All language subtitles for The.Waltons.S05E07E08.Part.I.and.Part.II.WEBRip.x264-ION10

Mama, Daddy, guess what!

David and I are getting married.

If you planned this reception
in my honor,

I'm afraid I'm not
prepared with a speech.

In that case, why don't you
tell us who you are?

Name's Curtis Willard.
I'm your new doctor.

-How is she?
-Weak.

Hey. Easy does it.

I'm trying. The road
won't cooperate.

On Walton's Mountain,

our family ties
were strengthened by hardship.

The walls of our house protected
us from wind and weather,

and we managed, somehow,
to survive grief

and illness
and disappointment.

Who, then, could have believed

we would find ourselves
so defenseless against romance?

Our music is coming
to you tonight from

the Edgewater Beach Hotel on the
beautiful lakefront of Chicago.

Melodies for
your dancing pleasure.

Imagine being able to hear
what people are doing

clear up in Chicago.

Wish you were there?

Can't think of anything
to beat this.

I'll get the radio.

I'll leave one light on
for Mary Ellen.

-Let's go tell them.
-Now?

Mama, Daddy, guess what!

David and I are getting married.

Aren't you going
to say something?

I think we could've prepared
them a little better than this.

When did all this happen?

Tonight. Not that I
haven't asked her before.

Whoa. Whoa, now.

Aren't you two moving
a little fast?

We've been at school
together all year.

Sir, we're in love.

Yeah, well, we think
very highly of you, David,

but isn't Mary Ellen
a little young for all this?

No younger than
you were, Mama.

What about your career,
your nursing school?

You worked awful hard to get in.
We don't wanna see you waste it.

Oh, it won't be.

I can always find some kind
of practical nursing job.

How about you getting
to be a doctor?

I'll be through interning
in six weeks.

We want to be married then.

Six weeks? Aren't you kind
of rushing into this?

That's the way I am, Mama.

Well, the way
I understand things,

doctoring is not easy.
What are you two gonna live on?

My father wants me to join him
in his practice in Richmond.

-I can provide for Mary Ellen.
-Our minds are made up.

We want to be together.

Mama, please try to remember
how it was with you and Daddy.

I remember.

I guess I do, too.

Thank you. Thank you.

See, I told you. They are
getting married!

-I knew it!
-I don't believe you.

-See?
-Oh, my God!

-Wow. Congratulations.
-Congratulations.

-That's wonderful.
-Congratulations, brother.

What kind of a three-ring circus
is going on down here?

Looks like we're gonna
have a wedding, Grandpa.

-Good Lord!
-Whoopee!

Congratulations.
It's wonderful.

Picnic! Picnic, Esther.

Oh, Jim-Bob, I asked you
to give them bushes a haircut,

not to harvest them.

Esther, where do you want
these sawhorses

for the picnic table set up?

We don't want
the company to roast,

so put them there,
over by the path.

It'll get shadier there.

I'll bet the Spencers don't have
to put a table together

with sawhorses and boards.

We can just throw one of
your pretty tablecloths over it.

They won't know the difference.

Well, I'll know,
and I'm somebody.

I'll just bet
they have enough chairs

they don't have to borrow
from the church.

And I suppose they won't set
down outdoors unless they got

French Chippendale chairs
under 'em, huh?

I'll get the tablecloth.

Hoity-toity.

You'd think the Queen of England
was coming,

instead of Mary Ellen's
in-laws-to-be.

Come and give me a hand
with these chairs, boys.

I have to get my music ready.
The boys are coming to practice.

Wish I had talent.
Gets you out of a lot of work.

You got talent, son.
A strong back, just like me.

Put these up in the porch.

You get those glasses
nice and shiny.

Bad enough they don't match.

Nobody's gonna mind that
but you, Grandma.

Yeah, well, I just want
everything to be just right.

It's not the engagement party
I'm worried about.

I just hope Mary Ellen
knows what she's doing.

Oh, she's in love, Mama.

Seems like she made up
her mind all of a sudden.

Sometimes it happens
like that.

You should remember that, Livie.

I do. But I also know
it's got to be strong enough

to tide you through
when the moonlight fades

and you find yourself
with a sick baby

and bills on your hands.

I don't think Mary Ellen
will have to worry about money.

I just hope she learns
to feel at home with that

well-to-do family in Rich...

Look at that.

Will this be okay, Mama?

It'll make a lovely centerpiece.

Oh, good. We'll put it
over the hole.

Come on, you help me
set the table.

How come Mary Ellen isn't
doing any of the work?

-And it's her party.
-She's the guest of honor.

How can you be a guest of honor
and still part of the family?

Bushes are all trimmed.

Those are for the party.

Get ready and put on
your best clothes.

-My best clothes?
-That's right.

And try to look like
you're enjoying yourself.

All this engagement business
is a waste of time.

-Congratulation, David.
-Thank you.

-You, too, Mary Ellen.
-Oh, thanks, G.W.

Did you see my ring?

Oh, it's beautiful,
Mary Ellen.

It's almost half a carat.

Mary Ellen let me try it on.
I'm her maid of honor.

And Elizabeth will be
my flower girl.

David's gonna take me
sailing on the James River

when I visit them in Richmond.

I built a raft on the river
once. Had a sail on it.

You'll have to visit us
sometime with Erin.

Oh, it sounds like everybody's
gonna live happily ever after.

I sure never thought
Mary Ellen would be

the first one to get married.

One thing you can count
on with Mary Ellen

is not to count on her.

You remember how she always said
she was gonna marry rich,

live in a big house,
travel all over?

-Looks like she's gonna get it.
-Could be.

-This is a lovely occasion.
-Thank you, Lillian.

I feel kind of sorry for David
coming into such a big family.

He'll probably feel more like
an outlaw than an in-law.

He'll fit in.

We're so pleased to meet
the parents of

Mary Ellen's future husband.

You've raised a fine,
high-spirited girl there, John.

Hope you don't mind
we're taking her from you.

Got to admit I did at first, but
I'm getting used to the idea.

Well, console yourself, John.

You'll have plenty of others
when Mary Ellen has left.

That doesn't mean
we aren't gonna miss her.

We were hoping
that David would take over

Dr. Vance's practice
here on Walton's Mountain.

People are growing weary
of going into Rockfish

for a doctor.

Dr. Vance's shoes are
hard to fill.

David would have been
highly acceptable.

Well, I'm afraid
I've got other plans for him.

But don't you worry. We'll take
good care of Mary Ellen.

We're looking forward
to having grandchildren.

So are we.

A boy. David W. Spencer III.

Mama will get mad
if you get your clothes dirty.

Oh, I don't care.

This love stuff gives me a pain.

I'll be glad when
the wedding's over.

When it's over, Mary Ellen
won't be a Walton anymore.

Mary Ellen will always
be a Walton.

She'll be Mary Ellen Spencer.

Well, you'll get married, too,
someday, and change your name.

Oh, not me. I'm never
getting married.

Yeah?

Me neither.

Promise?

That's kid stuff.

Not if you really mean it.

Jim-Bob and me swear
that we'll never fall in love,

get married,
and never leave the mountain.

I thought you folks might
like to see this.

It's Mary Ellen's quilt.

There's my square.

My sister loves gold
and russet leaves.

We had quite a time
with Mary Ellen over that quilt.

Oh, she fought me tooth
and nail.

She said, "I do not want
to get married."

And now, you're going
to tell her, "I told you so"?

