Walton's Mountain had been in our family
for generations, a silent witness to all the bright
and wonderful days I knew as a boy.
If mountains remember events,
then surely it must treasure, as I do...
the memory of that day during the Depression...
when my sister, Mary Ellen, got into a fight after school...
and the events that followed.
It's Mary Ellen. She's fighting again!
-Just calm yourself down now! -Let go of me!
You want to get expelled from school? Just quit!
I'm not finished with you, Frank Winston! Better watch your step.
-I'm not afraid of you, Mary. -You better be!
Mary Ellen, just come on. Cut it out, Frank!
You know, you could have stopped this, Jason.
I would have. But Mary Ellen was winning.
You're just a fighting fool, aren't you?
-He started it! -Made Jim-Bob cry.
He said Jim-Bob wears girls' clothes.
And I am.
You look alright to me. Where'd you get them anyway?
Mama made it out of the top of Erin's old dress.
I spilled ink on the skirt,
so Mama used the top to make Jim-Bob a blouse.
Boys don't wear blouses.
Boys wear whatever they can get these days.
You better come along home, and have someone look at that eye.
Maybe Mama could fix up the collar.
-Where's John-Boy? -Right here, Daddy.
Lord, we ask blessings on this food...
and pray that this Depression will be over soon...
and that you will lead us into better times. Amen.
Mary Ellen, you got something to tell us?
No, sir.
She's been in another fight.
It's time you started behaving like a lady, Mary Ellen.
What does a black eye feel like?
She ought to know. Third one this year.
Jim-Bob, you responsible for giving your sister that shiner?
No, sir, but it was my fault.
Frank Winston was teasing me and Mary Ellen jumped on him.
Why was he teasing you?
He said I was wearing girls' clothes.
There's not a thing wrong with the clothes you children wear.
They're homemade and hand-me-downs, but clean.
-Now, sit down, Jim-Bob. -Have some greens.
Livie, will you please sit down and eat?
I ate while I was cooking. Saves time that way.
Keeps you skinny, too.
Don't you know I like a woman with a little fat on her bones?
John, you are a disgrace!
Can't you think of anything except hugging and kissing?
Can you think of anything better to have in mind, old woman?
Enough of this foolishness. Let me get back to my wash.
John, when our ship comes in...
can't you buy Livie a good washing machine?
Maybe. Right now all I can do is put food on this table.
I wouldn't know how to work one anyway.
You could learn, couldn't you, Mama?
Oh, I reckon I could, Jason.
What's the use of wishing for something you can't have?
You come on over here and sit down with your family.
-John, I've got work to do. -Just come on.
-Pass me the butter, please. -Here.
Why are you eating so fast?
I've got to get back to the sawmill.
But you already put in a day's work.
Not enough.
Emily!
Look, Mamie, two lemons and a cherry!
Ladies don't operate those machines, sister.
Sometimes, I'd just as soon I hadn't been born a lady.
-Howdy, Ike. -Hello, John-Boy.
Ike, do you remember that secondhand washing machine
you had for sale one time?
Yeah, sure. It's right over there.
How much are you selling it for?
Why, are you thinking of getting married
and setting up housekeeping?
No, for my mama.
Well, how's $35 sound?
Right steep to me for a secondhand machine, Ike.
$30 as is.
$20. I mean, I don't even know for sure that it works.
$25 is my rock-bottom price.
$20, Ike.
$20. It's yours.
How would it be with you maybe if I worked it out?
I mean, I could come here every day after school...
and I could do odd jobs for you and make deliveries...
and I could work for you all day on Saturday.
I'd like to accommodate you, John-Boy...
but I'm short of money, just like everybody else.
I've got to find a job.
John-Boy.
How would you like to work for us?
Miss Emily? Oh, well, I....
Let me get my sister. We'll discuss your employment.
How's it feel to be a working man?
Ike, Mama would skin me alive.
Everyone knows those ladies make bootleg whiskey.
They don't know that.
They're just following their papa's Recipe.
But sometimes they sell it!
Yeah, but they're just like two little girls
by a roadside selling lemonade.
