Original subtitles

The spring of 1935 was a particularly good one

on Walton's Mountain.

Peach blossoms exploded in a pink mist...

and the mallards built their nests early

along the Rockfish River.

Spring's arrival was so magnificent...

that it left us unprepared for anything

that might in any way deny the beauty of life.

Saw's so loud, I can't hear myself think.

What'd you say?

I can't hear a thing over the yowling of this machine.

I said, that saw is so loud, I can't hear myself think.

It's that coil of wire there.

We got any more wires?

-Some on the porch, I'll get it. -Oh, no, don't go.

Why don't we both go and pick up our fishing rods and go fishing?

That sure sounds good, Pa.

Between the two of us, we could catch a mess of fish for supper.

No, there's too much work to do. I'll go get that wire.

You go load, and I'll go get the wire.

I might get a mouthful of fresh air.

Why, we're as cooped up in here as those chickens.

Alright, but don't wander off, now.

You know better than that. Where'd you say the wire was?

In that cabinet on the back porch.

Hi, Mrs. Walton.

-The mail come in by any chance? -Yeah, sure it did.

This jelly is good. There are only two left.

Anytime you want to make jelly, you just bring it in.

Yeah, next time I need extra money, I'll think about it.

Maybe when the peaches ripen up.

Hey, good idea. I like peach better than quince.

-I bet it'd sell better. -Is there any mail for me?

Oh, yeah, there is.

Excuse me, Mrs. Tanner.

Here it is.

I couldn't help but notice the return address.

I'm sure of that.

Boatwright University?

Now, just forget you saw these tickets. They're a surprise.

Oh, I'm real good at keeping surprises, Mrs. Walton.

That's why I needed that jelly money, to buy these tickets.

They're for the Fitzsimmons lecture

at the Boatwright auditorium next Friday night.

Is that the lecture about Tahiti?

Yeah.

Next week is Zeb's 73rd birthday...

and I wanted to do something very special.

Boy, Zeb will sure like that.

Now don't you even tell John-Boy what I've been up to.

I want to surprise the whole family. Keep my secret.

Resting, huh? I found the wire.

We'll be back to work in a jiffy.

Thought you wentfishing.

Come on, Pa, we'll never get finished.

Oh, it's that back porch.

The kids have got everything in such a clutter there,

you can't find anything.

Well, it was neat as a pin yesterday.

Maybe Jim-Bob, working on that scooter of his.

Excuse me, Grandpa, I didn't see you. Are you okay?

Just drive carefully.

Whoa, what's your hurry?

Daddy, it's my turn, and he won't let me have it.

Why don't you give her a turn? Then wash up. It's supper time.

I fixed it. She's just being a crybaby.

You mind what I say, Son.

You alright, Pa?

Well enough, I just stopped to catch my breath.

Yeah, it's been a long day, I'm kind of bone-weary myself.

Supper, everyone! Jim-Bob, Elizabeth.

John-Boy, Mary Ellen, supper's ready.

Yeah.

Slow down, Mary Ellen.

Sorry I'm late, Livie. I ran into Mrs. Brimmer.

And she invited me in for some tea. I lost all track of time.

Never mind, Grandma. Erin and I got everything ready just fine.

Oh, good Lord, I'm forgetting everything today.

Do we have any of that black binding left?

I don't know, Grandma, I think so.

Well, I wanted to pick up some at Ike's...

so as I could mend Zeb's good jacket tonight.

Remember how he split it dancing at our wedding anniversary?

If we don't have any, we can get it tomorrow.

No, I want to do it tonight.

Never can tell when some special occasion might be coming up.

-What's for supper, Liv? -Chicken and potatoes.

Good.

Esther, you got two men here as hungry as bears...

you better feed us before we give out.

I get the first ride after supper.

I fixed it, so I get to say who rides on it.

But I helped you fix it.

All you did was hold the bolts.

You wiener.

Jim-Bob, why do you have to leave this thing here?

Put it out on the porch.

I can't. Elizabeth will steal it.

-Jason, take it out, please. -Why should I do it? It's his!

-Jason, please. -Come on, everybody.