Well, it is a temptation.

It's beautiful.

If you planned this reception
in my honor,

I'm afraid I'm not
prepared with a speech.

In that case, why don't you
just tell us who you are?

Name's Curtis Willard.
I'm your new doctor.

Looks like you got quite
a history here.

Never laid claim
to being a writer.

This is better
than I expected.

Gentlemen, you surprise me.

Yes, sir, even better
than I expected.

A little smaller, maybe, but...

I can knock out a few walls,
open it up some.

You say the equipment's
part of the deal?

That's right, Doc.

Well, then, who do I see?
I'm ready to move in.

You're looking at 'em.
Reverend Fordwick,

my son John and myself.

Dr. Vance asked us to find
a buyer for his practice.

What he wants is a down payment,
monthly installments.

What we want is
a reliable doctor.

Then you got one.

Well, actually, we had in mind
someone more like Dr. Vance.

Older, settled, a family man.

Well...

I'm not much to look at,
I'll admit.

I've been traveling.

But I'm a good doctor.

Says here you spent some time
in Stony Gap.

That's right.
Company doctor in a mining town.

How come you left?

All my life I dreamed
of having my own practice

in a place like this.

When I read your notice
in the paper,

I figured you must have
written it with me in mind.

I've got a cash down payment
and I can make the installments

on Florence Brimmer's
arthritis alone!

-How'd you know about that?
-The Blue Ridge Chronicle.

I admired your editorial
about the need

for more country doctors.

Thank you.

And Reverend, congratulation
on getting those new hymnals.

You'd like to stop by tomorrow
morning and try 'em out.

Well, I'm not much of
a churchgoer,

but I do believe that
the doctor upstairs

can do more than any of us.

Agreed.

Churchgoin' is not
a major requirement.

It's a tough job,
needs a young man.

I'd say that any man who reads
TheChronicle religiously

has got a lot going for him
right from the start.

I don't know about
religiously, John-Boy,

but Dr. Willard certainly has
the enthusiasm we need.

Welcome to Walton's Mountain,
Dr. Willard.

Doctor.

Congratulations,
good to have you.

Hey, marvelous!

-There!
-Oh, Grandma!

Are you sure you want to be
married in this old thing?

Well, of course I do.
It was Grandma's dress.

Well, it needs
a little mending is all.

Oh, Corabeth, you can't find
material like that anymore.

Do you think you can
match the thread?

You know, it used to be
considered fashionable

to be married in your
grandmother's wedding dress.

But nowadays, people just think
you can't afford any more.

Well, those "nowadays" people
can think anything they want.

Oh, it's a beautiful dress.

Oh, it sure is,

but it looks kind of dainty
for a robust girl like you.

You're planning to let it out
a little, I hope.

I don't think it's any
of your business.

Well, why not? Didn't I drop
in on your engagement party?

I just don't appreciate being
insulted is all.

Sorry, I was trying
to pay you a compliment.

Put this on my bill, Ike.

I'm off on a couple
of house calls.

Okay, Doc.

That's the third time
he's been here this morning.

And that's the third time you
let him get away without paying!

I'm giving him a little credit
while he's getting settled.

And what's even worse,

while he helps himself
to our goods,

he feels free to tell us how
to store our meat and vegetables

so they won't spoil,
as if we didn't know!

Young smart aleck!
Giving everybody advice.

Well, I could give him some.

At this rate he's not going
to be very popular around here.

Here, how's that?
A perfect match.

Five cents, please.

Yeah, well, I hope the thread's
not as old as the material.

You say the attack
began this morning?

Yes.

You didn't need
to fetch him, Ben.

A man ought to be allowed
to die in peace without

some quack doctor poking him.

Doctor, it was right
after breakfast.

He said it was like a mule
hanging on his chest.

The old ticker just pooped out.

I couldn't hardly draw
a deep breath.

-What'd you have to eat?
-I ate hearty.

A bowl of chili
and a couple of biscuits.

-You got any left?
-Over on the stove.

Help yourself.

Ben,

see to it Sissy gets
any of my belongings she wants.

And the rest are yours.

Make sure my pets
get a good home.

Yancey, you're not gonna die.

When a man's time is come,
it's come.

No sense in messing
with what has to be.

What did you put in this?

Little of this, little of that.

I may have seasoned it
a bit heavy this time.

Your socks in the sink?

That way I know where they are.

I've seen coal mines
cleaner than this place.

Is that any way to talk
to a man who's facing his maker?

A man whose heart
has attacked him?

There's nothing wrong with your
heart. You've got indigestion.

-You mean I ain't dying?
-Only by some miracle.

What I can't figure out
is why you don't have TB,

botulism and bubonic plague.

You better get things
cleaned up around here, mister.

You can use that chili
for disinfectant.

Oh, oh!

Now you're going too far, Doc.

It's one thing to attack
the way that I live,

but when you start
to badmouth my red devil chili,

you've gone too far!

Okay, Yancey. Only when
you have to call me back

to treat you for the mange...

Mange!

...don't say I didn't warn you.

Tiger! Attack!

And if you don't
clean up this yard,

you're gonna have
flies as big as chickens.

The county ought
to close you down!

Get off the property!
Go on, get!

Easy, Tiger.

I got half a mind
to stick Tiger on you. Easy.

Easy, Tiger, easy.

Five, $3.80,

one, two...

$3.85.

It's not enough.

We're gonna have to think
of another wedding present.

But we already
decided on the radio.

So she can think of us
when she plays it.

And David, too.

Imagine the two of them
listening to the radio,

holding hands and looking deep
into each other's eyes.

Yeah, but $3.85 just
isn't going to do it.

We have to think of
other ways to raise money.

I don't know how to raise money.

There's a fellow at the Dew Drop
who always hollers for requests.

Think I'll hit him
for a tip tonight.

You better hit him
for more than one.

Dr. Willard, I certainly
appreciate you coming by.

It'd be the end of me if I had
to go down to your office today.

The arthritis in my feet
is killing me.

Is that why you wear
those slippers?

I spend 12 hours a day on my
feet looking after my boarders.

How's your appetite?

Everyone says I eat like a bird.

-Is that true?
-At the table.

But at the stove
it's different.

Every good cook has to taste
as she goes along, you know.

Dr. Vance always gave me
something for the pain.

-Is this a prescription?
-No.

-It's a diet.
-A diet?

I want you to lose 20 pounds

and get yourself
a pair of shoes with arches.

What about the pain?

The pain will go away
when this does.

-Dr. Willard, you are forward!
-Mrs. Brimmer, you are fat!

-Hiya, John.
-Hey, Doc.

What are you doing here
on a Sunday morning?

Just out walking the hills.
I saw the smoke.

We're a little short
of honey, though.

Let me give you a hand.
You smoke, I'll scoop.

Alright, Doc, careful you
don't get stung, now.

Don't worry.

The secret is to stay calm.

That's it.

Right.

There you go.

Watch 'em.

Alright.

Easy, Doc. Go ahead, go ahead.

-Go ahead, Doc.
-Alright.

There you go.

-Thought you said to stay calm.
-Yeah.

But you gotta tell that
to the bees.

Look out.

Hurry up, Doc, come on.

Looks like our Blue Ridge
honeybees

got through that
thick skin of yours.

Bent their stingers, though.

Doc, how about staying
for supper?

I'm sure Liv can come up
with another drumstick.

I'd like that if you're sure
she won't mind.

