When I was growing up on Walton's mountain...
the Great Depression touched our lives in many ways.
Jobs were scarce. New clothes were rare.
Food was simple and mostly homegrown.
What we had, we shared.
My father taught us by his quiet practice...
that sharing was our first duty and happiest privilege.
And on one occasion, I had the opportunity
to share an unforgettable experience...
with a lady who was trying to hide a secret.
Don't you fix that sink, you hear?
No, Esther.
-You let John do it. -Yes, Esther.
-And sharpen the knives. -Yes, Esther.
-Don't cut yourself. -No, Esther.
Think this one suitcase will be enough, Grandma?
It's fine. I travel light.
Yeah, she figured she'd put all her needfuls in the bandanna...
throw it over her shoulder, and just set off down the pike.
You just better mind your p's and q's, old man.
I might go up to Richmond and never come back.
You won't be on that bus to Richmond
more than five minutes and youl'l be pining away for me.
Now that I've finally got this suitcase in my hand...
I'm not sure if it's right for us to go.
You've been thinking about nothing
but that wedding for months.
I know, but leaving you all here to fend for yourselves
for a week or more....
We'll be fine, Mama.
Under the circumstances, John-Boy...
that's the last thing a woman wants to hear.
Liv, you know you want to see Lorrie married true and proper.
Besides, your sister's counting on you to help at the wedding.
It will be quite a do, with Lorrie being an only child.
An only child. Think of that.
I wish I could go to the wedding.
-Be nice if we could all go. -Not me.
I went to a wedding over 40, 50 years ago...
and I haven't been the same since.
"Wedding is destiny, and hanging, likewise."
John-Boy, what kind of talk is that?
It's in the book.
John Heywood wrote it. He lived from 1497 to 1580.
What book is that?
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations.
It's a collection of all the wise things ever written.
Imagine that. Everything a man needs to know, all in one book.
Comparing a wedding to a hanging isn't my idea of wisdom.
Come on, John-Boy, come on, Erin! We'll be late.
Come on, Erin.
-Goodbye, Daddy. -Where's my lunchbox?
Goodbye, Mama.
-John-Boy, we gotta be going. -"All haste is from the devil!"
Medieval Latin proverb.
-Erin, you want to be late? -No, Mama.
I just want to let the others get ahead.
I get so tired of always being part of a crowd.
You better sit on that right. G.W. would kill you.
-I wish we had one. -Yeah, we could ride to school.
All seven of us?
Where's Jim-Bob and Elizabeth?
Honey, what's the matter with your voice?
-My throat's kind of sore. -You're catching a cold.
But don't you tell Mama. I don't want to spoil her trip.
Okay.
John-Boy?
Elizabeth has to stay after school...
'cause she didn't do her homework, and she's crying some.
I reckon you children better go on home.
I'll see if I can do something.
-That G.W.'s new bike? -Yep.
Better get off it before he beats you up.
-You, too? -Come on, let's go.
You got to watch out for him, Ben.
-I can't do it, John-Boy. -Of course you can do it.
When I try to make my letters, they go all squiggly. See?
Darling, that's 'cause you're holding the pencil wrong.
You have to hold it like this.
See?
You should pretend like the pencil is part of your hand.
Make an "E."
That's the saddest looking "E" I think I've ever seen.
All my letters are sad, John-Boy.
Maybe that's 'cause you think writing's a chore.
Something you have to do instead of something you want to do.
-It is a chore. -It doesn't have to be.
For me, it's magic.
-Magic? -Well, of course.
Look, there are 26 letters in the alphabet. Only 26 letters.
But you can take those 26 letters and put them together
in different combinations and you can make thousands of words.
You can share those words with other people...
and then if you're good enough at it
you can make them laugh and cry...
and you can tell them you love them.
Look. Put a "D" over here.
And an "O" over there, and a "G" over there.
Nothing, right?
But you take them and you put them all together...
and what have you got?
"Dog!"
But that's just the beginning of the magic.
When you see that "dog," what does that make you think of?
Dorothy's dog in The Wizard of Oz book.
See, it's magic.
Now I want you to take this magic wand....
There.
Now pull some letters out of the air
and draw some pictures for yourself.
