Original subtitles

♪ A walk in the spring rain

♪ a time for reflecting

♪ on our brief interlude

♪ that's now become a memory

♪ a walk in the spring rain

♪ how sweet to remember

♪ when someone looked at me

♪ and saw what no one else can see

♪ how good it was

♪ to hear a gentle word again

♪ now and then I long

♪ for yesterday

♪ a walk in the spring rain

♪ a time for pretending

♪ that one day you'll appear

♪ and time for both of us to share

♪ a walk in the spring rain

man: Goodbye. Thank you so much. Hope you enjoy it,

Mrs. Meredith. Have a good time.

- Bye-bye. - Bye.

- Have a good vacation. - Bye. Thank you.

Bye.

I wonder... Do I need them more than they need me?

It's not a question of more or less. You need each other...

Symbiosis.

- I've turned out some good ones, lib. - Mmm.

Libby...

- It'll be important, won't it? - Yes, darling.

Not just two weeks in the sun, then right back at it again.

A year all to myself.

Oh, you, too, lib. You know what I mean.

I had quite a session with the regent.

Says he's relying on me to come back with that book.

- What is that? - A faculty wife's going-away gift...

- A real silver band. - I could have used it on the regent.

Smug son of a bitch. "We're counting on you, Meredith.

"Something sparkling, old man. Something university press

"can really merchandise."

What he really meant was "publish or perish."

What time are we meeting Ellen?

- Seven sharp with bucky. - Oh, lord.

You're only grandson, my love.

- He spills things. - Not always.

Not if you have good reflexes.

Bucky, please be more careful.

I'll cut you that.

Now go ahead.

The world isn't all bucky, mother.

Why couldn't mark make it, our last night?

You can't sell insurance in the daytime, father.

Not when you're third from the bottom.

It's all after 7:00.

But he'll be by in the morning to see you off, all right?

Why do men take things so personally?

Oh, that was a quick transition.

Well, everything I do at home can be done by part time help.

- Oh, bucky! - Bucky, not that much.

In three years I could finish law school and take the bar.

But you have bucky.

Well, mother adores him so much. Let her take him while I'm in school.

I mean, it isn't as though I'm running off with a sailor.

Of all nights, just as we're leaving.

If we don't settle it now, when will we? Next September when you come home?

I'm getting older every year.

Well, who's having dessert?

Why is it that if a woman wants to accomplish something

even her own parents consider her aggressive, unhappy, or neurotic?

'Cause it's usually true. Miss!

Well, operation deep clean just doesn't turn me on.

In seven years of marriage, I have personally deterged

28 billion microbes.

I mean, is that achievement, father?

Roger: The hot fudge sundae, please.

Just the wine.

I thought we settled all this.

Is it too much on our last evening to expect to get through

dinner decently?

Excuse me, father, for trying to make you face up to anything.

Ellen, Ellen.

Decency? What about honesty?

♪ It's not on Saturdays that it's annoying me it's just on sunny days

♪ la la la la la la la la la-la la-la la-la la-la

♪ la la la la la la la la la la la la

♪ la la la la la la la la... ♪

- Are you listening to that? - To what?

- To that. - Oh, I didn't even notice.

I'm just trying to make where in the hell the damn turnoff is.

♪ And then you break it fall apart, I think you faked it

♪ from the start...

How can they stand it?

Blood is thicker.

♪ You're romancin'

it all sounds exactly alike. The same tune.

I have it on good authority they have two tunes...

- A sad one and a fast one. - I haven't heard the sad one.

♪ But next time don't you call on me 'cause I'm through... ♪

Oh!

- Howdy. - Uh, Mr. Cade?

- Come on in and get warm. - The agent said you'd have the key to the Evans' place.

My wife's baked a nice chess pie and the coffee's stewin'.

Say, I was told you had a wife.

- Uh, yes, in the car. - Oh.

It's cold out here.

- Come on in. - I thought we'd just pick up the key and turn in.

We can get together tomorrow.

Well, I got to lay you a fire first. Otherwise, you'll freeze

before mornin'. Now you get your lady in. I'll step on over

and get you set. Annie!

Lib.

We're going in for coffee.

My, my. That's a lovely lady you got there, Mr. Meredith.

It's a night for wild dogs.

- My wife Libby, Mrs. Cade. - How do you do?

The agent said the worst would be over this time of year.

Yeah. Well, you ask me, god put out the sun

and went away. I can't says I blame him.

- Why don't you sit? - Thank you.

Oh, now, that looks good.

Oh yeah, that is good.

Yeah, it's good if you like it.

My husband is a dessert person.

- Oh, you have to get this recipe. - Mmm.

If it isn't Mrs. Cade's secret.

- You come for long? - Pardon?

- You mean to stay? - Until September.

I like to see a fire go.

I started this one with sweet gum.