Hey, Doc, I'm plumb out of
alcohol, rubbing and otherwise.

Yancey has got stashed away here
some of his white lightning.

Do you think that'll do?

Must be Yancey's health secret.

I wonder if it's up to par.

Pa.

Looks like you got some
explaining to do.

Maybe I'd better not stay
after all.

You're staying, Doc.

Yes, to explain to the ladies

the medicinal value
of white lightning.

-Your bee sting still hurt?
-Nope. Not anymore.

When I get stung
I put creek mud on.

Oh, no, a piece of ice
is the best thing.

Well, those are just
home remedies.

Those old home remedies can be
pretty good sometimes.

I remember when I was little,
I was stung by a big bumblebee.

Grandpa took three
different kinds of weeds

and he just
rubbed 'em on there.

The sting went away.

I suppose there is some
medical value in home remedies,

but I'd just as soon rely
on modern methods.

And these new miracle drugs

that are coming along
look very promising.

That's fine for
you city doctors,

but up here in the hills,
we still have facilities

like horse-and-buggy days.

Well, Dr. Vance
certainly made do.

And he didn't
insult people, either.

-Mary Ellen.
-Well, it's true.

Mrs. Brimmer's having a fit
because he said she was so fat.

I'm afraid that I'm used
to treating working men,

and when they get sick
they want to know what's wrong,

so I tell them.

Anyway, I never did get good
marks in bedside manners.

That's why I need someone who
knows the area

to help me get started.

Would you be interested,
Mary Ellen?

-In what?
-Working with me for a while.

You could...

You could tell me how to sweet
talk the folks hereabouts.

I'm a nurse, Doctor,
not a miracle worker.

She's also engaged.

David?

If you have the time
and you want to, why not?

You could always work
part-time. It's money.

Yeah, that'd be enough
to help me figure out

that cockeyed filing system
Dr. Vance used.

What's wrong with the filing
system?

A moron could figure it out.

A moron must have set it up.

I set it up, Dr. Willard,

and I wouldn't work for you

if you were the last
doctor on earth!

Sure am off to a great start
at Walton's Mountain.

What are you doing here?

-What are you doing here?
-Remodeling.

I want my patients to have
a comfortable waiting room.

Dr. Vance thought it was enough
to practice good medicine.

Well, I don't need all this
space for my own living,

so I'm going to expand
the examining room, too.

Come on, I'll show you.

See, someday, I'm going to put
in a pharmacy right back here,

maybe, set up an operating room,
put in a few hospital beds.

You've rearranged everything!

Sure. It's more
convenient this way.

Well, there's nothing wrong
with the way it was.

You disapprove?

Dr. Vance certainly would.

What did you
stop by for, anyway?

I thought you wanted a nurse.

I thought
you weren't interested.

Well, I changed my mind.

Well, what makes you
think that I haven't?

Is anybody here?

Good Lord, a patient!
Bring her in, Nurse Walton.

Miss Mamie, Miss Emily.

Why, Mary Ellen Walton,
what a pleasant surprise.

We expected to see the doctor.

Won't you come in?

Dr. Willard, this is Miss Emily
and Miss Mamie Baldwin.

Good morning, ladies. Please
make yourself comfortable.

We do apologize for calling
without an appointment,

Dr. Willard,

but my sister's having
so much discomfort in her chest

and the doctor in Rockfish
doesn't seem to be available.

I see. Sit up here, ma'am.

Here.

When did the pains begin?

They came on quite suddenly
last evening.

Well, we'd better see
what's causing them.

Pray, Doctor,
what do you intend to do?

What?

What do you intend to do?

Just check your
breathing, ma'am.

But, sir, we are
perfect strangers!

I'm also your doctor.

Would you mind
unbuttoning your blouse?

May I point out that Dr. Vance
was our doctor for 30 years and

-sister never unbuttoned...
-Unbuttoned my garments.

This is the only way
I'm going to find out

what's wrong with you.

I'd die first!

That's about the most
unreasonable thing

that I've ever heard.

If modesty is unreasonable,

then we best find ourselves
another doctor.

Come, sister.

Now see what you've done.

You've offended my sister
and she's very delicate.

I doubt if you'll
ever see us again.

Goodbye, Mary Ellen.

Well, you certainly know
how to handle people.

Okay, tell me how Dr. Vance
would have handled it.

Well, the Baldwin ladies are
left over from another century.

They have to be treated
very gently.

Miss Emily holds
the stethoscope.

-You're kidding.
-No.

I can see that you're going
to be very useful, Nurse Walton.

-Just do me one favor.
-What's that, Doctor?

Don't tell me how Dr. Vance
used to do things.

Good Lord! What are you doing?

-This is 1937.
-What?

Esther, do you know
this is 1937?

I've known it since
January the first.

Twenty years ago, it was 1917.

You remember
what we were doing in 1917?

Of course I don't remember.

In 1917, Esther,

you and I went over to
Charlottesville, to the bank,

and we bought ourselves
a Liberty Bond

on the same day that John
went into the Army.

Now, it is matured by now
and we can cash it in.

If you'd just remember
where you put it.

Now, where did you hide it?

Where did I hide it?

Now I remember! You hid it!

You said that you were going to
put it away for our old age.

What do you want it for?

Well, since I don't intend
to get old and you never will,

I thought we ought
to give it to Mary Ellen.

A dowry?

Oh, Zeb, that's a fine idea.

She's gonna be
a rich doctor's wife

and she should have a dowry.

I'm glad you agree
with me for once.

Now, we can cash it in if you
just remember where we put it.

Where we put it? Where you put
it.

-You had it in your hands.
-I did not.

You wanted to cash it in
long before it became mature.

I remember that distinct,
Esther.

Are you telling me that I forgot
where I put it, if I did?

You did!

You're trying to accuse me
of being absent minded.

Elizabeth, Jim-Bob,
I have a surprise for you.

Patsy, I want you to meet
some friends of mine.

My niece from Baltimore
is staying with me

while her daddy is working
down in Panama.

Maybe you could show her around.

Patsy Brimmer, this is Elizabeth
and Jim-Bob Walton.

Hi, Jim-Bob, Elizabeth.

-Hi.
-Hi.

I think Patsy's in your grade at
school, Jim-Bob.

Maybe you'd come by in the
morning and show her the way?

Well, you know,
it's only down the road.

You could practically
spit that far.

It would help me to have someone
to go with, Jim-Bob.

My name is James Robert.

Well, me and Jim-Bob
will come and pick you up.

We always walk to school
together.

My name is James Robert.

We're on our way to Ike's
to go and get some candy.

Would you care to come along?

No. We were told
to do our chores.

Well, we'll see you later, then.

See you tomorrow, Jim-Bob.

Jim-Bob, you remember
our promise?

Yeah.

Yeah?

John-Boy, you busy?

Oh, Ike, come on in.

I want to talk to you
about that new doctor.

Everybody wants to talk
about the new doctor.

I've been giving him a lot of
credit at the store.

Groceries and materials and
paints and Lord knows what all.

Is that causing you trouble?

Well, Corabeth wanted me
to check out on his credit.

And Stony Gap claims that
Dr. Curtis Willard

left town owing money.

His credit rating is zero.

Well, who'd you check with?

There's only one bank in town.

There's only one
Dr. Curtis Willard.

I'm surprised that you and your
daddy and Reverend Fordwick

didn't check him out better
before you invited him.