Hello, Mrs. Grant.
John-Boy. Elizabeth.
I was looking for Miss Hunter.
She just stepped out for a minute. She'll be right back.
You make quite a teacher yourself, John-Boy.
-I'm just helping Elizabeth out. -John-Boy, look!
What, honey? Where?
"Bird"!
Elizabeth, I can just see that bird soaring through the sky.
I can almost hear it singing.
Verdie.
I finished your dress.
I hope you don't mind my dropping it off here.
Of course not.
My!
-You do such fine work. -Thank you.
Miss Hunter...
am I doing better?
That's much better, Elizabeth.
-That's much, much better. -Thank you.
-You're excused now. -Thank you, Miss Hunter.
-Thank you, John-Boy. -Nice to see you, Mrs. Grant.
-Give my best to your folks. -I certainly will.
John-Boy seems to have quite a gift for teaching.
Yes, he does.
-How much do I owe you, Verdie? -Fifty cents.
-There you are. -Thank you.
I cut this out for you. I found it in an educational journal...
and I thought your daughter might be interested.
My daughter?
She graduates from college next month, doesn't she?
That's right. She is.
Do you think a job in that area would interest her?
It just might.
I'll send it on to her. I'm obliged.
Let me see. You have one more dress to alter for me.
Yes. It'll be ready in a week or less.
-Thanks, Verdie. -Thank you. Goodbye.
The soup is over there. All you have to do is heat it up.
And beans, and potato salad...
and cold fried chicken and ham, here in the icebox.
And, of course, there's plenty of bread
and cookies, and pie, and a cake.
It's just like going on a picnic for a whole week.
I'm counting on you girls to make sure
everybody gets enough to eat.
Don't you worry, Mama.
Erin, I'm worried about you. You're so quiet.
She's just a little upset about your going away, Mama.
Come on, you two!
Better get going if we're going to make that bus.
Is Grandma ready yet?
She's been telling me things to do and not to do...
she'll be too worn out to travel.
-Zeb! -Yes.
I just thought of something else.
Yes, Esther?
-John-Boy. Jason. -Hey, Mrs. Grant.
-Is your mama and daddy home? -They're fixing to leave.
Mama and Grandma are off to a wedding in Richmond.
Okay, here we go!
Hello, Verdie. We got to catch a bus. Sorry.
Come on, Elizabeth!
-I hear you're off on a trip. -We're leaving on the 5:00 bus.
I won't delay you. I was hoping I could do some work for you...
in exchange for a load of firewood.
You know what I can do. I can keep house, wash clothes, sew...
do practical nursing.
You know we'd like to oblige you, Verdie, but...
just now I don't feel we have the need for such help.
I'll deliver some wood in a day or two?
You can pay back when you get a chance.
No, thank you, Mr. Walton.
I'm not one to go into debt or ask favors.
It was just the notion. Enjoy yourselves in Richmond.
Can we give you a ride to the bus?
No, thanks. I have other business.
-Goodbye. -Bye, now.
Get in. Say goodbye to your ma. Say goodbye. Come on.
You all take care of yourselves.
-You just have a good time. -Bye-bye.
Why, Erin, I've never known you to be so quiet.
-Catch the bridal bouquet, Mama. -What would I do with a that?
-You could bring it home to me. -I'll bring it home to you.
-You be good, now. -Come on, we gotta get going.
Have a safe trip, Mama.
-Don't you stay up all night. -Yes, Esther.
-And don't you collect the eggs. -No.
And don't you wash the dishes, hear?
I'll remember.
You don't talk to strangers on the streets of Richmond.
-Afraid I'll meet another man? -Why not?
I just don't want to lose you.
-5:00 p.m. -Get along with you.
-Here we go! -Bye, Grandma.
-Have a good trip! -Bye.
Bye, Grandma.
Have fun!
Grandpa, John-Boy, come here, quick.
-What is it? -Erin's throat's all swollen.
And she can't talk at all. I think she has a fever.
Open your mouth, honey. Let's see.
-What you puzzling over? -Nothing.
You can't hide anything from me, sister.
Just the newspaper piece Miss Hunter gave me.