Makes a fire smell.

I didn't start the one in the kitchen. I thought after my wife's chess pie

you wouldn't be hungry before breakfast.

Oh, now this one...

This one here Will Burn all night.

This don't rightly belong out here. It belongs in the bedroom, on the stove.

You talk about something burnin' and all, that'll burn.

That's what the old man over in lazy branch used to call "tradin' wood."

We're very grateful, Mr. Cade,

but I feel we're imposing on your time.

Roger, I would do anything for anybody if they would just

let me.

- Trading wood? - Yeah, that's right... Tradin' wood.

I was just a boy helping this old man cut wood one day,

and we come upon this fine, dead redwood tree, still standing

so the rain went off it nice and dry.

And he said, "son, you cut that up and store it. That's tradin' wood."

And I said, "well, what do you mean, 'tradin' wood'?"

He said, "well, you just store it away. When the snow is about

"two feet deep on the ground, you take it over to that young widow's house

"yonder. And weather like that, you can trade it for just about...

"Anything she's got."

- Did you? - Well, there's nothin' like a good fire.

Uh, Roger, I'll unload the rest of them books for you.

Tomorrow's plenty of time.

Besides, my wife's ready to drop.

I think we'll just turn in.

Come over in the morning for coffee,

and thank you.

Thank you, Mrs. Roger. Well, good night, Roger.

Good night, Mr. Cade.

The wind's died.

- Lib, you coming? - Yes.

Damn. He even put hot bricks in the bed for us!

Oh! This is a great bed, lib!

You remember I told the agent there are three absolutes...

A place away from it, but still in the states, a damn good library not

more than 50 miles drive, and a big double bed.

- Would you like company? - A hot brick only goes so far.

And this, Mr. Roger, is tradin' wood.

They tell me weather like this I can trade it for just about anything you got.

♪ Old man Jones had two daughters and a song

♪ one went to Denver and the other went wrong

♪ his wife, she died in a poolroom fight

♪ his wife, she died in a poolroom fight

♪ now he sings from mornin' till night

♪ get along, little...

- Uh, who built that fire? - Good morning. Well, I did. Why?

- Smoke's all twisted. - Well...

I got nice and warm by it. I consider it a perfectly respectable fire.

You shed that nice green dress you was wearing last night.

Talk about sad.

- Sad ain't no name for it. - Cold ain't no name for it either.

- Would you like some coffee? - Thank you.

I brought you some breakfast,

-corn bread, eggs, and fatback. - Thank you.

There's a lot to be said for central heating.

- Oh, good morning. - Mornin', Roger.

- You're out early. - I can't sleep after 4:00.

Gonna take us a little while to get organized.

I'd like to hire that handyman as soon as possible.

Did Mr. nordster write you about that?

Well, you got me, and I ain't busy.

Of course, come spring they'll be stringin' after me to get their

machines runnin'. But right now I might as well be helpin' you folks.

Evan's got himself an old water pump here.

It needs work.

Oh, Mrs. Roger, I already fixed your washing machine.

And all them books... I got to build you some shelves

if you'll tell me where you want them.

You know, you got more books than preacher Cassidy.

My husband is writing one.

What for, Roger? I mean, you already got plenty.

You know, he has a very good point.

Well, we'll want to discuss some arrangements, some salary...

There's no need.

We owe you something for all the repairs and everything.

Well, the water pipe for the washing machine... Yeah, you owe me $2.

- Well, thank you. - Oh, Roger. I mean, later is all right.

Thank you, will. We are very grateful.

I'm just happy to be here with you and drinking my coffee.

- Ow! Hey, hey, hey! - What is it?

Hey, wait a minute! Mrs. Roger.

Mrs. Roger, push him around, will you?

No, just push him around. Hey, hey, hey, hey!

I got you! Look at that.

- What is it? - That's a squirrel.

- Where did you find him? - I found him near froze to death.

I put him in my shirt, and I forgot I had him.

- He's sweet. May I hold him? - No, he bites, Mrs. Roger.

So you thawed out, huh? Now you want to fight, huh?

Oh, Roger, look... Will found a squirrel.

- Oh. Look at him. - Isn't he sweet?

- And thank you. Thank you, Roger. - And we're still gonna talk

- business. - All right, Roger, we'll talk.

Well, thanks for the coffee.

And I'll be lookin' at ya.

- Bye, Roger. - Goodbye, Mr. Cade.

Get pneumonia running around without a coat.

Well, he's used to it.

You know, I think we should move the desk

from the bedroom into the living room.

Near the fire. You can work more comfortably there.

And after breakfast, I'll drive over to the crossroads

and pick up some groceries.

And you get started.

♪ Begins to dismiss the memory of my life

♪ without you

♪ well, it seems like yesterday that my path took me... ♪

Hyah!

