Original subtitles

I like to think back on my boyhood...

because though the times we lived in were hard...

the life we lived was good.

We were never hungry, for food was plentiful.

We took it from the land.

But still there was a lack of material things.

I remember with wonderment the way my parents

wove a magic around us...

that kept us from ever feeling poor.

Mama, John-Boy's here and he's got it!

Come on, open the door for me. It's heavy!

Look, here we are. Here it is.

Come on, John-Boy, open it.

It's heavy. I'm going to open it. Give me a chance, will you?

I've got butterflies in my tummy.

Well, here we go.

Wanna be careful. I don't wanna ruin it.

-Get that side. -I got it, I got it, honey.

Okay.

What's that?

I don't know, but don't put it on the floor.

Here we go. It's heavy.

Oh, Mama, it's beautiful!

It sure is.

I've never seen anything like it.

Don't just admire it. Open it up.

I wanna see what you're gonna be selling.

"Pinkney's Bubble Beautifier."

Oh, Mama, the bottle alone is worth 25 cents.

Here's 10 more of them, too.

You're going to be rich!

I sure hope my customers share your enthusiasm.

Look at Mary Ellen.

If a high wind came along, it would blow her away like a kite.

What are you doing?

I'm expressing the essence of the room.

You're doing what?

To be a dancer, Isadora Duncan says that

you have to feel everything around you.

I thought you were gonna be an actor.

Are you gonna be a dancer now?

I haven't decided yet which I have the most talent for.

Well, I'll give you a thought:

How about dishwashing in the kitchen?

So, the samples finally got here.

"Pinkney's Bubble Beautifier."

What does it beautify?

Basically, it's a bubbling soap product.

But it's pure enough for skin and hair.

And according to this, it also takes care of

linens and fine silver.

Get out of this living room, you filthy ridge runner.

You get out of there!

Reckless!

Here he is. I got him.

-You dirty, filthy dog. -How about fine animals, Mama?

We got one here that could use some beautifying.

Well, it's a pretty box.

How much are they gonna give you for your efforts, Liv?

I'll make 9 cents commission on every bottle I sell.

-Nine cents? -That's two whole dollars here.

-For work done in my spare time. -What spare time?

The spare time I'll have to find, Grandma.

Anyway, it isn't just the money.

It's an adventure.

John.

Can you spare John-Boy and the truck for a couple of hours?

-Go ahead, Son. -Coming.

If you'll give me a bowl, I'd be happy to demonstrate

this fine product.

That won't be necessary, Olivia dear.

-We'll take four. -Four?

Well, thank you, ladies.

You sure you don't wanna see what it does?

It doesn't matter in the least.

Whatever it does, I doubt if we need it.

Then what do you want the bottles for?

Because we need the bottles, dear.

How much did you say that would be?

That'll be $1.

Your arriving at this time was absolutely fortuitous.

Mr. Godsey won't have his new shipment of jars for a week.

And there is Papa's Recipe, just waiting to be poured...

and us four jars short.

Thank you, ladies.

Good day.

She never wants to hear about the Recipe.

-Have you noticed that, sister? -Strange, isn't it?

Aren't we lucky, sister?

-Pints instead of quarts. -I know.

I just can't thank you enough, Olivia.

It'll make a nice present for Rosemary Hunter's birthday.

She's always primping herself...

since she and Rev. Fordwick have been keeping company.

I'm sure she'll like it.

I think I'll treat myself to some, too.

All work and no treats can make a woman feel real cranky.

Thank you.

There.

I've got a good number of people to see...

before it's time to get home and get supper started.

-Nice seeing you, Olivia. -Thank you, Mrs. Brimmer.

-Say hello to the family. -I will.

-Bye bye. -Bye bye.

Pour it in, and watch it go.

I don't see why they call it Bubble Beautifier.

It don't bubble worth a poot.

-Maybe it needs a bit stirring. -Why?

Is it soap or soup?

