Original subtitles

Growing up on Walton's Mountain during the Great Depression...

we learned early to concentrate on the essentials of life.

With many of the necessities so hard to come by...

we had little money to squander on extravagances.

But there came a time...

when my father decided another kind of survival was important.

And to nourish the human spirit

it was necessary to indulge in extravagance.

Watch your feet, Grandma.

Have you heard of Luther Burbank?

I ran across his name helping one of you with your homework.

Some Burbanks live over on the road to Rockfish.

This guy was a scientist and experimented with plants.

He crossed one kind with another

and made new plants and vegetables.

Improving on the Lord's work?

I'm crossing a cucumber with a watermelon.

-Whatever for? -Imagine the giant pickles.

Good Lord.

You were supposed to mop this floor.

-I'll do it right now, Mama. -I did it.

-I'm sorry, I just forgot. -It's the third time this week!

Chance, get out of there.

Ben, Jason, take that cow back in the stall.

Gee, Mama, I don't know how she got out.

We were sitting there playing marbles.

Look what she did to my flowers. They were getting a good start.

-I'm sorry, Mama. -It's not your fault, Elizabeth.

I guess I left Chance's stall door open.

I have told you and told you not to play in that stall.

-Jason, the wood box is empty. -I told Ben to fill it.

-I told Jim-Bob. -And who did he tell? Reckless?

Reckless! Grandpa, that dog's covered with mud!

Get him out of the kitchen, he's got mud everywhere.

Reckless, come back, here's a spot you missed.

I'm sorry. It's all our fault, Livie.

Everybody's sorry, and nobody's sorrier than I am!

What are you doing?

What's the matter? You resting?

Mama?

Aren't you ever going to speak to us again?

What's going on in here?

All of a sudden, Olivia began to act sort of peculiar.

Peculiar? Nobody does the chores they're supposed to do...

so I end up doing them and then Reckless comes in

and ruins everything.

I understand you're aggravated.

Why don't we all simmer down and talk this over?

There's been enough talk and blame-passing and sorry-saying.

If you don't wanna talk, what do you wanna do?

-I'm doing it. -What's that?

I'm staging my own personal sit-down strike.

She's having a sit-down strike.

Grandpa, what's a sit-down strike?

These fellows in Detroit started it, they sort of...

plunk themselves down in the middle of things...

and they don't budge till they get it arbitrated on

and get what they want.

What do you want, Mama?

I want better working conditions no more excuses

and a little cooperation.

Well, now....

Alright, Liv, we're ready to arbitrate.

The way the children leave their rooms, they never do any....

Say, what's going on here?

Livie here had herself a sit-down strike.

The way it's going, she's doing better than Walter Reuther.

Maybe I should try it more often.

They never did those things in my day.

I remember you had one or two the first week we was married.

Mama, to make up for what Chance ate.

Oh, thank you, Elizabeth.

Let's put them in some water.

We're going to grow you some more.

Everybody stop being so nice, I'm starting to feel guilty.

I got an idea.

I think maybe your mama needs a vacation.

-A vacation? -Of course, that's a great idea!

We get vacations from school, but you got to do...

the same chores 365 days a year, with no end in sight.

-I think that's a perfect idea. -Yeah!

That's a wonderful idea!

Hold on, I got a better idea.

Maybe a vacation isn't what she needs.

-Maybe she needs a honeymoon. -Now, John, don't start that.

Seven children, and she needs a honeymoon.

She's been married 19 years, had all these children...

and hasn't had a honeymoon yet. It just isn't right.

What's a honeymoon?

It's something you're supposed to take after you get married.

-Like medicine? -Not exactly.

-When do you think you could go? -Sooner the better.

-We aren't going to a honeymoon. -Why not?

I can't waltz off leaving seven children to fend for themselves.

-I'll take care of the children. -I'll take care of you.

It'd only be for a few days, wouldn't it?

Sure, we'd manage alright.