It's not unusual for anybody to
have bad credit these days.

Well, yeah, but you'd think at
least a doctor'd pay his bills.

Dr. Vance couldn't pay
his bills.

That's how come he had to leave.

Ike, I'd really appreciate it

if you wouldn't say
anything about this just yet.

Curt has enough troubles
as it is.

Okay, John-Boy.

But I'm gonna
keep my eye on him.

You can bet
your ukulele on that.

That's it.

Doctor, can you come?

My sister has taken
a severe turn for the worse.

-She can hardly breathe!
-I'll wash up.

Mary Ellen, get my bag,
and you'd better come, too.

I may need you.
I'll be right back, Miss Mamie.

Thank you.

It'll be alright, Miss Mamie.

Just take it easy.

I got to get her to a hospital,
and fast.

Mary Ellen, unroll the mattress
in the back of my van.

Miss Mamie, we'll need blankets.

Doctor, I will be desolate if
anything happens to my sister.

It's about time
somebody showed up!

What kind of an office is this?
Not a soul in sight!

A doctor ought to keep
regular hours.

That's what I keep telling him.

-Well, where is he?
-House call.

Maybe you can tell me how come
he's got everybody riled up.

He's rude, unpredictable and
impossible to get along with.

But he's also a good doctor.

Would you say that reads
"sulfanilamide"?

Yeah, looks like it to me.

Doctor's giving it
to Miss Emily.

He says she's got
a fast-moving case of pneumonia.

What?

We gotta get her
to the hospital right away.

I don't understand how it could
come on so suddenly.

We'll get there as fast
as we possibly can, Miss Mamie.

Dr. Willard seemed to know right
away what was wrong.

Well, he's worked on a lot of
coal miners.

I have a feeling he knows
a lot about lung disorders.

-How is she?
-Weak.

Hey. Easy does it.

I'm trying. The road
won't cooperate.

Twenty-six miles of this
won't do Miss Emily any good.

-How's Miss Emily?
-She's holding her own.

Dr. Willard's doing a fine job.

He's a good man.

He's not the easiest man
to work for.

That's because you got
spoiled around here.

Ike's gonna tell 'em we'll be
home late. What's the news?

That ride from Walton's Mountain
was pretty rough on Miss Emily.

Miss Mamie.

Miss Mamie.

Your sister's stronger
than we thought.

She's gonna be alright.

She wants to see you.

You know, my grandma almost died

because we're so far away
from the hospital out there.

You know how I feel about that.

We have got to find a way to
take care of our own people.

Yeah.

Right there on the mountain.

Grandma.

Grandma.

Must have dozed off.

Miss Emily's gonna be fine.

It's a miracle. Get your shoes
off the table.

Sulfanilamide.

Sulfanilamide. It's a new drug.
Dr. Willard used it.

I'm glad he's good
for something.

Why don't you go to bed?

Where's Mary Ellen?

Curt's driving her home.

John-Boy, do you realize it's
after 5:00?

She's an engaged young lady
and he's a single man.

-Now, that's just not right.
-Grandma, she's his nurse.

-Well, I don't like him.
-Well, I do.

I think he's got
some good ideas.

We were talking over
some plans for a new clinic.

-New what?
-A new clinic.

He wants to use the Vance house,
turn it into a clinic

where he can handle emergency
cases. I think it's a good idea.

Well, I understand he can't even
pay his bills as it is.

-Where's he gonna get the money?
-We're gonna raise money.

Raise money,
in these hard times?

That's the whole point. We're
gonna have a "hard times" party.

To raise money.

Refreshments, dancing, prizes.

Use TheChronicle
to advertise it.

Any money we take in
will go to the clinic.

And Miss Mamie
and Miss Emily Baldwin said

that any money we make,
they'll match it.

-They will?
-Yep.

Curt knows where he can get good
laboratory equipment half-price.

I think it's a good idea.
I think we can do it.

Well, I just wish it would come
at a different time,

with the wedding and all.

Grandma.

I'm too sleepy to stay awake,
I'm too tired to go to sleep.

Well, let's make some breakfast.

Rough night, Doctor.

Rough night, Nurse.

Did your car finally give up?

No. I just stopped to soak in
a little mountain beauty.

Guess when you live in it,
you don't appreciate it.

You would if you'd grown up
where I did.

Where was that?

The other side of the tracks
in Wheeling.

How'd you get to be a doctor?

A lot of kicking and scratching.

And a certain amount of
slick dealing.

What made you decide
to go into nursing?

I like taking care of people.

Pretty soon you'll be
serving them tea.

How come you're not married?

I never found the right girl.

I know someone you should meet.

Miss Nora.
She's the county nurse.

Where's she been hiding?

She spends a lot of time tending
people in the back country.

I'll introduce you next time
she comes down from the hills.

Come on, let's get back.

Well, I sure hope she's easier
to get along with than you are.

I wish we could have had these
invitations engraved

like Corabeth's book says.

I bet that's what David's family
is used to.

Well, there's nothing wrong
with a handwritten note.

Besides, your handwriting's
much prettier than engraving.

Mary Ellen, are you gonna have
something old, something new,

something borrowed
and something blue?

I hadn't even thought about it.

Well, this dress is old enough.

Oh, look at that tear.

That's where grandpa stepped on
it the day we were married.

Well, there's another one
up here somewhere.

The white gloves that Mama
got you could be something new.

And I'll let you borrow
my lace handkerchief.

What about something blue?

I have a blue yo-yo.

Elizabeth, somehow
I get the feeling

you're not in favor
of this wedding.

She wants you to marry G.W.
and stay on the mountain.

Now I'm stuck with him.

Oh, what's wrong with G.W.?

He's another one of your
hand-me-downs.

Yeah, well, don't you burn
any bridges.

G.W. might well be a pillar
in this community someday.

Who wants a pillar, Grandma?

Oh, everyone, listen to this.

"Mr. and Mrs. John Walton

"request the honor
of your presence

"at the marriage of their
daughter Erin."

What's Grandpa doing up in the
attic?

I expect he's looking for that
old suit

to wear at the hard times dance.

He couldn't find his head
if it wasn't fastened on.

-Where you going?
-Out to exercise Blue.

Well, then how come you're all
slicked up?

I'm not all slicked up!

-Well, I'll go with you.
-No, you won't!

You look real nice, Jim-Bob.

Ever since that
Patsy Brimmer came to town,

Jim-Bob spends more time in
front of the mirror than Erin!

-Come on. Come on, Elizabeth.
-Who came to town?

Hi, Jim-Bob.
I've been waiting for you.

Hi.

I see you brought
your sister along.

It wasn't my idea.

I don't mind.
We can all go for a ride.

Alright, hop on.

-Will this be alright?
-Sure. Come on, Blue.

Here, listen to this.

"I think of you every minute of
the day,

"every moment of the night.

"I cannot live without you."

Which one of your moon-faced
beaus

wrote that awful piece
of drivel?

Might have known
you didn't mean it.

I did?

Oh, well, I'm sorry, Esther.

I just can't get my mind
off that Liberty Bond,

where we hid it.

Well, we tore this place apart.

Just might as well kiss
that Liberty Bond goodbye.

Oh, dear.

Oh, dear.

I know where it is.

I remember.

It's in John's picture.

John is in John's picture!

In the back of John's picture!
Here, here.

You know that time you wanted to
cash it in, I decided to hide it

-where you'd never find it?
-You see? You were hiding it.