-Let's try another bottle. -No, Olivia.

That's alright. I'll take two bottles.

Thanks, Mrs. Gormley. But don't you want me to demonstrate?

I'd be happy to if you have something to be cleaned.

You already did. Look, that stain is out of that old basin.

That old basin's been tarnished since I made

lye soap in it last May 15.

I'll take three bottles.

Well, thank you, ma'am, that'll be 75 cents.

Well, now, let me see.

That's, uh...

-50. -75.

There it is.

-That's right I guess. -That's it.

Thank you.

If today's anything to go by...

you're going to be the best salesman that company's got.

-It's beginner's luck, I think. -Don't underestimate yourself.

John-Boy, could you let me out? I'll walk the rest of the way.

-We're practically there. -I know...

but I've been putting on a little extra weight lately...

-...the exercise'll do me good. -Is everything alright?

-Could you let me out, please? - Okay. Alright. Sure.

Wipe your feet.

You've been saying that to me at least once a day

since I learned to walk.

I've known her before you were born

and she's still saying it to me.

You'd think it would have sunk in by now.

How's my old turkey hen? Turn around. Give me a gobble.

-What have you two been up to? -Good news, milady.

We got ourselves a railroad order for 150 ties.

Keep us in good shape for few months.

Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, and pass the chicken fricassee.

Oh, that's good, Ma.

Put me down, you old fool.

That's my favorite dish. You must've done it to please me.

Something smells good.

I wanted to use up my old dill weed

before the new crop was ready to store.

See that? She never will admit to anything.

Hey, Son. Where's your ma?

She's acting funny. She made me stop the truck down the road.

Said she'd walk the rest of the way herself.

I don't blame her. It's a pretty day.

No, it wasn't that.

She wanted to lose weight she's put on lately.

I haven't noticed Livie put on any particular weight.

You haven't noticed you've been doing the same thing, either.

For a man of my age, I'm considered

to have a real trim figure.

I sold every bottle.

Every single person I stopped to see said yes.

Who would be able to refuse such a pretty saleslady?

John, I can't begin to think how I feel.

I made almost a whole dollar all by myself.

-What's that awful smell? -Awful smell?

That's supper cooking.

I'm sorry.

I guess I just didn't work up much of an appetite.

It's not like your mama to get sick over the smell of food.

-It's happened twice before. -When was that?

When she was carrying Jim-Bob

and when she was carrying Elizabeth.

Oh my God!

-You all right, Liv? -I'm fine.

I guess that sun was hotter than I thought.

Livie, are you sure that's what it is?

What else could it possibly be?

Well, could it be that....

Liv, is it possible?

Are you pregnant?

Yes, John. I guess I probably am.

Here's your calcium pills, Livie. Three a day, as usual.

-I never took pills before. -That's right.

It's been what, seven years for you, hasn't it, Livie?

-Seven years and three months. -Imagine that.

We're learning how to take better care

of our mothers these days.

Three of these are equivalent to three glasses of milk.

Imagine that.

-Well? -Olivia's in good shape, John.

About three months along. But I suppose you know that already.

She's three months pregnant?

Is everything alright?

It seems to be.

There's one thing I'd like to say to you.

Livie is strong and healthy but this baby may give us a little

-more trouble than the others. -Why is that?

Because of Livie's illness a year ago, for one thing.

But mostly because...

well, she's not a spring chicken anymore.

Now, I want you to take good care of her.

See that she gets some rest every day.

-I will, Doc. -Alright.

-Oh, and one thing more. -What's that?

Congratulations.

Thank you, Doc.

Come on, Mama.

You reckon Grandma was right about Mama?

Your Grandma usually calls it straight

when it comes to a pregnancy.

Sure isn't the best time for me to go off to college, is it?

After all the trouble you went to get as far as....

Listen, you don't want to even let your mama

hear you talking like that.

I know. But it is funny.

They teach you in Sunday school that...

every new life is a gift from God.