Come on, boy! Get up! Attaboy!

Get him! Come on! Get up! Come on, boy!

Come on! Get up!

Come on, boy! Get up! Come on, kid!

Get up! Come on, boy! Get up!

Ugh! Ugh!

Come on, boy! Get up!

Come on! Get him! Get him, boy!

Aah! Aah! Aaaah!

Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!

That's enough!

Father, you got nothin' better to do?

You don't stomp a man no matter what he done.

If I catch you around my wife again, I'll shoot off your damn head.

A man's got to do what he got to do.

- You been seein' hildy? - All right! Come on, men! Back to work!

Don't make momma's holy face, papa. Just couldn't stand it.

Son, son, I don't know. I can't tell you nothin'. Nobody can't tell you nothin'.

Can't nobody tell you nothin', neither.

I saw your Jeep, and...

I wanted to ask you something, but it...

Well, it seems so trivial now.

Mrs. Roger, you just ask. That's all you ever gotta do.

What do you do for fresh vegetables this time of year?

At the crossroads store, all they have was cabbage.

Roger hates cabbage.

- Say, does he like cress? - Watercress? Loves it.

Well, there's cress on the branch right now.

You know, I can't understand my boy. His wife loves him,

pretty little thing, she lets him drink and all. I mean, he don't even

have to go out and drink.

She just puts up with him and just puts up with him.

But he got monkied up somewhere.

Seems like he always wants whatever I got.

Once I had this garage, and he wanted to be a mechanic.

When I was farming, he wanted to farm.

But he'll straighten up. Everything's gonna be all right.

It's gonna work out just fine. Well...

There's your cress, Mrs. Roger.

- Scads of it. - Oh!

You got to go out to the branch if you wanna pick it.

I should have brought wading boots.

Here.

- I'm heavy. - Not so as I can notice.

Well, you got a fine shape, Mrs. Roger.

- A fine shape. - Oh, listen... I'm a grandmother

oh, there's a lot of woman left in you, Mrs. Roger.

A lot of woman.

Thank you, will.

You know what we need? Animals.

- We have such a lovely barn. - Do we?

Getting started is always the worst part.

But not a cat or a dog. Animals we can't have in the city.

You're not thinking of a cow by any chance?

That's an idea.

- Libby, have you any idea how much they cost? - Much?

Well, what can we get just for the year?

Here... Come on. Come on, come on.

- You wanna hold it? - Oh, yes.

- Aren't they wonderful? - Very handsome.

I thought goats smelled.

That's billies. Only the billies smell, and these are nannies.

They were only $15.

We pay more for rack of lamb.

Of course, they're only grade goats.

If they were purebred, we wouldn't have got them so cheap.

The mother was mixed nubian and, um...

Toggenburg.

Toggenburg. They're only babies,

but the man said it was all right to take them.

The old man needs their milk.

- Oh, what a shame! - Oh, they'll be all right, Mrs. Roger.

They're called "blue goats." Do they look blue to you?

Um, could be, I suppose.

It was very clever of you, will, to find them so soon for us.

I know where most things are around here.

Go on. There you go.

There. Thank you.

There you are.

Make yourselves at home.

Roger, how about you and me goin'

frog huntin'?

- Frog hunting? - Yeah, I got a gun in the Jeep,

and I know this breedin' pond where there's some big devils.

As soon as it gets dark, they'll be out.

- But let us all go. - It's pretty damp out there in the swamp.

But I got a jug of shine, that'll keep us warm.

- Do you mind if I ask you a stupid question? - What?

How do you see a frog in the dark?

That's the male frog makin' all that racket.

He's callin' the ladies.

I guess if you and me was to wait all winter, we'd raise the roof, too...

Shh! I want to listen.

Damn it! Missed.

Let me try.

He can be pretty tasty for a march frog.

I'll get us a few more... And we'll have a nice meal.

- Will. - Yeah?

I have never tasted moonshine.

I'll get you some. Here... Hold that, Roger.

♪ Old man Jones had two daughters and a song

♪ one went to Denver and the other went wrong

♪ his wife, she died in a poolroom fight ♪

Mmm! Trade you.

Here...

Ah, bullfrogs...

All winter waiting. What right have we?

Ohh! Do you make that yourself?

Sure do... Best home mash in the county.

Roger, you know all about Washington, don't you?

- Well, constitutional law. - Why don't the government get the hell out

-of the whiskey business? - Get out of it? They're not in it.

I hear the president personally stirs the mash every morning.

Next time I'm in Washington, I may just look into that.

Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!

♪ Old man Jones had two daughters and a song

♪ one went to Denver and the other went wrong

♪ his wife, she died in a poolroom fight

♪ and now he's singing from morning till night

♪ get along, little doggies, get along...

