1 00:01:53,847 --> 00:01:55,949 When I was growing up on Walton's mountain... 2 00:01:56,016 --> 00:01:58,852 the Great Depression touched our lives in many ways. 3 00:01:58,919 --> 00:02:02,556 Jobs were scarce. New clothes were rare. 4 00:02:02,623 --> 00:02:05,859 Food was simple and mostly homegrown. 5 00:02:05,926 --> 00:02:07,895 What we had, we shared. 6 00:02:07,961 --> 00:02:10,564 My father taught us by his quiet practice... 7 00:02:10,631 --> 00:02:13,901 that sharing was our first duty and happiest privilege. 8 00:02:13,967 --> 00:02:15,969 And on one occasion, I had the opportunity 9 00:02:16,036 --> 00:02:17,738 to share an unforgettable experience... 10 00:02:17,805 --> 00:02:20,474 with a lady who was trying to hide a secret. 11 00:02:20,541 --> 00:02:22,109 Don't you fix that sink, you hear? 12 00:02:22,176 --> 00:02:23,344 No, Esther. 13 00:02:23,411 --> 00:02:25,746 -You let John do it. -Yes, Esther. 14 00:02:25,813 --> 00:02:28,216 -And sharpen the knives. -Yes, Esther. 15 00:02:28,282 --> 00:02:30,484 -Don't cut yourself. -No, Esther. 16 00:02:30,551 --> 00:02:32,786 Think this one suitcase will be enough, Grandma? 17 00:02:32,853 --> 00:02:34,888 It's fine. I travel light. 18 00:02:34,955 --> 00:02:37,791 Yeah, she figured she'd put all her needfuls in the bandanna... 19 00:02:37,858 --> 00:02:40,894 throw it over her shoulder, and just set off down the pike. 20 00:02:40,961 --> 00:02:43,030 You just better mind your p's and q's, old man. 21 00:02:43,096 --> 00:02:46,133 I might go up to Richmond and never come back. 22 00:02:46,200 --> 00:02:47,735 You won't be on that bus to Richmond 23 00:02:47,801 --> 00:02:51,639 more than five minutes and youl'l be pining away for me. 24 00:02:51,705 --> 00:02:54,442 Now that I've finally got this suitcase in my hand... 25 00:02:54,508 --> 00:02:56,610 I'm not sure if it's right for us to go. 26 00:02:56,677 --> 00:02:57,911 You've been thinking about nothing 27 00:02:57,978 --> 00:02:59,813 but that wedding for months. 28 00:02:59,880 --> 00:03:02,683 I know, but leaving you all here to fend for yourselves 29 00:03:02,750 --> 00:03:03,984 for a week or more.... 30 00:03:04,051 --> 00:03:05,386 We'll be fine, Mama. 31 00:03:05,453 --> 00:03:06,920 Under the circumstances, John-Boy... 32 00:03:06,987 --> 00:03:11,158 that's the last thing a woman wants to hear. 33 00:03:11,225 --> 00:03:14,795 Liv, you know you want to see Lorrie married true and proper. 34 00:03:14,862 --> 00:03:18,065 Besides, your sister's counting on you to help at the wedding. 35 00:03:18,131 --> 00:03:21,535 It will be quite a do, with Lorrie being an only child. 36 00:03:21,602 --> 00:03:25,172 An only child. Think of that. 37 00:03:25,239 --> 00:03:27,207 I wish I could go to the wedding. 38 00:03:27,275 --> 00:03:29,810 -Be nice if we could all go. -Not me. 39 00:03:29,877 --> 00:03:34,047 I went to a wedding over 40, 50 years ago... 40 00:03:34,114 --> 00:03:37,251 and I haven't been the same since. 41 00:03:37,318 --> 00:03:40,621 "Wedding is destiny, and hanging, likewise." 42 00:03:40,688 --> 00:03:42,756 John-Boy, what kind of talk is that? 43 00:03:42,823 --> 00:03:44,091 It's in the book. 44 00:03:44,157 --> 00:03:47,861 John Heywood wrote it. He lived from 1497 to 1580. 45 00:03:47,928 --> 00:03:49,162 What book is that? 46 00:03:49,229 --> 00:03:51,031 Bartlett's Familiar Quotations. 47 00:03:51,098 --> 00:03:53,701 It's a collection of all the wise things ever written. 48 00:03:53,767 --> 00:03:57,971 Imagine that. Everything a man needs to know, all in one book. 49 00:03:58,038 --> 00:04:02,810 Comparing a wedding to a hanging isn't my idea of wisdom. 50 00:04:02,876 --> 00:04:05,012 Come on, John-Boy, come on, Erin! We'll be late. 51 00:04:05,078 --> 00:04:06,314 Come on, Erin. 52 00:04:06,380 --> 00:04:07,681 -Goodbye, Daddy. -Where's my lunchbox? 53 00:04:07,748 --> 00:04:09,082 Goodbye, Mama. 54 00:04:09,149 --> 00:04:12,820 -John-Boy, we gotta be going. -"All haste is from the devil!" 55 00:04:14,522 --> 00:04:17,024 Medieval Latin proverb. 56 00:04:23,464 --> 00:04:26,467 -Erin, you want to be late? -No, Mama. 57 00:04:26,534 --> 00:04:29,036 I just want to let the others get ahead. 58 00:04:31,605 --> 00:04:35,576 I get so tired of always being part of a crowd. 59 00:04:40,013 --> 00:04:42,115 You better sit on that right. G.W. would kill you. 60 00:04:42,182 --> 00:04:45,018 -I wish we had one. -Yeah, we could ride to school. 61 00:04:45,085 --> 00:04:47,120 All seven of us? 62 00:04:47,187 --> 00:04:49,022 Where's Jim-Bob and Elizabeth? 63 00:04:49,089 --> 00:04:50,824 Honey, what's the matter with your voice? 64 00:04:50,891 --> 00:04:53,461 -My throat's kind of sore. -You're catching a cold. 65 00:04:53,527 --> 00:04:56,330 But don't you tell Mama. I don't want to spoil her trip. 66 00:04:56,397 --> 00:04:57,831 Okay. 67 00:04:57,898 --> 00:04:59,800 John-Boy? 68 00:04:59,867 --> 00:05:01,769 Elizabeth has to stay after school... 69 00:05:01,835 --> 00:05:05,606 'cause she didn't do her homework, and she's crying some. 70 00:05:05,673 --> 00:05:07,641 I reckon you children better go on home. 71 00:05:07,708 --> 00:05:09,443 I'll see if I can do something. 72 00:05:09,510 --> 00:05:11,512 -That G.W.'s new bike? -Yep. 73 00:05:11,579 --> 00:05:14,348 Better get off it before he beats you up. 74 00:05:14,415 --> 00:05:16,584 -You, too? -Come on, let's go. 75 00:05:16,650 --> 00:05:18,719 You got to watch out for him, Ben. 76 00:05:18,786 --> 00:05:22,690 -I can't do it, John-Boy. -Of course you can do it. 77 00:05:22,756 --> 00:05:26,494 When I try to make my letters, they go all squiggly. See? 78 00:05:26,560 --> 00:05:29,162 Darling, that's 'cause you're holding the pencil wrong. 79 00:05:29,229 --> 00:05:31,932 You have to hold it like this. 80 00:05:31,999 --> 00:05:33,534 See? 81 00:05:33,601 --> 00:05:36,770 You should pretend like the pencil is part of your hand. 82 00:05:39,873 --> 00:05:40,974 Make an "E." 83 00:05:47,681 --> 00:05:51,485 That's the saddest looking "E" I think I've ever seen. 84 00:05:51,552 --> 00:05:53,787 All my letters are sad, John-Boy. 85 00:05:56,156 --> 00:05:58,659 Maybe that's 'cause you think writing's a chore. 86 00:05:58,726 --> 00:06:01,595 Something you have to do instead of something you want to do. 87 00:06:01,662 --> 00:06:04,532 -It is a chore. -It doesn't have to be. 88 00:06:04,598 --> 00:06:06,800 For me, it's magic. 89 00:06:06,867 --> 00:06:08,969 -Magic? -Well, of course. 90 00:06:09,036 --> 00:06:12,372 Look, there are 26 letters in the alphabet. Only 26 letters. 91 00:06:12,440 --> 00:06:15,175 But you can take those 26 letters and put them together 92 00:06:15,242 --> 00:06:19,112 in different combinations and you can make thousands of words. 93 00:06:19,179 --> 00:06:21,415 You can share those words with other people... 94 00:06:21,482 --> 00:06:23,484 and then if you're good enough at it 95 00:06:23,551 --> 00:06:25,719 you can make them laugh and cry... 96 00:06:25,786 --> 00:06:28,522 and you can tell them you love them. 97 00:06:28,589 --> 00:06:31,992 Look. Put a "D" over here. 98 00:06:32,059 --> 00:06:36,096 And an "O" over there, and a "G" over there. 99 00:06:36,163 --> 00:06:37,631 Nothing, right? 