-Where do we get the money? -We use the nest egg.

But that's for emergencies.

A woman who's been married 19 years, got all these kids...

hasn't had a honeymoon, that's an emergency.

I want to thank you all, but we cannot afford a honeymoon.

Please get out of my kitchen or there won't be any supper.

I sure want supper. I'm not gonna give up trying.

That's a great idea, Daddy.

Wow.

All that talk about a honeymoon set me to remembering.

That's beautiful.

You've got your wedding dress out, too, I see.

-I'm saving it for the girls. -It sure is pretty.

I bet Daddy looked great. What was he wearing?

A nice soft brown herringbone twill. He looked so nice.

This was my going-away outfit, only I never got to wear it.

You got a hat with it and everything?

Yes, we always wore hats in those days.

You look like a picture, Mama.

An old-fashioned picture, I'm afraid.

You really do want to go on that honeymoon, don't you?

There's a pile of mending waiting for me downstairs.

Dress-up time is over.

Alright.

Okay, it's time for bed, everybody. Time for bed, scoot.

Leave.

Scoot.

What are you growing, Mary Ellen?

I'm crossing a watermelon with a cucumber.

Good, you keep watering it like that

you could end up with a water lily!

Afternoon shift is here.

I'm not sorry to see you.

This motor really sounds terrible.

-Give her a rest, Son. -Okay.

Daddy, you know, Mama really wants to go on that honeymoon.

I know she does.

Afternoon, I saw her in her room she had her wedding dress out...

and she was wearing something called her going-away outfit.

-She's going. -What do you mean?

Mama and me, we're going to Virginia Beach.

Really? That's wonderful! That's really great!

Pick that up, let's go out to the truck.

You seem very serious, Marcia.

I'm thinking about the picnic, who I'll be going with and all.

-We agreed to go together. -Maybe.

Don't think you're going to have a good time with me?

Life is more than good times, John-Boy Walton.

I can't argue with that.

I'm thinking past the good times at the class picnic.

Maybe you're thinking up to the graduation breakfast?

What am I supposed to do when you go away to college?

-What? -You're gonna have your books...

and your professors and you're gonna be so far away.

I'm not going to the moon.

Boatwright University is only 28 miles away...

-I'll be home every night. -I know you, John-Boy.

You'll be spending more time studying then than you do now.

Well, like you say, Marcia, life isn't all good times.

Don't change the subject!

You expect me to be waiting here for whenever you feel like

taking some time away from studying.

I'm not good at waiting, John boy.

Marsha, I'm not asking you to wait.

I would be if I was sure I'd get what I was waiting for.

We'll talk more about it after we get our class rings.

-How's business, Ike? -John, I got something for you.

Here it is.

"Sea Spray Inn, Virginia Beach, Virginia."

Mighty fancy stationery.

For the prices they charge, it ought to be fancy.

I spent a weekend at Virginia Beach once myself.

I was just a dumb kid and didn't appreciate it.

-We're in, Ike. -That's great.

"Acknowledging your letter of the 11th instant...

"we regret to advise you that our Honeymoon Suit is booked."

Suite.

Yeah, "Honeymoon Suite is booked.

"However, we are delighted to be able to confirm...

"an exquisite seaside double...

"with a panoramic view of sun-reddened sails...

and moon-drenched sands.

"Your $5 deposit will hold your accommodation...

"until your arrival on the 19th. Sincerely, Resident Manager."

-You and Olivia on a honeymoon. -Finally.

You always were a romantic cuss.

Can't you see Liv and me walking down those moon-drenched sands?

A honeymoon like that is worth waiting for.

Nothing's gonna stop us now either.

The girls are just gonna have to pitch in.

Nineteenth! But I have to be in Richmond on the 19th.

I promised that I would chaperon...

the children's choir at the state competition.

Can't Rev. Fordwick get someone else?

It's not that. I'm the only one that can keep...

those children under control.