-Let's sit down to the table. -Come on, supper's ready.

Hurry up, Son.

Pa, say grace tonight, please.

Hurry up.

-Thank you, Jason. -Quiet.

Lord, we thank thee for the bounty...

that has been bestowed upon this table.

We hope for the continued blessing upon this home

and this family.

-Amen. -Amen.

We also wanna thank you for the beautiful spring

that you have provided us...

with its peach blossoms and the trailing arbutus...

so magnificently in bloom now...

with its pinky-white flowers and its leathery green leaves...

on the slope of Walton's Mountain.

We also want to thank you for the early return

of the mallard ducks.

The children enjoyed them greatly last year...

and they will continue to do so again this year, I am sure.

Now, dear Lord, is as good a time as any to thank you...

for the continued health of this family.

We are eternally grateful, dear Lord...

-that this continued blessing-- -Amen

-Soup's getting cold, Pa. -Well.

I get a leg.

I had the most interesting French class today.

The teacher was showing slides of Paris, France.

And we were looking at slides of the Arch of Triumph...

and the Eiffel Tower, I should probably say the TourEiffel....

TourEiffel, huh? Pretty fancy.

Fermez labouche, kid!

Alright, you two. Eat up.

I haven't been to Paris in 20 years.

Pretty soon I'll be as old as Pa.

A man is only as old as he feels.

Livie, this soup is delicious.

Thank you, Grandpa. Erin helped with the seasoning.

Erin, you keep on putting herbs on everything...

you'll be as good a cook as your mama.

Thank you, Grandpa. I hope so.

You wanna help me with Grandpa's birthday dinner?

Sure! What'll we make?

I think we'll have some sweet potatoes and some green beans...

and little onions from the garden.

And if your daddy doesn't shoot a turkey, I've got a ham curing.

Gotta have something special for Grandpa's dinner.

Livie, you're making my mouth water already.

I see you getting fat as you think about it, Pa.

Well.

Zeb and I won't be eating home on his birthday.

-How's that? -Where's he going?

I've eaten every meal for 51 years almost, right here...

and I don't intend to eat elsewhere on my birthday.

-We're eating out. -Here!

I didn't want to tell you yet, it's supposed to be a surprise.

I sold 23 jars of my jelly at Ike's...

and I used the money for two tickets for Mr. Fitzsimmons'

lecture on Tahiti.

And he's talking at the auditorium on your birthday.

Esther Walton! I've been wanting to hear that man lecture

for over 10 years now.

I know that.

And I decided it was about time you got your chance.

You can still have dinner here. I'll drive you there after.

No, thank you, John-Boy. I still have $1.75 left.

And I'd like to take grandpa to a restaurant for supper.

Supposed to be a surprise, but that old man spoiled it.

Oh, I did not.

Esther Walton,

this has been the biggest surprise

I've had in many a year. I read about that lecture

and I could picture myself sitting in the auditorium

but I didn't dream I'd get there.

Why, he'll be showing his pictures...

his slides, on Tahiti. All the natives, and all.

Come with me, Esther.

Take me back to your wicky-wacky-woo, yeah.

Tahiti. Tahiti. Tahiti.

Oh, wicky-wacky-wicky-woo-woo.

Wicky-wacky-wicky-woo-woo

Wicky-wacky-wicky-woo-woo

-Pa! -Zeb!

John, Olivia...

I'll be as direct as I can.

Your father's had a mild coronary.

A heart attack?

It's mild, he should be alright.

Mrs. Walton...

your husband can't have milk just yet.

Come on and sit yourself down.

In order for him to get better as quickly as possible...

you're going to be especially careful about his food.

What can't he have besides milk?

He'll can have milk in a few days if you skim off the fat.

Right now he can't have eggs, or cream, or cake, or salt.

That doesn't sound too good.

This is standard treatment for a coronary patient, John.

Of course, your father is 73 years old,

so we can't just shrug it off.

Of course, if he keeps to his diet, gets plenty of rest...

chances are he'll recover and be his old self in a month or so.

He's pretty spry at 73.

Now, you make sure he takes one of these every four hours.

He's going to be alright, Mrs. Walton.

