Original subtitles

I want you to meet my grandchildren.

This is Serena and Jeffrey.

- Hi, Serena. - Serena.

Say hello, to your Aunt Olivia and your Uncle John.

- Hello. - Hi, Jeffrey.

I don't want any more supper.

Wait a minute, son. We don't waste food here.

- You sit down here and finish. - I'm not hungry.

There's chocolate pudding for dessert, Jeffrey.

I said I'm not hungry.

Let's not pretend. Let's go for a ride.

[engine cranking]

What on earth, did you two think you were doing?

Do you want them to ask us to leave? Do you want that?

I don't think they want us here, anyway.

They're just like all the others.

No, they're not.

They need us. And Lord knows we need them.

Jeffrey's having nightmares. Does he have 'em often?

Oh, Land, Olivia, I didn't hear him.

Rose, little girls don't steal

and little boys don't have horrible nightmares

unless there's something deep down that's troubling them.

[shouting] Ben! Jason! Fire!

(John) 'Hey, there!'

Keep that sand coming!

["The Walton's" theme by Jerry Goldsmith]

[melodious music]

(John) The arrival of spring was always a welcome time

on Walton's Mountain.

During the war, it was a reminder

that life did renew itself, in spite of the tragedies

our family had suffered.

My father's business was booming.

My mother had recovered from her lengthy illness

and there was a feeling that the family could brave

the dark days ahead.

That strength was tested one day when our cousin

Rose Burton, came to visit.

There she is.

Olivia!

Oh, my God.

That darned suitcase just doesn't want to stay shut.

- Here, let me help you. - I'm so glad to see you.

I couldn't sit still on the bus. I got so fired up.

Rose, you look so good after all these years.

I've put on a pound or two, but you're looking fine yourself.

The way Kate carried on, I was afraid you'd look peakish.

- I've never felt better. - Isn't that wonderful?

- You must be John. - Rose.

Oh, after all these years of hearing about you

I was beginning to wonder if there really was a John Walton.

I'm for real, I think.

Oh, isn't this a pretty part of the world?

Air smells like honeysuckle.

I want you to meet my grandchildren.

This is Serena and Jeffrey.

- Hi, Serena. - Serena.

Say hello, to your Aunt Olivia and your Uncle John.

- Hello, Jeffrey. - Hi, Jeffrey.

You two like to go fishing, do you?

Boy's a bit bashful, God love him.

Doesn't take after his grandmother at all.

We'll get to know each other.

But you watch out for Serena. She'll talk you silly.

If there was ever a natural actress

in the family, here she is.

'I'm sorely tempted to get her tap dancing lessons'

and pack her off to Hollywood.

- Right, Serena? - Let's stay here a while first.

- Good idea. Here's the car. - So good to see you.

Oh, I can't get over how well you're looking.

It's been on my thoughts so much.

Mr. Godsey, would you please be so kind as to unlock that door?

- I'm sorry, Corabeth, I can't. - Oh, of course, you can.

There's classified government material in there

and nobody can go in there except Jim-Bob and me.

I just don't think it's time for the general public to know.

You know what they say, "A slip of the lip, will sink a ship."

- "I" am not the general public. - 'Hi, Ike, Corabeth.'

Oh, hello, Jim-Bob, I'm glad you got here.

I came over as soon as I could. It sounded like an emergency.

If there is a crisis, I would appreciate being forewarned.

This is important. Come on, Jim-Bob.

[intense music]

This siren used to be out on the porch of the store.

I found it out in the middle of the road, broken.

Well, the wind probably blew it down.

It was the work of saboteurs.

Somebody wanted to destroy our area's only warning device.

Yeah, but who'd want to sabotage that little thing?

Jim-Bob, there's a war on, don't you remember?

I wrote to the Civil Defense Department in Washington..

...and this is the replacement.

You mean all this is one siren?

Jim-Bob, let's face it. We do a good job here.

And they sent us the very best.

The letter with it said that I was to protect it, at all costs.

