Original subtitles

Hazel Lamphere.

Don't look so surprised. I'm actually a very good teacher.

You just don't look like our usual teachers.

- What'd you expect? - Warts.

(LAUGHS)

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

(WHISTLES)

Being a father just comes natural to you.

When you see that little creature, how much it needs you, you'll feel strong.

Cindy and I should've waited. I'm just not ready.

If you waited till you were ready, you'd be a white-haired old man like me.

I have to go to the hospital!

- Now? - This minute.

- But the baby's not due yet, is it? - Try and tell the baby that.

- Where's Ben? - He's not home yet.

I wish that we had years of adventures to share,

but we still have a couple of months.

You lied to me.

You said we were going to go to New York together, and you never meant it.

You say you love me, but you don't.

You said that the world was beautiful, but it's ugly.

You lie.

JOHN-BOY: In each of our lives, if we are lucky,

we encounter a few extraordinary people who forever alter our perceptions

and color our thoughts. They become the touchstones of our lives.

In the spring of 1944, m y sister, Elizabeth,

came to know one of these special people.

- MAN: Here you are. - Thank you.

Oh, blast it. Direct hit. Wonderful.

The bus broke down twice, the woman traveling next to me

was with a molting chicken, and now this.

What do you think of the combination of mohair, mud and feathers?

I don't suppose there's a dry-cleaning shop handy?

- I'm afraid not. - How about a taxicab?

- You could try Rockfish. - I did. That's where I got the bus.

Well, why don't you tell me where you're going,

and maybe I can help you with your bags?

Well, I'm not actually sure. Where is the schoolteacher's house?

- You're the new teacher? - Hazel Lamphere.

Don't look so surprised. I'm a very good teacher.

Oh, Miss Lamphere, here, let me take your bags.

Please call me Hazel, except in the classroom.

- How about telling me your name? - Oh, Elizabeth Walton.

You just don't look like our usual teachers.

- What'd you expect? - Warts.

(LAUGHS)

First word is "arithmetic." Arithmetic.

A-R-I-T-T-H-E-M-A-T-T-I-C? Wrong?

It's very simple. "A rat in the house might eat the ice cream."

Now, the first letter of every word in that sentence

- makes the proper spelling. - Hi, Rose. Hi, Jeffrey.

Hi. You know something? I wish you'd be our new teacher,

'cause the last one we had was a real jerk. J-E-R-K.

I'm going to Godsey's. I have a craving for pistachio nuts and pigs' feet.

- Can I get you anything? - Yes, yes.

We could use some more lemons

if we're going to have lemonade for the baby shower.

Okay. Be glad to. See you later. Bye-bye.

- Is Cindy's baby gonna get rained on? - No, no.

A "shower" is a party given to celebrate the coming of the blessed event.

Us gals are going to have a party for Cindy next week,

and then you menfolk will have a party for Ben.

Is that when we're going to get the baby?

No, the baby comes a few weeks after that.

Where's it arriving from?

I don't think you'd find that very interesting.

- Yes, I would. - It's like this. In a few weeks,

- Cindy will be off to the hospital. - Then what?

Well, then, the doctor will come around to see her, and...

You know the black bag a doctor carries?

Well, he'll take the baby out of the bag and give it to Cindy.

- That's it? - Pretty close.

- Now, let's spell "geography." - Is there a trick way to spell that?

Yes. George Ellen's old grandpa rode a pig home yesterday.

HAZEL: Home sweet home. I like it.

- Here we are. - Oh, it's nice.

- Except for that painting. What a horror. - Don't you like it?

It's from the Corabeth Godsey Private Collection of Art. Corabeth's very refined.

Being refined is no guarantee of good taste though, is it?

- Not with Corabeth. - Come on, old Cupid, down off your perch.

(EXHALES)

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm just a little tired from that walk, I think.

- What are those? - Oh, nothing important. Just aspirin.

Let's unpack.

- Where did you get this? - In Thailand.