Just take the box and box up them groceries.
John-Boy, I'm so delighted you're going to help us out.
Miss Mamie, I tell you, I don't really--
Help from heaven, just when we needed it most.
We have a guest, you see.
Fourth Cousin Homer Lee Baldwin from Buckingham County.
That's why you've been putting in the extra provisions?
Cousin Homer has a hearty appetite.
We hadn't heard from him in years.
Somebody said he'd gone into politics.
The Baldwins always excelled in politics, don't you know?
Suddenly, one morning, opened the door,
there was Cousin Homer.
Are you sure you ladies need my help?
I mean perhaps your cousin would be able to help out.
Did you hear that, Mamie?
Cousin Homer and physical labor...
have never made each other's acquaintance.
A perfectly charming gentleman, don't you know, but delicate.
He got it from his mama.
She wasn't a Baldwin. What do you expect?
Now, John-Boy, when will you report for work?
Well, Miss Mamie...
I guess whenever you say.
No time like the present. Come along now.
John-Boy, you can start by putting groceries in the box.
You'll hold on to that washing machine for me, won't you?
I will, unless somebody comes along in the meantime...
and plunks down cash on the barrelhead.
Maybe I can earn enough to just put a little down payment on it?
That depends upon how big a down payment.
Yoo-hoo!
I'm coming, Miss Emily.
Now don't you tell a soul.
Here's to my cousins.
I swear the two of you get more beautiful
with each passing year.
Listen to Homer Lee and that silver tongue.
Reminds me of Ashley Longworth!
Oh, he's the young man your papa had to shoot, was he not?
Papa never shot.
He just shook the gun at Ashley and suggested he leave.
And he left like a flash.
But he had taken liberties, had he not?
He kissed me. Out there, under the maple tree.
And, no talk of marriage?
None whatsoever!
I still think he would have gotten around
to a proposal sooner or later.
Got everything stored. Is there anything else I can do?
Why, yes. You can come in and meet...
Cousin Homer Lee Baldwin from Buckingham County.
-How do you do, sir. -How do you do
That's John-Boy Walton. He's going to be a writer.
A writer indeed!
I've always held the journalism profession in high regard.
Thank you.
What line of work are you in, sir?
Lately I have been a traveler, sir.
I didn't know that, Homer Lee.
How anybody could bear to leave Buckingham County is beyond me.
It's been 20 years since I've been in Buckingham County.
I vow!
Twenty years away from Buckingham County
and we never knew.
You must be dying to see everybody.
Well, yes.
Mamie, why don't we have a family reunion...
so Cousin Homer Lee can see everybody?
Are there any Baldwins left after all these years?
Cousin Cora moved to Washington, D.C.
or some such outlandish place...
and a good many of the others are dead.
But never you mind. We'll round up what's left.
And we'll make just oceans of the Recipe.
You'll help us, won't you, John-Boy?
-I reckon. -Splendid.
Now, help me find my purse so I can pay this young man.
No, no, no.
-Howdy, everybody. -Howdy, John-Boy.
-How you been keeping, John-Boy? -Fine. Just fine, Sheriff.
Keeping on the right side of the law?
Huh?
Well, sure. I reckon so.
Glad to hear that.
I wouldn't want to arrest the only writer
we've got in this part of the country.
Ike, could I see you for a minute?
Yeah, sure.
Don't move any balls while I'm gone.
You can trust me, Ike, you know that.
Ike, I'd like to make a deposit on this machine.
I got $1.
That's wonderful.
I'll give you a receipt.
You're going to hold on to it for me, aren't you?
John-Boy, if times were better,
I'd be happy to hold on to this till doomsday.
But I've got to sell to the first bidder that comes along.
But I've paid $1 down.
All that means is there are $19 to go.
Business is business, John-Boy.
You've had enough, Grandpa?
I was ready to quit more than an hour ago.
Daddy, can I borrow the truck for a little while?
-What you want the truck for? -Got to haul something in it.
-How far? -Not very far.
Son, I don't mind you driving these back wood roads...
but you go streaking down the highway, with no permit...
the Sheriff's going to pick you up for sure.
