Original subtitles

-Nothing to worry about, John. -Is that right, Doctor?

Well, she's a little shy on weight.

She's gonna use the rest as much as you do.

Staying here will just make things harder for your family.

I'm not going anywhere. I just got home.

Now, Liv, if it's the best thing for you...

The best thing for me is to be with you, my family and my home.

JOHN-BOY: My parents were used to being together.

My father's work kept him close to home

when we were a young family.

So there were always times in the day to share a smile

or a touch or a special look between them.

Now, those times were nearly gone.

Work took my father away from home more often

and for longer periods of time.

The separations were hard on them both.

Kind of expected you'd be down here before this.

That so?

I've the feeling that you didn't come to see me.

I did have an older man in mind.

I thought Daddy was gonna be home before this.

I guess him and Matt Sarver lined up a few extra jobs.

I can hear it now.

"Liv, we've been waiting all these years

for this amount of work."

It's money in the bank.

Have you taken a good look at your father lately?

Well, he looks tired. But he only knows one way to work.

Too long and too hard. I can do without the money in the bank.

You look tired, too.

I'm just worried about him.

All this traveling is wearing him out.

Yeah, but it shouldn't wear you out, also.

How about if I take you away from all this?

I have to fill these orders in Rockfish.

Thanks.

I think I'll wait for your daddy.

Ask me out again sometime, young man.

Okay, six apples, sliced and peeled. How much sugar?

(MUMBLING)

-A handful? -No.

Spoonful?

One spoonful of sugar. Okay.

How much nutmeg?

(MUMBLING)

A teaspoon? A tablespoon?

You and Mama are just alike.

You put salt and pepper in to taste

and you know it's right when it looks right or feels right.

Or you put in some sugar or a dab of this.

That's right.

That's fine for you natural-born cooks.

But how am I supposed to learn?

John Curtis, let me give you some advice.

Don't ever get mixed up with girls.

Sounds like Uncle Jim-Bob's had another fight with Tanya.

You know what she said? She said I had a one-track mind

and all I think about is cars and planes.

It's true, isn't it?

See what I mean? They're always trying to get you to change.

First they think you're wonderful. Next thing you know

they're trying to get you to improve yourself.

(GURGLING)

I don't think I'm getting through to you.

I certainly hope not.

I'm going over to Zuleika's to help clean out the attic.

Don't bring home a lot of junk.

He sure has a lot of trouble with women, doesn't he?

Yes. Oh, boy.

(CAR APPROACHING)

You're waiting up for me? It's not late.

I thought you might be your daddy.

What's that?

Nothing.

Good. Then you won't have to take it in the house.

Actually it is something.

Zuleika gave it to me.

She said it was just gathering dust in her attic.

An accordion? What are you gonna do with that?

I'm going to learn to play it. Zuleika showed me how.

This part right here is the bellows.

I didn't know you were interested in music.

I wanted to prove I could do something

besides working on machinery.

Makes you look very dashing.

Thank you.

(CRASHING)

(ALL GIGGLING)

-Do my eyes deceive me? -I'm afraid not.

I see it, but I don't believe it!

Back to work.

Sometimes I wonder about Jim-Bob.

He has a way of inspiring wonder.

I wish I could help, Mama. I know you're worried about Daddy.

All those years we didn't have a phone I didn't expect to hear.

I knew he'd be home when he could.

He wasn't gone as much then, either.

Seems like our lives have completely turned around.

When y'all were little and needed most of our attention,

we were together.

Now that we can spend more time with each other, we're apart.

Worrying about it won't help, Mama.

I know.

But once I get worrying, I have to see it through.

He'll be along soon.

Why don't you come in the house?

Mama, your hands are hot.

Now, don't you start worrying.

Hot hands just means hot hands.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

I suppose since you're awake I can come in.

What are you doing up this late?

I was doing my recipe book.

You know there isn't a single one in this house?

-There never has been. -It isn't fair.

Suppose I move away and get a terrible hankering

for your applesauce cake? I don't even know how to make it.

Then you haven't been watching all these years.

I must have made a thousand of them.

I've got apple pie down pat.