- What were you doing in Thailand? - Riding the rickshaws

and going to see all the temples. I was on my way around the world.

Certainly sounds a lot more fun than teaching.

It's just a different kind of fun. I love working with young people.

I've always thought of a teacher as the enemy.

There seems to be a lot of that going around these days.

But I always feel that, for me, my students become a kind of family.

It's the only family I've got. Do you have brothers and sisters?

Bunches. That reminds me. I'd better be getting home. It's about suppertime.

CORABETH: Yoo-hoo!

Miss Lamphere!

- It's Corabeth Godsey. - Cupid lady?

Mmm-hmm.

It's too bad you didn't like her picture. She's liable to stay mad

- at that for a long time. - I can handle her. You run on home.

- Hi, Corabeth. Bye. - Goodbye.

How do you do? You must be Miss Lamphere. I am Corabeth Godsey.

I'm very glad to meet you. Thank you so much for the job.

Well, it was not entirely my selection.

However, I must admit that a great deal of the responsibility

from the Board of Education does fall on my shoulders.

My, you are much younger than I ever expected.

Well, I trust that I was given the position because of my qualifications, not my age.

Well, how do you like your accommodation?

Oh dear. Now, I am sure I told Mr. Godsey to hang that up.

Well, he did. I took it down.

There just isn't enough room here for both me and Cupid. Thank you anyway.

Well, it's such a pity that you don't appreciate art.

- I, myself, find it so inspiring. - Oh, so do I.

But, I guess my tastes seem to run in a different direction.

I think I have an abstract print I'm going to hang instead.

Oh, dear. One of those decadent moderns.

- Well, I suppose it is your decision. - I suppose so.

(ALL CHATTERING)

- JOHN: Elizabeth, you're late for supper. - I'm sorry.

- Guess what I've been doing today? - JIM-BOB: Making eyes at a soldier.

Visiting the new schoolteacher. She needed help unpacking.

- What's her name, Elizabeth? - Hazel Lamphere. It's French.

She's really nice. She's pretty, too. She's been around the world.

Sounds like you've taken quite a fancy to her, honey.

I have. I think she likes me, too.

(BELL RINGING)

(ALL CHATTERING)

(WHISTLES)

Good morning. I'm Miss Lamphere. It's an odd name, so let me spell it for you.

I know we'll all get along better if from now on

I can use my energies for teaching, and not for whistling.

Also, all paper airplanes and any other missiles

have been grounded for the duration of my stay.

I'm here because I love to teach. But I suspect that most of you are here

because your parents told you you had to come. Right?

Okay. Then why don't you tell me some of the reasons you don't like school?

Come on, I'm not going to grade you on this. Yes?

- It's boring. - All right, fair enough.

And I'm going to try to do something about that.

So, for your first homework assignment, I want each of you

to write on a piece of paper some subjects that interest you.

And then I will find some time each day to study these things with you.

- Any questions? - How about cowboys?

Cowboys are great. Also cowgirls.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Now, this is an interesting subject. A snake.

Green with some stripes, non-venomous. He's very beautiful, in a way.

He's also very slippery. I don't know much else about him,

but I do know that his natural habitat is not the schoolroom.

So, from now on, the only living creatures to be in this room are human beings.

Got that? Good.

(JEFFREY LAUGHING)

Even Jim-Bob likes you and he's never liked a teacher before.

That's quite a compliment.

- Where do you think I should hang this? - What is it?

- It's modern art. - That's art?

I'll have you know that the original is hanging in a museum in New York City.

- It's just lines and colors. - It's called abstract art.

- I like it, I think. - Me, too.

But you know, a lot of people don't. They think anybody can paint this.

- Babies, monkeys. - Not you?

No. I think it's going to endure, like all important art.

You certainly know a lot about it.

Well, I used to live in the museums in New York. They have rooms and rooms

full of magnificent artworks. Some very new, and some hundreds of years old.

You know, I've never even been to one museum.

