Original subtitles

When I was growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains

of Virginia during the Depression

many of the things we take for granted today

back then, were luxuries.

Like going to school.

Many boys my age had to quit school

and find jobs to help support their families.

But my father and mother were determined

that each of their offspring

would graduate from high school.

Now, are there any questions about hydrochloric acid

or sulfuric acid?

Oh! Well, we can go over this tomorrow.

-I'll get it. -Thank you, John-Boy.

Are you coming by tonight?

If you're not too tired, I'd like to.

I'm tired, but your essay is more important than that.

I'll be there then. Thank you.

I think it's almost ready to send in, John-Boy.

-You do? Honest? -Honestly.

-Honestly? -Honestly.

Good. I'll see you tonight then.

-Okay, goodbye. -Bye.

-John-Boy. -Reverend.

Good afternoon, Miss Hunter.

Good afternoon, Reverend Fordwick.

This is a very pleasant room in which to learn.

Yes, thank you!

Come on, Ben. Hand them over.

But Naomi, you said I could carry them.

-I changed my mind, Ben. -But why?

You know, if we fight, Ben, I'll lick you.

Maybe you can carry my books home tomorrow, Ben.

Come on, Naomi.

I'm sure the children would be delighted

to provide the singing for the picnic.

That's splendid.

-Miss Hunter? -Yes?

Miss Hunter,

may I have permission to call on you this evening?

Ben, why don't you try turning your attention to Sue Jane

or maybe that girl whose folks bought the Beggs farm?

Don't worry. I got it all figured out.

What?

How to get Naomi back from Willie Dempster!

Ben, you're....

Ben!

Now, what's gotten into you two?

It's a secret about Ben.

Well, I'm sorry it's a secret

'cause I'd like to know why that boy's been acting so mysterious.

He has been acting moody. Have you noticed that?

Ben's in love.

He's in love? Sure it's not kind of early?

Not necessarily. You were making eyes at me

when you were Ben's age.

I didn't make eyes at you, I just grabbed and kissed you.

Did he really, Mama?

Your father was always a man of action.

-Look where it got me. -Complaining?

Not so you'd notice.

You still didn't guess the secret.

I didn't know we were supposed to.

-Ben wrote a letter. -Maybe it's a love note.

He sent it to Chicago, that's not where Naomi lives.

Who could Ben be writing to in Chicago?

Maybe he's got a girl in Chicago, too.

He said it would solve all his problems.

Said he's tired of being a 97-pound weakling.

Whatever that is.

Whatever it is, he's no 97-pound weakling.

Maybe I'll just have a talk with him.

I know what you'll tell him.

You'll tell him, "Just grab her and kiss her."

-Works for me. -Says you.

Says me is right.

-Put it on my account, please. -Okay.

-Have a nice day. -You too, Mrs. Brimmer.

-Did you get it? -Yes, I got it.

You did get it. That's great.

It's postmarked Chicago,

but it doesn't say what company it's from.

If you don't mind, I'd rather not say.

It's nothing illegal, is it?

No, thanks again.

That kid!

Come on, Elizabeth.

Grab this one.

You can do it, Elizabeth. Attagirl.

Where's Daddy and Grandpa?

I don't know. They should've been home by now.

I bet he stopped by Yancy Tucker's

to sample his home brew.

Here, start to pull.

I got to get over to Miss Hunter's.

Your father should be home now.

I'd rather have you wait and take the truck.

I'm gonna take the mule.

Hard on the behind, but better for the brain.

I get my best ideas that way.

Hope if he bucks you off you land on your bottom

and not on your brain.

They're home!

What was that thing you had hidden under your shirt, Ben?

Nothing.

I saw it. It was an envelope or something.

-Erin. -We're back.

Hi, Grandpa.

-Come over here. -Hey, Grandpa.

I'm sorry we're late. What have we got here?

What kept you?

The butcher we was delivering wood to was slaughtering.

We had to wait around for a while.