John, make sure your mother understands about the medicine.

It will make his heart beating...

regular and make him feel relaxed enough to sleep.

According to Dr. McIvers, he's not....

He's not too bad.

I sure hope he's right.

He's not a young man.

Can't expect he's gonna get up tomorrow morning...

and everything is gonna be fine and dandy.

I just can't imagine what it would be like...

not to have that old man stomping around anymore.

Tell you the truth ever since we put him to bed,

that's all I've been able to think about.

Oh, Daddy.

If you don't mind, Son, I'd like to be here alone with him.

Daddy?

Come in.

I thought you girls went to bed an hour ago.

We did, but none of us could sleep.

Daddy, is Grandpa gonna be alright?

Come in.

Daddy, we want to know.

Is Grandpa gonna be alright?

I don't know. We're gonna have to wait and see.

Your grandpa's had a heart attack.

Not a very bad one...

but he's gonna need a lot of rest and quiet.

More important, he's gonna need some cheering up from you.

We've got to help him believe he's gonna get better real soon.

Well, how can we do that if we don't know it's true?

Just gonna have to believe that if we do what the doctor says...

things will work out fine.

Good morning, Grandma. Let me fix you some breakfast.

No, thanks. Just coffee.

What's that for?

It's time for Grandpa's pill.

Well, he's sleeping like a baby, he don't need a pill.

Ma, Dr. McIvers wants him to take them.

Oh, Livie, I've been looking all over

for that double-duty black mending thread.

Don't we have any left?

It's in the back of the sewing basket

under the patching material.

I'll look again.

Oh, John-Boy, could you stop by Ike's

and get me some black binding?

I'll need it if I'm gonna finish your grandpa's jacket by Friday.

-Grandma. -A yard will do it.

She will not admit that there's anything wrong with him.

Maybe I ought to give Grandpa his pill.

I'll give it to him. Make sure he gets it.

Time for Grandpa's pill.

Where are they?

Grandma?

I wish you'd stop fretting about those foolish pills.

They're not worth the money we paid for them.

Maybe, maybe not.

But I think we ought to do what the doctor says.

At least till he comes by,

then maybe we can talk to him about it.

They're in the top drawer of my dresser, left side.

Grandpa.

Time for your medicine.

Here you go.

Wide, wide.

Some water.

You want any breakfast?

-No. -No?

Okay. Can I get you anything at all?

No, no.

Grandma....

Have a nice day at school, John-Boy.

Mom, you know that boy I told you about? Michael Murphy?

Today he was wearing a purple shirt.

-He's got the worst taste. -He's a dreamboat.

He plays real good baseball.

It's been real good baseball weather lately.

I'm just thinking of the hilarious thing

that happened in French class today.

-What's "hilarious" mean? -It means really, really funny.

We were supposed to be listening to a French lady speak French...

on a phonograph record, so we were all being very quiet.

And the teacher puts on the record...

and all of a sudden, this big man's voice booms out....

And the teacher turned pale as a sheet...

because she had put on the Russian language record...

instead of the French language record.

What's so hilarious about that?

Nothing.

Grandma, why don't you make some of that...

good beef stew of yours for supper tomorrow night?

I've got too much work to do on that jacket.

Why are you mending Grandpa's jacket?

So he can wear it to the lecture Friday night.

He's gonna look even more handsome than he did

51 years ago.

Grandma, suppose he's not well enough to go...

all the way to Westham on Friday night?

Zeb will be up and around in a day or so.

He's as strong as an ox.

His body just had a shock, that's all.

John, I'm worried about you. You look tired.

Are you working too hard?

I'm alright, Pa. Now, why don't you try to eat something?

I'm just not very hungry, that's all.

I think you ought to try anyway.

John...

your mother's set on my going to that lecture on Friday.

Now, I'm not gonna be able to be up and around by then.

I just hate to disappoint her so.

Pa, please don't worry about that.

Well, I'm really not very much good to any of you, am I?

Will you stop feeling sorry for yourself?

If you sit up a little, I'll fix these pillows, and you can eat.

I just...

hate to disappoint her.

Pa, will you eat?