Your pride has carried you a long way, and that's good.
But a thing like this is foolishness.
It's no concern of yours.
Of course it is. Who have I got left to fret over?
-When you're hurting, I hurt. -I manage fine.
So, you can't read or write.
Why can't you tell that to Miss Hunter or anybody else?
You don't understand, Alice.
There are more important things than reading and writing...
like raising a family of five after your husband died.
Seeing two girls married and two boys with steady jobs.
Now, there's reason for you to hold your head high.
Alice, I don't feel to say to Miss Hunter:
"Don't bother to give me that piece of paper for Sarah
'cause I can't read it."
It ain't only Miss Hunter.
Verdie, aren't you tormenting yourself...
as to go up to New York to your daughter's graduation?
I've been looking forward to that day for four years.
More than that.
Since Sarah first started school...
and I decided my youngest was gonna have a college education.
Maybe you could've put the money to better use.
No. No, it's not that.
You know what it is, Alice.
Suppose I got up there...
and somebody asked me to sign my name to something...
or read a menu?
I'd be an embarrassment to her.
It's her tonsils. She'll have to have them out tomorrow morning.
After it's out, will she be all right?
She'll be fine.
Doc says after the operation, she'd be just as good as new.
Good.
Everybody gets to go to the hospital
get something tooken out except for me.
Look here, your grandpa is a year or two older than you...
and he has all of his original tonsils...
appendix, and his hair, and he intends to keep them that way.
-Come down for supper, Daddy. -All right, honey.
You going to send word to Mama?
I was thinking about that coming back in the truck.
The minute she hears about this
she'll be on the first bus back home.
There's no need to tell her. Erin's in no kind of danger.
There will be need for some nursing for two or three days.
I can take care of Erin.
No, honey, you'd have to miss school to do that.
After all the store that Livie and my old woman
set on that wedding it'd seem a shame to drag them back
before they hardly got there.
What about Verdie Grant? She could to take care of Erin.
-Verdie? -Yeah.
She is a practical nurse.
She said she wanted to work for a load of firewood, too.
-John-Boy, step in. -Thank you very much.
-You know my sister, Miss Perry. -Yes, how do you do, ma'am?
My sister Erin has tonsillitis. They have to come out.
I'm sorry.
She got sick right after Mama left...
so I kind of think she didn't want to spoil Mama's trip.
Anyway, with Mama gone off to Richmond...
my daddy was wondering if you might tend
to Erin for a few days...
seeing as how you wanted to work for some firewood.
-That'll be fine, John-Boy. -Good.
When would I be needed?
Erin's coming back from the hospital
day after tomorrow in the afternoon.
I'll be there about noon so I can have everything ready.
Thank you. My daddy'll appreciate that.
-Thank you. -Good.
Good night, now. Nice to see you, ma'am.
-See you day after tomorrow. -Okay.
Firewood?
What are you worrying about firewood
at this time of the year?
That's a sign, sister. It's got to be.
I'm going to that graduation.
And Sarah's gonna be as proud of me as I am of her.
What has that got to do with you
practical nursing at the Waltons?
John-Boy Walton is the answer to my prayers.
He's gonna teach me everything I need to know.
Come in.
Sorry to bother you.
No. You've got to get the room ready for Erin.
Mighty nice of you to give up your room.
It's just for a couple of days.
Watching you write just now...
I was remembering what you said to your sister
about it being magic.
You certainly helped her.
It helped me, too, 'cause I've been writing so long...
I just took it for granted. But it is a wonderful thing.
You probably help all your sisters
with their reading and writing.
Not that much, really.
-You missed this. -Thank you.
Erin's back from the hospital.
Hi, Erin!
How are you doing?
-Home sweet home. -How is Erin, Daddy?
A little groggy. She'll be all right.
-How long did it take? -Did she get new tonsils?
She won't be able to talk to you for a while.
Let's get her into a nice, warm bed.
Mrs. Grant's got my room ready for her.
I hope I never have to have my tonsils taken out.
It wouldn't be so bad.
I don't cotton to the idea of being helpless like that.
Or not being able to talk for two days, either.
Did you have a nice nap?
You're looking more yourself than
when your daddy carried you in here.