Then you should put that on your list of things to do.

- You have a list? - Of course.

I remember when I first started it. At the top of the list was, "To ride a camel."

- Have you? - Here, hold this.

Yes, in Egypt. The camel's name was Nefertiti,

and it was the bumpiest ride I've ever had.

I know now why they call camels the ships of the desert.

I was seasick most of the time, but I loved it. That's good.

You know, you can even make being sick sound like fun.

Oh, well, I've had my share of dull moments,

but I try to make every experience an adventure.

Maybe you could show me the museums.

We could go to New York together this summer.

Well, summer's a long way off to be making plans already.

Yeah, but I need time to save money.

You have plenty of time, and New York will always be there.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Miss Lamphere? I'm John Walton.

- Hello, nice to meet you. - Hi, Daddy.

Honey, we've been looking all over for you. You know what time it is?

- Is it late? - It's after 6:00.

I'm sorry. We were talking about modern art.

I apologize, Mr. Walton. I thought Elizabeth had called you.

I meant to, but I forgot. The afternoon went very fast.

Well, let's go. Modern art can wait till tomorrow, can't it?

Of course. Art endures.

You know, Daddy, I've been thinking about becoming a teacher.

When did that happen?

I think when she discovered you didn't have to have warts.

- Bye-bye, Hazel. - Bye. Nice to have met you.

- Bye-bye, nice to have met you. - Good night.

Good night.

(CLASSICAL MUSIC PLA YING ON RADIO)

(INAUDlBLE)

HAZEL: What was that? ELIZABETH: That was Rover.

HAZEL: You cannot tell me Rover is a dog.

ELIZABETH: No, Rover is Jim-Bob's peacock.

- He runs wild now. - What would you be, if you were a bird?

A bird? I've never really thought about it.

Well, just supposing.

Well, I suppose I could be an eagle. I'd be the boss.

I can be a nightingale. They sing so beautifully, and I just don't.

- What about you? - The phoenix.

- Phoenix. I've never heard of them. - There's only one in the world.

It lives for hundreds of years, and then it builds a funeral pyre made of branches

- and leaps into the flames. - It kills itself?

Yeah, well, hold on. This is the best part. It then rises from the ashes,

- young and resurrected. - I change my vote to the phoenix.

- I'd like to live forever. - Oh, but we do. Even if our bodies die,

bits of us live on, in others, in our friends.

- Still, I'd rather rise from ashes. - Me, too.

(ALL LAUGHING)

I've never seen anything like it.

The lady at the store said it's one of a kind.

- I can believe it. - My, what an unusual gift.

I think it's cute. And I like it.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

ELIZABETH: I'll get it.

(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)

Everybody, this is Hazel Lamphere. She's the new schoolteacher.

- ALL: Hi! - Hey, there.

- How do you do? - It is our pleasure. I do so admire you.

I've always had a secret wish to be a schoolteacher.

- MISS MAMIE: As have I, Miss Lamphere. - What could you teach?

Oh, Sister was first in her class in elocution.

And Emily is an expert in etiquette.

Well, perhaps you'd care to address the class one day?

We'd be delighted, wouldn't we, Sister?

Congratulations, Cindy. This is for you and the baby.

And this is a rum cake for the rest of us.

The demon rum.

I think you overestimate the cake.

MARY ELLEN: Why don't we get some plates?

- Okay. Is this from you? - Yes!

There're some plates in the cupboard.

- I gather the rum cake was a mistake. - Only with Corabeth.

It looks good. I can't wait to try it.

- Hazel? What's wrong? - Just a little dizzy.

Don't tell the others. Corabeth will think I've been dipping into the demon rum.

- Have you seen a doctor? - It's nothing serious.

- This is from Sister and me. - Oh, thanks.

It's been in our family since we were babies.

- Corabeth. - Oh, thank you.

(MUSIC PLAYS)

- It's a music box. - Oh, isn't that a charming gift?