Liv, I'm really worried about that old man.

He couldn't even sit up and eat his supper tonight.

We expected him to be tired, John.

I know...

but I think a lot has to do with Ma,

her not accepting the fact he's sick.

He spends so much time pretending he's not

whenever she's around he wears himself out.

Her working on that jacket night and day doesn't help him.

I'll speak to your mama, John. I know what she's doing.

I'd probably do the same thing if it was you lying in that bed.

I'd hang onto straws...

and pretend that everything was the same as always.

John, you better get going, you're gonna be late.

Alright, Liv. Didn't you want me to take something over

to Reverend Fordwick, some jam?

Yes, if you have time to stop on the way.

He's been a real comfort these past few days.

Not so you'd notice. Comes in here with a face a mile long.

He's just concerned, Grandma.

Ma, maybe Reverend Fordwick would enjoy that lecture.

He could take Rosemary Hunter. What do you say?

Those tickets are spoken for.

Your father's been wanting to hear that man for 10 years...

and he's gonna hear him!

We're going to Boatwright auditorium Friday night,

and that's that.

John, let me.

Grandma?

Grandma.

I don't know what got into John.

He knows how much his father wants to go to that lecture.

The idea of him just giving those tickets away....

-Grandma, listen to me-- -And you're as bad as he is.

You went right along, knowing how I'd feel!

Grandma, you know that Grandpa's not going to be

out of that bed by Friday.

-He will. -No, Grandma, no.

Livie, he....

Why don't you just stop trying to be so strong...

and give in to what you feel?

I can't, Liv, I can't.

I've slept next to him, I've worked next to him...

I've loved him for over 51 years.

How in the world am I gonna live without him?

Esther, you remember when I went to borrow a hacksaw

from your papa,

and you was sitting on the front porch, sewing?

Zeb, could you lean forward so I can get your lower back?

I hadn't realized you were so grown up...

and I was surprised to see you sit there smiling so pretty.

-I wasn't smiling. -you was pretending not to smile

but you was smiling just the same.

Raise your arm, Zeb.

Zeb, you've got to help if you want me to get this finished.

Fussbudget.

You were sitting there so pretty with your back so straight,

like you always do...

and your pink checked dress.

A little wisp of your brown hair tumbling down...

over your white starched collar.

It was a yellow striped dress.

Whatever it was, I couldn't keep my eyes from off'n you.

You were sitting there, looking down at your sewing

like your neck was stuck.

It was the pink glow in your cheeks that got to me.

That's when I fell for you.

Boy, you was a smart one, even then, Esther.

Zeb, the strawberries are almost ripe on Walton's Mountain...

and I think you better stop looking backwards...

and start looking ahead.

I won't be picking strawberries this year, Esther.

You haven't missed a wild strawberry crop

since you were able to walk...

and you're not gonna start with this one.

Esther...

I love you more now than I did the day I married you.

You grow on a man.

You know how you grow?

Heavy.

You're not even listening to a word I say, old woman.

I heard everything you said.

Now, take it easy. Just take it easy and slow.

Esther, it would be nice to go up on Walton's Mountain...

and see all those blossoms.

And I'd even like to go outside and watch the young'uns playing.

Now sit back and rest. Come on.

Sounds to me like they're having a real good time

with that scooter.

Zeb, how would you like to sit in that chair

by the window for a while?

Oh, Esther. Oh, I would love that.

-Oh, I would dearly love to. -Sit still. Come on.

I'll get John-Boy. Just rest.

-John-Boy? -Yes, ma'am.

Come down here.

I want you to help your grandpa into that chair by the window.

-You think he's up to it? -Just do as I say.

You wanna sit over there?

Okay, come on.

Wait a minute. Just put your legs over on the floor.

Slide them over easy. No, don't try to get up,

just slide your legs over.

Okay, put your arm around me. Don't worry, I can hold you.

Okay, ready?

Count. One, two, three, up.

You are too heavy for me. I'll go get Jason, he'll help us.

-Jason. -Yeah, you just lie down.

-Jason. -Back in there.

I'll get Jason, we'll get you up.

-What? -John-Boy...