Sometimes you really have to wonder about that.

-Wonder at what? -Times the way they are.

People going hungry. In the cities, they're starving

begging for food, and sleeping on park benches.

You wonder if another mouth to feed

is really a blessing after all.

I don't believe I've lived long enough to answer that question.

Want to know something else?

I'll bet I'm not the only one asking it.

"She's not a spring chicken anymore."

No, sir, Mr. Walton.

Your wife may be a good old brood mare

but she ain't what she used to be.

Livie, why'd you wait so long to say something?

I didn't want everyone getting upset until I was sure.

Since when does a new baby in our house upset everyone?

Since the Depression.

Since John-Boy is starting off for college.

Since we gave away all our baby things

sure that our family was complete.

Since seven years have gone by and I'm not young anymore.

Now, listen here.

Sure, there's a wrinkle or two...

and a couple of gray hairs.

And, yes, seven years have passed.

But the woman I hold in my arms at night feels better now

than she did then.

I'm sorry, John. It's just that it couldn't have come

at a worse time.

Come on, let's go home and tell the children the news.

I don't get it. John-Boy said Mama had to go to the doctor's

because she was in the family's way.

-She's not in our way. -You don't understand.

He was trying to tell us that Mama's pregnant.

What's that?

It means she's gonna have another baby.

Instead of me?

What do you mean, instead of you?

I'm the baby around here. Mama always said so.

It's not definite yet, Erin.

Mama's going to the doctor to find out.

If Mama has another baby, what will I be?

You'll be just another kid in this family, like me.

Mama probably won't even notice you anymore.

Jim-Bob.

-Why'd you have to do that? -Do what? I didn't do nothing.

Come on, you guys. Mama and Daddy are home.

What is this? A welcoming committee.

-How are you feeling, Mama? -I'm fine, Erin.

Did the doctor say anything?

Word gets around fast in this family.

Well, children, your Mama is going to have a new baby.

-Easy! Easy. -Another brother.

-Jason, put that back. -Grace. Grace. Grace.

O my dear Lord, we thank thee for the many blessings--

Sorry, but a fantastic thing happened.

Hush, child.

-Where was I? -"Blessings."

O Lord, we thank thee for the many blessings bestowed upon us.

Furthermore, for the new life that's about to become among us.

Amen.

That new substitute teacher at school, Mrs. McMillan?

-She's ugly. -She's from New York City.

Pass the potatoes, Mary Ellen.

She's not even a real teacher. What she really is--

Aren't you gonna eat anything?

Yeah, sure.

-Well, she's really a dancer. -Lord help us.

She saw me reading about Isadora Duncan, and guess what?

She thinks you look like her.

No. She studied with Isadora's brother, Raymond.

I know him. He lives in Paris and weaves his own clothes.

She's willing to give me lessons.

-For free? -Well, not exactly.

She's only taking a few students after school...

and she has to charge something. But it's only 25 cents.

Sorry, honey, we can't take on any more expenses right now.

If you'd been here on time, you'd have heard the news.

There's gonna be a new mouth to feed in this family.

Another mouth to feed? Is someone coming to visit?

Your mama's going to have a baby.

-Oh, just what we need. -Mary Ellen.

It's just that I never get any....

I'm sorry, Mama. Really.

I understand, honey.

I'm sorry you can't have your dancing lessons.

It's okay, I probably wouldn't have been very good anyway.

It'll be fun having a new baby. I hope it's a girl.

Girls are the prettiest.

I don't know about that. I hear I was a real beauty.

We've got too many girls around here already. Right, Ben?

Oh, really? There's four of you and three of us.

Three's too many. If you were boys we'd have a baseball team.

If Mama has more boys, maybe we still can.

Babies! That's all anybody talks about. That dumb old baby!

What's she fussing about?

Jim-Bob, you did the same thing when Mama was carrying her.

-Did not. -Did, too.

-Did not. -Did, too.