I have always felt that an infant was never too young

- to start learning to appreciate music. - I loved it as a baby myself.

(GASPS)

I just felt the baby kick. In time to the music.

(ALL LAUGHING)

- JOHN: Well, well, look at that. - That's great, Jim-Bob.

The lady at the store said it was the only one of its kind. It's unique.

- It should be, for my baby. - It's real nice, Jim-Bob.

Anybody want any more of the Recipe?

- Sure, sure. - Not you, Jeffrey.

I think we better drink it up before Corabeth gets back.

- This is like a bachelor party. - Well, you know, why not?

Because we didn't have a chance to give you one when you were a free man.

The only thing that's missing is the girl coming out of the cake.

You know, I considered that, but I thought it would be more appropriate

- if we had a stork coming out. - Why a stork?

Because the stork brings the baby, of course.

I always thought that the doctor brought him in the black bag.

- Drink your orange juice, son. - Oh, Ben, here's something practical.

I like those wrappings there, Ike.

- I did it all myself. - BEN: It's the thought that counts.

At any rate, that's a first aid kit. And it's got stuff in there for convulsions

and for croup, and it's got all sorts of instructions.

- I thought it'd come in handy for you. - JOHN: Anything for colic?

- Thanks, Ike. It's really nice. - I got one more thing here for you, son.

I bet it's money.

I opened up a bank account for my grandchild.

- You can fill in the first name later. - Thanks, Daddy, that's real thoughtful.

It's not much money, but... Oh, it's not going to pay a dental bill

or a college education, but it's a start.

I guess I have to think about those things, huh?

Yes, you do, son.

Come on, Ben, drink up, for in a few tomorrows, you're going to be a father.

Ike says so. He says they come from the storks.

But there aren't any storks around here, and there are plenty of babies.

Well, how about the doctor's black bag?

Nana told me that's where they come from.

She's wrong, too. They come from the cabbage patch.

- Who told you that? - My mother, and she should know.

- That's where she found me. - You're both wrong.

(SHUSHING) What is all the shouting about?

The older children are still in school.

Jeffrey thinks a baby comes from black bags,

and Lauren thinks they come from cabbage patches, but I know the truth.

It's in the mama's stomach. That's why Cindy's so fat.

- You mean the baby is in there? - Well, the baby is inside Cindy,

but it's in a special place just for babies.

How does the baby get out?

It squeezes through the mama's bellybutton.

Hold it. That idea belongs with the cabbage patch theory.

- But that's what I was told. - I'm sorry, it's wrong.

How would you all like it if we had a class all about how babies are born?

- Yeah. - Can we still have a class about cowboys?

Certainly, but after the baby class.

Cowboys were not born in the saddle, you know. Okay, scoot on home.

- Hi, everybody. - ALL: Hello, Jeffrey.

Hey, what do you think of your new teacher?

I like her. She says a lot of interesting things, and she's not afraid of snakes.

What sort of interesting things?

Today she told us that Cindy's baby was inside Cindy.

You got it all wrong, Nana. They don't come from black bags.

Well, I just thought maybe you were too young to understand.

Did she tell you anything else about babies?

Nope. She's saving the rest to teach us in class. Beat you home, Nana.

See you, Jeffrey.

Oh, dear. First it was rum cakes and modern art,

and now it's lessons in childbirth. What are we to do?

Well, I guess from now on, we better start teaching the children the truth ourselves.

Why, the parents should be warned. Now that woman should be dismissed.

- Well, then, who'd you find to teach? - Why, you don't have to look very far.

I am as qualified as anyone in this backwater.

Oh, dear.

- If it's a girl, I'd call it Anastasia. - Sounds like some kind of medicine.

- What about Sarah? - No, thank you.

- I like Frank. - Or Manfred. Sounds manly.

- Tom isn't bad. - What about Karen?

BEN: Now that I like.

Yeah, Ben used to have an old girlfriend named Karen.

Well, I think we'll forget about that one.