I've been in bed here, now, two weeks,

and I'm not getting any better.

Don't be ridiculous.

Dr. McIvers says your heart is stronger every day.

Listen.

Listen. I was walking down by the meadow today...

and I saw a whole flock of goldfinches...

in a wild cherry tree...

and every limb was alive with gold and singing...

and I saw that and I thought about you

and how much you'd appreciate it.

So you just wait there,

and Jason and I will put you over on the window seat...

and you can sit and see the willow tree

and watch the children.

John-Boy, there is something I want you to do for me.

Sure.

I want you to go to Charlottesville...

to Henry Ferris', the stonemason,

and pick me out a real nice headstone.

I don't want to do that.

I'm never going to see those mountains...

or the trees on them again, and you know it.

You keep talking that way, you gonna make me angry.

John-Boy, I asked you to do something for me.

Alright.

You want a tombstone...

I'll get you a tombstone.

What can I do for you?

-Mr. Ferris? -He's out now. I'm his son.

Well, I have to buy a stone.

For my grandfather.

Thank you for coming along with me, Livie.

I just felt prayer would help.

I think Grandpa seems a little stronger today, don't you?

You know, I keep thinking about what Dr. McIvers said...

that first night about keeping up his spirits.

-I didn't think you heard him. -I heard.

But, you know, lying in that room, day after day...

how in the world can Zeb keep up his spirits?

Last night, when I was fixing his bed, he asked...

how soon John could move him outside.

Maybe we should start listening to Zeb and doing what he wants.

Now, there's a big savings if you choose one like this.

-Is your grandma still among us? -Yes, she's alive.

Now, if you buy this half now and the other piece later...

your grandpa and grandma can be joined together

when the time comes...

and cupid will be smiling down on them

right between these two stones here.

What're your grandpa and grandma's names?

Zebulon and Esther.

We've got these real pretty sayings here that rhyme...

that I can carve right into the stone.

Like, "Here lies, Esther and Zebulon.

"Bless the earth"....

-John-Boy, is that you? -Yes, it is.

Did you do what I asked you to do?

No, I didn't.

You didn't?

When do you expect to get over to the stone yard?

I went over to the stone yard, Grandpa, 'cause you asked me to.

And if you want a tombstone...

you're just gonna have to pick out your own

when you get better.

John-Boy.

John-Boy!

That's not right, looks like an elephant wearing a hat.

It's supposed to be Chance.

-John-Boy? -Yes, honey?

This looks like Chance, doesn't it?

What?

Well, doesn't it?

Chance?

Well, it could look like Chance, sort of.

Could you help me?

I'm making it for Grandpa, but I can't do it right.

Why don't you ask your mama?

She knows a lot about that painting stuff.

She said she would after supper, but I'm in a hurry.

Why?

'Cause she thinks Grandpa's going to die.

Jim-Bob.

-Is he? -Of course he's not.

Well, he looks so sad all the time.

He's sort of.... He's sort of....

-That's what's he's like. -I know.

I wish I knew what to do about it.

If I was big and strong, I'd carry him up to the mountaintop.

That would make him better.

Maybe it would.

We'll think of something.

-You know what we could do? -Yeah, tear up my painting.

Take that old tent in the barn and Grandpa could live in it.

It'd be like living on Walton's Mountain,

all he'd have to do is look under the flap, and he'd see it.

It's a good idea, but nobody would listen to us.

John-Boy would.

-What are you up to, Son? -Daddy.

Elizabeth and Jim-Bob came up with an idea that's not bad.

Grandpa's not getting any better cooped up in that room of his.

I know. We got no choice.

Well, the children thought if we brought him outside...

and put him in this tent here.

Turn the flaps up on the side so he could see the mountain...

and fill the tent with flowers and plants

and all the things he loves.

I don't know. We'd have to talk to the doctor about that.

Where were you thinking of putting it?

In the meadow behind the barn. I'd mow the grass.

Come on, Daddy.

All he needs is to come out and take a look at all this beauty

and he's not gonna let himself die.

Why don't you mow the grass? We'll see about it.

Okay.

John, I don't want any arguments.