What can I do for you?
You want your book?
Honey, you don't want to hear me read.
I know you can do a much better job yourself.
I'm sorry, I don't understand.
You really want this?
What is it, Mrs. Grant?
Here. See for yourself.
She looks a little stronger.
Of course you'd be a better judge of that than I would.
Maybe you just ought to bring the kids in one at a time.
That'll be fine.
I'll go and tell them Erin is ready for visitors.
I'll be the first one.
Thank you, John-Boy.
Can Miss Margaret and I have a cookie?
You may have one...
because I know come suppertime, you'll eat properly.
But Miss Margaret's been doing too much piecing between meals.
-None for her. -Thank you.
Elizabeth, time to practice your ABC's.
Not now, John-Boy.
Miss Margaret's tonsils have to come out.
She'll be all right for an hour or two. You sit here.
I don't need to practice.
You promised Miss Hunter. Come on, it'll be fun.
Come on. Sit down.
Now, here.
Start with your "A's."
Think of apples...
aprons, apricots.
Look, if Miss Margaret has to have her tonsils out...
she better lie down before she gets sicker than she already is.
-Okay, make that magic work. -I'm trying, John-Boy.
But I keep on thinking of outdoors, playing.
Do your "B's" now. Think of brides...
braids, balloons.
Keep at it.
I wonder if I could ask you a favor.
Elizabeth is having a little trouble with her schoolwork...
and I thought that maybe if we turned it into a game...
and you pretended that you were a student, too....
-Learning my ABC's. -If you're not busy with this.
-Let's give it a try. -Good. Thank you.
Your B's still aren't very good
'cause you're not letting them flow properly.
We're going to have a regular school classroom right here.
Mrs. Grant is going to be a student, too.
Mrs. Grant, this is your tablet, and this is your pencil...
and we're going to start with our A's.
Miss Walton, you may go first.
That's much better.
Now it's your turn.
Your A's are more squiggly than mine.
That's what this is all about, isn't it?
You and me helping each other to do better?
I'll try to make my A's more like yours.
"Too warm."
It feels cold enough to me.
All right, I'll see if I can find some colder.
Erin, look who's here.
-Get in here, Henry. -Come on.
Henry Waggaman.
He didn't want us seeing him come in here.
He didn't want to be seen bringing flowers to a girl.
-Give her the beautiful flowers. -Give her the flowers, Henry.
-Thank you. -You're not supposed to talk.
Henry, it's a miracle.
Those are the first words she's spoken.
Darling, sweetheart, I love you!
My sweetheart. My dreamboat!
I gotta go.
You meanies. You nasties!
Henry, my darling, wait for me!
I didn't know Henry Waggaman liked you.
I wonder where he picked those weeds.
"Put my...
"flowers in water."
All right, now put the "B" and the "E" and the "D" together.
The "B", the "E", and the "D". That's right. What do we have?
What do we have, Elizabeth?
"Bed."
B-E-D spells bed.
Right.
Even when she can't talk, Erin finds a way to be bossy.
Okay, now, write the "B" and the "D"...
but instead of putting an "E", put an "A" between them.
John-Boy, I'm tired of this game. Can I go and play now?
Honey, we don't want to stop now.
We're just getting the hang of it.
I'll tell you what. School's out now. You go play.
But we'll do this again tomorrow, okay?
Okay.
I like being in school with you.
Same here, honey.
-Bye, honey. -Bye.
Thank you, Mrs. Grant.
I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
So am I.
Mary Ellen, what are those things?
A bunch of weeds Henry Waggaman picked for Erin.
I'm coming, Your Majesty!
What's this you're doing now?
I'm practicing.
-It don't look like much to me. -It's a start.
You told the Walton boy?
No.
But I think he knows.
Today he made up a game...
just so he could give me a lesson without embarrassing me.
If you wanted to go with this, Verdie...
you'd be better off with a teacher from the school.
Why do you say that?
What if he should joke to his friends
about teaching you your ABC's?
He wouldn't. He's a very kind person.
-How you doing there? -All right. Give it a try, Pa.
That's got it.
How's our patient this morning?
She's mending faster than she wants to let on.
Enjoying all the attention?