And Grandma's gonna teach me how to make her sponge cake

and Cousin Sue Ellen's savory stew.

There's so much to learn.

I do believe you've come down from your tree house,

Miss Elizabeth.

I was worried.

Oh, you look good!

You feel good.

On second thought, you don't look so good.

You must have slept in your clothes.

In a couple of minutes, I'm gonna be sleeping without them.

I thought you'd call last night.

I wasn't near a phone, Liv.

I don't wanna make this hard on you.

Hard on us, John.

You know, when I'm away from you, I keep thinking of things

I wanna tell you when we're together.

Now I can't think of any of them.

If you don't go to bed, you're gonna fall asleep right here.

Alright. But I got to be up in a couple of hours. Call me.

Taking the day off?

I was just gathering some eggs for your father's breakfast.

This is as far as I got.

Seems funny seeing you sitting this time of day.

The sunshine feels good.

You must know some fine doctors in Charlottesville.

Are you sick, Mama?

Oh, goodness, no! I'm talking about your father.

I've never seen him this worn out.

-I know a number of doctors. -The trick is to get him to go.

He'll listen to you. Have you talked to him yet?

When would I?

When he's home, he's asleep to go out and get tired again.

I know what I'd do. I'd go with him.

I wouldn't be separated from him an hour I didn't have to be.

(ACCORDION PLAYING)

What's all that caterwauling?

It's Jim-Bob practicing his new accordion.

Sounds like somebody is being strangled.

You're looking kind of run-down these days, Daddy.

Yeah, maybe I need some of Ma's Spring Tonic.

That's not the tonic you need.

You need Mama.

You're right there, Son.

You're not like other married couples.

When you're separated, you're no good.

Mama isn't, and you're not.

Can't always be together.

Any reason you can't take her with you next trip?

Well, I hadn't thought about it.

Maybe I ought to ask her.

I would if I were you.

Your mother must have a great faith in you young people.

Streaking off to the ends of the earth

leaving you to your own devices.

Daddy's taking her to Virginia Beach after his business trip.

Mr. Godsey and I have often thought of stealing away.

But, then, as the saying goes, who'd mind the store?

I'd be glad to.

Mr. Godsey and I are mindful of our responsibilities.

Oh, before I forget, make sure that you tell Esther

that we're nearby if she needs us.

Well, Grandma has all the help she needs.

And nobody takes better care of her than Elizabeth does.

Still, I know how young people are,

how they take advantage when their parents are away.

We'll do just fine, Corabeth.

Make sure you tell your mother I hope she enjoys her vacation.

We will.

Thanks for saying that nice thing about me.

I was only saying what was true.

Yeah, and right in front of Corabeth.

I didn't expect to see you all. What a nice surprise.

We enjoyed this. We hope you've some time read it!

These for those postcards you better send me.

-Alright, I will. -Here, Mama.

Oh, Ben, that's beautiful.

-Thank you. -You're welcome.

-The latest fragrance, Mama. -Cologne? My goodness.

It's supposed to drive men wild.

Don't put any on unless I'm around to beat them off.

Nobody told me to bring a gift, Mama.

-How're you coming with it? -Not too good.

You learn to make music come out of that instead of squawks.

-That'll be all the gift I need. -Okay, Mama.

-Sounds good to me. -You know where I'll be, Ben.

You know where I'll be, too, Daddy.

You're looking for a very pretty lady?

Yes, I am.

She's in there.

(CLEARING THROAT)

Excuse me. Yes, may I help you?

Fellow outside said I might find my wife in here.

-Blonde lady with a brown suit. -Yes.

She's trying on a dress. She'll be right out.

-Would you like to sit down? -Thank you.

-OLIVIA: John? -Yes, Liv.

Stunning, isn't she?

Have you finished with Matt Sarver?

Yes, I did.

I don't have to go to my wife. Wanna go away for the weekend?

John.

I'm not kidding. How about Virginia Beach?

John.

You got anything to wear kind of to the shore,

like leisure wear or anything like that.

-(EXCLAIMS) Something like this? -That's right!

That's it, that looks good. What do you think, Liv?

-Don't you think it's daring? -Oh, no, come on. Try it on.