100 00:06:37,698 --> 00:06:41,268 But you take them and you put them all together... 101 00:06:41,334 --> 00:06:43,671 and what have you got? 102 00:06:43,737 --> 00:06:45,539 "Dog!" 103 00:06:45,606 --> 00:06:47,841 But that's just the beginning of the magic. 104 00:06:47,908 --> 00:06:51,445 When you see that "dog," what does that make you think of? 105 00:06:51,512 --> 00:06:54,247 Dorothy's dog in The Wizard of Oz book. 106 00:06:54,314 --> 00:06:55,749 See, it's magic. 107 00:06:55,816 --> 00:06:58,118 Now I want you to take this magic wand.... 108 00:06:58,185 --> 00:06:59,386 There. 109 00:06:59,453 --> 00:07:01,455 Now pull some letters out of the air 110 00:07:01,522 --> 00:07:03,657 and draw some pictures for yourself. 111 00:07:06,660 --> 00:07:09,162 Hello, Mrs. Grant. 112 00:07:09,229 --> 00:07:11,499 John-Boy. Elizabeth. 113 00:07:11,565 --> 00:07:13,701 I was looking for Miss Hunter. 114 00:07:13,767 --> 00:07:16,804 She just stepped out for a minute. She'll be right back. 115 00:07:16,870 --> 00:07:19,907 You make quite a teacher yourself, John-Boy. 116 00:07:19,973 --> 00:07:24,177 -I'm just helping Elizabeth out. -John-Boy, look! 117 00:07:24,244 --> 00:07:26,480 What, honey? Where? 118 00:07:26,547 --> 00:07:28,415 "Bird"! 119 00:07:28,482 --> 00:07:32,285 Elizabeth, I can just see that bird soaring through the sky. 120 00:07:32,352 --> 00:07:34,187 I can almost hear it singing. 121 00:07:37,558 --> 00:07:39,259 Verdie. 122 00:07:39,326 --> 00:07:40,561 I finished your dress. 123 00:07:40,628 --> 00:07:43,130 I hope you don't mind my dropping it off here. 124 00:07:43,196 --> 00:07:44,898 Of course not. 125 00:07:45,566 --> 00:07:47,367 My! 126 00:07:47,434 --> 00:07:50,103 -You do such fine work. -Thank you. 127 00:07:50,170 --> 00:07:52,305 Miss Hunter... 128 00:07:52,372 --> 00:07:56,577 am I doing better? 129 00:07:56,644 --> 00:07:58,145 That's much better, Elizabeth. 130 00:07:58,211 --> 00:08:02,883 -That's much, much better. -Thank you. 131 00:08:02,950 --> 00:08:05,052 -You're excused now. -Thank you, Miss Hunter. 132 00:08:05,118 --> 00:08:07,955 -Thank you, John-Boy. -Nice to see you, Mrs. Grant. 133 00:08:08,021 --> 00:08:12,492 -Give my best to your folks. -I certainly will. 134 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:14,628 John-Boy seems to have quite a gift for teaching. 135 00:08:14,695 --> 00:08:15,963 Yes, he does. 136 00:08:16,029 --> 00:08:19,833 -How much do I owe you, Verdie? -Fifty cents. 137 00:08:19,900 --> 00:08:23,136 -There you are. -Thank you. 138 00:08:23,203 --> 00:08:26,273 I cut this out for you. I found it in an educational journal... 139 00:08:26,339 --> 00:08:28,375 and I thought your daughter might be interested. 140 00:08:28,441 --> 00:08:30,944 My daughter? 141 00:08:31,011 --> 00:08:34,114 She graduates from college next month, doesn't she? 142 00:08:35,182 --> 00:08:37,150 That's right. She is. 143 00:08:37,217 --> 00:08:40,554 Do you think a job in that area would interest her? 144 00:08:45,025 --> 00:08:47,394 It just might. 145 00:08:47,460 --> 00:08:50,163 I'll send it on to her. I'm obliged. 146 00:08:50,230 --> 00:08:53,233 Let me see. You have one more dress to alter for me. 147 00:08:53,300 --> 00:08:55,736 Yes. It'll be ready in a week or less. 148 00:08:55,803 --> 00:08:58,105 -Thanks, Verdie. -Thank you. Goodbye. 149 00:09:01,942 --> 00:09:05,512 The soup is over there. All you have to do is heat it up. 150 00:09:05,579 --> 00:09:08,048 And beans, and potato salad... 151 00:09:08,115 --> 00:09:10,951 and cold fried chicken and ham, here in the icebox. 152 00:09:11,018 --> 00:09:12,753 And, of course, there's plenty of bread 153 00:09:12,820 --> 00:09:14,588 and cookies, and pie, and a cake. 154 00:09:14,655 --> 00:09:17,190 It's just like going on a picnic for a whole week. 155 00:09:17,257 --> 00:09:19,492 I'm counting on you girls to make sure 156 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:20,694 everybody gets enough to eat. 157 00:09:20,761 --> 00:09:22,129 Don't you worry, Mama. 158 00:09:22,195 --> 00:09:25,032 Erin, I'm worried about you. You're so quiet. 159 00:09:25,098 --> 00:09:28,168 She's just a little upset about your going away, Mama. 160 00:09:32,773 --> 00:09:34,441 Come on, you two! 161 00:09:34,507 --> 00:09:36,844 Better get going if we're going to make that bus. 162 00:09:36,910 --> 00:09:38,411 Is Grandma ready yet? 163 00:09:38,478 --> 00:09:41,214 She's been telling me things to do and not to do... 164 00:09:41,281 --> 00:09:43,316 she'll be too worn out to travel. 165 00:09:43,383 --> 00:09:44,852 -Zeb! -Yes. 166 00:09:44,918 --> 00:09:46,687 I just thought of something else. 167 00:09:46,754 --> 00:09:48,055 Yes, Esther? 168 00:09:48,121 --> 00:09:51,992 -John-Boy. Jason. -Hey, Mrs. Grant. 169 00:09:52,059 --> 00:09:54,527 -Is your mama and daddy home? -They're fixing to leave. 170 00:09:54,594 --> 00:09:57,631 Mama and Grandma are off to a wedding in Richmond. 171 00:09:57,698 --> 00:10:00,033 Okay, here we go! 172 00:10:00,100 --> 00:10:04,437 Hello, Verdie. We got to catch a bus. Sorry. 173 00:10:04,504 --> 00:10:06,139 Come on, Elizabeth! 174 00:10:06,206 --> 00:10:09,509 -I hear you're off on a trip. -We're leaving on the 5:00 bus. 175 00:10:09,576 --> 00:10:13,080 I won't delay you. I was hoping I could do some work for you... 176 00:10:13,146 --> 00:10:15,148 in exchange for a load of firewood. 177 00:10:15,215 --> 00:10:20,387 You know what I can do. I can keep house, wash clothes, sew... 178 00:10:20,453 --> 00:10:22,923 do practical nursing. 179 00:10:22,990 --> 00:10:25,258 You know we'd like to oblige you, Verdie, but... 180 00:10:25,325 --> 00:10:28,128 just now I don't feel we have the need for such help. 181 00:10:28,195 --> 00:10:30,630 I'll deliver some wood in a day or two? 182 00:10:30,698 --> 00:10:32,733 You can pay back when you get a chance. 183 00:10:32,800 --> 00:10:34,935 No, thank you, Mr. Walton. 184 00:10:35,002 --> 00:10:39,039 I'm not one to go into debt or ask favors. 185 00:10:44,211 --> 00:10:47,948 It was just the notion. Enjoy yourselves in Richmond. 186 00:10:48,015 --> 00:10:50,083 Can we give you a ride to the bus? 187 00:10:50,150 --> 00:10:51,885 No, thanks. I have other business. 188 00:10:51,952 --> 00:10:54,154 -Goodbye. -Bye, now. 189 00:10:54,221 --> 00:10:56,990 Get in. Say goodbye to your ma. Say goodbye. Come on. 190 00:10:57,057 --> 00:10:58,859 You all take care of yourselves. 191 00:10:58,926 --> 00:11:02,029 -You just have a good time. -Bye-bye. 192 00:11:03,897 --> 00:11:06,199 Why, Erin, I've never known you to be so quiet. 193 00:11:06,266 --> 00:11:11,038 -Catch the bridal bouquet, Mama. -What would I do with a that? 194 00:11:11,104 --> 00:11:14,374 -You could bring it home to me. -I'll bring it home to you. 195 00:11:14,441 --> 00:11:17,444 -You be good, now. -Come on, we gotta get going. 196 00:11:17,510 --> 00:11:18,946 Have a safe trip, Mama. 197 00:11:19,012 --> 00:11:20,848 -Don't you stay up all night. -Yes, Esther. 198 00:11:20,914 --> 00:11:23,951 -And don't you collect the eggs. -No. 199 00:11:24,017 --> 00:11:25,753 And don't you wash the dishes, hear? 200 00:11:25,819 --> 00:11:27,220 I'll remember. 