I've noticed some folks have a real gift at sickbedding.
I'd say she might be one of them.
Let her take advantage of it till her ma gets home.
Is the wedding today?
Yes, and I'm sure glad I'm nowhere near all that commotion.
My old woman's in her element.
At a prime service, if the wind blows from the right direction
you could hear the sound of her joyful weeping
clean from Richmond.
As soon as she hears the organ music, she lets go.
Mrs. Grant, if it's all right with you...
we'll have our teaching game in about an hour.
No more games or make-believe.
I can't read or write.
You knew that.
I want to learn.
I'm asking you...
please teach me.
-I'd like to. -This means a lot to me.
But it has to be just between the two of us.
-All right? -Of course.
-Your hand on it. -Certainly.
You've already given me the best present I've ever had.
What's that?
That's very good.
It's a start, and I can do better with your help.
"This is a...
"house."
It must be a house 'cause of the picture.
"This is a house."
"This is..."
M-Y.
-"My house." -That's right!
I wish I had another book for you to use.
This primer is just so childish.
In this, I am a child.
A baby. I'm just learning how to crawl.
I have time enough to walk...
and R-U-N, run later.
You're doing just fine.
Thanks to you.
Oh, no. I'm just like a guide. You could do this yourself easy.
But I wouldn't. I didn't.
How many times I set out to teach myself.
I'd go to the store, buy pencils, tablets, even books.
But by myself I never could make a start.
I was wondering if you ever tried to learn...
while your children were going to school.
I tried, especially with my youngest.
But somehow other things always got in the way.
I could always find an excuse for myself: too tired, too busy.
Sarah, my college girl...
before she went away, she wanted to teach me.
Too busy again?
I said I was. I made jokes.
"One bookworm in the family's enough."
"I can't afford to buy another pair of reading glasses."
I know that jokes are good for hiding the feeling inside.
I think I couldn't give up being the all-knowing mama...
to sit and let my little girl teach me.
Foolish, but there it is.
My sister, Alice, says I have more pride than common sense.
My daddy says pride is nothing to be ashamed of.
Have to get my sister and your daddy together.
Okay, back to work now.
"This is my house."
"I..."
L-I-V-E.
"Live."
"Live in this house..."
W-I-T-H.
Sound it out.
"With...
"my...
"father.
"Father and my mother!"
M-O-T...
H-E-R.
I want to learn how to write that word, John-Boy.
Here you are.
Mrs. Grant, I think you're still holding the pencil too tightly.
If you could loosen up on your grip a little bit...
it might make it easier for you.
-Did you miss me? -How was the wedding?
Did you have a nice trip, Mama?
I'll tell you all about it.
-Did you have a good time? -Hello, Verdie.
I'm so grateful you could come and help out.
It was my pleasure. I'd hoped your coming
would pry Erin out of that bed...
but it looks like it'll take fire or flood to do that.
I'll see what I can do.
-I missed you, ma. -I missed you, too.
Today will be my last day here.
I thought maybe we could go on with the lessons at your home.
-I'll pay you. -No. I couldn't take your money.
Then I couldn't take your time.
Charity's one word I don't mean to learn.
I'm sure we could work something out.
Erin, I just don't see why you're still in bed.
I'm too weak to be up, Mama.
Moving around will strengthen you.
Henry Waggaman's been so thoughtful, Mama.
He brought me these flowers, brought me this card...
and a souvenir bottle opener...
that his cousin brought from the Chicago World's Fair.
He hasn't missed a day of coming to see how I am.
The doctor told your daddy that you're just fine.
I know, and I want to get better
but I can't help how I feel, can I, Mama?
"Get well, Erin."
I thought you and I had an agreement.
Didn't you promise you'll do your homework faithfully?
Yes, Miss Hunter.
Yet the last two mornings you've come to school unprepared.
Why did you break your promise?
I couldn't study, Miss Hunter.
Why not?
'Cause John-Boy was using my books.
Now, Elizabeth, why would John-Boy be using your books?
To teach Mrs. Grant to read and write.
Mrs. Verdie Grant?
She's been helping at our house. John-Boy's teaching her.
Of course.
All right, under the circumstances
I excuse you this time.