♪ for... And Snuffy are rarin' to go

♪ old man Jones had two daughters and a song

♪ one went to Denver, the other went wrong

♪ his wife, she died in a poolroom fight

♪ and now he's singing from morning till night ♪

Oh.

I was afraid they were going to freeze to death out here.

I've been holding her to keep me warm.

- Don't you ever sleep? - I forgot to leave them water.

Did you come across in them slippers?

- Yes. - Just come over here and sit down.

You'll catch yourself a death of cold.

Will you hold her?

- Hey, you there. - Ohh.

Such a winter, huh?

I can't remember such a winter.

You are the only man, other than my husband, who's ever rubbed my feet.

Mrs. Roger, if you belonged to me would you let me...

Wash your back?

Th... That's just something

one doesn't talk about.

Ain't no harm in talkin'. Tell me, do you let

Roger wash your back?

Of course.

I'd like to bathe a woman.

Pat her dry with a big, clean towel,

feel her getting all...

Warm and...

Sleepy.

Is that better?

You have a soft hand for that animal.

They're lovely.

There's still some dark left.

Better go back to bed.

- Good night, will. - Good night, Mrs. Roger.

There. Come my pets. Come out with me.

Come on. Come.

There. Come.

Yes, come. Ooh!

- I told you so. - But will said all I need is a handful of corn,

that's all.

Ohh.

I'll be damned.

Well, they wouldn't answer to my language,

so I had to learn theirs.

I'm even beginning to see the landscape through their eyes.

It's primarily edible.

Lib.

- You're happy, aren't you? - Yes.

Were you unhappy before?

I never thought about happy or unhappy.

That's another lesson... Point of view... Isn't it?

Come.

People our age are not happy or unhappy

-just somewhere in between. - Yes, I suppose that's true.

Come. Come, come, come. Come, let's go and play.

Here, come. Come.

The first of the season.

Oh, they're lovely, will.

- What are they? - Redbud.

Thank you, will. Where did you find them?

I'm the only man in this county who knows where the

first bud of the season is hiding itself.

- You want to see it? - Now?

- Well, it ain't far from here. - All right. I'll tell Roger.

First of the season.

There are three more yonder. By Wednesday they'll be full, too.

Then the hickory. Another 10 days at the most.

Then the dogwood,

blackberries higher than your waist,

and the red plum.

Mr. almanac.

Then the whippoorwill.

That's how he goes, come dusk... Right on the dot.

Old whippoorwill... He calls.

You are a wonder, you are, will Cade.

Well, you might say I'm special.

- Oh, and vain. - No, there you're wrong, Mrs. Roger.

It's just that you're never gonna meet nobody like me.

Least ways I never did, though I'd like to.

Least ways I never did, though I'd like to.

See what he's gonna do.

You're full of love, ain't you, Mrs. Roger?

I mean, so am I.

You know, there's no one can love more than me.

I could love a woman so the roof just come off the house.

From the happiness inside.

Now, why...

Why would a woman not want to be loved?

Can you tell me?

Well, they do. I mean, women do want to be...

Why shouldn't they want to be loved?

Well, Annie she don't. All she wants to do is to go off someplace

where there ain't nobody, just her and god.

She prays a lot, that woman.

When she ain't praying, she's crying.

- What about? - I don't know.

You know, miss Libby, do you know that...

That I love you?

You mustn't say that. You mustn't even think that.

I love Roger, and I wouldn't do anything...

Of course you love Roger.

It just makes me happy to love you.

It's just something to think about.

At night I go to sleep thinking of you.

In the morning I wake up thinking of you.

Well, I mean, it's better than nothing.

Oh, will, it's childish.

It's... It's fantasy. It's unreal and harmful.

Why? Is it hurting you?

No.

Well, it sure ain't hurting me,

so what's the harm?

It's harmful in a psychological way.

Any deviation from reality can turn to...

Oh, heck with it. It's just plain stupid, that's what it is...

Just like that other fantasy.

- Fantasy? - Yes, about wanting to

- bathe a woman. - Oh.

You remember that, huh?

Of course.

Well, I could pay someone to let me, I guess.

I often thought of doing that.

But somebody I gotta pay, I don't want to give a bath to.

- Oh, will. - Miss Libby...

- Roger... - Mm-hmm?

Let's go into town, hmm?

- Next Wednesday. - Tonight.

Let's take the whole weekend. Just the two of us in a motel.

We better pack our vitamin pills.

Oh, we'll get out and see the sights, too.

In gatlinburg?

Ed partridge... He lives in gatlinburg.

Of course, he's not exactly a ball of fire.

But I've been planning to call him sooner or later.

I hated to start in. Call once... You know how it is.

- Goodbye, book. - Well, maybe just for dinner, huh?

There's supposed to be a fine country club. I'm sure ed belongs.

We'll go dancing. I'm pretty good, remember?

The nile casino, the meadowbrook,

the aster roof?