201 00:11:27,287 --> 00:11:30,023 You don't talk to strangers on the streets of Richmond. 202 00:11:30,090 --> 00:11:33,827 -Afraid I'll meet another man? -Why not? 203 00:11:33,894 --> 00:11:35,863 I just don't want to lose you. 204 00:11:35,929 --> 00:11:37,931 -5:00 p.m. -Get along with you. 205 00:11:37,998 --> 00:11:40,167 -Here we go! -Bye, Grandma. 206 00:11:40,233 --> 00:11:42,736 -Have a good trip! -Bye. 207 00:11:50,710 --> 00:11:52,679 Bye, Grandma. 208 00:11:52,746 --> 00:11:55,115 Have fun! 209 00:11:57,150 --> 00:11:59,419 Grandpa, John-Boy, come here, quick. 210 00:11:59,486 --> 00:12:02,055 -What is it? -Erin's throat's all swollen. 211 00:12:02,122 --> 00:12:04,992 And she can't talk at all. I think she has a fever. 212 00:12:05,058 --> 00:12:07,360 Open your mouth, honey. Let's see. 213 00:12:16,269 --> 00:12:18,705 -What you puzzling over? -Nothing. 214 00:12:18,772 --> 00:12:21,341 You can't hide anything from me, sister. 215 00:12:21,408 --> 00:12:25,245 Just the newspaper piece Miss Hunter gave me. 216 00:12:25,312 --> 00:12:27,948 Your pride has carried you a long way, and that's good. 217 00:12:28,015 --> 00:12:29,749 But a thing like this is foolishness. 218 00:12:29,817 --> 00:12:31,118 It's no concern of yours. 219 00:12:31,184 --> 00:12:35,322 Of course it is. Who have I got left to fret over? 220 00:12:35,388 --> 00:12:38,792 -When you're hurting, I hurt. -I manage fine. 221 00:12:38,859 --> 00:12:40,360 So, you can't read or write. 222 00:12:40,427 --> 00:12:43,363 Why can't you tell that to Miss Hunter or anybody else? 223 00:12:43,430 --> 00:12:45,032 You don't understand, Alice. 224 00:12:45,098 --> 00:12:47,968 There are more important things than reading and writing... 225 00:12:48,035 --> 00:12:52,605 like raising a family of five after your husband died. 226 00:12:52,672 --> 00:12:56,877 Seeing two girls married and two boys with steady jobs. 227 00:12:58,245 --> 00:13:00,380 Now, there's reason for you to hold your head high. 228 00:13:00,447 --> 00:13:02,749 Alice, I don't feel to say to Miss Hunter: 229 00:13:02,816 --> 00:13:05,518 "Don't bother to give me that piece of paper for Sarah 230 00:13:05,585 --> 00:13:07,020 'cause I can't read it." 231 00:13:07,087 --> 00:13:09,122 It ain't only Miss Hunter. 232 00:13:10,457 --> 00:13:12,625 Verdie, aren't you tormenting yourself... 233 00:13:12,692 --> 00:13:17,030 as to go up to New York to your daughter's graduation? 234 00:13:19,566 --> 00:13:23,003 I've been looking forward to that day for four years. 235 00:13:23,837 --> 00:13:25,738 More than that. 236 00:13:25,805 --> 00:13:28,375 Since Sarah first started school... 237 00:13:29,843 --> 00:13:33,080 and I decided my youngest was gonna have a college education. 238 00:13:33,146 --> 00:13:36,316 Maybe you could've put the money to better use. 239 00:13:36,383 --> 00:13:39,853 No. No, it's not that. 240 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:42,489 You know what it is, Alice. 241 00:13:42,555 --> 00:13:44,925 Suppose I got up there... 242 00:13:44,992 --> 00:13:48,428 and somebody asked me to sign my name to something... 243 00:13:49,296 --> 00:13:51,298 or read a menu? 244 00:13:52,765 --> 00:13:54,968 I'd be an embarrassment to her. 245 00:13:56,636 --> 00:13:59,873 It's her tonsils. She'll have to have them out tomorrow morning. 246 00:13:59,940 --> 00:14:01,808 After it's out, will she be all right? 247 00:14:01,875 --> 00:14:03,543 She'll be fine. 248 00:14:03,610 --> 00:14:06,746 Doc says after the operation, she'd be just as good as new. 249 00:14:06,813 --> 00:14:08,081 Good. 250 00:14:08,148 --> 00:14:10,117 Everybody gets to go to the hospital 251 00:14:10,183 --> 00:14:12,152 get something tooken out except for me. 252 00:14:12,219 --> 00:14:16,023 Look here, your grandpa is a year or two older than you... 253 00:14:16,089 --> 00:14:17,958 and he has all of his original tonsils... 254 00:14:18,025 --> 00:14:22,129 appendix, and his hair, and he intends to keep them that way. 255 00:14:22,195 --> 00:14:24,531 -Come down for supper, Daddy. -All right, honey. 256 00:14:24,597 --> 00:14:26,366 You going to send word to Mama? 257 00:14:26,433 --> 00:14:28,969 I was thinking about that coming back in the truck. 258 00:14:29,036 --> 00:14:30,537 The minute she hears about this 259 00:14:30,603 --> 00:14:32,639 she'll be on the first bus back home. 260 00:14:32,705 --> 00:14:36,443 There's no need to tell her. Erin's in no kind of danger. 261 00:14:36,509 --> 00:14:40,013 There will be need for some nursing for two or three days. 262 00:14:40,080 --> 00:14:41,514 I can take care of Erin. 263 00:14:41,581 --> 00:14:44,384 No, honey, you'd have to miss school to do that. 264 00:14:44,451 --> 00:14:47,220 After all the store that Livie and my old woman 265 00:14:47,287 --> 00:14:50,123 set on that wedding it'd seem a shame to drag them back 266 00:14:50,190 --> 00:14:51,624 before they hardly got there. 267 00:14:51,691 --> 00:14:54,627 What about Verdie Grant? She could to take care of Erin. 268 00:14:54,694 --> 00:14:56,129 -Verdie? -Yeah. 269 00:14:56,196 --> 00:14:57,864 She is a practical nurse. 270 00:14:57,931 --> 00:15:01,034 She said she wanted to work for a load of firewood, too. 271 00:15:02,602 --> 00:15:06,173 -John-Boy, step in. -Thank you very much. 272 00:15:06,239 --> 00:15:10,277 -You know my sister, Miss Perry. -Yes, how do you do, ma'am? 273 00:15:10,343 --> 00:15:12,946 My sister Erin has tonsillitis. They have to come out. 274 00:15:13,013 --> 00:15:15,215 I'm sorry. 275 00:15:15,282 --> 00:15:17,184 She got sick right after Mama left... 276 00:15:17,250 --> 00:15:20,287 so I kind of think she didn't want to spoil Mama's trip. 277 00:15:20,353 --> 00:15:22,222 Anyway, with Mama gone off to Richmond... 278 00:15:22,289 --> 00:15:24,091 my daddy was wondering if you might tend 279 00:15:24,157 --> 00:15:25,758 to Erin for a few days... 280 00:15:25,825 --> 00:15:28,695 seeing as how you wanted to work for some firewood. 281 00:15:28,761 --> 00:15:30,697 -That'll be fine, John-Boy. -Good. 282 00:15:30,763 --> 00:15:32,499 When would I be needed? 283 00:15:32,565 --> 00:15:34,267 Erin's coming back from the hospital 284 00:15:34,334 --> 00:15:35,735 day after tomorrow in the afternoon. 285 00:15:35,802 --> 00:15:38,538 I'll be there about noon so I can have everything ready. 286 00:15:38,605 --> 00:15:40,840 Thank you. My daddy'll appreciate that. 287 00:15:40,907 --> 00:15:43,210 -Thank you. -Good. 288 00:15:43,276 --> 00:15:45,512 Good night, now. Nice to see you, ma'am. 289 00:15:45,578 --> 00:15:48,315 -See you day after tomorrow. -Okay. 290 00:15:53,020 --> 00:15:54,287 Firewood? 291 00:15:54,354 --> 00:15:56,056 What are you worrying about firewood 292 00:15:56,123 --> 00:15:58,025 at this time of the year? 293 00:15:58,091 --> 00:16:02,929 That's a sign, sister. It's got to be. 294 00:16:02,996 --> 00:16:05,265 I'm going to that graduation. 295 00:16:05,332 --> 00:16:08,935 And Sarah's gonna be as proud of me as I am of her. 296 00:16:09,002 --> 00:16:11,004 What has that got to do with you 297 00:16:11,071 --> 00:16:13,506 practical nursing at the Waltons? 298 00:16:13,573 --> 00:16:16,809 John-Boy Walton is the answer to my prayers. 