The Reverend said that he is counting on me...

-to preserve the.... -Decorum?

-If I'd only known the dates-- -We'll figure something out.

-It's alright. -It just wasn't meant to be.

-Now hold on. -We can take care of ourselves.

-Grandpa is gonna be here. -I'll tell him what to do.

I wouldn't feel easy.

The kids can get on without us for two or three days.

Mama, don't you realize everyone wants you to have the honeymoon?

Hey, John. I've been working on our saw.

I gave the engine a rest like you said..

then I kicked her once or twice and she puffed...

and snorted some smoke, then quit.

-I'll get her started. -No, you won't. Not this time.

She's done for.

Now, Livie.

There goes the emergency money.

I was just getting used to the idea of going.

Daddy, it's not going to start up again, I tell you.

Stubborn pile of junk.

Not any stubborner than other members of the family.

I was hoping to take Livie to Virginia Beach.

We're going to have to do something about that.

It's gonna cost $15 or $20 to get this thing fixed.

We've got to get her going.

"The voice of the turtle is heard in the land." Yes?

Would you come here, please?

Her trip is still a week away...

she wants me to decidewhether to wear the blue scarf...

or the one with polka dots.

Those old boys on the Supreme Court

are paid to make easier decisions than that.

One time in New York, I see a man...

hand a cigarette girl a $20 bill just for lighting his cigar.

I was staying in a hotel in Paris just after the war...

and soldiers were throwing money out of the windows.

Like it was confetti. Hundreds of dollars just floating down.

I laughed about it then, I thought that was funny.

I wish a lot of good things for you, Son.

But one thing I wish especially for you is that...

someday when you want to do something...

for somebody you really care about...

you'll be able to do it without thinking for one second...

whether you can afford it.

Let's break this thing down, get it to Charlottesville.

I sold my four big aggies.

Here's some money that I saved to buy some beads.

Mr. Atherton paid 50 cents in advance

for helping next Saturday.

Here's 20 cents G.W. loaned me.

He'd have given more but he didn't have it.

Here's my birthday quarter.

Here's 2 cents I got out of my bank.

There's one more penny in there if anyone can get it.

How much do we have?

I got 50 cents. Ike bought some postage stamps back.

That's $1.50, $1.60, $1.72.

-Is that all? -Yeah.

If only we had more time.

-Is this a secret meeting? -Yes, sort of.

You're welcome here, Grandpa.

I see I've interrupted a meeting of the financial committee.

We're raising money to help Mama and Daddy go on their honeymoon.

I approve of that heartily. That's a good idea.

Yeah, but we're about $18 short.

We'll have to sell something big.

I bet I could get close to $20 for my guitar.

No, Jason.

But I could probably sell my encyclopedia set back to Ike.

-You'll need that for college! -I agree with Ben.

I know I am not a bona fide member of this committee...

-Could I put in my two cents? -Thanks, Grandpa.

That makes it $1.74.

No, sirree, this 2 cents is worth considerable more...

than when it was minted in 1864.

Grandpa, you've held on to that 2-cent piece for years.

I surely have. It's the only money I really have on my own.

Under the circumstance, I'd feel downright miserly

if I didn't contribute it.

But that means a lot more to you than just cash.

With the permission of this committee, however...

I would like to try to sell it to a man...

who has coveted it for a long time.

It's rare. There's no argument about that. It's just, how rare?

$20 is my best and only price. Take it or leave it.

But I can buy an 1864 2-cent piece for $15.

I'm not gonna sit around here and haggle all day

over a few measly dollars.

-Do you want it or not? -You know I want it.

He's a collector over in Charleston...

who'd snap it up in 30 seconds.

-Would he pay $20? -We'll see.

Don't you think you ought to consider our friendship?

That is exactly what I am considering.

In a horse trade like this, I don't like to confuse...

...the issue with the sentiment...

but you do know that this $20 is for their honeymoon.