-I did not. -You did, too.

-I did not. - Yes, you did.

-Did not. -Did too.

You did, too, Jim-Bob.

-Did not. -You did, too.

-Did not. -Did not.

Did too.

Elizabeth.

Jim-Bob said I won't be your baby anymore.

You won't pay any attention to me.

Well, now, that'll be the day.

You'll always be my baby.

And so will Jim-Bob and Ben...

and Jason and Erin and Mary Ellen and John-Boy.

Even John-Boy? He's all grown up.

All mothers seem to have one thing in common:

They always remember their children as babies.

So even when you're all grown up and have children of your own...

you'll always be my beautiful, little, red-haired baby girl.

-Even when I'm old , like you? -Even then.

See, Elizabeth, in any family a new baby belongs to everybody.

In a family as big as ours...

this baby will be more yours than the others'

because you're closest in age.

You mean, it's gonna be kind of like my baby?

And I'm going to need a lot of help from you.

I'll wash it, and I'll feed it...

and everything. Just like I do with my dolls.

I'm counting on you, Elizabeth.

Jason said you wanted us in here.

-Is it more about the baby? -Yes, it is.

And it's about not teasing Elizabeth...

and everybody pitching in to help Mama without being asked.

Sometimes you can be a real pain in the neck.

You're sitting like a schoolteacher

preaching about us all helping Mama...

and you'll be off to college everyday

by the time the baby's here.

I can hear it now:

"Don't bother your brother, girls.

He's gotta study for his exams."

And who's going to be washing all the diapers here?

Not me. That's for sure.

That's what I'm talking about:

being smart-alecky and resentful.

And what about being a know-it-all?

I think this time will be harder for Mama than the rest.

I wanted us all to meet to figure out

what we can do to make her feel better.

I've got an idea.

When Mrs. Watkins had her baby...

all her friends got together and had a surprise party.

They each brought a gift for the baby.

They called it a baby shower.

That's a good idea. Let's have a baby shower for Mama.

It is the right place, 'cause it sure rains babies here.

That'll be real fun.

I have some white flannel left over from the Christmas pageant.

-I'll make some shirts. -I'll knit her a blanket.

-I'll give her my rag doll. -I could carve a rattle.

I don't know what to get her.

Me, either. Let's do something together, Ben.

How about you, John-Boy?

I'll tell you, the other day I was thinking about that...

I remembered that when Elizabeth started to grow up...

Mama gave away all the baby things.

So the baby's got no place to sleep.

I thought I'd make a cradle for it.

-That's great, John-Boy. -I picked out the wood already.

It'll be real nice. I'll make it real sturdy so it'll last long.

Maybe even generations.

That's beautiful, John-Boy.

It's going to be from all of us.

Daddy? I'm glad that's you.

What are you doing up there, Son?

Come up here. I'll show you.

How long you been working on this?

Over a week.

Mama thinks I'm in here writing a great American novel.

-That's a fine piece of work. -Thank you.

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

Coming.

I have to sell the rest of my samples today. Can you drive me?

I'd like to, but Daddy's counting on me

helping with the railroad ties.

I'll get Jason.

Livie, you think you ought to go selling today?

Yes, I do.

You've to sell all your samples before ordering more.

I'll need some next week.

I'm setting up a demonstration

at the Ladies Aid meeting on Wednesday.

Should sell 20 bottles right there.

Honey, you look all tired out.

$2 will buy a lot of books for John-Boy.

We'll manage.

I want to, John.

Don't be long.

Daddy she's not supposed to be running around

in her condition, is she?

Your mother's a woman with a lot of strength, John-Boy.

I don't intend to interfere with it.

Yes?

Good afternoon. I'm Olivia Walton.

I'm representing the product called

Pinkney's Bubble Beautifier.

-It's a very fine soap-- -I don't think we're interested.

-I'd like to show it to you. -Not today.

-What'd you say your name was? -Olivia Walton.