Wow, would you look at that horn?

Bet you it's so loud, it's dangerous.

Well, I couldn't make head or tail out of the directions.

That's why I figured, you'd be the perfect man for the job.

Ike, I don't know anything about putting sirens together.

You put your car together, didn't you?

That's why I figured you could handle this.

It's gonna take a long time.

Jim-Bob, you'll be paid, and well paid.

Remember, this is a top-secret mission.

I don't want anybody, even in your family, to know about this.

This is Grandma's room. You'll be staying here.

She's in Buckingham County, going from cousin to cousin.

Oh!

Oh, isn't this just peachy?

Esther must be a wonderful woman if she's like this room.

You can always tell a person by the kinda house they keep.

Grandma would want you to stay here while she's away.

We cleaned out the drawers, and you can use that closet.

[gasps]

Kate told me about your boy missing in action.

It's the saddest thing I ever heard.

We just keep praying that John-Boy will be alright.

He will, Olivia. I know. I just feel it in my bones.

[chuckles]

That slip's got more wrinkles in it than a preacher's Bible.

It's my ironing day, I'll press it for you.

Oh, no, you don't.

I'll do the ironing or anything that needs doing around here.

I want to make myself useful.

You've done enough for me in one lifetime, Rose.

Well, I don't know what you mean.

I just walked in the door.

I mean, when you risked getting influenza to save my family.

You worked night and day until we were well.

Oh, I don't know how you can even remember.

You were only, what, six?

I remember. You used to go get fresh mint from the woods

and you'd put it in a cloth, and put it on my forehead.

Well, that's still my favorite fever remedy.

And you'd sit up with me at night until I went to sleep.

Your face was the last thing I remember seeing each day.

You looked like an angel when you were asleep.

I didn't want anybody to disturb you.

It'll be nice to repay the favor.

Well, I'll try and arrange to get pneumonia this year

so you can do just that.

Meanwhile, I want you to just relax

and let Cousin Rose take care of everything.

You'll be staying here with me and my sister, Erin.

- She's working right now. - Won't it be awfully crowded?

No more crowded than when Mary Ellen slept here.

I guess I've just been spoiled most of my life.

I'm used to my own room.

Serena, this is my sister-in-law, Cindy.

- Hi, Serena. - Nice to meet you.

My..

...what a pretty brooch.

Oh, thank you.

My papa gave me one just like that once.

He gives me lots of nice things.

When he gets back from the Navy, we're gonna go around the world.

Well, that's nice.

- Are you all settled in? - Well, we're getting there.

I'll take that.

I-It's my treasure box.

Well, don't you want to show us some of your treasures?

Maybe later. I don't like showing them to people

I don't know very well.

[chuckles]

This is kind of a surprise.

I was just getting used to having my own room.

We probably won't be here long.

So, is this all the stuff you brought?

I travel light.

Boy, I've never seen so much green stuff in all my life.

Don't they have any trees back in Baltimore?

Yeah, but they just put buildings between 'em.

- You got any bears here? - Yeah, big, black ones.

- Tigers? - Well, we got a couple of 'em.

How about elephants?

I haven't seen any in a couple of years

but if you keep your eyes peeled you might see some.

Who do those chickens belong to, out front?

- They belong to the family. - Can I have one?

As far as I'm concerned, you can have 'em all.

Jim-Bob, pass the butter, please.

I wonder where Jeffrey is. His supper's getting cold.

Oh, he's just exploring. He's never lived on a mountain.

He just can't see enough of it.

I felt the same way when I came here.

- I've to get back to the base. - Can't you have supper first?

I'm sorry, I'm late as it is.

It was nice meeting you, Cousin Rose. You too, Serena.

I'm gonna walk this Sergeant out to his jeep.

- Take care of yourself, son. - Thanks, daddy.

- See you all later. - Bye, Jason.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Come over here.

- What have you got there? - He's a pet.

That's one of our best laying hens, son.

You better find yourself another pet.