Tell you what, $17.50.

And Livie and John can cut a few corners.

Ike, I'll try and forget that you ever said that.

Alright.

You run a tough bargain, Zeb. I'll pay the $20.

I want Livie and John to have a honeymoon, too.

$21.72 for you.

-It's from all of us. -I and grandpa put in 2 cents.

Yeah, but Grandpa's--

Like Jim-Bob said, it's from all of us.

Pa, you've been saving that 2 cents as long as I know you.

I knew there would be a time when it would come in handy.

I don't know how to thank you all.

-But I still feel a uneasy-- -Mama.

Well with Grandma away in Richmond--

I won't be gone forever. I'll be back before they even miss me.

"Trailing clouds of glory"

What are you doing?

Well, now I do believe we're having another sit-down strike.

We're not gonna move till you say you're going.

They're using your own weapons against you.

-Alright! -Yeah!

-I want to go. I really do. -Then it's settled.

Starting the honeymoon early.

-John Walton what are you doing? -I'm practicing.

-Practicing what, Daddy? -The Peabody.

They have dancing down at the Sea Spray Inn.

It's awful, that hip-wiggling stuff.

We'll just show you something. Come on.

John, nobody does the Peabody anymore.

Which reminds me, what will I wear?

Your going-away outfit, Mama.

It's old enough to be in a museum.

All you need is a swimsuit.

-Are you going swimming, Mama? -Sure she is.

Then we're going to dine by candlelight...

and we're going to dance the Peabody till 3:00 a.m.

They waited 19 years to have a honeymoon?

Yep.

I'm going to have my honeymoon right after the wedding...

the way you're supposed to.

Marsha, not everything happens the way it's supposed to.

Sometimes, John-Boy, you sound like an old, old man.

I don't feel like an old, old man.

Marsha, when I get married, I'd like to have my honeymoon

at the proper time.

But If you feel like my folks do then maybe

waiting makes it even better.

-I'm not good at waiting. -I know. You told me that.

-Neither was I, till I met you. -What's that supposed to mean?

You keep me waiting all the time.

Like for the class picnic and everything.

You're not wearing your ring.

I was playing ball. I didn't want to get it all banged up.

Kitty Lou is already wearing Woodrow's.

Oh, Really?

With a little tape, yours would probably fit on my finger.

Yeah, it just might do that.

John Boy, I'm tired of being taken for granted by you.

Living from one date to the next.

I gotta know where I stand with you.

Marsha, I like you. You know how much I like you.

Words aren't enough.

I've got to have something more solid.

-Get ready, they're coming. -They're coming.

-Hurry up. -Okay.

-Put it behind your back. -Hide it.

Got the rice? That looks great.

Zeb, I forgot to leave a note for Mary Ellen.

It'll take the whole three days to read what you already left.

Now let go, come on.

-What's the matter? -I'm at the mercy of this man.

I'm carrying my bride across the threshold.

You're going the wrong way.

It's a new tradition I just made up.

Happy honeymoon!

I forgot to leave--

You left plenty of notes! Get in.

-All those cans. -From Ike Godsey.

Is Grandma going on the honeymoon, too?

I'm going to Eulalie Hayes' place.

She's going to help me with the children.

Make sure the choir sings good and loud.

Don't you worry about that!

You just take care of yourself and the children.

And remember....

-Drive safe! -Have fun.

Take care.

How do you like that?

Never thought I'd see that happen.

Better late than never.

Slow down. What is it?

-Reckless is chasing a skunk! -A skunk?

If that dog wants to tangle with a skunk again, let him.

The back door is open and he chased it into the house!

The house!

How much longer do we have to stay in this barn?

Probably forever!

Now, now! There's a good stiff breeze outside.

We got all the doors and windows in the house open...

Reckless had a good bath with buttermilk

and your grandma's tomato preserves...

we ought to be able to get back in the house sometime tomorrow.