I thought you was going to kiss me

instead of inspecting my breath.

Daddy, Grandpa. See you later.

Where are you off to? Miss Hunter's?

Wanna borrow the truck?

I'm going to take the mule. Thanks. Bye

-Bye, John. -Bye.

Sorry it's a little runny.

I'm real hungry. It tastes real good, honey.

Here, Grandpa. Grandpa, do you want your cobbler?

Well, I shouldn't.

I see. You fetch over another fork and we'll share it.

Okay.

-Here, Daddy. -Thank you, honey.

I think I'll send something to Miss Hunter

the next time he goes.

She's been giving him a lot of help on that essay.

Maybe an upside-down cake.

I'm sure she'd appreciate anything she gets.

Or a couple of jars of preserves.

What Miss Hunter needs is a man.

Nothing upside-down or preserved.

I know, I wasn't sure about that, either.

But that was the only way I could say it at the time.

It's just that the rest of it seems so vivid and so special

and this makes her seem

well, ordinary.

Well, she is ordinary.

It's not a bad ordinary

or an ungainly ordinary. It's more of a....

Comfortable, you know? Sincere ordinary.

Would it be stretching things to say that she was, say

beautifully ordinary or. You see what I mean, John-Boy?

See, she is ordinary. And I know this is supposed to be an essay

about the most fascinating person I've ever met.

And she is. But all the other things in the essay are true.

So.

-I understand. -You know what I mean?

I'm afraid I've been pushing you

to make everything too fascinating.

-No. -I'm sorry.

I guess I just want you to win so much.

But as you say, the important thing is that it be truthful.

Thank you.

I never could've written this essay without you.

Well, I don't know about that.

I do.

I certainly never would have had the confidence

to enter it in a contest.

That's very sweet of you to say. Thank you, John-Boy.

Miss Hunter, I'm a much better writer now

than I was when I first met you.

I know that, and I'm very grateful for it.

Even now I'd be floundering around, trying to figure.

What I mean is, without you

I would really be lost.

Just like I am now. I'd really be lost.

I'm a teacher, John-Boy.

Nothing gives me greater happiness

than being able to pass on what I know.

If it weren't for you and the other students, I'd be lost.

Who is this woman that you've written about, John-Boy?

You don't mind my asking, do you?

No. An aunt of mine who came to visit one wintertime.

What a surprise it would be if you won one of the prizes

and she came across it in the magazine.

I know. I've been sort of planning on that.

Excuse me, but Reverend Fordwick is here.

To see you, Miss Hunter.

It's about the church picnic.

Excuse me, I'll run along. Thank you very much.

We'll continue tomorrow night, John-Boy.

Goodnight.

I'll tell him to wait in the parlor.

-Thank you. -Evening, Reverend.

Evening, John-Boy. You startled me.

Sorry. I didn't....

Reverend, she'll just be a few minutes.

Will you wait in the parlor, please?

Certainly.

-Hey, Ben. What are you doing? -Nothing.

I didn't touch anything in your room.

That's okay.

I would've stayed in the bathroom,

but Erin kept pounding on the door.

She wanted to know what I was doing.

-Well, you know Erin. -Yeah.

It's getting a little late.

Maybe you'd better get on to bed.

I sent for it. Cost 62 cents with postage.

See.

Up to Lesson One.

-This right? -Yeah, that's right.

How long do I have to hold it like this?

You hold it till you can't stand it, and then some.

-That's hard. -I know.

But it's guaranteed to work. And when it does

I'm gonna knock Willie Dempster's block off.

You think that's gonna make a difference to Naomi?

Sure.

I wouldn't know. I've never been much for fighting

or knocking people's blocks off.

This is in case he picks on me.

It's gonna take you an awful long time

to get to look like this, don't you think?

I can feel it already. See? Stronger.

Do you think I can use your room to practice in?

-I reckon you better. -Thanks, John-Boy.

-Goodnight, Ben. -Goodnight.