Maybe I was sorry
and ashamed of what I did

that I forgot about it.

And aren't you glad that I did?

Yeah, well, that depends
on if it's in here.

Zeb, it is.

Oh, Esther.

It looks almost brand-new,
don't it?

Twenty years.

Don't that take us back a while!

1917.

I remember it was to be
put aside for the future.

Well, it is, isn't it?

Well, what do you think of it,
Dr. Willard?

Great day in the morning.

I didn't think I'd be in church
this Sunday, but here I am,

in a cathedral.

Well, I thought you'd like it.

There's an even better view
over here, Curt.

Here, let me do that for you.

Thank you. I do admire a man
with good manners.

I just don't want a corn worm
to jump out and bite you.

You're sweet, Jim-Bob.

You going to
the hard times dance?

Probably.

You taking anybody?

I don't know.

I haven't really
thought about it.

If you did, who would it be?

I don't know. You, I guess.

Why, James Robert Walton,

are you asking me
to have a date with you?

Yeah, I guess I am.

Well, then, I'd be pleased
to accept, James Robert.

Thank you.

Hardly seems
like a Sunday dinner.

The family feels
kind of shrunk to me.

The things people do
on the Sabbath these days.

All the more dinner
for yours truly.

Elizabeth, you set the silver
kind of lopsided.

Your mind wandering?

Well, it's just
it's hard to know

where to put the knives and the
forks when everyone's gone.

Kind of makes you the onliest
child, huh, Elizabeth?

I still don't know why I
couldn't go

to Mrs. Brimmer's
with Jim-Bob for supper.

Elizabeth, why don't you
say the blessing?

Dear Heavenly Father,

we thank you
for this food on this table

that Mama and Grandma
made for us,

because we know that
it's better than what

Jim-Bob is getting
at Mrs. Brimmer's.

-Amen.
-Amen.

I can understand why you enjoy
the back country, Nora.

-Beautiful, isn't it?
-Yeah.

You had the start of a good
bird's nest here, Doctor.

I still have.

What are we all sitting around
here for? Let's go for a walk.

Okay.

-You ready?
-Yeah.

Okay. Left, your right.

-Yeah.
-Okay, steady.

No!

Grandma thought
they'd be good chaperones.

They're the ones
who need a chaperon!

I don't get it.

First of all, you practically
push Miss Nora on Curt,

now you don't want him
to have a good time.

You just work for him,
Mary Ellen, you don't own him.

Oh, David, I wish we didn't
have to wait.

I wish we could get married
right this minute.

-Mary Ellen not in yet?
-Haven't seen her.

I thought I heard
David's car leave.

Over here, Mama.

I'll be glad
when the wedding's over.

-Are you having second thoughts?
-No.

Well, I hate to see you go away,

but if you're sure that you
and David are going to be happy,

I'm almost willing to let go.

Mama, will I feel
any different the next day?

I think you will.

Well, I guess the romantic part
doesn't matter much

after you've been married
as long as you and Daddy.

At your age, it must seem so.

David is steady and reasonable.

I don't think it'll be hard to
live with him.

Are you sure you're not trying
to talk yourself into something?

No, I'm just
counting my blessings.

Sometimes it seems
too good to be true.

I think I'm gonna go for a walk.

I want to get off a ways
and look back at the house.

I'm not going to be
living here much longer.

-Find Mary Ellen?
-Mm-hm.

-Did you fix the iron?
-As good as new.

She alright?

She's just got a little case
of the jitters.

When did you start
wearing glasses?

Yesterday. Got them at
the five-and-ten-cent store.

I didn't know there was anything
wrong with your eyes.

Gonna have a married
daughter soon,

gonna be a grandfather
before you know it.

They're just for
reading and working.

There are an awful lot of young
men been around here lately,

and every one of them
could learn something from you.

Be careful, Liv,
you're steaming up my glasses.

Mary Ellen says being romantic
doesn't count at our age.

Is that so?

Oh, you devil, you.

Oh, Mary Ellen, I've just had
the most marvelous news!

Dr. Willard has informed Sister

that she's well enough to attend
the benefit dance on Saturday.

Perhaps you could tell us what
to wear to a hard times ball.

Is it like a cotillion?

Not exactly, Miss Emily.

You're supposed to wear
old clothes.

Old clothes?

Well, I do have that old black
dress, Sister,

but it's got a moth hole in it.

Well, just put
a red patch on it,

wear your old bedroom slippers,
and you'll win first prize.

Oh, Doctor...

Oh, Doctor, you are so droll.

Indeed, you are.

Now, you come along, Sister.
You mustn't tire yourself.

-Dr. Willard, Mary Ellen.
-Goodbye.

-Goodbye, Mary Ellen.
-Goodbye.

You're improving.

Well, I've had a good teacher.

It's a dirty trick, you quitting
just to get married.

That other doctor doesn't need
you as much as this one.

You won't have any trouble
finding another nurse.

No, maybe not.

But it's the secretary
and decorator

that I'm worried about.

I've kind of gotten used
to having you around.

Hi, Curt. Hi, Mary Ellen.

Well, looky who's here,

Miss Nora Nightingale
of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

What are you making Mary Ellen
do now, you slave driver?

No wonder she's planning
to quit.

Nurse Walton is just doing
a little plastic surgery for me.

Come on in. I want to show you
the plans for the clinic.

I'll talk to you
later, Mary Ellen.

Curt's asked me to the dance.
I don't know what to wear.

Any luck, Ben?

Not much. Got a dollar advance
from John-Boy.

A quarter from
sweeping Ike's floor.

Still doesn't give enough for
that radio.

Hey.

I've got 25 cents.
I sold my pencil box to Ruth.

-Good.
-Good.

I played a special request
last night

for Hubie Noonan.
He gave me a quarter tip.

And 30 cents that Miss Fanny
gave for washing her windows.

-How much does that make?
-That gives us $6.85...

Call it $7.

And the radio's $9.75.

We're never gonna make it.

Hey, how about you, Jim-Bob?

You haven't got us any money
for the radio.

-Well, I got 50 cents.
-Where'd you get that?

You know that practically
new headlight for my car?

I sold it to Buck Vernon.

You're a good man, Jim-Bob.

That gives us $7.50!

You think maybe Ike would come
down on the price of the radio?

-He might.
-Not a chance.

Corabeth wouldn't let him.

That's true.

What are we gonna do?

Two dollars?
Who gave us those two dollars?

Thank you, thank you very much.
Appreciate it.

Two, three, that's four...

-That's five.
-Alright, let's see where...

Look at this.

Halfway there, halfway there.

We wanted to flavor the punch
with a little of the Recipe,

but your grandfather
didn't want us to spoil it.

The Recipe, that is.

I sure wish I could do some of
these new dances, Erin.

Well, we'll just do an old one.

How we doing, John-Boy?

Oh, we got $25,
still bringing it in.

Dad sent this.

It's the Spencers' contribution
to a good cause.

Thank you very much.

Ten dollars? A ten-dollar bill.

Zeb...

Hold your horses, old dear,
I can't remember where I put it.

On behalf of the entire Walton
tribe, we present $10.

Where'd you get $10?

Shall we dance,
old girl? Come on.

Jason, Jason!

Everybody, listen up now.

We've received some more
money...

Oh, Mamie, get over there.

...and we're now going to
announce

the final tabulation
of the money we've taken in

for the fundraising drive
of the Walton's Mountain Clinic,

and it's been tabulated and
computed

by Mrs. Corabeth Godsey.