I know you. You have a girl, don't you?

I've got several of them.

One of yours goes to school with mine.

-I'm Jonelle Breckenridge. -Nancy Breckenridge's mother.

Erin Walton's.

-How do you do? -What'd you say you had there?

It's called Pinkney's Bubble Beautifier.

And...

it's a very fine shampoo...

face soap, and it even washes linens.

I'll just take the top off this sample here.

It certainly is a pretty bottle.

Yes. You'll find many uses just for the bottle alone.

I'm so sorry. Jason!

-Mama? -Jason.

I'm so sorry. I haven't been feeling very well lately.

Jason, could you....

No, don't you bother.

-Won't you come in and sit down? -I think I'd better get home.

Thank you, Jason.

Come on, Mama.

I'll be fine. I'm....

Take care.

Now, those there are real nice.

-Very nice. -Thanks, Grandma.

What do you mean, "these here"?

Well, those or those.

It's a lovely blanket. Don't make me explain every word.

I'm just trying to tell you girls that I'm proud of you.

Won't Mama be excited when she opens all her presents?

I imagine she will be.

Mary Ellen... Where are you off to?

I'm pondering my destiny of being born a woman.

Good heavens. That's no destiny.

That's just a simple fact of nature.

No, I think it's more.

Think of all the things we've to do all our lives

just because we're women.

If the men were sitting here, they'd say

the same thing about themselves.

No, that's not strictly true.

The laws are made by men, for men.

That's what Isadora Duncan says.

You mean that dancing girl?

From what I read about her in that magazine...

she doesn't stay long enough in one place

to know anything about the laws.

That's because she's a free spirit.

She kept her two babies because she wanted to

not because she had to.

Who was talking about keeping babies?

No one.

It's just what I was thinking.

I mean, suppose you had a baby and you didn't want it?

Is there a law that says you've to keep it?

Of course there is, Mary Ellen.

There is man's law and God's.

It would behoove you to remember that

you're a young lady, Mary Ellen.

You better start thinking about duty and responsibility.

Oh, grandma.

-You got back kind of early. -Mama got sick.

The first three months are the hardest.

I'll go see if she needs anything.

-Ben. -Yeah.

I got us an idea.

-How is she, Grandma? -She's feeling a mite down.

Come on, let's start supper, girls.

Girls.

Grandma, if Mama's feeling down

why don't we give her her presents now?

Maybe it'll cheer her up.

Now, that's a right good idea.

You girls get everything together.

Jason, tell John-Boy to bring in the cradle.

Okay.

I'll get my rag doll.

Sure do that better than get the supper ready.

It's hopeless, John. I'm too sick now to do any more selling.

After the baby, I'll be too busy.

Come in.

Surprise!

It's for the new baby from all of us. I made it.

That's so beautiful!

-I made her a blanket. -I made her some shirts.

-I made him a rattle. -Jason, that's wonderful.

I'm giving my baby my rag doll.

We didn't make anything, Mama, Jim-Bob and I've a present also.

Only our present is for you, not the baby.

We figure since spring vacation starts Monday

we'll have plenty of time.

So we're going to sell the rest of the soap for you.

I just don't know what to say.

-Are you cheered up? -I couldn't be cheerier.

Now downstairs to get ready for supper.

Okay, bye.

-That's a great job, Son. -Thank you.

-You could've fooled me. -What?

Being cheery is not exactly how I'd describe you now.

I love you, John.

You're not only my husband, you're my best friend.

You know me better than anybody in the world.

I do.

So why don't you tell me what's bothering you?

I can't explain it. Maybe it's just moodiness.

Sometimes I'm so happy, I could explode...

and other times I'm so sad, all I can do is cry.

Then I get to worrying about needing money...

and John-Boy's schooling, and all those things.

Shh! It's alright.

* I gave my love a chicken *

* I'd have no bone *

* I gave my love a story *

* That had no end *

* I gave my love a baby.. **

Seven years is a long time. I'd almost forgotten.