-It's not far. -How far?
Just up to the Baldwin place.
They just bought a whole load of supplies from Ike Godsey...
and I need the truck to deliver it to them.
If your mama knew...
that you're doing business with the old ladies
she'd have a duck fit.
Would she have to know?
I wasn't planning on bringing the subject up...
but, no, son, it's too far to drive without a permit.
John, I could go along with the boy.
If anybody says anything to him they'd have to answer to me.
Are you interested in those ladies getting their supplies...
or you want a touch that old Recipe?
Both.
Alright, son, looks like you've got yourself a truck.
Thank you.
That's fine.
Oh, Emily, our ingredients are here, and company, too!
What a treat! How nice of you, John-Boy, to bring your grandpa.
Nobody ever appreciated the Recipe like Mr. Walton.
Where would you like me to put the sugar and the cornmeal?
Just put them right here in the storeroom, John-Boy.
And, Mr. Walton, do come on in the Recipe Room and meet...
Fourth Cousin Homer Lee Baldwin from Buckingham County.
Cousin Homer Lee, may I present Mr. Walton?
-Mr. Walton, how do you do, sir. -It is a pleasure indeed, sir.
It's so nice to hear men's voices around the place.
Mr. Walton, we're all having a little sip of Recipe.
-Care to join us? -Indeed, yes.
Mr. Walton, it's been ages since you've paid us a little visit.
My boy John and I have been busy cutting
and sawing wood most every day.
Oh, times are hard.
Business has been bad everywhere.
You a businessman, sir?
Cousin Homer is a self-made man.
Left Buckingham County with nothing but the clothes
on his back and look at him now.
The secret is volume. That's what I always say.
Buy low and sell high.
Did you ever.
Mamie, serve Cousin Homer some more Recipe.
Serve everybody while you're at it.
-See anything of them, Livie? -Not yet, Grandma.
Don't worry, they'll be along.
I can't help worrying when my child is out there in the dark.
He's not a child anymore.
And besides, he's with Grandpa.
What harm could he come to with Grandpa?
Oh, Mr. Walton! I had no idea you were such a cut-up.
Mamie, more Recipe.
Grandpa, don't you think maybe we ought to be getting along?
-Where, John-Boy? -Home.
Don't go. The evening's early yet.
As a matter of fact, we do have plans, remember?
Another time, Homer Lee. We can go another time.
We're having such joy here.
Now, Cousin Mamie, I'm not going to let you back out.
Do you realize how long it's been...
since these two ladies saw a motion-picture show?
Papa took us to see Mr. Chaplin in The Gold Rush.
Papa loved the part where Charlie ate the shoe.
But that was a silent movie.
I'll wager you two have never seen
a talking motion-picture show.
We thought the silents were just fine.
Don't judge until you've heard a talkie.
Come along.
We don't want to come in in the middle of the picture.
John-Boy, I reckon we'd better be moseying on home, too.
Now, Mr. Walton, you come and see us again...
when Cousin Homer Lee isn't rushing us off someplace.
I surely would love to do so.
Ladies, we've had a fine evening.
It's been a pleasure having you.
Come along.
I've got to get my gloves.
I do wish you and John-Boy would come along.
-Wouldn't that be jolly, Sister? -Oh, my, yes...
and we must all remember to keep an eye out for Ashley Longworth.
He was the young gentleman who came courting some years ago.
-He must be a real nice man. -He is.
Nice visit.
-Nice meeting you all. -Nice to meet you, sir.
Goodnight, ladies.
Sounds to me like your battery's dead.
Are you sure we've got gasoline?
If not, we can use some of the Recipe.
Oh, no, I'm afraid you ladies aren't going anywhere tonight.
Your battery's dead as a doornail.
The Recipe would work in that, too.
I just wish this idea had never come up.
I had my heart set on seeing a motion-picture show.
Now look here.
You ladies are going to Charlottesville after all.
With me.
Grandpa, they're expecting us at home!
They can be expecting us, alright,
but they can expect us late.
Ladies, get right in here.
Isn't this a treat, Mamie?