And the number is...

Well, we've taken in,
today, $65.50!

Which is right up there!

John-Boy, as we promised,
here's our check, all signed.

Ready for you to fill out with
the proper amount.

Thank you very much.

As you all know, Miss Mamie
and Miss Emily Baldwin

have consented to match whatever
figure we come up with tonight.

Now, we have their check,

and that brings
the grand total to

$131!

-Dr. Willard?
-Yes?

I believe this is yours.

No, it's yours,

for better medical care
at Walton's Mountain.

Well, I hate to admit it,
but I'm speechless.

I think I got off to a bad start
when I first came here.

I... I ruffled a few feathers,

and I stepped on some toes,

and I "gee'd" when
I should have "hawed."

I probably won't be any
different in the days to come,

because that's
the kind of man I am.

But I want you to know

that I'm gonna try my best
to keep you all well,

and you've gone a long way
to help me do that

with the kind of generosity
that you've shown here tonight.

I thank you.

Jason!

Everybody, enjoy yourselves,
'cause the night is young!

Congratulations on winning first
prize for your costume!

Sure surprised me. Thought this
was a come-as-you-are party!

Mary Ellen?

I thought you'd gone.

I... I took Nora home

and then I stopped back at the
office

to lock up the contributions.

I came out.
It got stuffy in there.

I was hoping to have
another dance with you. May I?

-Here?
-Yeah, why not?

This may be our last chance
to be alone.

You're about to turn into
a married lady.

People might not understand
if they see us out together.

There's nothing
to misunderstand, is there?

Unless you feel it, too.

Feel what?

The chemistry.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

I never was any good
at chemistry.

It's easy.

-Is your headache any better?
-No.

-Well, can I get you anything?
-No, thank you.

Okay. I'd better hurry
or I'll be late for church.

Oh, you're a fine one
to be going to church!

What's the matter with you,
anyway?

You've been acting
weird all day.

Mary Ellen, hurry up!

Grandpa and Grandma
have a surprise for you!

-Come on.
-Okay.

Well, whatever it is that's
bothering you,

I hope you get over it.

* Brighten the corner
where you are *

What's going on?

You ask your grandpa.
He finally found it.

Found what?

Mary Ellen, your grandma and I
have a surprise for you

which may partly
explain the mystery

why the Waltons were able to
come up

with a donation last night.

Zeb, get on with it. Oh, you
always drag things out so.

Hold your horses, Esther,
this is a momentous occasion.

Twenty years ago,

your grandma
and I purchased a Liberty Bond

on the same day that your daddy
went into the Army.

-You cashed it in, Grandpa?
-I did.

Which now explains
why our eldest granddaughter

is able to be hitched up
in proper style with a dowry,

and something left over for us.

How much is it?

Twenty-five dollars!

Not bad! That's terrific!

Oh, my.

Now, let's take some of this joy
and this happiness

on to church with us. Come on.

Livvy! Well, where's Erin?

Oh, she's got a sick headache.

Well, you tell your daddy to
look in on her.

You tell your mama to come on.

Mama, we're leaving!

I can't go to church, Esther.

-Why?
-I can't find my collar.

What's that?

It's a blue jay's nest.
Still got an egg in it.

You can't put that thing on the
tree. It's full of mites.

And that old
rotten egg'll smell bad.

Who wants a nasty thing like
that on a Christmas tree?

I do, and it's not nasty.

-You're such a crazy...
-Oh, turn blue, Erin.

Thought you said you wanted
practice.

Well, where's your mitt?

Not baseball, dancing.

What's that?

Ricky-Mae's movie magazine.
She loaned it to me.

Look, that's what I want for us.

-Mary Ellen...
-Okay, now take me in your arms.

Are you gonna take me in your
arms, or am I gonna wham you?

Closer. Okay, now relax.

One, two, three,
one, two, three,

one, two, three...

I know how you feel.
It's hard, isn't it?

Wanna walk me part way
to church?

You're awful quiet.

I was just thinking.

The next time I go to church,
it'll be to get married.

I'd be scared.

What makes you think I'm not?

It seems to me you were a lot
more excited about this thing

before Curt Willard
came on the scene.

Jason Walton,
what a thing to say!

Oh, I don't know, it's just
that, you know,

when I'm up there on that
bandstand every night,

I get to studying people.

And after a while,

you can kind of tell
when a man and a woman

are really right for each other.

You don't think David and I
are right for each other?

Well, I did,

until I saw you dancing
with Doc Willard last night.

There's something between you.

He called it chemistry.

What are you gonna do about it?

I can't build a life
on chemistry.

Come on, I'll race you home.

Mary Ellen?

In here, John-Boy.

Is Curt here?

I was gonna take that money
down to the bank for him.

I don't know where he is,
John-Boy.

His van isn't here and some
of his clothes are missing.

The money for the clinic
was here.

Operator.

Hold on, John-Boy.

Superintendent, Stony Gap Mine.

-I'm ringing, John-Boy.
-Thank you.

She's trying to get through.

Can't figure why he'd run out
without telling anyone.

I believe we should give him
the benefit of the doubt

until we know more.

Well, I don't know
what to tell his patients.

Yes, Erin?

The Superintendent is a Mr.
Bradley, but he isn't in now.

But his secretary, Miss Lynch,
is on the line.

Hello, Miss Lynch?
Hello, this is John Walton, Jr.

I'm trying to get information
on Dr. Curtis Willard.

I think he resigned from your
company a couple of months ago.

Well, I wouldn't say
Dr. Willard resigned, exactly,

but he did leave.

I don't understand.

I'm not authorized to give out
that information on the phone.

Miss Lynch,
this is a very important matter.

Do you have any idea where
Dr. Willard might be right now?

I... I'm sorry. Mr. Bradley
makes all the decisions here.

That's all I can tell you.

Do you want me to try her again?

No, thank you, Erin.

Well?

Curt didn't resign, which means
he was probably let go.

Or just plain fired. It's a fine
time to find that out.

We didn't really check on him,
did we?

I think she knew a lot more than
she was willing to tell me.

If we don't hear from him by
tomorrow,

I'd like to talk
to Mr. Bradley myself.

Probably the only way we're
gonna get to know anything.

Okay, take the pole.

Okay, move it through
the water nice and slow.

That's it.

Did you ever kiss a girl,
James Robert?

Sure.

Where?

Oh, out behind the swings
at school.

No, silly. I meant, where?

On the cheek or on the lips?

Both.

Really?

Supper's ready!
Come on, everybody, sit down.

I still don't see why
John-Boy has to be the one

to go traipsing off
after Dr. Willard.

The wedding rehearsal
is Wednesday night.

He may not have to go, I'm just
warning you it could happen.

Yeah, Curt could
show up any time.

Mary Ellen, are you going to
help or not?

I'm helping.

Stop that!

Mama, Elizabeth's not
coming down to supper.

I don't know what's
wrong with her.

John, would you go get her, and
bring the boys, too, please?

Alright.

* Into each life some rain must
fall... *

Elizabeth!

...so wear your smile
for an umbrella.

Who wrote that?

What's this about
you not coming down for supper?

I don't feel like it, Daddy.

How come?

Well,

because Jim-Bob broke his
promise to me,

and this afternoon I pushed him
and Patsy in the lake.

You did, huh?

How come?