Of course, I might not be tuned in to all the new, groovy steps,

but at our age...

What's wrong with our age?

Libby... What was all that?

Do you think there's a lot of woman still left in me?

Whoever said there wasn't?

Whoever says there is? Well, what next?

Is there anything I can do?

Lock up.

What about the goats? Shouldn't I call will to feed them?

Just leave a note for him.

Oh.

No, no, let's not take the car, let's walk.

All right.

This is nice.

- Well, let's go and do some shopping, hmm? - Yeah.

- Here. - I'd rather have the chocolate one.

♪ I didn't have much time to spend

♪ about a week or so

♪ there I lightly took advantage of a girl who loved me so

♪ but I found myself a-thinkin'

♪ when the time had come

♪ to go

♪ what am I doin' hangin' round?

♪ I should be on that train and gone

♪ I should be ridin' on that train to San antone

♪ what am I doin' hangin'...

- Howdy, Roger. - Morning, will.

Something wrong with the missis?

Not that I know of.

What you building out there?

A pen for the goats.

You can't keep them in the barn now. They smell spring.

Maybe I ought to wait until after lunch. No point in starting and then stopping.

There's plenty of time before lunch.

Oh, really?

I should see how the goats are.

Come with me, Roger.

Maybe I ought to get started.

They've been fed and watered.

Good lord.

Will, I let myself touch you?

Oh, will, I don't know.

All right.

All right, Libby.

Now that I know...

There ain't no limit to my waiting.

"The very strength of our constitution,

"its superb adaptability,

"lodges firmly upon the ambiguity of its foundation.

"And it's this very lack of specificity

"which makes the constitution capable of fresh interpretation

"by each new generation in terms of its own unique problems.

"Chief justice John Marshall observed in 1819

"that a constitution should not contain an accurate detail

"of all the subdivisions of which its great powers will admit

"nor should it contain all the means by which they may be carried into execution.

"On the contrary, he argued, its nature requires

"that only its great outlines should be marked,

"its important objects designated,

"and the minor ingredients which compose those objects

"be deduced from the nature of the objects themselves."

"Taking the case of..."

What case is that, Libby?

Case?

It's the case I just referred to.

Did you refer to a case?

No.

But I was about to.

I found myself talking into a vacuum.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I was about to refer to the case of hammer vs. Stagenhart in 1917.

Oh, yes, that case.

Let's, um... Back away.

What was your opinion of chief justice Marshall's observation?

Marshall?

Chief justice John Marshall.

I didn't know there was a justice Marshall in the court.

Is he new?

Damn it, Libby. In 1819, not now.

Weren't you listening at all?

Of course I was.

You used the words "adaptability,"

"ambiguity," and "specificity"

all in one sentence

back there somewhere.

What's wrong with that?

It is clumsy and

pedantic.

- Pedantic? - Yes, pedantic.

Pedantic. Hmm.

All right, forget the language.

What about the thought, the content, the point I'm making?

But that is the point. All those words get in the way of the point.

Damn it, Libby. What do you think I'm trying to write, a damn bestseller?

What do you want, sex in the supreme court?

Do you want me to pretend?

No, Libby.

I want you to be critical.

I really used all three of those words in one sentence.

I can fix that.

Good night, Roger.

Good night.

I know what I'm doing!

- Be right out, will! - Okay, rog.

Will!

- Hold the eggs. - Well, I am... I am! Lord!

Just hold on to them!

I'm beginning to regret this already.

We couldn't very well refuse, could we?

It's a big day for them.

I just hope it doesn't go on too long.

Good morning, will.

My, my, pretty as a sunflower.

Thank you.

Annie.

- Good morning, Mrs. Cade. - Roger: Good morning, Mrs. Cade.

You hold on to your hat.

- You mind your driving. - All right.

Don't want these busted before we get there.

- I brought my camera. - Oh, take a picture of her.

Afterwards, she'll be so god uppity.

- May I? - Come on, Annie.

It's a lot of fuss for nothing!

You got it?

Roger: Will says you won three years in a row, Mrs. Cade.

- How do you feel about this year? - Oh, she'll win again.

All the smart money's on her.

Now, maybe I will, maybe I won't. It's in the hands of the divine.

- "Divine's" got nothing to do with it. - Oh!

Let me try to understand this...

Annie, tell him how it works.

Oh, just hush up, will Cade.

And will you try and get us there all in one piece?

- All right, take it easy, Annie. - Goodness.

Now, you hold the raw egg in your hand

and you face your opponent, right?

That's all there is to it.

And then what?

Well, then you...

Just bash your egg against his and...

The person whose egg isn't broken, obviously, that's the winner, right?

- Now you got it straight. - Well, don't they both break?

No, not...

Not if they're honest-to-goodness hard-shell and

these here, if I say myself, is harder than granite.