299 00:16:16,876 --> 00:16:20,213 He's gonna teach me everything I need to know. 300 00:16:29,856 --> 00:16:31,758 Come in. 301 00:16:31,824 --> 00:16:33,260 Sorry to bother you. 302 00:16:33,326 --> 00:16:36,229 No. You've got to get the room ready for Erin. 303 00:16:36,296 --> 00:16:38,765 Mighty nice of you to give up your room. 304 00:16:38,831 --> 00:16:41,201 It's just for a couple of days. 305 00:16:43,936 --> 00:16:45,472 Watching you write just now... 306 00:16:45,538 --> 00:16:47,240 I was remembering what you said to your sister 307 00:16:47,307 --> 00:16:49,242 about it being magic. 308 00:16:49,309 --> 00:16:51,611 You certainly helped her. 309 00:16:51,678 --> 00:16:54,714 It helped me, too, 'cause I've been writing so long... 310 00:16:54,781 --> 00:16:58,518 I just took it for granted. But it is a wonderful thing. 311 00:16:58,585 --> 00:17:00,287 You probably help all your sisters 312 00:17:00,353 --> 00:17:02,589 with their reading and writing. 313 00:17:02,655 --> 00:17:05,058 Not that much, really. 314 00:17:30,450 --> 00:17:33,420 -You missed this. -Thank you. 315 00:17:34,354 --> 00:17:37,424 Erin's back from the hospital. 316 00:17:37,490 --> 00:17:38,325 Hi, Erin! 317 00:17:38,391 --> 00:17:39,659 How are you doing? 318 00:17:39,726 --> 00:17:41,461 -Home sweet home. -How is Erin, Daddy? 319 00:17:41,528 --> 00:17:43,496 A little groggy. She'll be all right. 320 00:17:43,563 --> 00:17:45,898 -How long did it take? -Did she get new tonsils? 321 00:17:45,965 --> 00:17:50,137 She won't be able to talk to you for a while. 322 00:17:50,203 --> 00:17:52,172 Let's get her into a nice, warm bed. 323 00:17:52,239 --> 00:17:54,006 Mrs. Grant's got my room ready for her. 324 00:17:54,073 --> 00:17:56,909 I hope I never have to have my tonsils taken out. 325 00:17:56,976 --> 00:17:58,545 It wouldn't be so bad. 326 00:17:58,611 --> 00:18:01,348 I don't cotton to the idea of being helpless like that. 327 00:18:01,414 --> 00:18:04,451 Or not being able to talk for two days, either. 328 00:18:09,922 --> 00:18:12,325 Did you have a nice nap? 329 00:18:12,392 --> 00:18:13,493 You're looking more yourself than 330 00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:16,028 when your daddy carried you in here. 331 00:18:16,095 --> 00:18:19,732 What can I do for you? 332 00:18:19,799 --> 00:18:21,601 You want your book? 333 00:18:28,441 --> 00:18:31,744 Honey, you don't want to hear me read. 334 00:18:31,811 --> 00:18:35,448 I know you can do a much better job yourself. 335 00:18:40,487 --> 00:18:43,856 I'm sorry, I don't understand. 336 00:19:01,241 --> 00:19:04,277 You really want this? 337 00:19:04,344 --> 00:19:06,513 What is it, Mrs. Grant? 338 00:19:08,981 --> 00:19:11,818 Here. See for yourself. 339 00:19:16,223 --> 00:19:17,657 She looks a little stronger. 340 00:19:17,724 --> 00:19:20,527 Of course you'd be a better judge of that than I would. 341 00:19:21,894 --> 00:19:25,465 Maybe you just ought to bring the kids in one at a time. 342 00:19:27,133 --> 00:19:29,436 That'll be fine. 343 00:19:29,502 --> 00:19:32,272 I'll go and tell them Erin is ready for visitors. 344 00:19:32,339 --> 00:19:35,942 I'll be the first one. 345 00:19:36,008 --> 00:19:38,645 Thank you, John-Boy. 346 00:19:43,483 --> 00:19:45,685 Can Miss Margaret and I have a cookie? 347 00:19:49,222 --> 00:19:50,923 You may have one... 348 00:19:50,990 --> 00:19:54,727 because I know come suppertime, you'll eat properly. 349 00:19:54,794 --> 00:19:58,265 But Miss Margaret's been doing too much piecing between meals. 350 00:19:58,331 --> 00:20:00,800 -None for her. -Thank you. 351 00:20:02,402 --> 00:20:04,271 Elizabeth, time to practice your ABC's. 352 00:20:04,337 --> 00:20:06,306 Not now, John-Boy. 353 00:20:06,373 --> 00:20:07,907 Miss Margaret's tonsils have to come out. 354 00:20:07,974 --> 00:20:11,010 She'll be all right for an hour or two. You sit here. 355 00:20:11,077 --> 00:20:12,545 I don't need to practice. 356 00:20:12,612 --> 00:20:14,981 You promised Miss Hunter. Come on, it'll be fun. 357 00:20:15,047 --> 00:20:16,115 Come on. Sit down. 358 00:20:16,182 --> 00:20:18,385 Now, here. 359 00:20:18,451 --> 00:20:22,322 Start with your "A's." 360 00:20:22,389 --> 00:20:24,291 Think of apples... 361 00:20:24,357 --> 00:20:26,626 aprons, apricots. 362 00:20:26,693 --> 00:20:29,596 Look, if Miss Margaret has to have her tonsils out... 363 00:20:29,662 --> 00:20:33,132 she better lie down before she gets sicker than she already is. 364 00:20:33,199 --> 00:20:37,036 -Okay, make that magic work. -I'm trying, John-Boy. 365 00:20:37,103 --> 00:20:40,273 But I keep on thinking of outdoors, playing. 366 00:20:40,340 --> 00:20:43,276 Do your "B's" now. Think of brides... 367 00:20:43,343 --> 00:20:46,679 braids, balloons. 368 00:20:47,747 --> 00:20:48,815 Keep at it. 369 00:20:53,119 --> 00:20:54,887 I wonder if I could ask you a favor. 370 00:20:54,954 --> 00:20:57,524 Elizabeth is having a little trouble with her schoolwork... 371 00:20:57,590 --> 00:21:00,527 and I thought that maybe if we turned it into a game... 372 00:21:00,593 --> 00:21:03,763 and you pretended that you were a student, too.... 373 00:21:03,830 --> 00:21:08,635 -Learning my ABC's. -If you're not busy with this. 374 00:21:08,701 --> 00:21:13,973 -Let's give it a try. -Good. Thank you. 375 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:15,542 Your B's still aren't very good 376 00:21:15,608 --> 00:21:17,444 'cause you're not letting them flow properly. 377 00:21:17,510 --> 00:21:20,713 We're going to have a regular school classroom right here. 378 00:21:20,780 --> 00:21:24,451 Mrs. Grant is going to be a student, too. 379 00:21:24,517 --> 00:21:27,587 Mrs. Grant, this is your tablet, and this is your pencil... 380 00:21:27,654 --> 00:21:30,723 and we're going to start with our A's. 381 00:21:30,790 --> 00:21:33,960 Miss Walton, you may go first. 382 00:21:45,538 --> 00:21:47,940 That's much better. 383 00:21:48,007 --> 00:21:49,909 Now it's your turn. 384 00:22:09,829 --> 00:22:14,300 Your A's are more squiggly than mine. 385 00:22:14,367 --> 00:22:16,703 That's what this is all about, isn't it? 386 00:22:16,769 --> 00:22:19,439 You and me helping each other to do better? 387 00:22:19,506 --> 00:22:22,442 I'll try to make my A's more like yours. 388 00:22:34,220 --> 00:22:37,123 "Too warm." 389 00:22:37,189 --> 00:22:39,859 It feels cold enough to me. 390 00:22:39,926 --> 00:22:42,962 All right, I'll see if I can find some colder. 391 00:22:43,029 --> 00:22:45,432 Erin, look who's here. 392 00:22:45,498 --> 00:22:48,901 -Get in here, Henry. -Come on. 393 00:22:48,968 --> 00:22:50,837 Henry Waggaman. 394 00:22:50,903 --> 00:22:53,172 He didn't want us seeing him come in here. 395 00:22:53,239 --> 00:22:55,808 He didn't want to be seen bringing flowers to a girl. 396 00:22:55,875 --> 00:22:59,646 -Give her the beautiful flowers. -Give her the flowers, Henry. 397 00:23:02,214 --> 00:23:05,317 -Thank you. -You're not supposed to talk. 398 00:23:05,384 --> 00:23:07,554 Henry, it's a miracle. 399 00:23:07,620 --> 00:23:10,356 Those are the first words she's spoken. 400 00:23:10,423 --> 00:23:13,325 Darling, sweetheart, I love you! 401 00:23:13,392 --> 00:23:15,828 My sweetheart. My dreamboat! 