You can always depend on the Walton men!
Yeah, we're going after all. All aboard?
You haven't changed your mind about coming to the talkies?
No, no, no. I'm coming.
Grandpa, are you sure this is such a fine idea?
Sure, I'm sure. We're all going to the talkies.
You're gonna have to drive 'cause it's getting dark.
Alrighty.
Can I give you a hand with that, sir?
No. I'll get it.
Just some dirty laundry I'm taking into town.
All aboard!
-Any sign of them yet? -I wouldn't worry, Liv.
Worry! How can a body not worry?
Which of them was driving?
I sure hope it wasn't Zeb.
That old man can't see in the dark.
They're probably off in a ditch somewhere.
Now you two are a couple of worrisome old hens.
Not that I'm the least bit worried,
but I'll go have a look for them.
I'm going with you!
Oh. I just love the bright lights of a city.
Now, Sister, watch your purse.
Remember what Papa used to say about city folk.
What are we going to do about money?
Don't worry about it. I think I got enough for all of us.
Just think of it, Sister. We're finally going to see a talkie.
You know something? This picture is three or four years old.
But we haven't seen it, Homer Lee.
And we were so looking forward to it.
Well, I've seen it many times...
and I'm just afraid I can't sit through it one more time.
Well, then...
I guess there's nothing else to do
but turn around and go back home.
No, now just hold everything. Just sit tight.
Four, please.
But what about you, Homer Lee?
We can't just have you stand out here on the sidewalk.
Don't you worry about me.
I'll find something to do to occupy my time.
Now, John-Boy, see the ladies to their seats.
Yes, sir. Thank you for the tickets.
My pleasure.
The man at the door.
Thank you very much. Ladies.
I got them.
I'm closed for the night.
It's me, Homer Lee, Daisy. Open up!
Precious thing! Come in the house!
You're still my precious thing.
Now come over here and give us a big kiss!
No time for that now, Daisy.
I've got something to show you...
and I've come to see you on a matter of pure business.
I love you to death, but I wouldn't buy anything from you.
Look at that.
Snake water? Some new miracle cure?
Taste it.
Go on, taste it.
Well?
Precious thing.
You have got something here like I never tasted before.
And there's more of that where that came from.
Honey, come sit down and take a manicure...
while we talk business.
To business.
It won't be long, honey. Just till springtime.
You promise?
I don't see why you think they'd be here.
You might as well know it. Last time I saw John-Boy...
he was delivering supplies.
You allowed my son to help those old women make whiskey.
Miss Mamie!
It's a hobby with them. It keeps them busy.
Why here? Why wouldn't they be in the main house?
This is the Recipe Room where they spend most of their time.
You certainly seem to know your way around.
I don't know where those old ladies can be.
I'll have a word with you, old man.
We will talk later.
-Sheriff? -How you been keeping, John-Boy?
Mighty fine.
Glad to hear it. Been over to Charlottesville lately?
Yes. We were over there tonight.
We went to a picture show.
The boy was with me all along. He's been up to no mischief.
Y'all had yourselves a good time?
As a matter of fact, we did.
With never a thought of the folks at home
worried sick about where you might be?
Have you had the Sheriff out looking for us all night?
No, but I should have.
Where have you two been?
We've been scouting these hills for you.
Mama, we went over to Charlottesville for a while.
I hope you had a good reason, son.
Before anything goes any further,
I want you to know it was all my fault.
I'm listening, old man.
The Baldwin sisters, had their hearts set on going to town...
and their old car wouldn't work, busted down.
So we went in our truck.
I don't know about these Walton men.
One's too young to be sowing wild oats...
and the other one's too old, but that don't stop them.
If there's any wild oat sowing being done, son...
maybe you ought to tell me.
Daddy, we went to a picture show.
It was Billy-Jack Bibb in The Crooning Cowboy.
Sheriff, thank you for bringing them home.
I didn't bring them home.
I've been sitting here waiting for them to come home.
The word I get from Charlottesville,
the law over there says...
that somebody's suspected of transporting
bootleg whiskey in your truck, John.
What?