Just that I thought that the church choir

would be singing the spiritual songs,

and my children might be better suited

to sing songs about nature and beauty.

What do you think.

What? What?

Excuse me.

-It's way past my bedtime. -I was just leaving.

We were just finishing, Mrs. Brimmer.

Don't stop your visit under my account, Reverend Fordwick.

Goodnight, Rosemary. Goodnight, Reverend Fordwick.

-Goodnight, Mrs. Brimmer. -Goodnight, Mrs. Brimmer.

-I'll see you on Sunday. -I'll be there.

-Rosemary. -Yes?

Excuse me, I don't mean to be forward. It's just that

Rosemary is such a pretty name. Nice and old-fashioned.

Why, thank you.

It is late.

I must be going.

I'm afraid we haven't settled anything.

I'll leave it up to you, Miss Hunter.

Whatever songs you think best will be fine with me, I'm sure.

Well, thank you, Reverend Fordwick.

That's quite alright.

-Matthew. -I beg your pardon?

Matthew is my Christian name.

Oh! Yes, Matthew.

-It has a fine Biblical sound. -Thank you.

There's just one other thing, Miss Hunter.

Yes?

I would like to request your permission....

Yes?

to court you.

I beg your pardon?

May I have permission to court you, Rosemary?

Give it back!

* You've heard lots of songs about lazy days *

* But mine's the laziest of all *

* We live on a farm way down in Louisiana *

* All day we sit around and watch the wall *

You know, if you win that contest, could you loan me $2?

I've got plans for that money, Jason.

* We rise up in the morning just about high noon *

* Try to do some fishing but it's hard *

If I had $2 I can buy a complete course in mastering the guitar.

You've already mastered the guitar.

Playing it. But I want to write it all down, words and music.

No one's gonna get any money or win any contest

or take any lessons if I can't write these words down.

Playing the guitar.

-Where are you going? -I'm going.

Jason, somebody just disappeared

with one of the four-by-fours I just cut.

Along with my best hammer. Who?

Could be Jim-Bob, he's always making something.

No, Jim-Bob and Elizabeth say they haven't seen it.

-How about Ben? -That one.

He's always disappearing lately. Regular Houdini.

What did you want the wood for, Grandpa?

I donated it to the church picnic

for the nail-driving contest.

I can't afford to make another one.

And my best hammer, too.

We'll just have an investigation at dinner.

Grandpa's been looking for that wood.

I'll give it back to him.

You practicing for the church picnic?

-Testing out my strength. -How come?

So I can knock Willie Dempster's block off, that's why.

-What are you mad at Willie for? -It's kind of private, Jase.

Maybe if you'd pit your arm muscles against mine

maybe then I'd get stronger faster.

Put your arms here.

I'll try to pull them up and you try to hold it down, okay?

Use one of your arms.

That's it! That's been the problem! Now take this one.

Take this one, it's stronger.

That's got it. You're getting it.

Don't be so impatient. You can wait your turn.

Alright, everybody. Get to your homework.

Just a minute, everybody. Stay right where you are.

This afternoon somebody made off with one of my four-by-fours.

I did, Grandpa. I'm sorry I didn't tell you.

I put everything back the way I found it.

-Everything undamaged? -Good as new.

Except for a few small nail holes on one side.

But you can hardly notice them.

What were you building, Ben? A birdcage for Naomi?

-Slow down. -I won!

Hello, Jim-Bob. Mr. Walton, is Mrs. Walton here?

-Yes, come on in. -Thank you.

-How nice of you to come by. -Thank you.

-Come in and have some coffee. -That's very nice.

Hello, John-Boy. How's it going?

I'm gonna work on it right now.

Hello, Mrs. Walton. Hello, Mary Ellen.

The truth is I came for your help with this dress.

I hope you don't mind my asking

but I'd love to wear to the picnic on Sunday.

-I'd love to give you a hand. -Thanks.

-I'll bring coffee and dessert. -Don't go to any bother.

It's no bother.

I just finished eating. Thank you.