Come on. I'll wait over here.

Okay, I beat all the eggs in. How much flour do I need?

One of those mysterious things good cooks are supposed to know.

Every good boy does fine.

Jim-Bob, can't you play that someplace else?

John Curtis is sleeping upstairs.

Ben won't let me play in the mill.

It's cold on the front porch, you can't play with cold hands.

Jim-Bob.

You can't play that, period.

Remember when you got Grandpa's old saxophone out of the attic?

It sounded like Chance with a stomachache.

Boy.

Better face it, Jim-Bob. Some people aren't naturally musical.

Some people just aren't naturally cooks.

Look at that mess over there. You expect us to eat it?

You didn't complain about my apple pie.

'Cause I had so much heartburn, I couldn't talk.

Out!

-Grandma, we're just playing. -Out!

Out!

Go on!

Go on!

I guess that's the end of my cooking lesson.

-Is your food hot? -No, but the melon is.

Something wrong, Liv?

It just seems a little close in here.

There's nothing left to open but the door.

Everything's a little weary.

You didn't eat much.

I'm not hungry.

-I'm glad you're here, honey. -So am I.

-Your forehead's kind of hot. -Your hands are cold.

(GRUNTS)

Take off your shoes.

-How far is Alberene from here? -It's not far.

-You wanna see your Aunt Kate? -No.

I want you to see Dr. Caldwell.

You're too tired, John. There's got to be a reason.

Seems to me neither of us are doing too well.

He's a very good doctor.

Alright. I'll go if you will.

If that's the only way.

(ALL EXCLAIMING)

-Does that look good! -Hurry up, Elizabeth.

-What's he doing? -I don't know.

That looks funny.

Uh-oh!

JIM-BOB: That looks even funnier.

I think we look real good at the head of the table.

So do I.

Now what did you children do today?

Oh, no. Now I really miss Mama and Daddy.

Oh, thanks a lot!

Well, I just wanna eat.

Ben, you'll eat just as soon as you've said grace.

John Curtis.

Father, we give thanks for this food

and for the blessings at this table.

Bless our parents and keep them safe and well. Amen.

Amen.

I wonder where Mama and Daddy are tonight.

Well, wherever they are, I know Mama's happy.

Daddy, too.

Yes.

Hurry up! I'm getting hungry!

I'm going to be done by the time you get it, you realize that.

Was I in there that long?

Yes. But I don't expect you to believe it.

I'm not used to waiting.

You waited for seven children to be born, didn't you?

Liv's just kind of played out, don't you think?

She could be.

You see, I've been away working a lot.

We're not used to being separated.

That's what the doc will say, don't you think?

What did he say about you?

He said I was overtired and working too hard,

pushing myself too much.

He told me I should stop acting like I was 20.

I've begged him to find another way to say that.

Kind of funny, you've known Liv longer than I have.

This is a strange place to get acquainted.

Tell me.

Was she always as pretty as she is now?

Except while we were waiting for her second teeth to come in.

The front ones were late arrivals.

Gave her a kind of gappy smile.

(DOOR OPENING)

-Nothing to worry about, John. -Is that right, Doctor?

Well, she's a little shy on weight.

She's gonna the rest as much as you do.

We made a couple of precautionary tests.

But Virginia Beach sounds like the best place for you both.

We'll take real good care of each other.

Tests, Charlie?

A week in the sun by the shore never hurt anyone.

Just you take things a little easy, Olivia.

-I'll see that he does, too. -That's right.

-Thank you, Doctor. -Alright.

JOHN: Hope you're not counting on fish for supper.

OLIVIA: You giving up?

Nothing out there but an old boot and a bunch of seaweed.

It's lucky I know where there's a little chowder house in town.

-Been cleaning up the beach? -Beautiful, aren't they?

I don't know all their names,

but they're kind of like snowflakes.

Each one is so different.

Some of them, their color's faded, some of them are small.

A lot of them are broken.

This one's a whelk.

A little sea snail used to live in there.

Kind of sad to think of him moving out.

Maybe he got evicted.

You're about as romantic as a toad!

I'll tell you what.