JIM-BOB: Elizabeth would probably want to name it Hazel.

- Oh, dear. - What's wrong with that?

Oh, it's not that. It's just that Hazel's got herself in hot water.

- Well, what happened? - JIM-BOB Corabeth found out

she's teaching a class on childbirth. Now she's on the warpath.

- BEN: Poor Hazel. - And it's all my fault.

If only I had told Jeffrey the truth. But, you know, when children

begin to ask ticklish questions, it gets very difficult. Now you wait and see.

Our baby won't be asking too many questions for a while.

ROSE: Well, at Jeffrey's age they're curious as cats,

which is healthy for them but awkward for us.

When our kids start asking questions, I'm going to send them to Daddy.

- You'll be fine. - BEN: Oh, sure. Man-to-man talks?

- Unless it's a daughter. - How about Isabel or Reginald?

Reginald? With a name like that, he'll probably get enlisted

- into the Foreign Legion. - You guys keep on thinking.

- I have to go make a delivery in Rockfish. - Are you going to be back by dinner?

- I'll try, but don't count on it. Bye-bye. - Bye-bye.

(WHISTLING)

Hello. If you were a goldfinch flying by, would you be interested in this birdfeeder?

I desperately long to see some goldfinches and I hear they do come around.

Depends upon what kind of birdfeed you got.

I have got seed that even a gourmet bird could not resist.

- What's on your mind? - It's Corabeth.

- She's out to get you. - Sounds serious.

She found out about your class on childbirth

and she's going to try and stop you.

- Oh, no, she's won't. - You don't know her. She's impossible.

I can get pretty stubborn, myself, you know.

- You can't fight her. - Then what should I do?

Tell her you won't do the class.

- I can't do that. - She's gonna try and get you fired.

Trying is not succeeding.

But I want you here. I don't want you to go.

Elizabeth, we will be friends no matter where I am.

I also want you here so I can learn how to teach from you.

Then the first thing you better learn is that

you've got to stick fast to your principles.

Well, you could say that you've changed your mind,

and that you don't have time to teach that stuff.

I'd be lying.

And worse, I'd be letting narrow-minded people like Corabeth push me around

- and tell me what I can teach. - Learning about babies isn't so important.

What is important is that I'm able to teach what I choose.

And that means that the parents have to trust me,

and understand that I would never teach something harmful.

- Corabeth could win. - Possibly,

but sometimes in life, we've gotta take chances.

You've gotta make a stand for something you believe in.

And if you run away from it, then you'll hurt something inside yourself.

- You understand that? - I guess.

Listen, there are always going to be dragons around us in life.

And when a dragon, even a small one, starts to breathe fire,

then we gotta stop it.

And sometimes, you get burned trying.

- Corabeth can be quite a dragon. - And I am going to muzzle her.

- I wish I could help you. - Well, you can.

How about asking Mary Ellen for some medical books about birth?

I want to make sure that I've got all my facts straight.

Maybe you could teach the class with such complicated words

that nobody could understand you.

- Elizabeth Walton. - Okay, you win.

That's the spirit.

Easy, son. Easy.

- Ben, will you pay attention, please? - I'm sorry, Daddy. My mind's on things.

- It's sure not on your work. - I'm just not cut out to be a father.

A little late to be thinking about that now, son.

Just never thought there were so many serious things,

like talks, college, dentists, the croup.

Whoa, whoa. Like I've been trying to tell you,

you don't have to worry about all those things at once.

First you get the little thing out of its diapers. You take the rest as it comes.

Being a father just comes natural to you.

Ben, after 25 years of on-the-job training, it does come easier.

It can get rough sometimes. You'll catch on, Ben.

I just wish I had your confidence.

When you see how much that little thing needs you, you'll feel real strong.

Cindy and I should've waited. I'm just not ready.

If you waited till you were ready you'd be a white-haired old man like me.

The way I'm feeling right now, I'm going to be a white-haired young man.