Well, you see, me and Jim-Bob
have this promise

that we'll never fall in love,
get married,

or leave the mountain.

Well, he was kissing her.

You know, Elizabeth, everybody's
got to grow up someday,

make new friends
outside the family.

Not me.

Oh, yes, even you.

I'd like nothing better than to
keep you for my girl forever,

but that can't be.

Jim-Bob's gonna be having
a lot of girlfriends

but you're always
gonna be his little sister.

Someday, you'll be having
boyfriends, too.

Boyfriends!

That's right, and lots of 'em.

When that happens, you want
Jim-Bob tagging along after you?

Maybe not, but I'll have to
think about it.

Alright, you think about it.

Grandma says supper's
on the table,

and if you wanna eat,
come now or go without.

-Let's go.
-Jim-Bob?

I'm sorry about pushing
you in the lake,

but I'm not sorry
about pushing her.

Well, let's just not talk
about it anymore, okay?

How come you don't want
to talk about it anymore?

Well, I think I'm in love.

How's it feel?

Awful.

Serves you right.

Pa, would you say the blessing,
please?

A good, strong one.

O Heavenly Father,

we thank thee
for the food on the table,

for the roof over our head,

and for our family's being here
together.

Help us to remember that
a family is for growing up in,

for going away from,
and for coming back to.

It is for loving concern,
helping each one of us

through the happy times
and the sad ones.

With Your blessing, O Father,

our family will
always be together

in our hearts and in our
memories,

permitting us to live our own
lives, be our own persons.

Amen.

I'm surprised Curt didn't leave
word with about his patients.

Or at least a message for you
since you two were so close.

Curt's a lot of fun,
but he's not for me.

We don't know much about him.

I do know he hated his job
at the mines.

That's where John-Boy headed
first. He left this afternoon.

Thanks for the supplies, Mary
Ellen. I really appreciate it.

Oh, hey!

Benjamin, can you hammer a nail?

Why, sure.

Then I implore you to see
what you can do with this one.

It has resisted my every effort
to go into the wall.

Okay.

No, up a little higher.

-Higher?
-Yes, a little higher.

Is that okay?

Make sure it's even. Is it even?
Does it look even to you?

Merci, merci, merci.

That's French for "Thank you."

Oh, I know.
John-Boy speaks it sometimes.

Would you like
to make a purchase?

Why, yes. I had my eye right on
that radio right here.

This one.

Oh! Well, that is a splendid
instrument.

It has a fine, clear tone
and it's beautifully made.

You have very fine
taste, Benjamin.

The trouble is,
it goes for $9.75.

Well, but for an instrument
of this quality,

that's a reasonable price.

I'm sure it is,

but so far, all we could do
was scrape up $7.50.

And who is "we"?

Well, that's Jason, Jim-Bob,
myself and the girls.

See, we're getting Mary Ellen
and David a wedding present.

You know, I believe
Mr. Godsey has made an error.

This is on sale,
and he has simply forgotten

to mark down the price
on the tag.

It should be $7.25.

You aren't doing this just
because it's a present, are you?

Benjamin,

are you accusing me
of losing my business acumen

by the wave of romance
that is sweeping the country?

I guess not.

Would you like it gift-wrapped?

You know, Corabeth,

I'm gonna take back everything
I ever said about you.

I'm sure that that is very
generous of you.

-Miss Lynch?
-Yes?

Miss Lynch,
my name is John Walton.

I spoke with you Monday
regarding Dr. Curtis Willard.

I was wondering
if Mr. Bradley was in.

No, he's not, Mr. Walton,
and I don't believe

he'd want to talk to you
or anybody about Curtis Willard.

Now, if you don't mind...

Ma'am, did you know Dr. Willard?

He had a way
of making himself known.

I had a feeling you knew him.

What do you want here?

I want just what
I said I wanted on the phone.

I'd like to know where he is.

I was wondering if anyone here
could answer that question.

I'm very lucky to have this job,
Mr. Walton.

Most of the miners down there
are lucky to be working, too,

even though a disaster
could snuff out their lives

or they could die a slow death
from black lung.

Curt knew that. He went down in
the mines with them.

He helped some, he lost others.

But he couldn't beat the system.

Neither can I.

I can't even afford to try.

There's nothing I can tell you,
Mr. Walton.

Miss Lynch, I really need your
help and if you help me out,

no one would know about it,
I promise you that.

Bureau of Mines,
State Capitol Building.

There's a hearing in progress.

-Now please leave me alone.
-Thank you.

Will you believe me? The radio's
in John-Boy's office.

Sure it is, Ben.

Why didn't you tell us at supper
so we could see it?

Because Mary Ellen and David
were there. You know that.

Oh, there you are, children.

Now, attention, everyone.

Now, we have a great deal to do,

so let's get this
rehearsal underway.

Now, John, you and Mary Ellen
can take your places there.

You gonna let her take over?

She is a little high-handed,
but she'll get it right.

Now, Jim-Bob, Ben and Jason

will usher the guests
to their places,

friends of the groom
on the right,

friends of the bride
on the left.

Jim-Bob, will you please
stand up straight?

Now, the bride's family sits in
the first pew on the left.

Zeb, you will follow Jim-Bob,
who escorts Esther.

Then Ben brings Olivia
down the aisle.

Will you take
these places, please?

That woman should be
in the Army.

Now, David, you will stand here,
next to the Reverend.

Reverend.

He will signal you
at the appropriate time

to take your place.

Oh, now, girls,

we want to get your entrances
just right.

Now, with the music.

Step and hold, step and hold...

And then I will say to you,
"Do you, David,

"take this woman to be
your true and lawful wife?

"And do you promise to cleave
unto her, and her alone,

"for as long as life shall
last?" And you will say, "I do."

-I do.
-Good.

Now, then I will say to you,
Mary Ellen,

"Do you, Mary Ellen, take this
man

to be your true and lawful
husband?

"And do you promise to cleave
unto him, and him alone,

"for as long as life
shall last?"

And you will answer, "I do."

Mary Ellen?

Mary Ellen?

Mary Ellen?

Mary Ellen?

I don't understand.

Oh, David, neither do I.

Part of me
does love you very much,

but I know now it's not enough.

Something's missing.

You'll feel
differently tomorrow.

That's what I keep telling
myself, but I know I won't.

We'd end up hating each other.

Mary Ellen, you don't know
what you're doing.

Yes, I do, David, and it's the
hardest thing I've ever done.

-Do you want some breakfast?
-No, thank you, Grandma.

I have to hurry
or I'm gonna miss my ride, Mama.

Then take an apple
to eat on the way.

Do you think Mary Ellen
will be alright?

Mary Ellen knows her own mind.

Well, see you later, everybody.

-Bye, Son.
-Bye, Jason.

I don't know
why everybody is so upset.

I didn't want Mary Ellen
to leave in the first place.

Elizabeth, don't start that
again. Thanks, Mom.

-Bye, Daddy. Bye, Mom.
-Bye-bye.

Bye, honey.

Erin, you'd better
have some breakfast.

No, thank you, Mama, I'm not
hungry,

and I still don't
want to go to school.

School goes on no matter
what happens to Mary Ellen.

Everybody will know
about it by now.

You're getting too wrapped up
in this thing.

Let her lead her own life.

Mary Ellen is a silly,
fickle girl,

and she'll regret this
for the rest of her life.

Guess I gotta go, too.

You know, I was thinking about
that radio.

