind and generous...

A kind and generous man
who wants to marry you.

- Is there anything wrong with that?
- Nothing, I'd guess.

Oh, shoot. This stuff isn't
supposed to shrink, anyway.

Well, there's Corabeth,
shall I head her off?

- No. No, let me just regroup here.
- Okay.

- Corabeth, come in.
- Hello, John.

Rose, I'm so pleased
I found you home.

I think I'll leave you
two ladies alone.

Well, I'm mostly home, Corabeth.

Well, I knew that you would
be wanting to make curtains

for that darling
little house of yours.

So I brought along some swatches

to show you a fabric that
we have at the mercantile.

I'm sure that you will find exactly
what it is you want among them.

Before you go any
further, Corabeth,

I think I ought to tell you, I've
already bought the curtain material.

Oh. Well, I don't believe
we have anything like that.

Mr. Godsey and I are most
particular about the quality of fabric

- that we carry in our establishment.
- I'm sorry you went to all the bother.

Well, I do hope that in the
future, you will come to us first.

We will do everything we
can to accommodate you.

- Thank you, Corabeth.
- And, Rose,

I do not believe there was a
better match made in heaven

than between you
and Mr. Perkins.

- I think that's just where it was made.
- That poor, dear man.

I know Mr. Godsey considers
it a wondrous opportunity,

but if you could hear
Mr. Perkins describe that life.

What wondrous opportunity?

I thought he told you. That
dream territory out West?

Well, Mr. Godsey says that
it's been offered to Mr. Perkins.

No, he didn't tell me.

I knew he wanted
it, all his life, I guess.

Not if you could hear
him talk about it now.

Why, he describes
a lonely, desolate life,

dreadful food, rude people, moving
from dreary place to drearier place.

Makes you wonder why it's
such a dream territory, doesn't it?

One thing about this house, anything
we do will be a big improvement.

Well, now you just wait till you
see it with curtains at the windows.

- What did John say?
- Well, the roof...

I believe he thinks that a new
roof is the major undertaking.

Paint, of course.

Oh...

- Little things really, you know.
- A lot of little things.

I guess.

- Are you sure you want to do this?
- The house?

Well, I could wish there were a better
one. But it's quite possible, you know.

- Quite possible.
- I heard about your job offer.

Well, I wanted to tell you about
that, Miss Rose, I really did,

but finally I decided that it would
be better if you didn't hear about it.

News doesn't stay in one
place very long around here.

I'll say.

I know how you feel
about that territory.

How I felt, Miss Rose.

See, if I were a younger man,

oh, I guess I could savor
standing by the Grand Canyon,

taking a look at
the Pacific Ocean.

Of course, it is prime selling territory,
lot of customers, plenty of money.

- It sounds wonderful.
- Perhaps.

But not for me.

You see, I'm a changed man,
Miss Rose, since I found you.

There you go with those words again.
I vow and declare, you do have a way.

That's true.

Let me give you a hand
measuring that, huh?

Well, all righty.

I tell you, these windows are gonna
look heaven-sent when I get through.

They are indeed.

Of course, it's not California,
not by a long stretch,

but you'll like it
here, you'll see.

I guess I was never meant
to set foot in California.

I mean...

It's really nice here.
I mean, I like it here.

I saw Burt try to retire. Oh,
he quit the railroad all right,

but every time he heard the whistle
of a train, I could see it in his eyes.

He wanted to be back out on that
big locomotive, riding the open country.

It hurt me every time I
saw that look on his face.

And it hurts me now
to see it on yours.

No wonder I care
so much for you.

I want you to
take that territory.

I couldn't bear thinking that I was the
reason you weren't fulfilling your dream.

- Well, then, come with me, please.
- I belong with those children.

Well, I could go out, sort of
establish myself, you know.

And then I could
come back for you.

I could show you all those places
that you've never seen, Miss Rose.

Goodbye, Stanley.

Goodbye, Miss Rose.

Rose continued to present
her very best side to the world.

Warm, laughing, loving.

If her heart was broken,
it never showed in public.

After a time, the picture
postcards began to arrive.

And we all wondered if the tra veling
man would ever tra vel this way again.

- Jim-Bob?
- Go to sleep, Jeffrey.

How come you're back
sleeping in my room?

Because someone stole my ladder.

Now, who would do
a rotten thing like that?

Good night, Jeffrey.

English -SDH