402 00:23:15,895 --> 00:23:17,396 I gotta go. 403 00:23:17,464 --> 00:23:20,299 You meanies. You nasties! 404 00:23:20,366 --> 00:23:22,802 Henry, my darling, wait for me! 405 00:23:26,573 --> 00:23:29,075 I didn't know Henry Waggaman liked you. 406 00:23:29,141 --> 00:23:31,544 I wonder where he picked those weeds. 407 00:23:35,915 --> 00:23:38,150 "Put my... 408 00:23:38,217 --> 00:23:42,455 "flowers in water." 409 00:23:46,392 --> 00:23:49,862 All right, now put the "B" and the "E" and the "D" together. 410 00:23:49,929 --> 00:23:53,199 The "B", the "E", and the "D". That's right. What do we have? 411 00:23:53,265 --> 00:23:55,001 What do we have, Elizabeth? 412 00:23:57,904 --> 00:23:58,938 "Bed." 413 00:23:59,005 --> 00:24:02,041 B-E-D spells bed. 414 00:24:02,108 --> 00:24:05,411 Right. 415 00:24:05,478 --> 00:24:08,748 Even when she can't talk, Erin finds a way to be bossy. 416 00:24:10,550 --> 00:24:13,019 Okay, now, write the "B" and the "D"... 417 00:24:13,085 --> 00:24:15,822 but instead of putting an "E", put an "A" between them. 418 00:24:15,888 --> 00:24:19,492 John-Boy, I'm tired of this game. Can I go and play now? 419 00:24:19,559 --> 00:24:21,127 Honey, we don't want to stop now. 420 00:24:21,193 --> 00:24:23,129 We're just getting the hang of it. 421 00:24:23,195 --> 00:24:25,732 I'll tell you what. School's out now. You go play. 422 00:24:25,798 --> 00:24:27,834 But we'll do this again tomorrow, okay? 423 00:24:27,900 --> 00:24:29,368 Okay. 424 00:24:29,435 --> 00:24:31,170 I like being in school with you. 425 00:24:31,237 --> 00:24:34,140 Same here, honey. 426 00:24:34,206 --> 00:24:35,775 -Bye, honey. -Bye. 427 00:24:35,842 --> 00:24:37,644 Thank you, Mrs. Grant. 428 00:24:37,710 --> 00:24:39,245 I'm looking forward to tomorrow. 429 00:24:39,311 --> 00:24:40,513 So am I. 430 00:24:40,580 --> 00:24:42,481 Mary Ellen, what are those things? 431 00:24:42,549 --> 00:24:45,618 A bunch of weeds Henry Waggaman picked for Erin. 432 00:24:49,522 --> 00:24:52,592 I'm coming, Your Majesty! 433 00:25:07,306 --> 00:25:09,408 What's this you're doing now? 434 00:25:09,475 --> 00:25:11,477 I'm practicing. 435 00:25:11,544 --> 00:25:15,381 -It don't look like much to me. -It's a start. 436 00:25:15,447 --> 00:25:17,850 You told the Walton boy? 437 00:25:17,917 --> 00:25:19,652 No. 438 00:25:19,719 --> 00:25:21,353 But I think he knows. 439 00:25:21,420 --> 00:25:23,690 Today he made up a game... 440 00:25:23,756 --> 00:25:27,193 just so he could give me a lesson without embarrassing me. 441 00:25:27,259 --> 00:25:29,261 If you wanted to go with this, Verdie... 442 00:25:29,328 --> 00:25:32,098 you'd be better off with a teacher from the school. 443 00:25:32,164 --> 00:25:33,600 Why do you say that? 444 00:25:33,666 --> 00:25:35,467 What if he should joke to his friends 445 00:25:35,534 --> 00:25:37,069 about teaching you your ABC's? 446 00:25:37,136 --> 00:25:40,539 He wouldn't. He's a very kind person. 447 00:25:44,811 --> 00:25:47,680 -How you doing there? -All right. Give it a try, Pa. 448 00:25:52,118 --> 00:25:54,353 That's got it. 449 00:25:54,420 --> 00:25:56,188 How's our patient this morning? 450 00:25:56,255 --> 00:26:00,259 She's mending faster than she wants to let on. 451 00:26:00,326 --> 00:26:02,261 Enjoying all the attention? 452 00:26:02,328 --> 00:26:05,164 I've noticed some folks have a real gift at sickbedding. 453 00:26:05,231 --> 00:26:08,167 I'd say she might be one of them. 454 00:26:08,234 --> 00:26:12,171 Let her take advantage of it till her ma gets home. 455 00:26:12,238 --> 00:26:13,472 Is the wedding today? 456 00:26:13,539 --> 00:26:17,009 Yes, and I'm sure glad I'm nowhere near all that commotion. 457 00:26:17,076 --> 00:26:18,878 My old woman's in her element. 458 00:26:18,945 --> 00:26:21,748 At a prime service, if the wind blows from the right direction 459 00:26:21,814 --> 00:26:23,415 you could hear the sound of her joyful weeping 460 00:26:23,482 --> 00:26:24,984 clean from Richmond. 461 00:26:25,051 --> 00:26:28,587 As soon as she hears the organ music, she lets go. 462 00:26:31,724 --> 00:26:34,393 Mrs. Grant, if it's all right with you... 463 00:26:34,460 --> 00:26:37,596 we'll have our teaching game in about an hour. 464 00:26:42,001 --> 00:26:44,603 No more games or make-believe. 465 00:26:46,338 --> 00:26:49,175 I can't read or write. 466 00:26:49,241 --> 00:26:51,377 You knew that. 467 00:26:54,480 --> 00:26:57,216 I want to learn. 468 00:26:57,283 --> 00:26:59,151 I'm asking you... 469 00:26:59,218 --> 00:27:02,221 please teach me. 470 00:27:04,757 --> 00:27:09,361 -I'd like to. -This means a lot to me. 471 00:27:09,428 --> 00:27:12,999 But it has to be just between the two of us. 472 00:27:13,065 --> 00:27:14,767 -All right? -Of course. 473 00:27:14,834 --> 00:27:18,437 -Your hand on it. -Certainly. 474 00:27:18,504 --> 00:27:21,708 You've already given me the best present I've ever had. 475 00:27:21,774 --> 00:27:23,776 What's that? 476 00:27:23,843 --> 00:27:26,512 That's very good. 477 00:27:26,578 --> 00:27:31,383 It's a start, and I can do better with your help. 478 00:27:37,456 --> 00:27:40,827 "This is a... 479 00:27:41,293 --> 00:27:43,429 "house." 480 00:27:43,495 --> 00:27:47,466 It must be a house 'cause of the picture. 481 00:27:47,533 --> 00:27:51,537 "This is a house." 482 00:27:51,603 --> 00:27:53,439 "This is..." 483 00:27:53,505 --> 00:27:56,108 M-Y. 484 00:27:57,609 --> 00:28:00,813 -"My house." -That's right! 485 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:03,415 I wish I had another book for you to use. 486 00:28:03,482 --> 00:28:04,817 This primer is just so childish. 487 00:28:04,884 --> 00:28:07,419 In this, I am a child. 488 00:28:07,486 --> 00:28:11,557 A baby. I'm just learning how to crawl. 489 00:28:11,623 --> 00:28:13,726 I have time enough to walk... 490 00:28:13,793 --> 00:28:16,495 and R-U-N, run later. 491 00:28:16,562 --> 00:28:18,464 You're doing just fine. 492 00:28:18,530 --> 00:28:20,967 Thanks to you. 493 00:28:21,033 --> 00:28:24,103 Oh, no. I'm just like a guide. You could do this yourself easy. 494 00:28:24,170 --> 00:28:27,807 But I wouldn't. I didn't. 495 00:28:27,874 --> 00:28:30,609 How many times I set out to teach myself. 496 00:28:30,676 --> 00:28:36,082 I'd go to the store, buy pencils, tablets, even books. 497 00:28:36,148 --> 00:28:39,251 But by myself I never could make a start. 498 00:28:39,318 --> 00:28:41,353 I was wondering if you ever tried to learn... 499 00:28:41,420 --> 00:28:43,155 while your children were going to school. 500 00:28:43,222 --> 00:28:45,858 I tried, especially with my youngest. 501 00:28:45,925 --> 00:28:49,561 But somehow other things always got in the way. 502 00:28:49,628 --> 00:28:53,933 I could always find an excuse for myself: too tired, too busy. 503 00:28:55,167 --> 00:28:58,137 Sarah, my college girl... 504 00:28:58,204 --> 00:29:01,140 before she went away, she wanted to teach me. 505 00:29:01,207 --> 00:29:02,909 Too busy again? 506 00:29:02,975 --> 00:29:05,812 I said I was. I made jokes. 507 00:29:05,878 --> 00:29:07,746 "One bookworm in the family's enough." 508 00:29:07,814 --> 00:29:10,817 "I can't afford to buy another pair of reading glasses." 