Tell them how come, Annie.

Well, that's mine to know.

Because you raise the meanest, scrawniest hens in the county!

She chases them with a broom to make them meaner!

It's good for them!

- Got that egg, Roger? - Yeah, there you go.

There you are, Annie.

Well, all right.

My goodness!

♪ Oh, I'm sad and I'm lonely

♪ -oh, my heart it will break I like that.

♪ And don't hang your affections

♪ on a green Willow tree

♪ for he'll hug you and he'll

♪ kiss you

♪ and he'll tell you more lies

♪ than the crossties on the railroad

♪ or the stars

♪ in the skies

♪ young lady, take warning

♪ take warning from me

♪ and don't hang your affections

♪ on a green Willow tree

will: Angel Annie, good luck.

- Betting on Annie, will. - All right, Earl.

Remember the time old man Hubert rung in a marble egg?

Damn near cleaned out the field before they got wise to him.

What they done to poor Hubert?

He ain't been the same since!

Announcer: One...

Two...

Three!

Woman: Good one!

Get them, Lucy!

Man: Go, Annie!

Well, they'll be here for another hour.

Come on, I'll show you something else.

Hey!

Hey, will you listen to that?

Roger, you like that kind of music?

Well, it's... It can grow on you.

Would you like sausages?

- Is that more your style? - Closer.

Well, come on. I'll show you where they are.

Uh, Mrs. Roger, you want some homemade candy?

No.

What, you don't like sweets?

Howdy, boy, howdy! Nice to see ya!

Come on this way, Rogers.

- I haven't seen you in a coon's age! - How's that car running?

- Fine. - Good, good.

Hey, haven't seen you for a long time.

A sight for sore eyes!

Too pretty for a balloon!

Come on this way, Roger,

Mrs. Roger.

- Hey, Ben! - Yeah?

Give me a slice of sausage for my friend.

Just a minute, will.

Oh, I'll cut it myself.

- Mrs. Roger? - No, no...

- Not for me. - Sure?

How's that?

Mmm! Spicy!

I'll get you some cider to wash it down.

- Would you like some cider? - Yes.

Be right back.

He really enjoys this, doesn't he?

But so can we, dear!

- Come on. - No, we better wait for will and the cider.

But he'll find us. I want to hear the girls play.

You go on ahead. I'll just...

Wander around and try to get into the spirit of things.

I'll get on over and do me a little rooting for angel Annie.

♪ Woman: Oh, shenandoah

♪ I long to see you

♪ away

♪ you rolling river

♪ oh, shenandoah

♪ I long to see you

♪ away

♪ I'm bound away

♪ across the wide

♪ Missouri

♪ 'tis sad, long years

♪ since last I saw you

♪ and crossed

♪ your rolling river

♪ 'tis sad, long years

♪ since last I saw you

♪ away

hey, Seth, you got that cider?

Yeah.

- Hey, how you doing? - How are ya?

Hey, boy!

I was wondering where you got to lately.

Sure, you been wondering.

You been losing all kinds of sleep,

wondering and wondering where I've been to lately.

Boy, can't you just once look at me and...

Give me a smile, huh?

Since when you been needing my smiles, daddy?

Huh?

Since when?

Well, uh, where's Mary?

I come by myself.

You shouldn't leave that little gal alone, boy. Now, you take it from me...

A woman needs a...

A lot of loving.

See ya, boy.

Hey...

For you.

May I...

- Can you hold these? - Yes.

You got joy all over you, gal. Just...

Shines out of your eyes.

Makes me happy, Libby...

Makes me real happy.

There.

- I hope you caught it, will. - I did.

I'll treasure it...

A portrait of an absolute fool.

My, my, how you carry on!

Well, look at us...

Hasn't it struck you

that we would be the world's most inappropriate lovers?

Are you saying we ain't suited?

In almost every way...

Completely, ridiculously unsuited.

You're wrong, Libby.

You're just like me.

The first time I set eyes on you, I...

I felt it.

Oh, will, if I...

If I only could look at you and not tremble.

Don't let it scare you, girl. Just don't let it scare you.

'Cause, Libby...

I ain't never gonna bring you no harm.

Annie: Will!

Will!

Ellen!

Oh, for heaven's sakes!

But nothing is the matter?

Oh, mother, there you go again. Always worrying.

Of course nothing's the matter. On the contrary.

You can put the bag on the porch, please.

Bucky's all right? And mark?

They're just fine, mother.

Well, thank heavens I have a strong heart.

Why didn't you send us a wire? We could have met you.

I felt like surprising you.

Where's father?

- In gatlinburg... Library. - Oh, I see...

- Thank you very much. - Thank you, ma'am.

Well, I must say,

the country certainly agrees with you. You look so...

Young.

You can flatter me later.

Right now I want to know why you came.