You give me a kiss, maybe I'll turn into something.

Come here!

(OLIVIA LAUGHING)

Toad, huh? I'll give you some warts!

Let me rest a minute. I can't seem to catch my breath.

Oh, Liv, you know better than to run away from me.

I think I better sit down, John.

Come up here.

Liv?

I feel a little weak.

Must be your kisses.

Doctor told me to stop acting like I was 20.

What did he tell you?

Mostly to stop worrying about you.

Those tests he took? He gonna tell you how they come out?

I didn't ask him.

You know doctors, they're mysterious about their work.

I think I'll just lie down here in the sun for a little while.

Why don't you go catch me something? No tires.

Corabeth, I still don't think we should have come over here

-without calling first. -You know how young people are.

If left to their own devices they'll survive

on the most dreadful food.

We owe it to Olivia to see that they have some supervision.

Hi, Ike and Corabeth.

Hi, Jim-Bob.

You see? There are problems.

I suspect that we arrived not a moment too soon.

"And your father is trying his luck at surf fishing.

"We miss you all. Love, Mama."

Sounds like they're having a wonderful time.

Save that postcard for my collection, alright?

I better get back to the mill. Don't want Daddy to come back

with more work than he left.

Well, you're the one that's gonna need a vacation.

I think you're right.

(KNOCKING AT DOOR)

-Oh, hi, Ike, Corabeth. -Hi, Ben.

We've brought you some home cooking.

My, you little girls are just as busy as bees.

You're dressed for Sunday, Ike.

It's not my idea. We're here on an errand of mercy.

Corabeth seems to think you are all starving to death.

This smells just like the stew I'm making.

Oh, well, I hardly think so.

That recipe has been in our family for years.

Cousin Sue Ellen's savory stew.

Why! I never dreamed that Sue Ellen would pass that recipe

on to your father's branch of the family.

Grandma's teaching Elizabeth to cook all kinds of things.

I can't get her sponge cake right, though.

Oh! Perhaps she failed to reveal all of the ingredients.

Come along.

Wait a minute. Why don't you and Ike stay for supper

since we do seem to have a lot of food?

Oh! That's very kind of you, but we really must run along.

You know, if you're neglected, you sure don't show it.

Neglected?

Now, what on earth put that idea in your head?

I simply dropped in to see that things were under control.

Well, thanks for the stew, Corabeth.

-I'll walk out with you. -You're welcome.

-Bye-bye. -Thank you.

Let's taste this.

My goodness! They do think we're neglected.

-Look at this. -Here, Elizabeth.

(ACCORDION PLAYING)

That must be Jim-Bob.

I heard he was learning to play an instrument.

He's having a little trouble with it.

I guess that's why he's practicing in the barn.

We stood it as long as we could, then we voted him out.

Now wait a second, Jason.

I remember when you started to play the piano.

You never heard so many bad notes.

He had his fingers going in every possible direction.

It's not the same now.

Wish you'd tell that to my teachers at Kleinberg.

See you later, Ike. Drive carefully.

-It's not easy, is it? -I'm about ready to give up.

I'm surprised you haven't already.

We certainly haven't encouraged you.

I don't blame you. I can hear as well as anybody else.

I guess Tanya was right.

All I'll ever be good for is fixing cars and motorcycles.

There's nothing wrong with that.

I was gonna get good enough to serenade her.

Boy, what a stupid idea.

Well, you can't serenade her with scales and exercises.

What you need to do is learn a good simple tune,

something romantic.

At this rate it'll take me all year.

Here. Give me that thing.

Maybe I can help you with the keyboard part of it at least.

Let's see.

I don't know about these buttons over here though.

We'll figure something out. Now what do I do?

Thought I'd give this to Grandma. Think she'll like it?

Yeah. Don't know what she'll do with it.

She'll admire it.

Not everything has to be useful, you know.

Maybe we ought to get souvenirs for everybody at home.

I've already taken care of it.

I've got some scarves for Mary Ellen and Erin.

A pail and bucket for John Curtis.

A conch shell for Elizabeth, so she can hear the ocean.

And salt water taffy for everybody else.