509 00:29:13,552 --> 00:29:17,056 I know that jokes are good for hiding the feeling inside. 510 00:29:17,123 --> 00:29:20,860 I think I couldn't give up being the all-knowing mama... 511 00:29:20,927 --> 00:29:24,997 to sit and let my little girl teach me. 512 00:29:25,064 --> 00:29:27,633 Foolish, but there it is. 513 00:29:27,699 --> 00:29:32,004 My sister, Alice, says I have more pride than common sense. 514 00:29:32,071 --> 00:29:34,874 My daddy says pride is nothing to be ashamed of. 515 00:29:34,941 --> 00:29:38,744 Have to get my sister and your daddy together. 516 00:29:38,811 --> 00:29:41,647 Okay, back to work now. 517 00:29:41,713 --> 00:29:45,784 "This is my house." 518 00:29:45,852 --> 00:29:48,487 "I..." 519 00:29:48,554 --> 00:29:53,225 L-I-V-E. 520 00:29:53,292 --> 00:29:54,793 "Live." 521 00:29:54,861 --> 00:29:58,898 "Live in this house..." 522 00:30:00,166 --> 00:30:03,836 W-I-T-H. 523 00:30:03,903 --> 00:30:07,840 Sound it out. 524 00:30:07,907 --> 00:30:10,642 "With... 525 00:30:10,709 --> 00:30:12,644 "my... 526 00:30:12,711 --> 00:30:16,782 "father. 527 00:30:16,849 --> 00:30:20,519 "Father and my mother!" 528 00:30:22,688 --> 00:30:25,524 M-O-T... 529 00:30:25,591 --> 00:30:29,028 H-E-R. 530 00:30:29,095 --> 00:30:32,031 I want to learn how to write that word, John-Boy. 531 00:30:32,098 --> 00:30:34,500 Here you are. 532 00:30:36,936 --> 00:30:40,139 Mrs. Grant, I think you're still holding the pencil too tightly. 533 00:30:40,206 --> 00:30:42,741 If you could loosen up on your grip a little bit... 534 00:30:42,808 --> 00:30:45,311 it might make it easier for you. 535 00:30:51,150 --> 00:30:54,020 -Did you miss me? -How was the wedding? 536 00:30:54,086 --> 00:30:57,756 Did you have a nice trip, Mama? 537 00:30:57,823 --> 00:31:00,326 I'll tell you all about it. 538 00:31:03,562 --> 00:31:05,631 -Did you have a good time? -Hello, Verdie. 539 00:31:05,697 --> 00:31:07,967 I'm so grateful you could come and help out. 540 00:31:08,034 --> 00:31:09,368 It was my pleasure. I'd hoped your coming 541 00:31:09,435 --> 00:31:11,170 would pry Erin out of that bed... 542 00:31:11,237 --> 00:31:13,940 but it looks like it'll take fire or flood to do that. 543 00:31:14,006 --> 00:31:16,875 I'll see what I can do. 544 00:31:16,943 --> 00:31:19,111 -I missed you, ma. -I missed you, too. 545 00:31:19,178 --> 00:31:20,913 Today will be my last day here. 546 00:31:20,980 --> 00:31:24,283 I thought maybe we could go on with the lessons at your home. 547 00:31:24,350 --> 00:31:26,953 -I'll pay you. -No. I couldn't take your money. 548 00:31:27,019 --> 00:31:28,287 Then I couldn't take your time. 549 00:31:28,354 --> 00:31:31,457 Charity's one word I don't mean to learn. 550 00:31:31,523 --> 00:31:34,126 I'm sure we could work something out. 551 00:31:36,262 --> 00:31:38,998 Erin, I just don't see why you're still in bed. 552 00:31:39,065 --> 00:31:41,133 I'm too weak to be up, Mama. 553 00:31:41,200 --> 00:31:43,936 Moving around will strengthen you. 554 00:31:44,003 --> 00:31:46,238 Henry Waggaman's been so thoughtful, Mama. 555 00:31:46,305 --> 00:31:49,375 He brought me these flowers, brought me this card... 556 00:31:49,441 --> 00:31:51,177 and a souvenir bottle opener... 557 00:31:51,243 --> 00:31:54,646 that his cousin brought from the Chicago World's Fair. 558 00:31:54,713 --> 00:31:57,916 He hasn't missed a day of coming to see how I am. 559 00:31:57,984 --> 00:32:01,653 The doctor told your daddy that you're just fine. 560 00:32:01,720 --> 00:32:03,522 I know, and I want to get better 561 00:32:03,589 --> 00:32:07,093 but I can't help how I feel, can I, Mama? 562 00:32:13,599 --> 00:32:16,202 "Get well, Erin." 563 00:32:17,569 --> 00:32:20,606 I thought you and I had an agreement. 564 00:32:20,672 --> 00:32:23,175 Didn't you promise you'll do your homework faithfully? 565 00:32:23,242 --> 00:32:24,710 Yes, Miss Hunter. 566 00:32:24,776 --> 00:32:28,314 Yet the last two mornings you've come to school unprepared. 567 00:32:28,380 --> 00:32:30,082 Why did you break your promise? 568 00:32:30,149 --> 00:32:32,351 I couldn't study, Miss Hunter. 569 00:32:32,418 --> 00:32:34,253 Why not? 570 00:32:35,554 --> 00:32:37,623 'Cause John-Boy was using my books. 571 00:32:39,458 --> 00:32:41,960 Now, Elizabeth, why would John-Boy be using your books? 572 00:32:42,028 --> 00:32:44,596 To teach Mrs. Grant to read and write. 573 00:32:44,663 --> 00:32:46,798 Mrs. Verdie Grant? 574 00:32:46,865 --> 00:32:50,069 She's been helping at our house. John-Boy's teaching her. 575 00:32:54,173 --> 00:32:57,109 Of course. 576 00:33:01,947 --> 00:33:03,015 All right, under the circumstances 577 00:33:03,082 --> 00:33:05,984 I excuse you this time. 578 00:33:06,052 --> 00:33:08,287 You may go now. 579 00:33:12,491 --> 00:33:15,727 I thought you traded in that needle and thread for a pencil. 580 00:33:15,794 --> 00:33:19,131 I promised Miss Hunter I'd have this dress ready last week... 581 00:33:19,198 --> 00:33:21,633 but I've been so busy. 582 00:33:26,872 --> 00:33:29,108 Even I can see the difference. 583 00:33:29,175 --> 00:33:32,144 I won't win any prizes for a fancy hand. 584 00:33:33,179 --> 00:33:35,447 But when I check into a hotel... 585 00:33:35,514 --> 00:33:39,017 I can sign my name to the register. 586 00:33:39,085 --> 00:33:43,555 At Sarah's graduation, I can read her name in the program. 587 00:33:43,622 --> 00:33:47,226 And wherever she goes to work, I can write to her. 588 00:33:47,293 --> 00:33:49,595 Read what she writes to me. 589 00:33:49,661 --> 00:33:52,264 I was wrong, Verdie. 590 00:33:52,331 --> 00:33:55,033 About the Walton boy. 591 00:33:55,101 --> 00:33:57,636 A few times in your life you meet a person 592 00:33:57,703 --> 00:33:59,271 you know you can trust. 593 00:33:59,338 --> 00:34:02,074 John-Boy's that kind of person. 594 00:34:02,141 --> 00:34:04,210 I'm glad I was wrong. 595 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:09,848 Verdie, come in. 596 00:34:09,915 --> 00:34:12,918 I'm sorry to have been so slow in finishing this for you... 597 00:34:12,984 --> 00:34:15,421 but I've been especially busy these last few days. 598 00:34:15,487 --> 00:34:17,989 And I want to congratulate you. 599 00:34:18,056 --> 00:34:19,591 For what? 600 00:34:19,658 --> 00:34:21,960 Selfishly, I wish I'd been the one to open the doors for you... 601 00:34:22,027 --> 00:34:23,795 although I know that the important thing 602 00:34:23,862 --> 00:34:26,532 is when you were ready you found somebody like John-Boy 603 00:34:26,598 --> 00:34:29,368 who was able to give you the help you needed. 604 00:34:32,238 --> 00:34:33,939 You know. 605 00:34:34,005 --> 00:34:36,608 I've gotten together some pamphlets and some manuals... 606 00:34:36,675 --> 00:34:39,411 that I think might be of some help to you.... 607 00:34:39,478 --> 00:34:41,480 Verdie? 608 00:35:01,032 --> 00:35:02,734 I'll handle this. 609 00:35:02,801 --> 00:35:06,272 -I know what you're feeling. -No, you don't. 610 00:35:06,338 --> 00:35:08,407 Stay clear. 611 00:35:17,749 --> 00:35:21,453 Hi. Am I early? 612 00:35:21,520 --> 00:35:24,656 -We decided on 7:00, didn't we? -We did. 613 00:35:24,723 --> 00:35:27,793 And that's one agreement you kept. 614 00:35:27,859 --> 00:35:29,361 Something wrong? 