We've come to an important decision.

Well, now see, John-Boy and I were talking about this--

John, will you let us speak first, please?

Alright, Ma, but then I have something important to say, too.

Well, Zeb's not getting any better, cooped up in that room.

As a matter of fact, he's getting worse.

Well, Zeb keeps talking about seeing the mountain...

and we think it's just about time he got to see it.

You know something, Ma? You are right.

We thought if we could get him into that old wheelchair

we got that we could wheel him onto the front porch--

What would you think about giving Pa a brand-new bedroom?

Oh, no, he's not going to any hospital.

Did I say anything about a hospital?

No.

Then hear me out. Now, sit down.

Mama, Ike says we can borrow this for as long as we need it.

That's nice of him.

Yeah, he also says that when Grandpa's better...

he'd be pleased to come and beat him at a game of checkers.

When grandpa's up to it, no one can beat him at checkers.

-Where do you want this table? -Right over here.

-And put some flowers on it. -Okay.

Grandma, I can't get this corner to lay flat.

Bring this up here, fold those under, bring it back down.

That's what I did, but it still won't lay flat.

I picked some daisies and some of those purply flowers...

that Grandpa loves so much.

-Where shall I put them? -Put them on the nightstand.

That way he can look at them all the time.

Elizabeth, let's put them in here.

Looks beautiful.

-What do you think, everybody? -It's gorgeous.

-Looks real nice. -Looks alright to me.

Before you go get Zeb, well, I'd just like to say...

well, thank you...

and wait till your grandpa sees this.

Well, we better go get him.

You stay here now, give him a welcome.

Hello, John.

Just dropped in to take a look at your pa.

What in the world is that?

I'm glad you dropped by, I wanted to share our plans.

We're gonna move Pa outside.

Yeah, that's an old tent a bunch of carnival people left.

We fixed it like a bedroom, it has his favorite things.

I don't think any of you understand the seriousness

of Mr. Walton's condition.

I know I stressed the importance of keeping his spirits up...

at this point, I feel his health would be endangered...

if he was moved even as far as your living room.

That tent's out of the question.

John, he's not much better than he was right after his attack.

See if you can get him to eat something.

Alright, Doc. Thank you.

-I'll take the tent down. -I'll give you a hand.

-Better go tell the children. -No, no.

I won't let you take that old tent down.

We're going to move Zeb out there.

But Grandma, we can't do that, you heard what the doctor said.

I know what he said, but I also know your grandpa.

And if we leave him in that dark room...

he's just gonna wither up and die,

just as sure as I'm standing by this couch.

I don't think so.

The doctor knows about heart conditions.

He knows about other people's heart conditions.

But I think I know more about Zeb's heart than anybody.

I've been a part of it for 51 years...

and that old man's heart needs more than four walls to mend.

It needs the sky and the mountain.

And I think we better take a chance on what I know.

Or it's going to be too late.

Please.

Alright, Ma. We'll move him.

What's that thing for?

Pa, I want you to sit up and put your legs

over the edge of the bed.

Oh, I'm too tired.

-Pa, try, please. -I am too tired.

We're gonna take you out of here and get you some fresh air.

-What does the doctor say? -He says we shouldn't do it.

What does Esther say?

She said she knows your heart better than Dr. McIvers does...

and we ought to give it a chance. Now, come on.

Easy, Pa, easy.

Wait a minute, wait a minute, easy.

-John-Boy? -Yeah?

Come in here and give us a hand.

-Everything alright? -Yeah.

We're gonna get your grandpa out of here.

Here you go. Now, Pa, take it easy.

Feet on the floor. Okay. I got him.

Easy, easy does it.

Okay, straight back.

Here. Pull him forward just a little.

Just a little more, Pa. Just sit up a little....

What a handsome day.

Looks to me like Livie's been neglecting the weeding.

I hope I can help her soon.

Plenty of weeding to be done, Pa. Anytime you're ready.

Where is everybody? You'd think somebody'd be around here...

to see my return to the world.

-Here they come. -Get off the bed.

Grandpa.

Grandpa, we couldn't bring you to the mountain...

so we brought the mountain to you.