-She did, too! -Did not!

Didn't you say I was the most importantest person

to this baby?

Yes, I did, because she's the closest in age.

So I get to name her, right?

What happens if this turns out to be a him?

My baby's not going to be a him. It's going to be a her.

And her name's gonna be Joyce.

-Peuh! -Oh, Jim-Bob!

There's this real pretty girl at school...

and she smiles all the time. The kids call her Joy.

Joy. That's a pretty name.

If it's a boy, I get to name him Seymour.

[together] Peuh.

-So you're Erin's brothers? -Yes, ma'am.

Mama's having a baby, so we're selling her soap for her.

Isn't that a fine thing for you boys to do.

Yes, ma'am. How many would you like?

Wait a second. We got to demonstrate it first.

Would you please bring a bowl of water and a napkin, please?

Yes, I surely will.

Why don't you boys wait right inside here?

Thank you.

I'll be right back.

I got a lot to teach you about selling.

You gotta set your customer up right.

She was when she heard we were selling for Mama.

She was ready to buy.

You don't know that. You gotta prove your product.

Have confidence in what you sell.

-Here we are. -Thank you.

Here we go.

Now we're gonna watch the Bubble Beautifier go to work.

-When does it bubble? -Needs a little more.

It needs a little stirring.

That was just the first step.

To make the Bubble Beautifier work...

it has to have something to bubble for. Here we go.

-Boys. -Yes, ma'am.

That white handkerchief's starting to turn green.

I can see that, yes, ma'am.

Afternoon, boys.

Afternoon.

Told you we should have sold before.

You sure chose a pretty day for a picnic, Liv.

-Been a long time we did this. -I know.

Right in the middle of a workday.

Makes me feel kind of wicked.

I wanted to get away from everything.

Get out here in the sunshine.

Just you and me together.

How're you feeling, sweetheart?

I feel very happy now, that's what I wanted to tell you.

-You had me worried. -I know.

Being older, I let the fears crowd in my mind

and push away the good feelings.

But that's all straightened out now.

I feel proud, safe, and very happy.

I'm glad to hear that.

You know, Liv...

I miss hearing the sound of babies' voices in the house.

Colic two days in a row.

Holding the warm bundle in my arms.

Changing diapers at 2:00 a.m.

Laying there in bed, watching you get up to feed it.

Lying there in bed and watching you get up and feed it.

-Wait, we never did that before. -We did with Elizabeth.

No, we didn't. Elizabeth was sleeping through the night...

when she was three months old.

It must have been Jim-Bob.

That's right, it was Jim-Bob. But he was toilet-trained first.

Who was it that had the colic so long?

Mary Ellen.

You gotta admit, Erin was the prettiest of them all

wasn't she?

She sure was.

Everybody at the hospital called her their little rosebud.

Don't tell them, but I hope it's a girl.

-Why? -I like the name Joyce Walton.

A Joy for our middle years.

I must admit it sounds better than a Zeb for our middle years.

-Who decided on Zeb? -Grandma.

Zeb's not a bad name...

unless you prefer Eunice.

What do you think Joy will be when she grows up?

He will probably inherit Grandpa's voice

and become a famous singer.

Or she'll be a dancer.

There's only room for one dancer in this family, and that's me.

I think she'll be a ropewalker...

like that one that was here, remember?

Don't you think it's a little early for that?

You all don't know what you want to be.

John-Boy does. Maybe the new baby will be a writer.

If it's a girl, she could write about the female point of view.

Why? Is it so different from yours, John-Boy?

Well, maybe it's a little less robust.

John-Boy, exactly what are you writing

in that journal of yours?

Grandma, you don't have to worry.

I never tell tales out of school.

There are no such tales to be told about this family.

I remember a thing or two that happened...

that would bring a blush of shame to your cheek, Esther.

Old man, if you lived your life as wild as

you let your imagination run...

you'd never have survived as long as you have.