Maybe later. Come on.

Alright, everyone. Get back to your homework.

As long as Miss Hunter's here, can I ask her a few questions?

No. She's our guest tonight, not your teacher.

-You ask John-Boy to help you. -But John-Boy went outside.

He's probably in the barn. Go ask him.

Come on, let's get to our homework.

What's three times seven?

What's three times. Go get your homework done.

That is such a pretty dress.

I thought so when I bought it in Richmond,

but it doesn't fit right, does it?

It just needs a little taking in.

I really appreciate this, Mrs. Walton.

-I'll pay you, of course. -If you do you'll offend me.

And another thing, I'm Olivia.

I'm Rosemary.

I'm really happy to do something for you, Rosemary

after all the help you've been giving John-Boy.

It's a pleasure. And that essay.

Well, he should be very proud.

He is. We are.

I'm so eager to meet his aunt.

-Oh, which one? -The one the essay's about.

Is that comfortable now? Can you lift your arm?

Yes, that's fine.

Stand up there

and I'll see what I can do about the hem?

I tried to get that right, but--

It's just this one spot over here.

I was wondering. Do you have any idea how I could wear my hair?

No, I don't.

Sorry, I don't know anything about hair.

Excuse me just a minute.

Do you think it would be right for me to wear my hair

like that?

I think it'd be fine.

You don't think because I'm a teacher

it would be inappropriate?

Of course not.

The truth is, Olivia

Matthew Fordwick and I are becoming friendly

and I'd like to look as nice as it's possible for me to look.

Why, Rosemary, I think that's just wonderful.

I've never tried to look pretty. I'm a bit older than Matthew.

Do you think I ought to tell him that?

You're not that much older. Besides, does it really matter?

Let's have another look at that magazine hairdo.

Ben!

Mama's coming.

Make Ben open the door.

He's doing something in John-Boy's room.

-It's time for bed, Erin. -But, Mama--

Erin, it is time for bed.

Ben?

I got John-Boy's permission to be in his room. Honest I do.

-It's your bedtime, too. -I'm coming, Mama.

-Where is John-Boy? -He's back in the barn.

Goodnight.

-How are you doing? -Fine now. Thank you.

-Miss Hunter still here? -She left a little while ago.

It's good that you're making friends.

She doesn't socialize much.

John-Boy, which one of your aunts are you writing about?

I knew I'd get caught in that.

The way you've been talking,

I thought you were writing about Miss Hunter.

That's the truth, I am.

But when she asked me about it, I just got too embarrassed.

Don't you think you ought to tell her?

I'm planning to, after I've sent it in to the magazine.

I think it would please her.

Especially now that she's being courted by Reverend Fordwick.

Go on, John-Boy, I'm listening.

That was the end.

Yes, of course it was. That's a much better ending.

Miss Hunter, there's something

I ought to tell you about this essay

and I think I probably should have told you about it before.

It isn't really about my aunt at all, it's really about you.

-I meant it nicely. -I know.

I didn't want you to be upset, or misunderstand.

It's just fine, John-Boy.

-You don't mind? -It's just fine.

Good afternoon, Miss Hunter. John-Boy.

Good afternoon. Excuse me.

See you tonight, John-Boy.

What pretty flowers.

They are for you, Rosemary.

Thank you, Matthew.

You're very welcome.

They're so beautiful.

Help! Someone help me!

Help! Somebody get me down from here! I'm gonna slip.

-Who is it? -Hurry up! Someone get me down!

What's she doing up there?

Trying to spy on Ben.

-What's she doing up there? -Spying on Ben.

Ben? He's in the kitchen.

We'll get her down. Get the ladder, John-Boy.

Hurry up!

Hold on, honey, we'll get you down.

I can't wait for the church picnic.

It'll be good to see friends there I haven't seen all year.

You going to be in the railroad-spike-driving contest?

-I don't think so, Son. -Why not?

I'm so good with that ax, I'm not sure it'd be fair.