615 00:35:29,428 --> 00:35:32,998 Why have you been playing this teaching game with me? 616 00:35:33,064 --> 00:35:36,001 Mrs. Grant, I don't really think of it as a game. 617 00:35:36,067 --> 00:35:37,603 Make you feel smarter... 618 00:35:37,669 --> 00:35:40,572 more important to watch this ignorant, old black woman... 619 00:35:40,639 --> 00:35:44,343 sweat over making the scratches that stand for her name? 620 00:35:44,410 --> 00:35:45,811 You asked for my help-- 621 00:35:45,877 --> 00:35:48,614 You don't have the gravel to laugh in my face. 622 00:35:48,680 --> 00:35:52,418 You wait till you get with your know-it-all friends. 623 00:35:52,484 --> 00:35:55,921 Do you show them how I stammer and stumble when I try to read? 624 00:35:55,987 --> 00:35:58,657 How I grip a pencil like it was a two-by-four? 625 00:35:58,724 --> 00:36:01,527 -I'd never make fun of you. -Plenty of people around here... 626 00:36:01,593 --> 00:36:04,430 would like to put Verdie Grant in her place. 627 00:36:04,496 --> 00:36:07,533 I built my life on cheating them out of that satisfaction. 628 00:36:07,599 --> 00:36:10,336 I kept to the limits your kind laid out for me... 629 00:36:10,402 --> 00:36:13,239 but I did it so well, with so much style... 630 00:36:13,305 --> 00:36:16,041 none of them could put me down. None of them! 631 00:36:16,107 --> 00:36:17,343 Till I trusted you. 632 00:36:17,409 --> 00:36:19,911 Please tell me what is it you think I've done. 633 00:36:19,978 --> 00:36:23,148 We agreed the lessons was between the two of us. 634 00:36:23,215 --> 00:36:24,783 We shook hands on it. 635 00:36:24,850 --> 00:36:28,287 -You broke your word. -I did not. 636 00:36:28,354 --> 00:36:30,155 -Don't waste your breath lying. -I'm not lying! 637 00:36:30,222 --> 00:36:32,958 I didn't tell anybody. I didn't even tell my family. 638 00:36:33,024 --> 00:36:35,761 Why is it you think I've broken my word to you? 639 00:36:35,827 --> 00:36:37,263 Please go. 640 00:36:37,329 --> 00:36:39,331 -Mrs. Grant, don't I have the-- -Outside! 641 00:36:39,398 --> 00:36:42,100 In your world, you've got all the rights 642 00:36:42,167 --> 00:36:43,635 but not here in my house. 643 00:36:43,702 --> 00:36:48,307 I'm asking you once more to get out! 644 00:36:48,374 --> 00:36:51,410 All right. 645 00:36:59,718 --> 00:37:01,787 Didn't sound like a fair trial to me. 646 00:37:01,853 --> 00:37:03,322 Stay clear. 647 00:37:06,525 --> 00:37:11,430 Verdie, you're still going to Sarah's graduation? 648 00:37:11,497 --> 00:37:14,700 I'll send her the money I saved. She can buy a new dress. 649 00:37:14,766 --> 00:37:15,934 Verdie! 650 00:37:44,463 --> 00:37:46,532 "There is nothing so finely perceived... 651 00:37:46,598 --> 00:37:49,701 "and so finely felt as injustice." 652 00:37:49,768 --> 00:37:53,038 Charles Dickens, 1812-1870. 653 00:37:58,176 --> 00:38:00,946 What's worrying John-Boy? 654 00:38:01,012 --> 00:38:02,481 I don't know. 655 00:38:02,548 --> 00:38:05,216 Looks to me like he's lost his best friend. 656 00:38:05,283 --> 00:38:08,920 Whatever it is, he'll get it out of him by writing it down. 657 00:38:08,987 --> 00:38:11,690 Maybe I'd better buy you a pencil and pad. 658 00:38:11,757 --> 00:38:15,627 Save me a lot of wear and tear on my eardrums. 659 00:38:24,336 --> 00:38:27,639 Why aren't you upstairs? 660 00:38:27,706 --> 00:38:31,076 -I couldn't sleep. -You got a stomachache? 661 00:38:31,142 --> 00:38:32,778 I'm afraid. 662 00:38:32,844 --> 00:38:35,547 Honey, what's there to be afraid of? 663 00:38:35,614 --> 00:38:37,683 God may be mad at me. 664 00:38:37,749 --> 00:38:40,386 Now, why would God be mad at you? 665 00:38:40,452 --> 00:38:43,021 I told Miss Hunter kind of a fib. 666 00:38:43,088 --> 00:38:44,456 I didn't have my homework... 667 00:38:44,523 --> 00:38:48,394 so I said John-Boy used my books to teach Mrs. Grant. 668 00:38:48,460 --> 00:38:50,762 Whatever made you tell such a story? 669 00:38:50,829 --> 00:38:53,932 John-Boy did use my books to teach Mrs. Grant... 670 00:38:53,999 --> 00:38:56,835 but that wasn't why I didn't have my homework. 671 00:38:56,902 --> 00:38:59,104 Are you sorry that you told a fib? 672 00:38:59,170 --> 00:39:00,639 Yeah. 673 00:39:00,706 --> 00:39:03,008 I think we'd better go upstairs and get some sleep. 674 00:39:03,074 --> 00:39:06,311 As long as we say we're sorry, God doesn't hold a grudge. 675 00:39:06,378 --> 00:39:08,346 -Good night. -Night, honey. 676 00:39:08,414 --> 00:39:12,518 Sleep tight. 677 00:39:12,584 --> 00:39:15,053 Don't we owe Mrs. Grant a load of firewood? 678 00:39:15,120 --> 00:39:17,523 That's right. We do. 679 00:39:17,589 --> 00:39:20,826 I'd like to deliver that tomorrow after school. 680 00:39:20,892 --> 00:39:22,794 Fine. 681 00:39:27,132 --> 00:39:30,836 Need any help? 682 00:39:30,902 --> 00:39:33,071 No, I can manage myself. Thank you. 683 00:39:44,249 --> 00:39:47,986 Good afternoon, Mrs. Grant. 684 00:39:48,053 --> 00:39:50,055 Didn't I make myself clear last night? 685 00:39:50,121 --> 00:39:52,858 You worked for this firewood. Where do I stack it? 686 00:39:52,924 --> 00:39:55,861 I didn't put in my time at your place for firewood. 687 00:39:55,927 --> 00:39:59,197 You made a bargain with my daddy he likes to keep his bargains. 688 00:39:59,264 --> 00:40:01,366 We have our pride, too. 689 00:40:01,433 --> 00:40:04,135 Just stack it on the porch. 690 00:40:08,840 --> 00:40:11,176 I want to set things straight with you, Mrs. Grant. 691 00:40:11,242 --> 00:40:12,478 I did that last night. 692 00:40:12,544 --> 00:40:14,546 No, you said what was on your mind. 693 00:40:14,613 --> 00:40:16,748 Now I'd like to get my chance. 694 00:40:16,815 --> 00:40:19,150 Well? 695 00:40:19,217 --> 00:40:21,820 My sister Elizabeth is the one who told Miss Hunter. 696 00:40:21,887 --> 00:40:25,390 She had absolutely no idea that she was spoiling a secret. 697 00:40:25,457 --> 00:40:27,826 I did not break my word to you. 698 00:40:27,893 --> 00:40:31,229 Was that all you have to say? 699 00:40:31,296 --> 00:40:33,732 No. I would like to continue with the lessons... 700 00:40:33,799 --> 00:40:36,401 because they meant so much to the both of us. 701 00:40:36,468 --> 00:40:39,505 I managed for 40 years without what you set such store by. 702 00:40:39,571 --> 00:40:43,074 I'll make it fine for the rest of the time that I got left. 703 00:40:44,843 --> 00:40:46,311 You still don't trust me. 704 00:40:46,377 --> 00:40:49,548 It don't matter anymore. 705 00:41:07,465 --> 00:41:09,267 You're wrong, Verdie. 706 00:41:09,334 --> 00:41:12,538 Won't you ever get to the grace where you can admit that... 707 00:41:12,604 --> 00:41:14,640 and not feel it's the end of the world? 708 00:41:14,706 --> 00:41:16,207 You're standing in my light, sister. 709 00:41:16,274 --> 00:41:20,278 That boy is a proud person, too, but he cares about you. 710 00:41:20,345 --> 00:41:22,080 I heard him. 711 00:41:22,147 --> 00:41:24,983 He set aside his hurt and asked you to go on with the lessons. 712 00:41:25,050 --> 00:41:28,019 Such as him can't teach me nothing I need to know. 713 00:41:49,007 --> 00:41:50,441 Everything all right with Mrs. Grant? 714 00:41:50,508 --> 00:41:52,243 Not really. 