While there's life, there's hope.

Old man, now will you just hush up?

Grandma.

John!

It may be nothing more than just a twinge in her side.

Is Mama okay?

-Grandma is taking care of her. -Can she still have the baby?

I don't know yet.

Are you sure she's going to be alright?

Yeah, she just needs rest.

I sure was looking forward to another grandchild.

I know, Ma.

Some things just weren't meant to be.

I know that, too.

I better go talk to the children.

Mama's fine.

She's resting. You can see her in the morning.

Is the baby alright?

Your mama lost the baby.

There was nothing anyone could do about it.

Now, you listen here.

As hard as it is...

it is a kind of a blessing.

When a woman loses a baby this early on...

it's nature's way of saying that things aren't going right.

We'll just have to believe that this birth wasn't meant to be.

Elizabeth, honey, are you alright?

Why not?

Joy is never going to get born.

I know.

I feel sad about that, too.

Listen, Elizabeth, we have each other.

That makes it a little better, doesn't it?

Come here.

John-Boy, read me a story.

A story?

How about if I tell you a poem, okay?

"Amarantha sweet and fair

"Ah, braid no more that shining hair!

"As my curious hand or eye Hovering round thee, let it fly!

"Every tress must be confest But neatly tangled at the best

"Like some clew of golden thread Most excellently ravell'd

"Do not then bind up that light in ribbands

and o'ercloud in night

"Like the Sun in 's early ray

"But shake thy head, and scatter day!"

Go to sleep.

John-Boy, when I have a baby, I'm going to name it Joy.

And she's going to be beautiful just like you.

-Goodnight, honey. -Goodnight.

When are we going to give you a bath?

Who did that?

What's all the squealing for?

Hey, Livie, they're baptizing old Blue.

Okay, bring him over here.

Livie, Is there anything I can get you?

No, thank you, Grandpa.

God does work in mysterious ways.

I know that, Grandpa.

Your faith should be of considerable help to you now.

I know that, too...

but it doesn't make it any the less my fault.

What's that you're saying?

Maybe I could have been more careful. Maybe I should have--

I never realized you had such an exalted opinion of yourself.

You're endowing yourself with powers...

that even us common folks wouldn't dream of taking on.

Grandpa.

Child, there are mysteries in this life...

that none of us can understand as yet.

And you can't take the liberty of coming up with answers...

just for the purpose of making yourself feel better.

Livie, blaming yourself is the easy way out.

It's a much harder way to think that

what happened was for the best.

It's a more truthful way.

It just teaches us that when we do get knocked down...

by a bolt of lightning out of the blue...

it gives us dignity to get up and walk on.

I do believe I'll get you a refill for this.

Cold tea is cold comfort.

If you weren't such a good Baptist...

I'd be tempted to spike it with you-know-what.

Over here, bring him over here.

Maybe we should try Pinkney's Bubble Beautifier on him.

Maybe we ought to try it on you!

No!

-Hold on. -I got him.

As the years went on and we all went our separate ways...

we were to provide my mother and father

with so many grandchildren...

that their lives were never without the sound of a baby

or a growing child's voice.

And all those grandchildren were beneficiaries...

of the extraordinary love...

that was given to us during those years

we spent on Walton's Mountain.

Mary Ellen, do you still want to take dancing lessons?

-If she does, I want to, too. -Me, too.

-Now, Mary Ellen asked first. -Dancing lessons?

There's a perfectly good piano downstairs.

Why doesn't someone learn to play that?

Yuck!

Me, too, yuck.

What would you rather do, Mary Ellen?

Neither. I just started reading about Florence Nightingale.

I think I'd like to be her.

-That sounds sensible. -And heroic, too.

Goodnight, Mama. Goodnight, Erin.

Florence Nightingale? Yuck!

Goodnight, Mary Ellen. Goodnight, Elizabeth.

Yuck. Goodnight, everybody.