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(John-Boy) WHEN I WAS GROWING UP ON WALTON'S MOUNTAIN
IN THOSE YEARS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION,
FOR ME AND MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS
IT WAS A TIME OF MAKING DO WITH THE LITTLE THERE WAS.
A TIME OF STRETCHING A NICKEL T A
BYE!
IN SUCH TIMES, KEEPING CHILDREN IN SCHOOL
WAS JUST TOO MUCH OF A STRAIN FOR MANY FAMILIES
BUT FOR MY FATHER, EDUCATING HIS CHILDREN
HAD ALMOST THE SAME IMPORTANCE
AS FEEDING AND CLOTHING US.
I REMEMBER ONE DAY
WHEN THE REGULAR ROUTINE OF
WAS THREATENED.
[footsteps approaching]
JOHN-BOY,
UH, I'VE JUST HAD S-SOME NEWS FROM HOME
AND MY SISTER IN NORFOLK,
THERE'S BEEN AN ACCIDENT.
I'M SORRY.
UM, I'VE GOT TO TRY TO GET IN TOUCH
WITH MY BROTHER-IN-LAW BY TELEPHONE
AND I'D APPRECIATE IT
IF YOU'D TAKE CHARGE OF THE CLASSROOM.
WELL, I'LL TRY TO.
JUST TRY TO KEEP THE STUDENTS QUIET.
.
UH,
HERE'S A COPY OF TOM SAWYER.
OK.
I JUST HAD A LONG LETTER FROM HER ONLY YESTERDAY.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU, JOHN-BOY.
[children chattering]
JOHN-BOY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING UP THERE?
IT WAS MISS HUNTER'S IDEA.
YOU DON'T THINK I'D BE UP HERE IF IT WAS UP TO ME, DO YOU?
YOU'RE GONNA TEACH THE CLASS?
COME ON, JASON, PLEASE...
[all giggling]
WHY DON'T WE JUST HAVE RECESS
UNTIL MISS HUNTER GETS BACK?
DIDN'T YOU HEAR JOHN-BOY?
RECESS IS OVER!
THANK YOU, BEN. SIT DOWN. COME ON.
THA
COME ON, SIT DOWN.
MAY BE WE JUST OUGHT TO DO OUR HOMEWORK.
[garbage bin crashing]
QUIET!
LET'S JUST...
LET'S JUST DO HOMEWORK.
[children sighing] AW!
COME ON, NOW. I DON'T LIKE THIS, EITHER.
JOHN-BOY, WHERE DID MISS HUNTER GO?
WELL, THERE WAS AN EMERGENCY IN HER FAMILY.
LOOK, FROM NOW ON IF YOU WANT TO ASK A QUESTION,
WHY DON'T YOU JUST RAISE YOUR HAND, ALL RIGHT?
BUT JOHN-BOY, I'M YOUR SISTER.
I KNOW THAT.
I'M--I'M JUST TRYING TO BE THE TEACHER, THAT'S ALL.
[students exclaiming]
COME ON.
G?
TO SHARPEN MY PENCIL.
ALL RIGHT.
HEY, COME ON. THAT'S NOT FAIR.
LOOK, JUST SIT DOWN, I'LL READ TO YOU.
[feet shuffling]
TOM SAWYER, ALL RIGHT?
SIT DOWN.
UH, CHAPTER 29.
"THE PICNIC.
"HUCK ON *** JOE'S TRACK,
"THE REVENGE JOB,
"AID FOR THE WIDOW.
"THE FIRST THING THAT TOM HEARD ON FRIDAY MORNING
"WAS A GLAD PIECE OF NEWS.
(John-Boy)
"HAD COME BACK TO TOWN THE NIGHT BEFORE.
"BOTH *** JOE AND THE TREASURE
SANK INTO SECONDARY IMPORTANCE FOR A MOMENT..."
(John) I SURE WISH
I COULD'VE SEEN YOU TEACH THE SCHOOL, JOHN-BOY.
HE WAS JUST THE SAME AS AT HOME: BOSSY.
IT WAS LIKE BEING BIG BROTHER TO 20, INSTEAD OF 6.
I DON'T KNOW HOW MISS HUNTER DOES IT.
IT'S HER TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE.
SHE'S HAD PLENTY OF BOTH,
AND THAT IS WHY SHE IS SO GOOD.
OLD MAN, YOU KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERYTHING.
THAT'S WHY I AM SO GOOD
AFTER SPENDING 50-ODD YEARS
OF MARRIED LIFE WITH YOU.
NOT 50 YET.
O
OH, HUSH.
WHAT DID YOU TEACH THEM, JOHN-BOY?
I DIDN'T TRY TO TEACH THEM ANYTHING.
MISS HUNTER JUST TOLD ME TO KEEP THEM QUIET.
(John-Boy) I READ TO THEM.
.
HE STOPPED AT THE MOST EXCITING PART,
WHERE TOM AND BECKY ARE LOST IN THE CAVE.