I'm surprised you both didn't land in jail!
Is John-Boy going to jail?
I don't want you to go to jail, John-Boy.
What're you children doing out of bed?
We wanted to see what's going on.
Get back to bed, all of you.
-We can't even see what goes on. -We never get to stay up.
John-Boy.
Do you know about anybody selling whiskey from my truck?
Daddy, we were in the theater the whole time, all of us.
Everyone of us, except for Cousin Homer Lee.
Cousin Homer Lee Baldwin from Buckingham County?
Yes, sir. He's visiting the ladies.
What does that mean?
Cousin Homer Lee Baldwin has a record
that would stretch from here to Rockfish.
Oh, my.
You think maybe we ought to tell Miss Mamie and--
Son, what I'd rather you do is keep an eye on Cousin Homer Lee.
And I'd rather he didn't spend so much time with the Baldwins.
I'd appreciate it if you'd change your mind.
It just might be the best thing in the world you could do...
for those two old ladies.
Spending all that time up there?
Next thing you know he'll be drinking whiskey!
Maybe they need help.
Besides, he's old enough to make up his own mind.
Is John-Boy drunk?
Are you feeling kind of wobbly, John-Boy?
Get back to bed this instant!
John, keep an eye open.
First sign of any funny business,
I want you to call me on the telephone.
Sheriff, we don't even have a telephone here.
Old Ike's got one down at the store.
If you have trouble, he'll show you how to work it.
-So long, everybody. -Night.
Sister, I'm afraid we're going to run out of containers.
Then we'll just have to order more, Mamie.
How about people outside the family?
It's a family reunion, Sister.
-Who did you have in mind? -Ashley Longworth.
You don't even know where he is.
He attended the University of Virginia.
Surely they must have kept track of him.
If you want to see him again after all this time,
you go right ahead.
Come.
Right on time. Regular as the evening star.
You ladies have any jobs you'd like done?
Oh, my, yes. The fire needs some more wood.
And we need 12 dozen Mason jars from Mr. Godsey's store.
And as soon as we finish these invitations to the reunion...
you may mail them for us.
We think this is the best Recipe we've made in years.
Certainly the most.
Cousin Homer Lee said fill her to capacity, and we did.
There. That ought to find Ashley Longworth wherever he is.
He had such lovely cheekbones.
Do you remember Ashley Longworth's cheekbones, Mamie?
No, I don't remember Ashley's cheekbones, Sister.
He had nice eyes though.
One was green, the other was blue.
Think of it. If I had married Ashley...
this place would be overrun with a whole passel of children...
with blue-green eyes.
Sometimes, young man...
would you bring your brothers and sisters over for a visit?
Oh. Certainly, of course.
Well then,
let's get these invitations in the mail posthaste!
Alrighty.
That's a right old machine, ma'am.
That's just an old, secondhand job.
Ike, why you don't put a sign on that thing saying it's sold?
John-Boy, there's a slight difference
between being sold and a down payment.
Look here.
I've got $5 more to add to the $1 I've already paid you.
I'll make you out a receipt.
And then I want 127, 3-cent stamps.
Go on, now.
No, I mean it. For the reunion.
They've invited every Baldwin in the whole country.
-A hundred and twenty-seven? -Yeah.
Okay, here's 50, 100, and...
one hundred and twenty-seven.
Remember, I just sell them, I don't lick them.
That's what I'm getting paid for.
Is there anything else you want?
Yeah, I want 12 dozen quart-size Mason jars.
Twelve dozen!
At the rate they're going, they're gonna have enough...
for 10 reunions.
I know.
I'll go get the Mason jars. By the way, that's $3.81 in stamps.
Daddy, can I borrow the truck again tomorrow?
I cleaned out the Baldwin lady's yard,
I need to haul some brush.
You've got no more license than a blue jay.
-Sheriff's sure to pick you up. -No, he won't, Mama.
I wish I'd never let you all talk me into this.
How long is it going to go on?
I'm sure they'll let me go tomorrow,
right after the reunion.
Daddy?
It's alright with me, son.
How many are coming to the reunion?