Jim-Bob said I could have as many chickens as I wanted.

He's my favorite.

Hey, Jim-Bob, you gonna give away the mill next?

I didn't think he'd take me seriously.

You take that back, son, then come and eat your supper.

What if I don't want to?

Jeffrey, is that any way to talk to your Uncle John?

- He's not my uncle. - You take that back, now.

Yes, sir.

[hen clucking]

Oh, I'm afraid, I've spoiled those two silly, God love 'em.

You know how grandmothers are.

- If you need, you be firm. - I hope I won't have to.

Olivia, you've got yourself some fine-looking children.

I think they take after my side of the family mostly.

- Oh, Daddy. - We've got catching up to do.

Last time I heard from you, was right after you got married.

Oh, I wish you'd met that man.

Burt was a conductor on the Norfolk and Southern.

And sometimes he'd take me along.

I'd ride all the way to Raleigh, free.

I still miss him.

Sounds like the spark never went out of your marriage.

Burt was a romantic.

He looked on the sunny side of things, same as I do.

Trouble with being married to a railroad man

is you don't see very much of him.

You and Burt have a big family?

No, just the one, Burt Junior, Serena and Jeffrey's daddy.

He's a captain in the Navy.

He travels everywhere and sends us money.

Serena, now why don't you just finish your supper?

Have the children been with you long?

Quite a while. Their mother died when they were young

and their father raised 'em.

I don't want any more supper.

Wait a minute, son. We don't waste food here.

- You sit down here and finish. - I'm not hungry.

There's chocolate pudding for dessert, Jeffrey.

I said I'm not hungry.

Come back here, son. Come here.

He may need a spanking after all.

Oh, no. Oh, I-I, it's hard for me to be strict with them, John.

We've had such a trying time, you know.

[dramatic music]

Whatchu you reading?

Some instructions.

Instructions for what?

It's a project, me and Ike are working on.

Can I help?

Nope. It's top-secret.

You mean spy stuff?

Say, aren't you supposed to be getting ready for bed?

You going to bed now?

No, but you're younger than me and you need more rest.

Why don't you put your pajamas on?

In a while.

Am I gonna have to do it for you?

Okay, I'll do it. I'll do it.

But first, you have to leave the room.

You can be a real pest sometime.

[harmonica music]

[music continues]

[melodious music]

What are you doing?

Waiting for this chicken to grow an egg.

She won't do it with you in there. Chickens work in private.

She'll get used to me. Where you going?

I can't say. It's a government secret.

Please let me come with you.

Nope.

- You could blindfold me. - Nope.

Then I'll just sit here and watch this chicken.

Don't take her outta the coop, you remember what daddy said.

Do I have to do everything Mr. Walton says?

If you're smart, you do.

Um, what if she follows me?

Shoo her back in.

[door chime tinkling]

Oh, would you look at this store, Serena?

I haven't been in a sweet little country store like this

since I left Alberene.

- May I be of assistance? - You must be Corabeth Godsey.

I'm Rose Burton, and this is my granddaughter, Serena.

Well, how do you do?

I understand that you've taken over up at the Olivia's.

Is it true she sleeps till 11:00 and takes her breakfast in bed?

Well, try as I might, I haven't been able to talk her into it.

You could talk "me" into it.

Well, we came for ten pounds of flour and a box of baking soda.

Are you here for a lengthy visit?

Well, we don't exactly know yet.

Well, there are no bounds to John and Olivia's hospitality.

Oh, they're wonderful people.

Well, if you decide to remain here as permanent residents

of the mountain, that you'll be looking for your own quarters.

Oh, heavens, we couldn't afford to rent.

We'd have to put Serena to selling pencils.

[chuckles]

- That'll be 58 cents, please. - Well, let's see here.

Fifty..

Alrighty, there we are.

Well, thank you very much.

We'll be seeing you.

'Ta-ta!'

[door chime tinkling]

[door shuts]

[harmonica music]

[hen clucking]

- Want some help with repairs? - No, thanks.