Ben, it's gonna be all right, son.

- Thank you, Corabeth. Oh, dear. - Thank you.

I don't think I'm gonna ever get used to this rationing.

Yes. It does cause one to lead a more circumscribed life.

- It certainly does. - Thank you.

- Good afternoon, ladies. - Oh, Miss Lamphere.

Hello, Miss Lamphere.

Miss Lamphere, if there's something that you require,

- you must wait your turn. - Well, actually I came to see you,

but I'm glad Miss Emily and Miss Mamie are here, also.

I want to invite you all to school this Monday.

Well, I do hope that you have reconsidered

teaching childbirth in the public school system.

Well, I haven't.

And I'm counting on you to tell the other parents that they're invited.

I remember after Ashley Longworth kissed me,

Papa gave us a book about what every young lady should know.

And that's the last time the subject was ever brought up.

Well, then, do come to my class.

- May we ask questions? - And get some answers?

Certainly, I hope so.

And, Corabeth, if you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them for you.

- Bye-bye. - MISS MAMIE: Bye.

(CLASSICAL MUSIC PLA YING ON RADIO)

Hazel?

Hazel, it's Mary Ellen. I brought the medical books.

Hazel, are you here?

(TURNS OFF RADIO)

Hazel.

Hazel?

Hazel?

Hazel. What happened?

Oh...

Oh, it's just a headache. I must have fainted.

- Some headache. You were out cold. - Did you bring those medical books?

- I'm taking you to see a doctor. - Oh, thank you, no.

- I think you need one. - Please, Mary Ellen.

Well, if you won't go see one, I'll bring one here to you.

(SIGHS)

It's stupid to try to fool you.

I've already been examined by a doctor, many doctors.

And they all say the same thing.

I'm going to die. Three, four months. No longer.

Why didn't you tell us?

If you could only see your expression.

I don't want to spend the little time I have left

seeing only pity in people's eyes.

What is it?

The poetic name for it is acoustic neuroma.

- A brain tumor? - I've always hated the way that sounds.

Will you keep my secret?

- What about Elizabeth? - I dread telling her.

Don't underestimate her. She is a young woman, not a little girl.

Let's get to those books of yours.

Why did you come here if you have so little time left?

Because I needed to teach, and Walton's Mountain needed a teacher.

I want to open my students' eyes to the wonder of ideas

and the wonder of this Earth. And if one student, just Elizabeth,

learns from me to treasure or challenge life a little more,

then I will have put back into the world

some of the joy and excitement I've known,

and my life will have been of some value. Does that make sense to you?

- How about another? - It's about time to close up.

You a family man?

- No. Single, and like it that way. - Thank you.

Yeah. I sometimes miss being single, myself.

- The missus giving you a hard time? - Cindy? She's wonderful. The best.

That's why you're in here drowning your sorrows, huh?

I'm going to be a father soon. Do I look old enough to be a father?

Hmm...

I don't feel like I am. It's hard being a parent.

Got a whole other life that's dependent on you.

- It's too much. - That's why I'm a bachelor.

Well, I better be getting home to the diapers, the college tuition,

bills for the braces, the colds, the coughs...

(SHUDDERS)

- You better have another one for the road. - Now, that's a good idea.

(BANGING AT DOOR)

CINDY: John!

John, I have to go to the hospital.

I have to go to the hospital.

- Now? - This minute.

- But the baby's not due yet, is it? - Try and tell the baby that.

- Where's Ben? - He's not home yet.

- What time is it? - It's after 3:00.

We can't worry about him now. Okay. Get ready. Come on, go ahead. Let's go.

Mary Ellen! Come on, Mary Ellen!

- Hazel. - Elizabeth. What's happened?

- Cindy's gone to the hospital. - The baby's come.

We don't know that yet. They left in the middle of the night.

- Oh, God. I hope it's a girl. - The father probably hopes it's a boy.

That's true. What do you want to have if you have your first child? Boys or girls?