You may go now.
I thought you traded in that needle and thread for a pencil.
I promised Miss Hunter I'd have this dress ready last week...
but I've been so busy.
Even I can see the difference.
I won't win any prizes for a fancy hand.
But when I check into a hotel...
I can sign my name to the register.
At Sarah's graduation, I can read her name in the program.
And wherever she goes to work, I can write to her.
Read what she writes to me.
I was wrong, Verdie.
About the Walton boy.
A few times in your life you meet a person
you know you can trust.
John-Boy's that kind of person.
I'm glad I was wrong.
Verdie, come in.
I'm sorry to have been so slow in finishing this for you...
but I've been especially busy these last few days.
And I want to congratulate you.
For what?
Selfishly, I wish I'd been the one to open the doors for you...
although I know that the important thing
is when you were ready you found somebody like John-Boy
who was able to give you the help you needed.
You know.
I've gotten together some pamphlets and some manuals...
that I think might be of some help to you....
Verdie?
I'll handle this.
-I know what you're feeling. -No, you don't.
Stay clear.
Hi. Am I early?
-We decided on 7:00, didn't we? -We did.
And that's one agreement you kept.
Something wrong?
Why have you been playing this teaching game with me?
Mrs. Grant, I don't really think of it as a game.
Make you feel smarter...
more important to watch this ignorant, old black woman...
sweat over making the scratches that stand for her name?
You asked for my help--
You don't have the gravel to laugh in my face.
You wait till you get with your know-it-all friends.
Do you show them how I stammer and stumble when I try to read?
How I grip a pencil like it was a two-by-four?
-I'd never make fun of you. -Plenty of people around here...
would like to put Verdie Grant in her place.
I built my life on cheating them out of that satisfaction.
I kept to the limits your kind laid out for me...
but I did it so well, with so much style...
none of them could put me down. None of them!
Till I trusted you.
Please tell me what is it you think I've done.
We agreed the lessons was between the two of us.
We shook hands on it.
-You broke your word. -I did not.
-Don't waste your breath lying. -I'm not lying!
I didn't tell anybody. I didn't even tell my family.
Why is it you think I've broken my word to you?
Please go.
-Mrs. Grant, don't I have the-- -Outside!
In your world, you've got all the rights
but not here in my house.
I'm asking you once more to get out!
All right.
Didn't sound like a fair trial to me.
Stay clear.
Verdie, you're still going to Sarah's graduation?
I'll send her the money I saved. She can buy a new dress.
Verdie!
"There is nothing so finely perceived...
"and so finely felt as injustice."
Charles Dickens, 1812-1870.
What's worrying John-Boy?
I don't know.
Looks to me like he's lost his best friend.
Whatever it is, he'll get it out of him by writing it down.
Maybe I'd better buy you a pencil and pad.
Save me a lot of wear and tear on my eardrums.
Why aren't you upstairs?
-I couldn't sleep. -You got a stomachache?
I'm afraid.
Honey, what's there to be afraid of?
God may be mad at me.
Now, why would God be mad at you?
I told Miss Hunter kind of a fib.
I didn't have my homework...
so I said John-Boy used my books to teach Mrs. Grant.
Whatever made you tell such a story?
John-Boy did use my books to teach Mrs. Grant...
but that wasn't why I didn't have my homework.
Are you sorry that you told a fib?
Yeah.
I think we'd better go upstairs and get some sleep.
As long as we say we're sorry, God doesn't hold a grudge.
-Good night. -Night, honey.
Sleep tight.
Don't we owe Mrs. Grant a load of firewood?
That's right. We do.
I'd like to deliver that tomorrow after school.
Fine.
Need any help?
No, I can manage myself. Thank you.
Good afternoon, Mrs. Grant.
Didn't I make myself clear last night?
You worked for this firewood. Where do I stack it?
I didn't put in my time at your place for firewood.
You made a bargain with my daddy he likes to keep his bargains.
We have our pride, too.
Just stack it on the porch.
I want to set things straight with you, Mrs. Grant.
I did that last night.
No, you said what was on your mind.
Now I'd like to get my chance.
Well?
My sister Elizabeth is the one who told Miss Hunter.