There's gonna be potato-sack racing again?

Sure, honey.

If there was a guitar-playing contest, I'd enter it.

Is that all you ever think about?

When John-Boy wins, he'll loan me some money

so I can learn to read and write music.

He's going to loan me money for a new bathing suit.

What's the matter with your old one?

Everything.

Everything's the matter with the new ones.

Flimsy, indecent things, that's what they are.

I wouldn't go as far to say that, Esther.

What would you know, old man?

I know a pretty ankle when I see it.

In my day that's all we showed. Ankles.

Grandma, times are changing.

Indecent is indecent, and I don't care what time it is.

If I could borrow 20 cents, I could fix up that old bike.

Don't count on getting any money from me.

I don't even know I'm going

to enter that thing in the contest

-Working on your essay, Son? -Nope.

Working on something else?

-For the contest? -No, no more contests.

What kind of thing are you writing?

Listen.

"Suddenly that face assumed an air of cold detachment.

"The lady now seemed hardly conscious of his presence

"as if a veil of indifference had been drawn

"before those features and that manner which he had been dumb.

"Which he had been foolish enough to hold so dear."

It's clear how you feel.

You wrote that real well.

Thank you. I think it's a little more honest

than what I've been doing.

Miss Hunter would know more about that than me.

I don't think Miss Hunter can help me with this.

She'd have hurt feelings if she heard that, John-Boy.

Not for long.

She's got plenty to occupy her mind these days.

-You think so? -Mmmhmm.

John-Boy?

Got your essay.

I'm not going there tonight, but thank you.

I told Miss Hunter I'd send over buttons for her new dress--

Mama, I'm not going there tonight.

I ran into her at Ike Godsey's.

She told me how distracted she'd been after school.

She said she hopes you understand.

I hope so, too.

I understand.

John-Boy?

I'd like to show my appreciation to Miss Hunter

for all the help she's been giving you.

So you just take these to her now with my thanks.

Mrs. Brimmer?

John-Boy!

Hope you don't mind, Reverend Fordwick dropped by.

We have just few little changes to make

and then it'll be ready for the typewriter.

Miss Hunter has been very complimentary

about your essay, John-Boy.

What's in the bag?

Some buttons my mama said you wanted

and some preserves from my grandma.

How nice.

Thank you.

If you'll let me have the essay--

-That's it. -Oh, yes. Excuse me.

You're coming to the church picnic, I trust?

Certainly.

You know, in divinity school, I often wrote essays.

One of them about God's love of man

won me a special letter of praise from our bishop.

I'm just a beginner.

You're better than that, John-Boy.

Of course, now I don't have much time for writing

except for Sunday sermons.

That's certainly much more important writing

than what I do, I reckon.

John-Boy, could you come over here a minute, please?

Excuse me.

Did you leave a word out here?

Yeah. "Gentle and forthright manner." That was stupid.

I always found that long walks in the woods

or quiet moments of meditation

were most conducive to inspire writing.

I usually just go up in the barn loft myself.

Have you ever thought about writing of higher themes

such as temptation, love of God, sin, prayer, moral fortitude?

I don't really think I have the know-how

to tackle such as those, Reverend.

You're too humble, John-Boy.

Miss Hunter tells me you are a clever writer.

John-Boy is a very sensitive writer, Matthew.

Yes, sensitive. That's what I meant.

Perhaps if you're willing to write something suitable

I could read it at the Sunday service, after my sermon.

I'm afraid my talent's so small, I can hardly find it myself.

False modesty is deceitful, John-Boy.

-No, honestly I-- -Well, perhaps

with Miss Hunter's encouragement?

It's certainly very flattering of Reverend Fordwick to invite

you to write something for the church service, isn't it?

-Yes, ma'am. -Then it's settled.

Of course, I'll have to read it over carefully

and perhaps make some suggestions

to maintain the quality of thought and language

that must be maintained in the house of our Lord.

But I'm sure we'll have no trouble working together.