Now, this is a pretty dangerous place.

Shouldn't be in here alone.

This used to be Jim-Bob's scooter.

With a little help, we could get this back on the road.

[hen clucking]

I think she flew in here.

You know, I bet she's wild.

You put that back in the coop right now.

While you're gone, I'll get some paint.

We could make this the finest scooter in Jefferson County.

I don't wanna ride that old thing.

[harmonica music]

[door creaking]

[engine cranking]

- Jim-Bob. Where have you been? - I had to eat sometime.

Do you realize Walton's Mountain is absolutely helpless

without this siren?

Why, the Germans could attack right now

and we'd be out in the street, waving handkerchiefs.

Who'd attack today? It's too hot.

That doesn't matter.

Did you read about the saboteurs in New York?

- Yeah, but they caught them. - They caught four of them.

Lord knows how many got away.

Do you realize the Germans could be goose-stepping

through the woods right there now?

Now, we've got to attach Horn A to Mount B.

Now, we take the wires at D, E and F.

We got to attach them to H, G and Z, there.

You understand?

Can't you just put this away? It's only gonna confuse me.

- What's this thing do? - What are you doing here?

I came with you in the car.

Now, look what you've done to me.

How am I supposed to explain that to Civil Defense?

You won't have to. Come on, you're going back home.

You better not tell anybody about this.

Whatchu you doing?

I'm pretending that I'm on my way to see papa.

- Where have you been? - I can't tell.

Can I get in?

You be the daddy. Sit here.

[hen clucking]

Let's not pretend. Let's go for a ride.

I think the keys are in Cindy's room.

Well, the dusting is done. It's time to start the windows.

You better leave some work for the rest of us, Rose.

After all, I've got three grown daughters who need chores to do.

Well, there's plenty to go around.

What is it that's so satisfying about cleaning out a closet?

This one's been haunting me for years.

If you hadn't come, I don't know when I'd have done it.

Oh, I like it here.

It's doing good for the children to be around your family.

It's nice having young ones at the table again..

...running up and down the stairs.

Olivia, I don't want to try to hide anything from you.

But we need a place to rest our heads for a while.

Well, I think you could use the help.

But I want you to be honest with me.

If it's alright with you, we'd like to stay on

a little while longer.

[intense music]

[engine cranking]

Are you alright, son?

- Are you alright? - What have you done to my car?

What on earth, did you two think you were doing?

Do you want them to ask us to leave? Do you want that?

I don't think they want us here, anyway.

They're just like all the others.

No, they're not.

They need us.

And Lord knows we need them.

I wish Papa was here. He'd teach Jim-Bob.

Did you and Jim-Bob have words?

He and that old Ike think I'm a German spy.

Now, you two listen to me.

If we have to leave here, we have no place to go.

We'll probably wind up back in Baltimore..

...and I know you don't want that any more than I do.

Now, won't you please try?

I'll be good.

- Jeffrey? - I sure like that chicken.

[knocking on door]

Mind if I come in?

I hope you've come to give these mischief-makers a talking to.

I don't know what got into them, a prank like that.

What you two need is some chores to keep you busy.

Jeffrey, you like the chickens, you'll be in charge of them.

You feed 'em, gather the eggs, clean the coop every day.

I want you out in the garden, weeding, too.

Yes, sir.

Serena, you can slop the pigs, morning and night.

Did you hear that, Serena?

Yes, ma'am.

I ought to take you over my knee and spank you.

'If you were my own, I would.'

Now, you get busy, and you keep out of trouble.

I think you two better get going on your chores, right away.

What does slopping the pigs mean?

[harmonica music]

[birds chirping]

[Jeffrey coughing]

[door creaking]

Do you have any idea what you're doing to your lungs?

I needed it. I'm nervous.

Hogwash! It's a silly excuse grownups use.

Put that out this minute.

That's what this place is for, isn't it?

No, this is where we smoke our meat.

And I thought the smokehouse was for smoking cigarettes.