Oh, mother,

I'm so excited. I just had to come in person, you know?

Look,

I don't know how father's going to take this.

You're going to have to help me with him.

It's lucky that he isn't here right now. That way, you and I can talk this out.

It's charming!

Don't you think you have created enough suspense,

or would you rather I give you a tour of the house first,

and we talk around whatever it is that has brought you all the way to Tennessee?

You don't want me to enjoy my little moment, huh?

Ellen, I'm waiting.

All right...

I've been accepted at Harvard... The law school.

Didn't you hear me?

Mother!

I thought that you'd be thrilled.

I thought that father was going to be my only problem.

I mean, you know how he feels about careers for women.

And mark... How does he feel?

Once he got over all that foolishness,

thinking that I was emasculating him,

then he got excited at the prospect.

I mean,

marriage should be a partnership.

- Why shouldn't the woman contribute? - But she does, Ellen.

As a mother and as a wife.

Do you know what that means?

It doesn't mean slavery.

It isn't every day that Harvard accepts a female law student.

My daughter, the attorney.

Three years...

Hard years...

And then the bar.

They suggest that I get up to Cambridge right away.

Look, mother, I'm not fooling myself.

I know that it's the fact that father went there that got me special consideration but...

Now it's up to me to prove that I'm worth it.

I'm planning on leaving in the next few days

and I'm counting on us all going back together.

Just like that... Pack up and leave?

I know that you'll have to make certain arrangements.

But, Ellen, your father's hard at work on a very difficult project

that means a great deal to him...

And to me.

He can write it back in New York.

It's only a textbook, mother.

He doesn't have to stay up here in the middle of nowhere

and commune with nature.

I mean,

he's not writing the great American novel.

The fact is, you need a babysitter.

Mother!

I wonder if you have ever thought of me as... If I may borrow a word

that has been taken over by the very young... As a person.

You're my mother.

What a catchall that is.

What's happened to you?

It's only just spring.

Just spring.

And I'd hoped to see the summer here,

and early fall.

- Cookies, hmm? - Calories.

I must say, I...

I'm rather knocked out by your attitude.

Something has happened to you, mother. What is it?

Now...

What do you know about me?

Oh, mother!

I wonder. In the whole world,

was there ever one child who really knew its mother?

I think that you're acting sorry for yourself.

Oh, wouldn't that be terrible.

Out of character!

Only the young are free to choose?

Be taken by surprise, and find...

Joy?

Unfortunately, yes.

Older people have made their commitments.

They've accepted their responsibilities.

They have other compensations.

Such as?

Peace of mind.

Mother, I need you.

In all my life,

except for the time that I gave birth to bucky,

I have never needed you more.

Please, mother,

give me this chance. Let me...

Be somebody.

Bucky can't be left with just anybody now that he's started school.

Mark is hopeless with him.

If I thought that I'd have to leave him with a day nurse or...

What if I weren't alive?

What if you didn't have me?

But you are, and I do.

Yes, child.

I am, and you do.

Mother...

It hurts me to hear you say that I don't know you.

You're a beautiful person.

I've always admired you and respected you,

and I've loved you, and I've tried to copy you.

I know that father can be pretty trying.

He's selfish,

but what man isn't?

Mother,

I'm sure that over the years,

you've wondered many times...

What it would have been like if you hadn't married father when you did...

If you'd gone on to get your master's.

Have you?

Have you thought about that?

About me?

Yes, mama.

I love it here.

Darling...

Can you understand?

I'm trying.

You and I,

we're both afraid of the same thing

pointlessness of...

Of finally being nothing at all.

You want to be somebody.

Wasn't that what you said?

So do I.

Are you saying that you won't come back?

You won't give me this chance?

Yes, darling...

That's what I'm saying.

Was you expecting my daddy, huh?

Huh?

Huh? Was you expecting my daddy?

Get out of my way.

You're drunk!

Don't I know my daddy?

Like a bee to the flower, that old man.

He wouldn't let

a gal like you get by him, now, would he?

It isn't like that! It isn't like that at all.

Then just what the hell is it like, huh?

- What is it like, huh? - Leave.

What is it like?

Boy...

Let loose of her.

Daddy, don't mess with me.

Why you...

Why you do her like this?

Look at him, lady.

Look at all the wear and tear on him.

See what an old man you got?

Boy, boy.

You and me's leaving.

Ain't leaving, daddy! I got me a gun!

- Oh my god... - Easy now, easy!

What for you need a gun, boy?

Oh, I don't need it, daddy,

but if I should...

I got it.

What have I ever done you...

That you should

pull a gun on me?

Boy, I...

I'm your daddy.

What did you ever do for me, huh, daddy?

What the hell did you ever do for me?

What...

What did you want me to do?

Man...

I gotta tell you.

You'll never get to know.

Oh.

I see.