(HAZEL STUTTERS)

- I'm not going to be having children. - Why not? You love children.

It's not that simple.

Elizabeth, there's a problem, and I'd like to tell you about it.

Sounds like a pretty big fire-breathing dragon.

The very biggest. And he's gonna win.

I want you to know about this because I love you.

- I'm dying, Elizabeth. - You're not serious.

I am. I'm sorry.

I don't believe you.

I wish that we had years of adventures to share,

but we still have a couple of months.

(STUTTERS)

You can get better. I mean, new medicines?

No. No, Elizabeth.

This is what is, and I cannot run away from it.

Now, let's just try to enjoy the time we have together.

How?

We were going to go to New York together.

But you must still go. It's on your list. You don't need me there.

You lied to me.

You said we were going to go to New York together, and you never meant it.

You say you love me, but you don't.

You said that the world was beautiful but it's ugly.

You lie.

Elizabeth. Elizabeth, wait! Elizabeth, stop. Wait! Listen to me!

Elizabeth!

- Daddy, is Cindy all right? - Where have you been, son?

Had a little too much to drink last night, so I slept in the truck.

Rose told me you were here.

She's doing fine. She's a little upset. Worried about you.

- Can I see her? - She's right inside, waiting for you.

- Cindy? - Hi.

I'm so sorry.

All of a sudden I got scared of being a father.

I tried to run away.

- I needed you last night. - I know.

And I need you now. Always.

- Please forgive me? - I already have.

You know, I've been pretty scared about being a mother.

But with you with me, I'm sure we'll both be fine.

- Cindy, where's the baby? - It's already been born, silly.

- Where is it? How is it? Is it all right? - She's perfect.

- She? - You have a daughter.

- You don't mind? - Are you crazy?

If she's anything like her mother, I'll be the happiest father on Earth.

(DOOR OPENING)

Congratulations, Daddy.

- She's so tiny. - CINDY: Don't be afraid. She won't break.

(EXCLAIMS)

Look at the little fingers and fingernails.

She came with a full set.

Now that we have her, what are we going to name her?

I've been thinking.

I'd like to name her after the most beautiful and special place I know.

- Virginia. - I love it.

Virginia Walton, how do you like that?

Here's your mama now.

We're going to take the best care of you any baby ever had.

- That sure is one beautiful baby. - Well, not any more than John Curtis was.

Well, let's just say it's the most beautiful granddaughter I've ever had.

Oh, well, that's playing it safe.

Serena and Elizabeth ought to be happy. They were rooting for a baby girl.

Elizabeth could use some good news about now.

Something happen?

I think I better tell you about it. It's about Hazel.

ERIN: They're here!

Is it a boy or a girl?

Well?

Where's Elizabeth? She'll want to hear this.

Oh, she's acting very strangely. She hardly touched her lunch,

and then she went for a walk, all by her lonesome.

- We'll tell her about the baby later. - Well, tell us about it now.

- Ben and Cindy had a baby girl. - It's a girl?

Not "it." Virginia, Virginia Walton.

(ERIN CHEERING)

ERIN: I win, because I said we'd call her Ginny.

You're up late.

(JASON SIGHS)

Daddy told me about Hazel. It must've been a big shock and hurt.

Why'd she come here like that?

Pretending we were gonna be friends for always?

You are.

You're probably as deep friends now as many years would have made you.

But we don't have many years.

I wish I'd never met her.

You remember my friend Seth, who gave me this?

I remember. He died.

When he gave me this recorder,

I couldn't even play it, I was so mad at him.

You know why? 'Cause I felt like he was deserting me.

But he really wasn't. 'Cause I still have my memories of him.

That's the part of Hazel that'll live on with you.

And the things she's taught you.

Your new love of art. And your interest in teaching.

Seems to me she's given you some lasting gifts.

- Except for herself. - That wasn't hers to give.

Looks like you've got quite a crowd here.

Had I known, I would've charged admission.