Besides, you're too young. Let's go tell your grandmother.

- Didn't you do anything wrong? - Well, I never smoked.

Didn't you know it could stunt your growth?

I'm so small, anyway, I don't think I'm gonna get very big.

Anyway, if you don't tell on me, I'll be your slave.

I don't want to tell on you. It's just for your own good.

Okay, go ahead, break my nana's heart.

I'll move in with the chickens, that way I won't bother anybody.

If you promise me that you're not gonna smoke anymore..

...then I won't tell.

Here, I'm giving it up for good.

You'll thank me for this one of these days. Come on.

(Cindy) 'Who is it?'

Serena. Can I come in?

Come on in.

I came to apologize.

You shouldn't be apologizing to me.

You should be apologizing to your Uncle John.

He's the one that has to fix that fence.

It was your car we wrecked.

- I hope it's okay. - It seems to be.

If there's anything I can do to make it up to you.

Just tell me what, and I'll do it.

No, that's okay.

It was an accident.

Thanks for the apology.

I'll wash your car if you want.

Ben's my car-washer.

But maybe he'll let you help sometime.

If you think of anything, let me know.

See you later, Cindy. Thanks for everything.

Bye-bye.

What are you thinking about?

Rose.

She needs a place to stay.

She won't say anything, but I think she's desperate.

I thought they were supposed to be here just for a visit.

I was looking forward to a little peace in my old age.

My heart goes out to those children.

Jeffrey's into everything, Serena's lives in a dream world.

She sure has a lot of stories about her father.

The other day, she said, he sent her a string of diamonds.

Rose doesn't even mention him at all.

You think she's covering something?

I don't know. I think they need help.

And you plan on giving it to 'em?

I owe Rose a lot.

[knocking on door]

(John) 'Come in.'

Your youngest daughter wants to say goodnight.

(John) 'Well, come over here.'

I wish you weren't too big to crawl under covers with us.

Mama, how long will Serena and Jeffrey be staying with us?

- They crowding you? - Maybe.

[knocking on door]

Where do the refugees go to register?

In here. We're having a party.

I got kicked out of my own room.

Jeffrey throw you out?

Guess he's not used to getting undressed with me in there.

Oh, and I thought you came to tuck us in.

I'll get something to eat while I'm waiting.

There's some chocolate chip cookies in the cupboard.

- 'Get me coffee, son.' - 'Bring me some milk..'

[harmonica music]

No.

Go away. No.

Please don't. No.

Go away.

[groaning]

Please, go away.

Don't.

Please, go away. No.

- Hey, Jeffrey, wake up. - Go away from me!

- It's just me, Jason. - No, go away.

Nobody's gonna hurt you.

I said, leave me alone. I'll be good.

- Is everything okay? - He's just having a bad dream.

It's okay, Jeffrey. It's just Jason.

- I thought I heard yelling. - Jeffrey had a nightmare.

Here, let me take him.

Jeffrey.

Atta boy.

- Are you alright? - I guess so.

I didn't mean to wake everybody up.

Oh, it wasn't your fault.

You want to tell me about your dream?

No.

You want me to sit with you for a while?

Mmm...no.

I can manage.

You sure?

Alright.

- Goodnight. - Goodnight.

- Wasn't expecting to see you. - Neither was Jeffrey.

Wake me up, if he has another bad dream.

'I won't have anymore.'

- Goodnight, Jim-Bob. - Goodnight, mama.

- Goodnight, Jason. - Goodnight, mama.

You are getting sleepier. Sleepier.

Your eyes start to close. You're falling into my control.

You are in my power.

Hey, Jeffrey, what're you doing?

Trying to hypnotize this chicken.

You can't hypnotize chickens.

'This one's already in my power.'

But you're supposed to clean the coop, not put them to sleep.

That's why I'm hypnotizing him.

I'm gonna make the chickens do all the cleaning.

Well, if it works, send some to the bedroom.

'You going to that top-secret place?'

No, I just got some work at the store. I'll see you later.