I'm just glad Mama and Daddy left before it happened.

That skunk smell's in every room.

If we can't go back tomorrow maybe we can pitch...

this old tent the carnival people left.

I like my own bed better. It's warmer.

Tuck that blanket in around you. It gets cold.

Is Mama and Daddy already at the hotel?

Yes, I suspect they are.

They're probably having that candlelight dinner, soft music.

And later on, they'll be dancing.

This is the night they've been waiting for, for 19 years.

No, it's just no good, Liv.

Every time I start it, it slips off. We need a new fan belt.

What are we going to do?

I can't get one tonight.

I'll have to go to Columbia in the morning and get one.

That mean we're going to sleep in the truck?

Sorry.

It's lucky I brought some sandwiches and hard-boiled eggs.

I'll get the honeymoon suite fixed up.

This is cozy.

It's not where you are, it's who you're with.

So what if we don't have an ocean view out there.

Look up above, you'll see a million stars.

That's funny, I don't see one single star.

It's not too bad.

At least it doesn't make your eyes water like yesterday.

But you can still tell that a skunk has passed this way.

That's for sure.

Hey, look!

Something's happening to my plant!

Let me see that.

It doesn't look like a cucumber.

It doesn't look like a watermelon, either.

I've done it!

It's a little too early to tell what it's going to turn out as .

-I've made a new plant. -Wait a day or two to tell.

Could turn out to be skunk cabbage!

Aw.

I'm starving, what's for breakfast?

Let's see what Mama's note says.

Fold up your blankets.

"Children."

"Cinnamon rolls and cereal, milk in the refrigerator."

Erin, you want to help me?

Can I close some doors? I'm cold.

You don't feel cold. You feel hot.

Yeah, she is. She's burning up with fever.

Here's another one.

If you had slept with your boots on...

you wouldn't have colds.

This is great. Mama's been gone one day

and everything's falling apart.

-I didn't do it on purpose. -I know, honey.

We'll fix you some hot cocoa. That'll fix you.

Upstairs, both of you.

Bless you.

I've got it.

We'll go in to Columbia for breakfast, we'll be on our way.

-How you feeling? -Fine.

Nothing like sitting in a truck cab all night

trying to sleep, is there?

Liv , whatever room they have for us at the Sea Spray Inn...

it'll look good.

John, maybe we shouldn't try to go on.

We're three-fourths of the way there.

Yeah, but...everything seems to be trying to keep us from going.

Our troubles are over. It'll be a beautiful day, come on.

-I'm worried about the children. -What children?

We just got married. We don't have children.

Maybe you don't. But I do. Seven.

Liv, you're a wonderful mother.

And I love you for it. But you're also my wife.

I'm just in the habit of worrying.

I know you are.

We're going to break that habit for the next two days.

Now I want you to say after me, "The children are fine."

Come on, "The children are fine." Say it.

The children are fine.

Atta girl. The children are fine.

-The children are fine. -The children are fine.

-The children are fine! -The children are fine!

-The children are fine! -The children are fine!

-The children are fine! -The children are fine!

-The children are fine! -The children are fine!

You're insane.

Virginia Beach, here we come!

You sure you're don't need me at the saw mill this afternoon?

I don't think so. Jason and I can finish up in short order.

You just go out walking with your girl, enjoy yourself.

I'm not sure how enjoyable it's going to be.

Marcia Woolery giving you a hard time again?

She's onto something different. Time was I couldn't get her...

to think ahead more than an hour or two.

All she wants to talk is, what we'll do next fall or winter.

And the rest of your life.

Now you tiptoe carefully when you get into that territory.

I intend to.

Quiet around here, isn't it?

You're missing Grandma, aren't you?

Funny what habits a man could get into after 50 years.

-Here's your hot tea. -Thank you.

-And here's your cold water. -Thank you.

Could you get me another pillow?

Here. Now would you two please try and get some rest?

Mary Ellen, the light's in my eyes.