That way, if I'm fired, at least I'd have a nest egg.

- I can feel the hostility from here. - I'm on your side.

If you get any questions you can't answer, call on me.

Thanks.

- Where's Elizabeth? - She wouldn't come. I'm sorry.

Me, too. For myself and for her.

Well, I guess it's time to face the dragons.

- Good luck. - Thanks.

Good morning, everyone.

Today I'm going to talk about how babies come into this world.

If any of you have any questions, please feel free to raise your hands.

- Miss Lamphere? - Yes, Corabeth?

Birth education has never been taught in our public school system.

And I, for one, am very opposed to the addition of it now.

Well, normally, I feel that this is a subject

that should be explained by the parents.

Precisely my point.

However, several of my students seem to have been misinformed.

Cindy Walton gave birth to a baby girl this past weekend.

And I feel sure that all the Waltons here now

will vouch for me when I say that none of them spent the weekend

scouring cabbage patches or waiting for the stork.

It's time that we start answering the children's questions honestly.

Because if we don't, they'll turn elsewhere for the answers.

- I always liked the one about the stork. - HAZEL: Please, Jim-Bob. Just questions.

Now I believe that the birth of a child is a very intimate and personal event.

But it is also a magnificent process designed by God.

And we should be in wonder of it, not ashamed or embarrassed.

If any of you feel otherwise, please, speak up.

Good.

Now, inside every woman is a special place called the womb or uterus.

It's shaped like an upside-down pear, and is very much the same size.

This is the baby's first home,

where it lives and grows, safe and warm, for nine months.

- Yes, Jeffrey? - Isn't it a bit too small?

Well, when life begins, the baby is so small

that you can't even see it in the womb.

But as the baby grows, the womb stretches to fit the baby,

much like a glove stretches when you slip your hand inside it.

- You sick, honey? - No.

Honey, it's not right to mourn for Hazel when she's still alive.

I just want to forget all about her.

This is not the time to be feeling sorry for yourself.

- I love her. - Then show her.

Remember how you felt when Grandpa died?

How you never said goodbye to him? You have that chance with Hazel now.

Elizabeth.

You and Hazel have chosen each other to be friends.

That means you have to be friends in bad times, too.

It's important to try to make her feel happy, honey.

No matter how much it hurts.

- I don't know how. - You'll find a way, because she needs you.

- It's not fair. - I know.

I know.

Oh, Miss Lamphere, you have neglected to mention how important it is

that the expectant mother have a good diet.

Good point.

Yes, the mother must be sure that the baby gets the proper nutrition.

Sometimes pregnant women have strong cravings

for very bizarre food combinations, but this is only normal and healthy.

You mean like pistachio nuts and pickled pigs' feet?

Right.

Sounds rather tasty. We should try it sometime, Sister.

Sister.

Near the end of the pregnancy, the baby begins to kick inside the mother.

Does it hurt?

No, I'm told that it's quite a wonderful feeling,

because the mother knows that the baby is anxious

to begin the adventure of life in the world outside.

I would hardly call this vale of tears an adventure.

I would.

So would I.

Life is the most extraordinary adventure we know so far.

And if we've been lucky enough to share it with friends,

then when the time comes to die,

we know we've lived fully and are ready for the next great adventure.

Now, then.

JOHN-BOY: From that da y onward, Hazel's teaching was never again questioned.

Elizabeth and Hazel's friendship grew stronger,

and even though Hazel died a few months later,

her zest for life lived on in m y sister.

- ERIN: Good night, Jeffrey. - Good night, Erin.

JEFFREY: If Virginia is your niece, is she my niece, too?

ERIN: No, she's your cousin. JEFFREY: But you're my cousin.

ERIN: So is Virginia, only she's once removed.

JEFFREY: Removed where? ERIN: One generation.

JEFFREY: What's that? ERIN: Complicated.

- Good night, Jeffrey. - Good night, Erin.

JEFFREY: Good night, Virginia.

English -SDH