[hen clucking]

[harmonica music]

[clucking continues]

[clucking continues]

[intense music]

[siren wailing]

[wailing continues]

Come on.

- What is that? - My new siren. That's what.

[siren wailing]

[wailing continues]

[hen clucking]

Be calm! Be calm, everybody! I-It's a false alarm!

It's alright. Nobody fire. Hold your fire.

What happened, Jim-Bob?

This is our top-secret project.

You mean, you left me to maintain the merchandise store

so the two of you can come build this over-sized noisemaker?

The government sent it.

Isn't this kind of thing pretty loud for Walton's Mountain?

No, no! In case of a night invasion

it'd wake everybody in the whole area up.

Ike, let's forget the night invasion.

What's going on now?

- Jim-Bob! - Don't look at me.

It was Jeffrey. I saw him run from here carrying a chicken.

That would be Jeffrey.

That boy sure can stir up trouble.

Come on.

[harmonica music]

Pa, I can't understand why the government

would send such a big siren.

We don't even have one that size at Camp Rockfish.

The way Ike talks, they'd send war planes if you wanted 'em.

Hold it.

Jeffrey.

Jeffrey.

I can see you, son. Answer me.

Y-yes, sir?

What're you doing? Hiding?

No. I'm just...roosting.

You've done enough roosting. Come down here.

I wanna talk to you.

Who gets to spank him?

You two go about your business.

Come here, son. Come here.

'Come on.'

- You set off that alarm today? - Yes, sir.

How come?

I just wanted to see if it works. I tried to turn it off.

You know you got chores to do.

You pick any weeds yesterday?

No.

I thought we had this straightened out.

- What's that in your pocket? - Egg.

You put the egg in the kitchen and come out. We got work to do.

Come on.

[harmonica music]

Now, I gotta go to Rockfish.

When I come back, I want this lawn cut.

I don't know how it works.

Put your hand right there and you push.

- I'll cut myself on that thing. - No, you won't. Now, push.

Oh my, Jeffrey! Aren't you the busy one today?

Shut up!

It's your fault, you know.

You've been a terrible, terrible boy.

Leave me alone!

Nana's really mad at you.

I think we should just put you in an orphanage somewhere.

I saw that, Jeffrey. You can stop mowing right now.

But I'm supposed to finish the lawn before Mr. Walton gets back

or I'll get in trouble.

You're already in plenty of trouble.

You mowed down mama's flowers, and you did it on purpose.

- Here it is. Think it'll work? - Sure. Why shouldn't it?

Besides, if we don't put this lock

somebody else will repeat it.

Mm-hmm. I'm afraid I'll get electrocuted

when I put the key in there.

What?

Who's there?

Oh, Corabeth. You scared the dickens out of me.

Mr. Godsey, this letter just arrived from Civil Defense

and it looked so urgent, I brought it over myself.

They're probably congratulating us, on the good job we've done.

Please, allow me.

Corabeth, you can't read that. It's a top-secret document.

Mr. Godsey, please.

Every living soul in Jefferson County

and beyond knows about your top-secret.

- Give that to me. - "Dear, Mr. Godsey.

"As you have discovered by now, our department, inadvertently

"sent you a Code II warning apparatus

"designed for a major metropolitan area.

'"In this case, Richmond.'

"A truck will be sent out next week

to deliver the unit to its proper destination."

That can't be.

"Please, have it packaged in its original crates for shipment.

We apologize for the error."

Let me see that.

Does this mean that we're gonna have to take it down?

I'm afraid so.

Well, am I still gonna get paid for my work?

Jim-Bob, you heard the letter. The government made a mistake.

Don't forget to bring the tools back when you're done.

[harmonica music]

Who told you you can wear my dress?

I didn't think you'd mind.

This is Cindy's brooch. She's looking for it everywhere.

No, my papa sent it to me from the Navy.

Whose perfume are you wearing?

- Let me see that. - No, it's mine.

Give it to me now.

Where did you get this perfume?