She had absolutely no idea that she was spoiling a secret.
I did not break my word to you.
Was that all you have to say?
No. I would like to continue with the lessons...
because they meant so much to the both of us.
I managed for 40 years without what you set such store by.
I'll make it fine for the rest of the time that I got left.
You still don't trust me.
It don't matter anymore.
You're wrong, Verdie.
Won't you ever get to the grace where you can admit that...
and not feel it's the end of the world?
You're standing in my light, sister.
That boy is a proud person, too, but he cares about you.
I heard him.
He set aside his hurt and asked you to go on with the lessons.
Such as him can't teach me nothing I need to know.
Everything all right with Mrs. Grant?
Not really.
Told her what happened and it seems that she'd rather not....
Seems that she'd rather not trust me.
If you ask me, it seems like she needs to mistrust me.
-Not just you, son. -No, Daddy.
Got to remember how it's been for a lot of years.
No, Daddy, we were friends!
Friends trust each other, and I want it to stay that simple.
It ought to be.
No fever.
-Still feel so weak? -I do, Mama.
My head swims if I think of getting up.
So you don't feel up to leaving your bed?
No, I really don't, Mama.
All right, dear. You know best.
-I'll tell Henry. -Henry? Is Henry here?
Stopped by to see if you'll go to the party at the church.
Told him I didn't think you felt up to it
but he said he'd come back.
-I do feel some better, Mama. -No, Erin.
You can't have it both ways.
Sick when it suits you and fit as a fiddle when it doesn't.
It's a dangerous game to get in the habit of playing.
I'm sorry, Mama.
We all need to feel we're the center of things sometimes...
but taking to your bed is a very poor way of getting attention.
I see that, Mama, and if I could only go to the--
No, Erin. I want you to remember what playing sick has cost you.
But I'll tell Henry
that you seem to be on the road to a rapid recovery.
Yes, Mama.
-Late again. -There he is.
John-Boy.
Please...
may I have a word with you?
Children, run on home, and I'll catch up with you.
Let's go sit down.
I'm asking a favor.
She sent back the money I sent her
to buy a new graduation dress.
I know something's wrong.
"Dear Mama...
"I am hoping you will take this to a friend
who will read it for you.
"I cannot use the money you sent me for a new dress.
"I do not need a new dress.
"What I do need is to have you here with me...
"sharing the day your love and faith has made possible.
"I have asked you so much, Mama...
"and you have always given me more than I asked for.
"Now I am asking you to be with me
on the day our dream comes true.
"I know I can count on you.
"I always have.
"Love, your daughter, Sarah."
That girl of mine...
the trials she's had.
The obstacles they've set in her way.
But she never lost heart.
She just wouldn't give up...
no matter how many folks told her it was hopeless.
Talk about courage.
Sounds a lot like her mama to me.
I mean, when you start something
generally you like to finish it, don't you?
Usually.
John-Boy, I....
I was wrong about you.
I was mean and unfair.
I'm sorry.
Will you....
Can you give me another chance?
Generally, when I start something
I like to finish it, too.
Well, here we are.
Thanks, John-Boy, for everything.
You have a safe trip and give Sarah
my congratulations when you get there.
You know I will.
I've got my pencil and paper in my purse
so I can practice signing my name.
Do it elegantly.
When I face that hotel clerk, I may forget everything.
Worse comes to worst...
I can always print, "See spot. See spot run."
Goodbye, Verdie.
Goodbye, John-Boy.
Thanks again.
Don't forget to write.
How to get attention without playing sick?
How to keep from getting hung up on the barbed wire...
of old prejudices and grievances?
As we fumble towards answers to these
and a thousand other questions...
we were lucky to have the teasing
of our brothers and sisters...
to keep us from taking ourselves too seriously...
and the unfailing love of our mother and father...
to reassure and sustain us.
-Daddy? -Yeah, Jim-Bob?
Will you wake me when you get up in the morning?
Sure thing. Big plans for tomorrow?
Elizabeth and I are gonna dig a hole
straight through to China and I want to get an early start.
-Good night, Jim-Bob. -Good night, Daddy.
In a moment, some scenes
from the next episode of The Waltons.