Of course, John-Boy's writing is unique

and his style is just in the formative stages.

It's strong, but evolving.

Perhaps it would be premature to have him write something

for a church service before he's had a chance

to experiment fully.

His writing certainly can't be that unique

as to be beyond the service of the church.

No, of course. I didn't mean that. I just meant that.

Perhaps if you heard some of it, you'd understand the nature--

-Oh, no, no. I really have to-- -Come, John-Boy

Miss Hunter has raved so much about your writing.

Don't deprive me of hearing just a little bit of it.

-Yes. -Miss Hunter, please.

Here, read this part

about her kindness.

"She never lets her anger out at younger people.

"And if she has any anger at all, it's very likely

"that she keeps it inside herself

"and only lets it explode when she's alone

"and can't hurt anyone.

"Like a flower, her kindness is there for everyone to admire

"to be soothed by, to want to remember.

"Like a flower, she only gives."

I can't read this.

I can't send this in. This is just a bunch of lies.

-John-Boy. -Miss Hunter

a couple of days ago, I tried to tell you

that this essay is about you

and not about my aunt.

But at the time, you were busy.

And you were really too busy to listen to me.

But it doesn't really matter

because this isn't really about you anymore

because I don't really feel this way about you anymore.

And it's just a bunch of lies.

-I've got to go home. -John-Boy.

I was hoping to have a chance

to talk with John-Boy this morning.

He didn't come to church today.

He got terribly upset when he came by last night

and I should've come over and talked with him afterwards

-but Reverend was there, and. -I understand.

The deadline for the essay contest is in just a few days

and if only he'd let me have it, I could type it and get it in.

The essay is about me, you know.

Yes, I know.

We can't let him miss the opportunity

of entering this contest.

It's so important for him and he's worked so hard.

I'll see what I can do.

-Thank you. -Bye-bye.

-Bye. -Bye.

It's really incredible how I depended on her.

Just hung on every word and every look

to see if I could see what she was thinking.

But now that she's all involved with Reverend Fordwick

and I think she's probably going to marry him

it's not going to be like that anymore

and that's probably just as well for me.

You're saying, if she happens to marry Reverend Fordwick

she won't be interested in your writing anymore?

Why should she? She's all wrapped up with him.

And I think it's a shame because she used to appreciate

the way I felt about my writing.

Son, don't you think after this courting thing

settles down a bit things will get back to natural?

She'll be willing to help you then.

Don't you wanna wait a while before you make up your mind?

I don't see if it's gonna be different.

It's over. We just sort of outgrew each other, I reckon.

Alright, I'm coming!

Elizabeth, honey, stop honking the horn, please!

Are you sure you don't want to come to the picnic?

Oh yeah.

Son, could it be you're just plain jealous?

For heaven's sake, will you stop your dawdling?

There'll be a horde of hungry people here before you know it.

Grandma, we're gonna miss the spike-driving contest.

And I wanna be there for Ben's turn.

-Erin, uncover the potato salad. -But I don't like potato salad.

You don't have to like it to uncover it.

Real good, Mr. Godsey. Looking good.

-Some bootleg hooch? -No, thank you.

Mr. Walton, how's everything over here?

Reverend, you did turn out.

-Nice seeing you, Miss Hunter. -Thank you.

You got your dog, too.

You think you could try again to see if John-Boy will come?

Liv, no.

Now, you all settle down.

No more swimming until after your vittles have digested.

That swimming hole is not going to go anywhere.

I remember one time I went out swimming after a heavy meal

and I went right down to the bottom of the pond.

I must've stayed there over 35 minutes.

That's the biggest whopper you've told yet, Grandpa.

Whopper. I have never stretched the truth in my life.

Except once or twice when I was courting your grandma.

Sure. What about that story about your dog Bo, Grandpa?

That story is the gospel truth.

You know, that conductor on the North Oak line

he was the meanest-minded man I've ever seen.

He didn't want to allow my dog Bo on board.

He threatened to throw him off the back end of the train.