715 00:41:52,310 --> 00:41:55,547 Told her what happened and it seems that she'd rather not.... 716 00:41:55,614 --> 00:41:57,716 Seems that she'd rather not trust me. 717 00:41:57,783 --> 00:42:01,687 If you ask me, it seems like she needs to mistrust me. 718 00:42:01,753 --> 00:42:05,190 -Not just you, son. -No, Daddy. 719 00:42:05,256 --> 00:42:08,226 Got to remember how it's been for a lot of years. 720 00:42:08,293 --> 00:42:09,895 No, Daddy, we were friends! 721 00:42:09,961 --> 00:42:14,465 Friends trust each other, and I want it to stay that simple. 722 00:42:14,532 --> 00:42:16,668 It ought to be. 723 00:42:16,735 --> 00:42:18,904 No fever. 724 00:42:18,970 --> 00:42:21,640 -Still feel so weak? -I do, Mama. 725 00:42:21,707 --> 00:42:23,809 My head swims if I think of getting up. 726 00:42:23,875 --> 00:42:26,645 So you don't feel up to leaving your bed? 727 00:42:26,712 --> 00:42:29,547 No, I really don't, Mama. 728 00:42:29,615 --> 00:42:32,718 All right, dear. You know best. 729 00:42:32,784 --> 00:42:36,021 -I'll tell Henry. -Henry? Is Henry here? 730 00:42:36,087 --> 00:42:39,490 Stopped by to see if you'll go to the party at the church. 731 00:42:39,557 --> 00:42:41,893 Told him I didn't think you felt up to it 732 00:42:41,960 --> 00:42:43,895 but he said he'd come back. 733 00:42:43,962 --> 00:42:47,365 -I do feel some better, Mama. -No, Erin. 734 00:42:47,432 --> 00:42:50,035 You can't have it both ways. 735 00:42:50,101 --> 00:42:52,838 Sick when it suits you and fit as a fiddle when it doesn't. 736 00:42:52,904 --> 00:42:56,241 It's a dangerous game to get in the habit of playing. 737 00:42:56,307 --> 00:42:58,509 I'm sorry, Mama. 738 00:42:58,576 --> 00:43:01,479 We all need to feel we're the center of things sometimes... 739 00:43:01,546 --> 00:43:04,983 but taking to your bed is a very poor way of getting attention. 740 00:43:05,050 --> 00:43:09,020 I see that, Mama, and if I could only go to the-- 741 00:43:09,087 --> 00:43:12,390 No, Erin. I want you to remember what playing sick has cost you. 742 00:43:12,457 --> 00:43:14,392 But I'll tell Henry 743 00:43:14,459 --> 00:43:18,997 that you seem to be on the road to a rapid recovery. 744 00:43:19,064 --> 00:43:21,166 Yes, Mama. 745 00:43:34,512 --> 00:43:36,682 -Late again. -There he is. 746 00:43:36,748 --> 00:43:40,451 John-Boy. 747 00:43:40,518 --> 00:43:43,321 Please... 748 00:43:43,388 --> 00:43:45,824 may I have a word with you? 749 00:43:47,893 --> 00:43:50,929 Children, run on home, and I'll catch up with you. 750 00:43:57,302 --> 00:43:59,304 Let's go sit down. 751 00:44:14,485 --> 00:44:16,988 I'm asking a favor. 752 00:44:23,661 --> 00:44:25,663 She sent back the money I sent her 753 00:44:25,731 --> 00:44:28,834 to buy a new graduation dress. 754 00:44:28,900 --> 00:44:31,402 I know something's wrong. 755 00:44:36,207 --> 00:44:37,843 "Dear Mama... 756 00:44:37,909 --> 00:44:40,445 "I am hoping you will take this to a friend 757 00:44:40,511 --> 00:44:42,714 who will read it for you. 758 00:44:44,215 --> 00:44:47,518 "I cannot use the money you sent me for a new dress. 759 00:44:47,585 --> 00:44:50,421 "I do not need a new dress. 760 00:44:50,488 --> 00:44:53,458 "What I do need is to have you here with me... 761 00:44:53,524 --> 00:44:57,328 "sharing the day your love and faith has made possible. 762 00:44:57,395 --> 00:45:00,531 "I have asked you so much, Mama... 763 00:45:00,598 --> 00:45:04,302 "and you have always given me more than I asked for. 764 00:45:04,369 --> 00:45:06,704 "Now I am asking you to be with me 765 00:45:06,772 --> 00:45:09,440 on the day our dream comes true. 766 00:45:09,507 --> 00:45:11,810 "I know I can count on you. 767 00:45:11,877 --> 00:45:15,146 "I always have. 768 00:45:15,213 --> 00:45:17,448 "Love, your daughter, Sarah." 769 00:45:25,090 --> 00:45:27,492 That girl of mine... 770 00:45:29,594 --> 00:45:33,031 the trials she's had. 771 00:45:33,098 --> 00:45:37,035 The obstacles they've set in her way. 772 00:45:37,102 --> 00:45:40,705 But she never lost heart. 773 00:45:40,772 --> 00:45:42,941 She just wouldn't give up... 774 00:45:43,008 --> 00:45:46,778 no matter how many folks told her it was hopeless. 775 00:45:49,815 --> 00:45:54,085 Talk about courage. 776 00:45:54,152 --> 00:45:56,521 Sounds a lot like her mama to me. 777 00:46:00,658 --> 00:46:02,293 I mean, when you start something 778 00:46:02,360 --> 00:46:04,930 generally you like to finish it, don't you? 779 00:46:08,533 --> 00:46:10,969 Usually. 780 00:46:18,609 --> 00:46:20,812 John-Boy, I.... 781 00:46:28,086 --> 00:46:30,822 I was wrong about you. 782 00:46:30,889 --> 00:46:35,360 I was mean and unfair. 783 00:46:35,426 --> 00:46:38,629 I'm sorry. 784 00:46:38,696 --> 00:46:42,733 Will you.... 785 00:46:42,800 --> 00:46:45,470 Can you give me another chance? 786 00:46:49,774 --> 00:46:51,609 Generally, when I start something 787 00:46:51,676 --> 00:46:53,444 I like to finish it, too. 788 00:47:04,522 --> 00:47:07,825 Well, here we are. 789 00:47:07,893 --> 00:47:10,228 Thanks, John-Boy, for everything. 790 00:47:10,295 --> 00:47:12,263 You have a safe trip and give Sarah 791 00:47:12,330 --> 00:47:14,399 my congratulations when you get there. 792 00:47:14,465 --> 00:47:15,867 You know I will. 793 00:47:15,934 --> 00:47:18,003 I've got my pencil and paper in my purse 794 00:47:18,069 --> 00:47:19,804 so I can practice signing my name. 795 00:47:19,871 --> 00:47:21,372 Do it elegantly. 796 00:47:21,439 --> 00:47:24,475 When I face that hotel clerk, I may forget everything. 797 00:47:24,542 --> 00:47:25,977 Worse comes to worst... 798 00:47:26,044 --> 00:47:30,115 I can always print, "See spot. See spot run." 799 00:47:36,654 --> 00:47:39,557 Goodbye, Verdie. 800 00:47:39,624 --> 00:47:41,826 Goodbye, John-Boy. 801 00:47:41,893 --> 00:47:44,395 Thanks again. 802 00:47:55,840 --> 00:47:58,443 Don't forget to write. 803 00:48:20,298 --> 00:48:22,900 How to get attention without playing sick? 804 00:48:22,968 --> 00:48:25,703 How to keep from getting hung up on the barbed wire... 805 00:48:25,770 --> 00:48:28,239 of old prejudices and grievances? 806 00:48:28,306 --> 00:48:30,441 As we fumble towards answers to these 807 00:48:30,508 --> 00:48:32,410 and a thousand other questions... 808 00:48:32,477 --> 00:48:34,245 we were lucky to have the teasing 809 00:48:34,312 --> 00:48:35,880 of our brothers and sisters... 810 00:48:35,947 --> 00:48:38,449 to keep us from taking ourselves too seriously... 811 00:48:38,516 --> 00:48:42,053 and the unfailing love of our mother and father... 812 00:48:42,120 --> 00:48:45,656 to reassure and sustain us. 813 00:48:45,723 --> 00:48:47,658 -Daddy? -Yeah, Jim-Bob? 814 00:48:47,725 --> 00:48:50,395 Will you wake me when you get up in the morning? 815 00:48:50,461 --> 00:48:52,964 Sure thing. Big plans for tomorrow? 816 00:48:53,031 --> 00:48:54,765 Elizabeth and I are gonna dig a hole 817 00:48:54,832 --> 00:48:58,103 straight through to China and I want to get an early start. 818 00:48:58,169 --> 00:49:01,039 -Good night, Jim-Bob. -Good night, Daddy. 819 00:49:08,013 --> 00:49:09,280 In a moment, some scenes 820 00:49:09,347 --> 00:49:11,582 from the next episode of The Waltons.