-Where on earth are we going? -Ben, easy.

-Easy. -Here we are.

-Alright, get him into bed now. -Okay. Come on, Pa, easy.

-Come on. Here we go. -Let me take your blanket.

-Got you. Got you, we got you. -Easy. Easy. Okay, almost there.

Okay, there you go.

One more.

There you go.

Here, Grandpa.

Daisy.

Well, if it's my time...

I wouldn't mind going here.

Zeb, the time has come for living.

Need anything from the house, Grandma?

No, I'm just gonna stay here quietly with Zeb.

Let's go, come on, come on.

-Bye-bye. -Have a nice rest, Grandpa.

Bye, Grandpa.

Shh. That's enough excitement for one day.

-Good morning. -Here's your order.

-Here, Pa. Hold this, Son. -Okay.

-Sit up and have some breakfast. -Oh, I don't know.

-Here you go. Easy. -Pillow under there.

Here you go, breakfast in bed, just like the hotel.

Grits.

Ma, why don't you go and have some breakfast? We'll stay here.

No, I'd just leave stay.

Esther, you do like John says.

Your back must be stiff, sitting up in that chair all night.

Well, I'll be back in half an hour.

You behave yourself while I'm gone, old man.

Alright, Ma, go ahead.

We'll watch him.

-Orange juice, Pa? -Orange juice.

Go ahead, take some.

I'll do that, Grandma. You just relax.

He breathed so heavy all night, Livie.

Maybe we were wrong.

It was his first night, Grandma. We expected him to be tired.

Livie, did you ever stay awake all night, listening?

Wondering if the last breath you heard would be the last?

You know, I just put every other sound right out of my mind.

I....

You know, all the night sounds when we're sitting on the porch

and we're looking forward to hearing?

Well, I just wouldn't permit them.

I only let the sound of Zeb's breathing come in.

It was the longest night of my life.

Grandma, you've got to get some rest.

No, not now. I've gotta get out to the tent.

Mama! Grandma! Will you look at this?

He ate every bite on the tray.

John-Boy, go turn down the covers on Grandma's bed.

-Yes, ma'am. -I think she's gonna rest now.

I think it's ridiculous that we only put 10 candles on the cake.

Well, there wasn't room for 73.

We should've at least filled the top. This is ridiculous.

It's not even like a birthday.

Will you girls stop bickering?

This is much too special a time for things like that.

Who's gonna start Happy Birthday?

I'll start--

Okay, now wait a minute, I have to go first, I've got the cake.

* Happy birthday to you *

* Happy birthday to you *

* Happy birthday dear Grandpa *

* Happy birthday to you *

It's high time. You're almost two weeks late, you know.

Happy birthday, Grandpa.

I think this is gonna be about the happiest birthday I've had.

There was a while I didn't think I was gonna make it.

You're gonna live to be 100, Zeb.

It's a fact. I'm a tough old rooster.

Yeah, Grandpa.

Hey, hey, what's going on here?

-Boy, would I like to go there. -Maybe you will, one day.

"Tahiti is an island in the South Pacific.

"It is 3,600 miles from California...

"and 2,300 miles from New Zealand.

"The major industries are coconuts, coffee...

"and cocoa, and fishing."

Fishing. Esther, how did you do it?

John-Boy got the school to lend him the whole shebang.

Boy, look at that.

-Not you, Ben. You're too young. -"This lovely bather...

"is only three minutes from the road

"but she enjoys complete seclusion.

"Except from the photographer."

-Lucky fella. -Behave yourself.

That'd be the place to live. It's pure heaven on earth.

"The dances portray activities such as fishing...

"fighting, or flirting."

And so my grandfather was to recover

and to grow strong again

to savor the coming and going of the seasons...

the blossoming of the peach trees in spring...

the turning leaves of autumn...

and always to enjoy the growth of his sprawling brood

of grandchildren...

as we were growing up on Walton's Mountain.

-Grandpa? -Yes, Elizabeth?

Is your heart alright now?

Well, alright now. It's beating like all thunder.

Are you having another heart attack?

No, your grandma just kissed me.

You old fool.