Now I can't read my book. Could you please put it up?

-No. Keep it down. -Put it up!

-Down. -Up.

-Down. -Up.

-Down. -Up.

Down.

Mary Ellen?

-Mary Ellen, what are you doing? -I'm having a lay-down strike.

-Anything else I can do for you? -No, this is just fine.

I hope you enjoy your stay.

We're going to have a wonderful time. Aren't we, Liv?

Well, If you're sure there's nothing else....

Wait a minute. Don't run off, you forgot something. Here.

-Thanks. -You're welcome.

-Looked a bit like Jason. -How much did you give him?

25 cents.

-So much? -They've to make a living, too.

Every time a person turns around, it costs money.

Well? What do you think?

It's beautiful.

Good, look back here, this is a whole suite.

Look here.

You seen this view? Come and take a look at this view.

You'll never see anything like this.

Look, in all my travels, I've never seen anything like it.

Oh!

Isn't it beautiful?

We'll Liv. We finally made it.

We're on our honeymoon.

Look at this white wicker, something you've always wanted.

Isn't that beautiful?

Look, here's an ashtray shaped like a butterfly.

Beautiful windows there, a little bit like church.

Beautiful.

We even got a tree in the room.

Aren't you going to talk? I'm running out of things to say.

-Marcia, why are we running? -I feel like it.

I thought we were going for a walk.

If you can't keep up with me...

why don't you sit down and read a book or something?

Sorry it's too cold to go swimming.

In a way, I'm glad.

This way we have the whole beach to ourselves.

It's so beautiful.

-Just you and me and the ocean. -That's enough.

This is something I have always wanted to do.

It looks like Walton's Mountain.

What's the matter with you?

Can't you recognize a castle when you see one?

Maybe you ought to stay out of the construction business.

Oh, Come on, now.

This is the moat...

and this is the little room where the princess lives.

What's her name?

Rapunzel. The one with the hair.

I don't believe I know her.

You would love her. You're so crazy about long hair.

I'm crazy about your hair.

Look at that, never saw anything like that in my life. Look.

You're for certain going to college this September?

I guess that's about as certain as anything could be, Marsha.

I've heard about those college girls and how they are.

I'm sure they're just the same as girls anywhere else.

You'll have fun with them and come back to me when...

you don't have anything better to do.

Oh, Marsha. I certainly--

Tyler Crofut asked me to exchange class rings with him.

Tyler Crofut?

He's not going to college. He's working on his daddy's farm.

If you'd rather be with someone--

Tyler...he knows how you feel about me...

but I had to tell him...

there wasn't any what you might call...

"understanding" between us yet.

Marsha, I like you.

I really like you, I've always liked you, I'll always like you.

You don't understand, it's a--

This ring is kind of loose on this finger.

I guess I should put it on my middle finger.

Listen, Marcia...

I'll be gone to college for four years,

and people can change in four years.

-Why don't you try my ring-- -Listen to me.

I've done a lot of thinking about this.

It would be unfair for both of us

to pledge ourselves to each other right now.

-I thought you liked me. -I do, I do like you.

But you want to go after other girls.

I'm just trying to be honest with you, don't you understand?

You are hateful, that's what you are.

-I want to see you. -I don't want to talk anymore!

Marcia, may I have my ring back, please?

Take it!

Honey, we don't have to argue....

Marsha!

John Boy, whatever are you doing down there?

Marsha!

If it's no trouble, would you mind going for help?

I seem to have broken something.

We'd better get down to the dining room.

Don't want to miss any of that music.

I'm worried about this fire.

The paper says it's miles from Walton's Mountain.

But who knows how far it could have traveled today?

-You're right. -Couldn't we phone?

Who do we phone, the Forest Service?

No. Ike Godsey.

I'm being foolish, but if I could talk to Ike...

I'd feel better.

There's the phone just waiting to be used.

-What do I do? -Pick it up, see what happens.