Kind of hard letting go thinking about them, isn't it?

I miss them. But I'm having a wonderful time.

-You want to do some fishing? -No, thank you.

I came here to relax.

You sure are getting good at it.

This is the fourth sponge cake I've made in three days.

I've used up every egg in the place,

done everything you told me to do and it's still not right.

It's fine.

No. It's not moist. And it's got a different flavor.

I don't know. Are you sure we're not leaving something out?

Corabeth says sometimes cooks will keep their recipe secret.

But you wouldn't do that, would you?

Grandma? Would you?

Is it something for the cake?

The Baldwin ladies' Recipe?

You use this in your sponge cake?

I won't tell anybody, Grandma. My lips are sealed.

This is one ingredient I am not going to use in my recipe book.

Be ready in just a few minutes, Liv.

You look like a different man. Tanned, rested.

I haven't thought about the mill since we've been here.

Even the war seems far away.

No radio to remind us of it all the time.

Matt Sarver not calling, giving me a new order every 20 minutes.

We haven't even read a newspaper.

It'll probably catch up with us soon.

I'll never forget this time, John. Never in all the world.

-Kind of hate to go home. -I don't mind going home.

We just have to take all of this with us.

You thinking about something, Liv?

I never think when I look at the sea.

I do.

About all the fish out there and how I would like to catch them.

I get lost in all its changes.

Its sound, the patterns of light, colors, the tides.

They wash all the thought from me.

You haven't gained much weight here.

You've gained enough for both of us.

Let's hold on to this time, John.

Oh, Mama!

Your daddy bought that for me, too.

It's beautiful.

The price tag is still on it. You didn't wear it?

I didn't have time to alter it.

Mama, you've lost weight.

I don't think so.

What did the doctor say?

Well, he said your daddy and I should take the rest.

We should take things easier

and we should start acting our age.

Is that all he said about you?

I think so. Why?

Because you've lost weight and you've come back

from your rest very tired.

Oh, that's just my way.

I always need to rest up from my vacations.

You haven't said a thing to me about you and John Curtis.

Did he miss me?

We all missed you, Mama.

Will you stop looking so worried?

(CAR APPROACHING)

Mama, are you expecting someone?

No, why?

Because there's a woman down there that I don't recognize.

Why, it's Aunt Kate.

It looks almost familiar.

I've tried to tell you everything about us.

Would you like some tea or lemonade?

Nothing, thanks.

I knew I'd feel at home here.

Can't believe it took you this long to come.

I guess you remember that was Mama's.

I can still see where it was mended.

It's been cracked ever since I remember.

One summer your mama took violin lessons

from the lady down the street.

She didn't know it, but the lady's son

used to hide behind the draperies to watch and listen.

One day, overcome by love,

he fell out against the piano and the vase was broken.

How did Mama get it?

-She married the son. -My father?

I didn't know that.

There are a lot of stories I'd like to tell you, Olivia.

Some day when we have time.

Kate, what a surprise!

Just in time to join our coming home picnic.

Oh! Thank you, John.

Can we sit down?

Something wrong, Kate?

Olivia knows I'm not one for much preliminary, John.

My dear, those precautionary tests Charlie took?

They indicate you're in the early stages of tuberculosis.

I don't believe that.

I know.

Is he sure?

Yes.

I put a lot of names on how I felt, but not this.

It sounds so awful.

Like some ancient plague, I know.

But it's not like that, Olivia.

I've read somewhere it takes a long time to overcome this.

Rest, a certain diet, quiet, surely. And there's medicine.

Did Dr. Caldwell send my medicine?

Why, no, he didn't.

We can fix up John-Boy's pressroom.

Special place for you, Liv.

I'm afraid that can't be.

You can't stay here, Olivia.

I can't stay in my own home?

For the first while, you have to be in a sanatorium.

-There's a fine one near me... -Oh, no.

And after a while, I want you to stay with me,

until I can bring you home again.

Does it have to be that way?

Isn't there a sanatorium near here?

There aren't many in all of Virginia.

I'm not going anywhere. I just got home.

Now, Liv, if it's the best thing for you...

The best thing for me is to be with you, my family and my home.