I guess you figure the time has come, huh?

You, uh...

You want to fight the old man.

Is that what you want, boy?

Is that gonna make you happy?

You think maybe I can't take you?

Maybe you can.

Now, you just put down that gun.

You just put it down and come at me.

Maybe you can take me...

But...

But you come at me...

Like a man.

Well, I got me a man's work cut out here with this city gal,

and I'm gonna fix it for her, daddy...

Like you ain't never fixed it!

Boy!

Oh!

Boy, wake up.

Boy, wake up!

Boy!

Come on, wake up!

Come on.

Boy, open your eyes.

Come on, boy, open your eyes!

Boy.

Boy!

Will...

We better get him to a doctor.

Son.

Libby...

You weren't here.

You didn't see this happen.

Now, you got that straight?

This is the most terrible day of my life.

Pastor: Help them, lord Jesus.

Help them to understand...

For you're just returning a part of his person to the earth

for which he has no further need.

Amen.

Bless you, will.

Bless you, Annie.

Thank you.

I'll get the car.

Oh, will...

I've been looking for you everywhere.

Libby, I...

I've made my peace.

You're so tired.

Come.

Libby, you know what I found out?

The clouds just keep right on moving...

Just keep moving.

Libby...

Ain't I heavy on you?

No, darling.

Say that again.

Darling.

Libby...

All I've got now...

Is you.

Roger?

- Oh. - What's the matter?

I... I couldn't sleep.

I couldn't read, either. The electricity's off.

Shall I make you some coffee?

No, thank you.

What is it?

Oh, it's... Like the storm.

It'll pass by morning.

Well, Roger, for heaven's sake,

if something is bothering you, say it.

I'll make us a drink, hmm?

- I don't want a drink. - I do.

All right, there is something...

A minor event,

nothing to shake up civilization, just the...

Silent, unnoticed coming apart

of Mr. ordinary...

Me.

This place...

Has been important for both of us, hasn't it?

I think you found something here, lib.

That's the good part...

And I lost something...

But that's good too,

in a way.

Anyway,

it's time to go home now.

I want to leave, lib.

I want us to go back.

Leave?

You want us to leave?

And quit?

Give up on the book?

Why did I want to find a place like this to come to?

Didn't you wonder that?

I needed...

A neutral corner so I'd come out fighting.

I was gonna do this book.

I was gonna show them. I'd show me.

I always thought there was time... Lots of time.

There isn't, is there?

Fifty-two years old, no scratch on the world, just...

Chalk marks on a blackboard.

What are you saying?

Where's the book I came to write?

Still eight months!

No, Libby, no. It's not working.

Oh, it's not bad work, it's adequate,

it's scholarly, and it's dull!

You said it, it's pedantic.

Amazing, isn't it? Imagine going on half salary

for the privilege of finding out one is quite

mediocre, really, when one could

stay on full salary and maintain the illusion of brilliance.

Roger...

Do I know you too well...

Or not at all?

We're in a time of change, lib.

Did either one of us know each other?

I hope now that we do.

It's funny, isn't it?

A man can lose an arm,

people pity him...

Lose a child,

cry for him, but...

If he should lose himself,

it passes as quietly as a...

Marshmallow in a cup of hot cocoa.

You're all dressed up!

We're leaving.

Not September yet.

I just came to say goodbye.

Will!

Yes, Annie?

Why, Libby.

Hello, will.

They're leaving.

Today...

This afternoon.

Now, why do a thing like that?

My daughter...

She ailing?

No, my daughter is going away to law school and

I have to take care of my grandson.

Goodbye, Mrs. Cade.

I'll be looking at you.

Goodbye, will.

Goodbye.

Libby, I love you.

Libby...

I love you.

Ain't nothing, not...

Not making a living, not taking care of children...

Nothing means what that does.

Why did you get mixed up with me? I'm...

Too damn complicated.

I must leave.

It ain't what you want.

Yes...

Yes...

It is. It is exactly what I want.

Then tell me why, Libby.

How can you do that when...

When I killed my own son for you?

Will, you mustn't say that. That was an accident.

Why did I hit him?

Now...

Why do you think I hit him?

I never... Never hit him before.

Will, help me.

Libby, please stay. Libby, please.

Don't leave me.

All right, Libby.

I'll help you...

Because that's how much I love you.

You go back to your city and I'll be here waiting

'cause I ain't going nowhere.

And, Libby...

Libby...

I'm never gonna die.

Oh, god, William.

You still believe in miracles...

But I don't.

I almost did.

Oh, I came so close.

Goodbye, will.

♪ How good it was

♪ to hear a gentle word

♪ again

♪ now and then I long

♪ for yesterday

a walk in the spring rain

♪ a time for pretending

♪ that one day you'll appear

♪ in time for both of us to share

♪ a walk in the spring rain