Go ahead.

Desk, may I help you?

This is Mrs. Walton, Mrs. John Walton.

-Room number? -Room....

-277. -Room 277.

Thank you.

-I want to call Ike Godsey. -Ike Crosby?

Godsey.

G-O-D-S-E-Y.

-In Walton's Mountain. -In Virginia?

-Yes, it's in Virginia. -I'll call you back.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

Well?

She's going to call back, it'll take a while.

Does it hurt a lot?

Doc Vance popped the shoulder back in, so it feels better.

Lucky you didn't break any bones.

He said I could have broken my collarbone.

I still can't understand how you fell.

You're like a goat on your feet.

Let's just say he fell and leave it.

Did Marcia Woolery push you?

Marcia Woolery did not push me.

You should've seen her hooting and hollering for help.

What happened between John-Boy and Marcia...

is between them, alright?

What do you know, Jason?

What are you two doing out of bed?

We wanted to see how John-Boy was.

Look here, run upstairs and crawl in bed.

Pull the covers over you, you got colds.

-It's no fun up there. -Please, Grandpa.

You have to be better by the time Mama and Daddy get home.

Scoot along now.

While the folks are away the rest of you survivors...

take extra good care of yourselves.

No gifts by any Quives.

Not much water here.

Godsey's General Merchandise Store.

Hello, Ike?

-It's Olivia Walton. -Olivia! How's the honeymoon?

Oh, It's wonderful.

Ike , we were a little worried about the fire.

Put your mind completely at ease.

There's absolutely no threat.

I talked to Sheriff Bridges an hour ago,

and there's absolutely no danger.

Oh, I'm so relieved.

Everybody is going to be just fine at your place.

Gonna be?

I talked to the doc after he set John-Boy's shoulder...

he left some medicine for Erin and Elizabeth, too.

-Ike, what happened to John-Boy? -Took a tumble. No broken bones.

And you said Erin and Elizabeth are sick?

Just colds. I guess they got a chill from sleeping in the barn

after the skunk chased them all out of the house.

I bet you're really kicking up your heels at Virginia Beach.

Can't we go any faster?

Not without shaking this old flivver to pieces.

Don't worry about the girls, it's just colds.

Colds can turn into grippe, and grippe into pneumonia.

-Doc's checked them out. -And John-Boy?

If it had been serious, they'd have telephoned us.

No. They could all be half-dead and wouldn't call us...

for fear of spoiling our honeymoon.

-Just don't upset yourself. -Honeymooning at our age.

We're not a couple of just-married teenagers.

We're responsible for seven children

and we were silly to try to forget that.

I don't feel silly.

Neither do I.

I enjoyed our one afternoon on the beach.

I even enjoyed sitting up in this old flivver all night.

I know we've got a responsibility to those kids...

but we got a responsibility to ourselves, too.

-That's important. -I know.

Hurry, please.

-What are you doing here? -Came to see if you were okay.

-I expected you tomorrow. -How bad is the shoulder?

It's not bad. How did you find out?

Ike Godsey.

-You're here because of me? -No.

-Erin, Elizabeth and everyone. -We spoiled everything for you.

You didn't spoil anything. It was lovely. Now go back to bed.

-Mama, I'm sorry. -You heard me.

Mama.

It's alright. We're home now.

-We'll talk later. -Good night.

-Daddy, I'm sorry. -Don't be.

We didn't want anything to spoil it for you.

Nothing did. How's your shoulder?

It's alright. It aches a little. It's okay.

-Will you please go back to bed? -I'm sorry.

I could use forty winks myself.

You go ahead. I have to finish up in the kitchen.

And then there's church. Today's Sunday.

John Boy, guess who's coming to see you?

John Boy, it's Marcia Woolery!

Don't worry. We're here to catch you in case you fall.

Clear out.

Clear out.

Mary Ellen, there's milk still to be separated.