They sent out 127 invitations.
Lock the door and hide the silver.
Oh, Mama!
Don't you "Oh, Mama" me.
Thank God we are Baptists and can deal with evil.
-Hey, John-Boy. -Big day!
It's going to be a day to remember.
Where's Miss Mamie and Miss Emily?
They're putting the finishing touches on the house.
See if you can give them a hand.
Yes, sir.
I do hope Cousin Cora comes.
Remember how sweet she was to come and stay when Papa died?
Cousin Cora's bound to come.
Washington, D.C. isn't all that far away.
The one I'm dying to see is Cousin Tyrone.
I thought he was the one they had to confine.
Cousin Tyrone was perfectly harmless.
It was all those nosy neighbors who were so suspicious...
because he built that chariot and drove it about the place.
I would love to have ridden in a chariot.
Don't you give up hope.
Maybe Cousin Tyrone will drive his over from Buckingham County.
-Anything else I can do? -John-Boy, we need branch water.
Papa always took his Recipe with branch water...
-many of the Baldwins still do. -Branch water coming up.
Papa always got his in a special place.
I'm afraid I wouldn't know where that is.
It's quite a ways upstream.
But you'll recognize it because
there's a cup hanging from the branch of a tree.
-I'll find it, ma'am. -And, John-Boy...
Papa always put his in an earthenware jug
you'll find out in the garage.
Cousin Homer?
I do hope everybody brings their children.
It wouldn't be a reunion without children.
Did you get the branch water?
Yes, ma'am, I did, but my daddy's truck is missing.
I was going to tell you about that.
Cousin Lee borrowed it, but there's nothing to worry about.
He'll replenish any gas that he uses.
Did he say where he was going?
You know how thoughtful Cousin Homer Lee is.
He decided to check the train station over in town...
to see if any of the Baldwins had shown up
early for the reunion.
You know those 144 jars of the Recipe that you made?
-Safe in the storeroom. -Yeah.
Maybe we just ought to check on that for sure.
Don't stand there like a ninny, Sister. What's in there?
Nothing, Sister. Every jar of Recipe has simply vanished.
Ike, can I use your telephone for a minute?
-Right there, John-Boy. -Thank you.
I don't know how it works.
Where have you been all your life?
We've never had a telephone in the house!
I never worked one of the things before.
Okay, I'll show you how to work it.
First thing you remember,
take the receiver in your left hand.
Look, I don't have all day long.
Didn't know it was a matter of life and death.
Take the crank over there and you turn it a couple times.
Then you talk to Miss Fanny Tatum...
and then she'll listen to every word,
no matter who you're talking to.
Like that?
Miss Fanny? John-Boy Walton here. Could--
Mama's fine, thank you.
No, we didn't buy a phone.
I'm calling from Ike Godsey's General Merchandise Store.
Do you think you--
He's fine.
Yeah. Hold on just a minute.
Miss Fanny said to tell you hey.
-Tell her I appreciate it. -Ike appreciates it.
Could you let me talk to Sheriff Bridges, Miss Fanny?
-Thank you. -The Sheriff?
Sheriff, John-Boy Walton here.
Remember you told me to call you...
if Cousin Homer Lee Baldwin pulled anything funny?
Well, he did.
Cousin Homer Lee and 144 quart Mason jars of the Recipe...
and my daddy's truck are all missing.
About half hour, I reckon.
I was gone a long time.
I was up on the mountain fetching some branch water and--
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir. Thank you, Sheriff. I appreciate it. Good-bye.
That's it. Now you put it right up there.
You turn the crank up, to let Fanny know that you're off.
She ought to know. She was listening the whole time.
What is your daddy going to say about his truck being missing?
I'm gonna find out soon enough.
That's not funny.
They got 127 people coming...
and not a drop of Recipe in the whole house!
Let me remind you that your truck is gone!
My truck is gone.
I'd like to know what you're gonna do now!
That's what I'd like to know.
I'm going to sit right here and work on this machine.
That old truck is such an eyesore...
Homer won't get 20 miles without being picked up.
Are you gonna stay and help us?