You said something about medicine, rest, quiet.

I can get all that here.

And Mary Ellen's a nurse.

Staying here will just make things

harder for your family, Olivia.

You know what you have to do.

-I'll be back. -Liv...

Mama?

-Where is she going? -Where's Mama going?

The picnic's almost ready. I had a surprise for her.

-Maybe I better tell her. -She has something on her mind.

-I hope nothing's wrong. -Something is wrong.

There's no easy way to tell you this.

So I guess I'll just say the truth straight out.

Your mama's sick. She's likely to have to go away for a while.

-Away where? -To a sanatorium.

What's that?

It's a hospital for people who have tuberculosis.

Oh, no!

JASON: How bad is it, Daddy?

We're lucky. Dr. Caldwell caught it early.

If she gets the right kind of treatment, she'll be just fine.

I don't want Mama to go anywhere.

It's alright, dear. It won't be for long.

Your mama's going to need all the strength you got.

Let's pull together on this.

Come on, we got a picnic to get ready.

OLIVIA: I never think when I look at the sea.

I'll never forget this time, John. Never in all the world.

Kind of hate to go home.

Let's hold on to this time, John.

The sooner I leave, the sooner I'll be home.

The food we had on our trip was great, but this beats all.

This cake is delicious, Elizabeth. Sure you made it?

Grandma helped me.

JASON: Elizabeth's becoming quite a cook.

JIM-BOB: Her stew's better than Corabeth's,

if that means anything.

ERIN: Corabeth was sure we'd been deprived.

Everything went really great while you were gone.

Didn't it, Grandma?

I appreciate what you're all trying to do.

But not talking about it isn't gonna make it go away.

We all know that I'll be leaving in the morning.

I don't know for how long and that's what makes it hard.

But it's not gonna be forever.

Meanwhile, I'm gonna be very comforted knowing that

you'll all be here taking care of your grandma and your daddy.

And I want good reports of all of you

or there's gonna be trouble when I get home.

Well, what's the matter with you?

Don't you think I deserve a rest?

Come on, this is supposed to be a party.

Doesn't anybody know a joke?

I know a joke.

What's the difference between Hitler's moustache

and a snake wearing tap shoes?

-I don't know. -Why don't you tell us?

Well...

Hitler's moustache is a paper man's...

Is a warp...

Well, I can't remember, but it was really funny.

JASON: You're a real genius.

Mama?

Remember that going-away present I forgot to give you?

-I sure do. -I'm ready now.

(PLAYING OH, MY DARLING CLEMENTINE)

(ALL CLAPPING)

That was just wonderful, Jim-Bob.

I'm never going to play it for anybody else again, Mama,

not even if they beg me.

Well, now, why are you all so quiet?

We're just waiting to say goodbye, Mama.

There aren't gonna be any goodbyes.

I want you all to go back to chores like you usually do.

We're just gonna pretend that this is any other morning

and I'm off to Ike's for the groceries.

Are you all gonna stand around all day, doing nothing?

Mama.

Goodbye, Mama.

(SOBBING) You be a good girl.

I'll miss you, Erin.

I love you, Mama.

Take care of your daddy.

Oh, Jason.

KATE: Olivia?

Time to go.

Well, you sure you don't want me to go with you?

I'm sure.

I'll be over to see you.

Liv, I'll miss you.

JOHN-BOY: It was a sad day.

The first of many long, lonely days

for our father and for all the family.

But eventually the time did pass

and my mother was cured of her frightening illness.

Not surprisingly, she endured it all with great courage.

And whenever one of us would falter

and feel sorry for ourselves,

we could always recall Mama's voice saying,

"Now, none of that, I won't have it."

ELIZABETH: Daddy? JOHN: Yes, Elizabeth.

When Mama's at Aunt Kate's, she's not too far

-from the shore, is she? JOHN: No. Just a nice drive.

ELIZABETH: I hope you'll take me next time.

I keep listening to the conch shell.

I've heard the ocean a lot. I'd just love to see it again.

JOHN: Some fine day, honey, we'll do that.

Goodnight, everybody.

ALL: Goodnight, Daddy.