Jason, go clean Chance's stall. Ben, you go with him.

Jim-Bob, I'll find something for you to do.

Thank you, Mama.

-Hi. -Hi, are you alright?

-Little sore. -Sorry about the ring.

You were mad at me.

But you didn't understand what I was trying to say.

I understood. That's what made me mad.

You're going one way and I'm going the other.

Swapping class rings can't change that.

I thought maybe it would.

See, you don't understand what I'm trying to say.

It doesn't mean we have to stop seeing each other altogether.

I suppose that's so.

-Tyler's waiting for me. -Tyler?

A girl has to look to the future.

Yeah sure, you're right. I understand that.

What about the picnic and the graduation breakfast? Are you--

I'm not sure. I'll let you know, John-Boy.

I need a little more time to decide.

I thought you and Marcia might like some lemonade...

-but she's gone. -There she goes.

Well, it's not the end of the world.

Lord, no, I know that.

It's just that I was the one who made the speech

about getting less involved.

I didn't figure she would agree with me, so fast, anyway.

There'll be plenty of girls at college.

Don't forget about Jenny.

I know.

Mama, it's really remarkable to me that

you and Daddy found each other so early.

And that it was right.

I really envy that.

Well, how did the children do in Richmond?

They were the best-behaved in the bunch.

Here's the chaperon to prove it.

What's the matter with your voice?

That's the price she paid for bossing everybody:

she's lost her voice.

-Laryngitis? -Call it whatever you want.

First time in all the years I've known her...

she is not able to utter one word.

Oh, that's just terrible.

Well, the Lord does move in mysterious ways.

But she's in no real pain and while she's recovering...

I'll be able to do all the talking for her.

It's time I had my chance.

Come on, we'll put some goose grease on that throat.

Look what Mary Ellen's raised.

Her cu-melon's nothing but a weed!

The mountain's covered with them.

Don't laugh, you lamebrains.

They laughed at Luther Burbank, too!

Mr. Burbank laugh at himself...

when nature played a trick on him?

- Oh, daddy. -Come on.

Let's look for some more cu-melon!

Everybody settled?

John-Boy's reading and Grandma's still trying to talk.

So far, all she can manage is, "Old fool."

That'll do for a start.

-I'm sorry. -About what?

The honeymoon was spoiled.

Maybe this next one will turn out better.

We're going back to finish that honeymoon.

-The money's all spent. -The way I've got it planned...

won't cost a cent and you won't have to worry about the kids.

-After the children are grown? -No, I mean this weekend.

-How are you managing that? -I'm not telling.

You're not gonna keep me in suspense.

-Come to bed, woman. -I'm not sleepy.

You better get all the sleep you can.

The rest of this honeymoon is going to be a humdinger.

-John! -Come on.

Ben, get this quick.

Have you ever been on a honeymoon before?

-No, first time. -Mine, too.

-Why we can't stay at a hotel? -Tent's going to work just fine.

Alright, you folks. Come on.

Somebody's got to keep the home fires burning.

Now, you send a postcards from Virginia Beach.

-I will, Grandma. -We'll all write on it.

You do what your mama says and be careful.

-Enjoy yourselves. -Bye.

You know, old man, I've been married to you for 50 years...

and I still haven't had a honeymoon.

Old woman, our life together has been one long honeymoon.

Oh, good Lord.

My fondest memories are not of those

special outings or unusual occasions.

What I like best to recall...

is the quiet moment at the very end of an ordinary day...

when we drifted off to sleep...

secure in the shelter of our home and of our parents' love.

-Daddy? -Yes, Jim-Bob?

Today when Elizabeth and I were playing...

I think I saw a crack in the sky.

-A crack in the sky? -Could all the air leak out?

Tell you what, tomorrow, you and I'll have a look.

If the crack's still there we'll get in touch with...

President Roosevelt or somebody up there.

You always know the right thing to do, Daddy. Good night.

Good night, Jim-Bob.