I-I-I just borrowed it from Corabeth.

This is my necklace. I was wondering where it went.

This bracelet belongs to Elizabeth.

These earrings are Mary Ellen's.

You've been stealing from everybody.

- You better come with me. - No.

Grandma will be interested to know what you've been doing.

[harmonica music]

I'm disappointed in you, Serena.

I-I was gonna give it all back.

Well, I better give Cindy back her brooch.

You promised you wouldn't do this anymore.

Can you tell us why you took those things, Serena?

- I was just pretending. - Pretending what?

I was just pretending that...my daddy was sending me presents.

But I wasn't stealing, I was just borrowing!

There's a big difference. When you borrow, you ask permission.

Now, I think it's time we sat down and had a talk.

This won't happen again, will it, Serena?

- No, ma'am. - Alright.

Now, you run upstairs and get that dress back to Erin.

Yes, ma'am.

Rose, what's troubling those children?

They miss their father, is all.

There are thousands of little girls

all across the country, whose fathers are away.

There's got to be more to it than that.

Jeffrey had a nightmare last night. Does that happen often?

Oh, Land, Olivia. I didn't hear him.

I-I'm used to sleeping in the next room

and I can get to him, before he wakes Serena.

Rose, little girls don't steal

and little boys don't have horrible nightmares

unless there's something deep down that's troubling them.

[dramatic music]

[harmonica music]

[coughing]

[intense music]

Ben! Jason! Fire!

Fire!

Come on, everybody, quick! Jason, get the sand.

Mary Ellen, get the sand there. Get that corner, over there.

Jim, get the bucket.

Keep that sand coming!

Come on! Move those buckets!

Honey!

Come on! Keep those buckets coming!

- Keep them moving! - Alright!

We got it!

'Turn off the hose. We got it. We got it.'

Another five minutes we'd have lost the whole mill.

Daddy, look at the shaper.

Ah.

(John) 'Damn.'

Look what I found.

Gimme those.

Where's Jeffrey?

Come along, Serena. It's time to go pack.

Daddy.

Show 'em, Jeffrey.

Are you gonna turn around or should I turn you around?

God Almighty.

Is that what Jeffrey's nightmares were about?

Don't tell 'em, grandma. Please.

Who did that?

His father.

My son.

The gentlest man on earth, until he takes to the bottle.

'He'd give the children a licking and then afterwards'

'he'd feel just terrible and promise not to do it again.'

It was the night he started beating Jeffrey with a belt

over and over again, that I knew I had to get those children out.

You can't imagine what it's like hoping you never see

your own son again as long as you live.

Jeffrey.

- Why didn't you tell us, son? - He's my papa. I love him.

Lord..

...we know you've been watching over this family.

These many years, you've been awful good to us.

'We thank you for all your gifts.'

'As you keep watching over us..'

..especially those members of our family, who aren't with us.

We thank you for bringing Rose and the children to us.

We hope they'll feel that our house is their home.

This table was getting kind of lonely.

Now, it's full again.

Thank you, Lord. Amen.

(all) Amen.

[all chattering]

Rose and her grandchildren were accepted in our family

and in the community.

Jeffrey and Serena still managed to get themselves

into considerable trouble, but they were driven to it

by high spirits and not by cruelty.

For the first time in their young lives

they began to feel loved and protected.

- 'Goodnight, Serena.' - 'Goodnight, Olivia.'

- 'Goodnight, nana.' - 'Goodnight, Serena.'

- 'Goodnight, John.' - 'Goodnight, Rose.'

(John) 'Goodnight, Jeffrey.'

[hen clucking]

(John) 'Jeffrey, are you sleeping with that chicken?'

(Jeffrey) 'Just a minute. Let me check under the covers.'

'Yes, sir. Looks like one snuck in here alright.'

'You put her back first thing in the morning.'

'Yes, sir.'

(John) 'Goodnight, son.'

(Jeffrey) 'Goodnight, Uncle John.'

[harmonica music]

[theme music]