I'm gonna help the old ladies at their reunion right now.
So excuse me.
They're gonna need some help...
with 127 Baldwins and not one drop of Recipe.
Oh, God!
I was just sure Ashley Longworth would have arrived by now.
Sister, you haven't seen Ashley Longworth for 35 years.
Still, it's not like Ashley not to favor us with a reply.
If he did, it would be in the mailbox.
Oh, Mamie, what a splendid idea.
Miss Mamie?
I didn't hear you come in, John-Boy.
I knocked but nobody answered the door.
You happened to see any Baldwins lost on the highway?
Someone asking to find their way here?
No, ma'am. I'm afraid I didn't.
We just can't imagine what's happened to everybody.
They're way past due.
I wouldn't give up hope.
You just can't imagine what a happy house this once was.
All the relatives used to gather here.
And children....
Children would fill the yard and the house...
like darts of sunlight.
Yes, ma'am.
Sister, most of them seem to have been returned.
"Deceased. Return to sender."
"Insufficient address."
"No forwarding address."
Is the one there we sent to Ashley Longworth?
"Address unknown. Return to sender."
Imagine that splendid young man having no address.
I would think you could address it...
"Ashley Longworth, The World"...
and it would eventually reach him.
I had so looked forward to singing around the piano...
and the sound of the children's voices.
-Afternoon. -Hello, John-Boy.
Afternoon, son.
I want to ask you all something.
Mama, you're not gonna believe what I'm gonna ask you.
Ask anyway, John-Boy.
There's not going to be any reunion at the Baldwin's.
Sheriff close the place down?
No, ma'am. Nobody came.
All the invitations were returned...
'cause except for Miss Mamie and Miss Emily...
everybody was either dead or unknown.
The poor, old darlings.
They tried not to show it, but I can tell they were really hurt.
What were you going to ask us, John-Boy?
They're all alone in that big, empty house...
and couldn't we just maybe put on some nice clothes...
and go over there and spend the evening with them?
I'm sorry, John-Boy.
I hate to see two old people hurt...
but I've got the children to consider.
I just can't take them over there with that old Recipe.
Mama, there's not a thing in the house stronger than lemonade.
And they love children.
I really don't know how the rest of you feel about this...
but I, for one, intend on going.
Well, so am I. Just to keep you out of mischief.
You think my gray dress would be alright?
Sure, sweetheart, it would be fine.
Let's round up the children.
-Mr. Walton! John Walton! -Miss Mamie. Miss Emily.
We thought we'd drop by.
-Did you bring the children? -All seven of them.
Come in!
Hello!
I'm so glad to see you.
It's nice to see you. Come in.
How do you do, Mrs. Walton? So nice of you to come.
Thought you'd like to know, John,
your truck's been recovered.
-Where did you find it? -It was abandoned...
in the back of Daisy Burgess' beauty parlor,
over in Charlottesville.
And what about Cousin Homer Lee?
He'll be picked up in the morning.
Thank you.
Everybody, I want to propose a toast...
a lemonade toast...
to John-Boy Walton...
without whom we would never have known this present joy.
To John-Boy!
That's good lemonade.
Alright, just close your eyes, everybody.
Feel like an idiot doing this.
This is so....
Okay, Daddy. Come on in.
I vow, I can't imagine what's going on here.
Just keep them closed.
-When can I look? -In just a minute.
Grandpa, you're peeking.
Okay, Mama, now!
No!
You didn't go buying that on credit?
Your son bought it for you, Livie.
Where did you get the money?
Working for the Baldwin ladies.
Just because I went there once...
doesn't mean that I approve of what those old ladies do.
Mama, I never actually made any of that Recipe.
Will somebody please show me how this thing works?
Come here.
When we were living through them,
we called them bad times...
and thought that we were poor.
Only after we had all grown up, were we to realize...
what good times they had been, and how very rich we were.
Often in memory, I return to that house...
and to the echoes of those voices.
-You asleep? -Not yet.
Thinking about today?
I was thinking about them all growing up, getting married...
leaving us.
We can't keep them forever.
I know.
Goodnight, Livie.