I don't know what to do with it.

-Bye.
-So long.

Well, personally, I'm just as
happy that our oldest girl

will not take the vows.

It was all just
too, too perfect.

The girl don't
know what she wants.

Guess she found out
what she didn't want, Grandma,

and I've got a fair idea
what changed her mind.

And who.

Well, look.

A friendly face.

Or is it?

I've been looking
all over the county for you.

Didn't Mary Ellen tell
you about my letter?

She never got a letter.

I left word where I was going
and how she could reach me,

and I told her what to do
about my patients.

-And you took the money.
-Sure!

I got some great bargains in
equipment

while the hearing was in recess.

Oh, boy.

Everybody thinks
I walked out on 'em.

Well, I have to admit, the idea
crossed a lot of people's minds.

What's this hearing
all about, anyway?

Well, when I was company doctor
for the mine,

I tried to get them to clean up
the working conditions.

The timbering was bad,

and ventilation was terrible.
The men needed new equipment.

"Couldn't afford it,"
they claimed.

So, I turned them in
to the Bureau of Mines,

and I got myself fired.

They held my pay,

and they've been trying to give
me a bad name ever since.

Why didn't you tell us
about this?

Because it's my problem.
It's not yours.

You think you're gonna be able
to clear yourself?

I could use some help.

Well, first, I better call home,
tell them I found you.

In fact, in my opinion, I would
call him downright malicious.

And in support of that
statement,

I should like to point out
that Dr. Willard,

owing money to the company store
and elsewhere in town,

completely disappeared.

He was hiding out
in some remote area

so that he'd not be questioned
by our lawyer or pay his debts.

Well, these are hardly the
actions of what you would call

a truly ethical
or professional man.

I thereby request, Mr. Chairman,

that your board refuse to accept
Dr. Willard's testimony

on the grounds that he is not
a reliable witness.

Dr. Willard, you have a right
to respond to these charges.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would like to point out first

that my whereabouts
were not unknown,

otherwise you wouldn't have been
able to call me last Sunday

so that I could
attend this hearing.

Also from that "remote area"
where I've been "hiding"

is the publisher and editor
of The Blue Ridge Chronicle.

He can tell you
what I've been up to.

Mr. John Walton, Jr.

Mr. Chairman, I...

A couple of months ago,
about two months ago,

Dr. Willard came
to the community.

And...

Well, he's a pretty
outspoken man.

I guess you all know that.

I might even say sometimes

he's a little too honest
for his own good.

Anyway, since he came
to the community,

we've had very good medical
care from him,

and I think underneath it all,
he's a good person.

Also, Dr. Willard has helped us
to establish

our own clinic in the community,

and that's going to greatly
improve our medical service.

I really don't know anything
about this mine business, here.

I don't really know anything
about it at all,

but if Dr. Willard told that the
safety rules had been broken,

then I'd bet he was right.

And if there was any way
that he could save lives,

I'd bet my bottom dollar

that Dr. Willard
would be found trying.

Thank you.

I'm awake, Mama.

Then how about some breakfast?

I don't deserve it,

after I caused everybody
so much trouble last night.

Well, believe it or not,

the sun came up this morning,
the cow got milked,

and the flowers are blooming
in the garden.

-Come see.
-I feel so awful.

Embarrassing my family
like that.

Mary Ellen, it took courage
for you to do what you did.

I want you to know
I respect you for it.

Thank you.

Eat.

She must be in John-Boy's room.

I guess.

Here she is.

Hi, I wondered
where all of you were.

Mary Ellen, we all put in
together to buy you this.

Well, I'm sending back
all my wedding presents.

Well, this one you can keep.
We want you to have it.

To cheer you up.

I'm not seeing very well today.

Here, let me help you.

Thank you.

All of you.

It's alright, Mary Ellen.
We all understand.

I'll show you
how it works later.

Hope you like it.

Mary Ellen...

I have to tell you something.

I did an awful thing...

Well, that makes two of us.

-It's Dr. Willard.
-It sure is.

Look at him, returning like some
kind of conquering hero.

We've been to the capital
and turned 'em upside down.

Boy, you should have heard him.

He made a speech like Mark
Antony at Caesar's funeral.

He had me looking so good,
I had to win.

It was the fact that every
charge

you made against the mine
company turned out to be true.

As far as the money's concerned,
he made the best deals

you could get in the country on
medical supplies.

We gotta whole truck load
comin' tomorrow.

Well, if it isn't Dr. Willard.
Nice of you to return.

Would've been nicer if you'd let
us know you were leaving.

-Mary Ellen...
-Dear, sweet, gentle Mary Ellen.

It sure is great to be back,

-and I did let you know.
-Mary Ellen, I've...

He left a letter,
last Sunday morning...

I didn't want him
to come between you and David...

so I burned it.

Oh, Erin!

It's okay, it's all over now.

You stay out of this, Curt.

How could you do that, Erin?

I didn't want
the wedding spoiled.

I saw you kissing
last Saturday night.

It didn't mean a thing!

Well, I hope it did, Mary Ellen,

because I'm going to marry you!

I suppose you call that
a proposal!

It's the best one
you're gonna get from me.

Well, I wouldn't marry you,
Curtis Willard,

if you were
the last man on Earth!

Dearly beloved, we are gathered
here in the sight of God,

and in the presence of this
company,

to join together this man and
this woman in holy matrimony.

Marriage is an honorable estate,

instituted by God and blessed
by our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is not, therefore, to be
entered into

lightly or unadvisedly,

but reverently, soberly,
and with the fear of God.

Who gives this woman
in marriage?

I do.

Do you, Curtis, take this woman
to be your true and lawful wife?

And do you promise to cleave
unto her, and her alone,

for as long as life shall last?

I do.

And do you, Mary Ellen,

take this man to be your true
and lawful husband?

And do you promise to cleave
unto him, and him alone,

for as long as life shall last?

I do.

What token do you give
as a symbol of your affection

and of your sincerity
and fidelity?

A ring.

Will you place it on Mary
Ellen's left hand

and speak the vow of the ring?

This ring I give thee, in token
and pledge of our constant faith

and abiding love,

with this ring I do thee wed,

and with all my earthly goods
I thee endow.

You wish to answer with a vow
from the Old Testament?

Entreat me not to leave thee,

or return from
following after thee.

For whither thou goest,
I will go.

And where thou lodgest,
I will lodge.

Thy people shall be my people,
and thy God my God.

And now, by the authority
vested in me

as a minister of the gospel
by the Old Dominion,

and in the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

I pronounce you man and wife.

Therefore, whom God hath
joined together,

let not man put asunder.

Congratulations.

We would always
remember that day

when our friends and neighbors
gathered on the Mountain

at the site of
the first Walton homestead.

It somehow seemed fitting that
the days

leading up to
Mary Ellen's marriage

had been filled with turmoil.

All of us who knew and loved her

had learned
to expect the unexpected.

I can't go to sleep, Mama.

They're still
outside, Elizabeth.

Put your head down
and count to a hundred.

She won't use her pillow.

She's afraid she'll smash
her piece of wedding cake.

I'll come in and eat it.

No you won't, Jim-Bob.
I've made a wish on it.

Alright, everybody, go to
sleep! It's getting late!

Goodnight, Elizabeth.
Night, Erin.

Goodnight, Mama.

Goodnight, Daddy.

-Goodnight, everybody!
-Goodnight.

Goodnight, Mary Ellen.