But I remember how strong my dog Bo was.

Why, he had muscles on his legs bigger than Jason's arms.

So I tied him to the rear end of that caboose.

He trotted along, 35 miles an hour or so.

Never even working up a sweat.

There you are.

You telling that awful story about the dog again?

Excuse me, Esther. You're interrupting my tale.

Grandpa, no dog can run as fast as a train.

Maybe a deer, but not a dog.

Are you telling this story, young lady, or am I?

Might make more sense if she told it.

No comments from the peanut gallery, if you please.

As I was saying, that mean old conductor

went and told the engineer to fire up the engine.

And here we were, highballing along, 65 miles an hour.

So I remembered old Bo and I rushed

to the rear end of the train.

And that dog's leash had snapped and old Bo was gone.

-Was he killed? -I was afraid so.

But all of a sudden, the train come to a screeching stop.

And there up ahead on the tracks

was my dog Bo with a red flag in his mouth

waving down the train.

It seemed there was a washout in the tracks up ahead.

Whatever happened to that wonderful dog, Grandpa?

Why, the railroad company offered him a job as a flagman.

He was paid more salary than I got at the shipyards.

Last I heard, he was elevated to a superintendent.

Zeb, you cold?

This ground's too damp to sit on.

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

Right this way for the big deal in spike-driving contests!

Boys and gents! Boys first!

Line up in a column, two by two.

You take a nail, you take your hammer

and the winner takes the winner till we find the best.

Drive the nail in till you hit it down to the head.

Get ready.

All set?

One, two, three, go!

Sorry, Ben. Better luck next time.

The winner is Willie Dempster.

Naomi!

Next.

-Ben? -Yeah?

You do have the reddest hair.

-What? -Red.

It's my favorite color.

On your mark.

Get set.

Go!

Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!

Right this way for the spike-driving contest!

This is for the men.

-Ike, you're coming in. -I'll take him, Mr. Walton.

Hello, Ben, you're coming up?

All ready?

Get set.

One, two, three, go!

I'm the winner!

Next!

Reverend, you coming up?

Here you are, Reverend.

Excuse me, would you mind if I went against you, Reverend?

By all means, John-Boy.

Take a spike.

Now roll your log here.

Now set your spike. No more than a quarter of an inch.

Alright. One, two, three, go!

Sorry, Grandpa.

Reverend, congratulations.

For this here contest to go on, we've got to have a new sledge.

I got another one in the back of my truck.

Well, fetch her.

I reckon you were right.

Miss Hunter, I'd like to talk to you for a minute.

Sure.

-John-Boy, I want-- -No, please.

I'm really ashamed of what I said the other night.

It embarrasses me to admit it to you

but the fact is that I was plain jealous.

-John-Boy-- -No.

Really, it was foolish of me

and the only reason I said what I did was because I was jealous.

I accept your apology.

But please don't ever give up your writing

no matter what vain or foolish thing I may do

or anybody else does.

That's easy for me to say but it's very important, John-Boy.

And I'll always care about you and your writing.

I'll always have time to work with you

whether I marry Reverend Fordwick or end up an old maid.

I want to thank you with all my heart

for all the wonderful things

you wrote about me in your essay.

I can't believe they're true, not really.

But that's not the point, it's a fine piece of writing

and I couldn't bear it if anything I did prevented you

from sending it in to the magazine.

Miss Hunter

those things I wrote about you are true to me.

I was to know many teachers

but none so dedicated and gifted as Miss Rosemary Hunter.

Even today, I can feel her influence.

For, like any good teacher

she left an indelible mark on my work and on my life.

-John-Boy? -Yes, Ben.

After Preacher Fordwick marries Miss Hunter

you reckon he'll call her Rosemary?

I expect he'll call her "darling."

I got called that today.

-Naomi? -You bet.

Alright, you Romeos, pipe down. It's bedtime.

-Goodnight, Daddy. -Goodnight, Daddy.

Goodnight, boys.