WELL, I GUESS, YOU'LL JUST HAVE TO LEARN TO READ
IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
[d
WILL MISS HUNTER BE BACK?
I DON'T KNOW.
ELIZABETH, WHAT ARE YOU DOIN'?
JOHN-BOY SAID WHENEVER I WANT TO ASK HIM A QUESTION,
I HAVE TO RAISE MY HAND.
WELL, SCHOOL'S OUT.
(John-Boy) WHAT IS IT YOU WANT?
MAY I PLEASE GO TO THE BATHROOM?
(John-Boy) YES, YOU MAY.
WAY I UNDERSTAND IT, MISS HUNTER'S
SISTER HAD A BAD CAR ACCIDENT IN NORFOLK.
SHE'S GONNA PULL THROUGH ALL RIGHT,
BUT SHE'S GONNA NEED NURSING FOR A SPELL.
YEAH, MACHINES WILL BE THE DEATH OF US ALL.
OH, PEOPLE HAD ACCIDENTS
LONG BEFORE THEY HAD MOTORCARS.
OLD MAN, WILL THERE EVER COME A TIME
WHEN I SAY SOMETHIN'
AND YOU DON'T CONTRADICT ME?
DON'T ABANDON HOPE.
STOP IT.
MISS HUNTER FEELS SHE HAS TO GO TO NORFOLK
TO TAKE CARE OF HER SISTER?
IT'S NOT JUST MISS HUNTER'S SISTER, IT'S, UH...
SHE'S GOT 4 NIECES AND NEPHEWS,
AND THE OLDEST IS 9.
MISS HUNTER IS THE CLOSEST KIN THEY HAVE.
WHO'S GONNA TAKE CARE OF HER CLASS?
JOHN-BOY, LOOKS LIKE YOU GOT A FULL-TIME JOB.
OH, I JUST FILLED IN THIS AFTERNOON.
I'M GOING TO A SPECIAL SCHOOL BOARD MEETING TONIGHT.
IT WON'T BE EASY
TO FIND A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER MIDTERM.
WE CAN'T PAY MUCH.
WE'LL HAVE TO KEEP MISS HUNTER ON SALARY IF WE CAN.
OR WE COULD GO ON VACATION
TILL MISS HUNTER GETS BACK IF WE HAVE TO.
BEN, I THINK WE CAN COME UP
WITH A BETTER ANSWER THAN THAT.
JOHN-BOY,
YOU OUGHT TO BE ASLEEP.
I'M SCARED.
SCARED?
YOU GOT NOTHING TO BE SCARED OF.
I'M SCARED FOR TOM SAWYER AND BECKY THATCHER.
KING OF THEM
DO THEY GET OUT?
OH, I SHOULDN'T TELL YOU THIS,
BUT YES, THEY DO GET OUT.
I WON'T TELL ANYONE ELSE.
OK.
GOOD NIGHT, HONEY.
GOOD NIGHT.
LIVIE, I DIDN'T EXPECT YOU TO BE UP.
THAT MUST'VE BEEN SOME MEETIN'.
SURE WAS.
AT ONE POINT, WE WERE READY TO GIVE UP.
TAKE BEN'S SUGGESTION
AND GIVE THE KIDS A VACATION.
NO SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS AROUND HERE?
NOT ONE IN THE COUNTY.
NOT FOR THE MONEY WE CAN PAY.
WELL, WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?
WE WERE JUST ABOUT TO GIVE UP,
THEN MRS. RICHARDSON
THOUGHT OF THIS WOMAN SHE HEARD ABOUT
IN NEW YORK FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD.
THE DAUGHTER OF SOME FAMOUS PROFESSOR.
WE TOOK A CHANCE,
MADE A LONG DISTANCE CALL.
MRS. RICHARDSON EXPLAINED THE SITUATION TO HER,
AND WE GOT OURSELVES A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER.
FROM NEW YORK CITY?
A MISS POLLARD.
.
MISS POLLARD.
UH-HUH, MEGAN POLLARD.
PRETTY NAME.
(John) SMART AS A WHIP.
MRS. RICHARDSON SAYS SHE GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE
WITH ALL KINDS OF HONORS.
SO HOW COME SHE'S NOT TEACHIN'?
SHE'S BE SOME KIN
SHE'S YOUNG, INEXPERIENCED,
BUT I'M SURE SHE'LL FILL IN
I'M GLAD YOU WERE ABLE TO WORK IT OUT.
AND THERE IS ONE MORE THING.
SINCE WE CAN PAY SO LITTLE,
WE DECIDED WE OUGHT TO OFFER A FREE ROOM AND BOARD.
JOHN.
NOW, LIVIE, WE GOT MORE KIDS IN SCHOOL THAN ANYONE ELSE.
(John) SEEMED ONLY FAIR.
(both) JOHN-BOY WOULDN'T MIND
SLEEPIN' OUT IN THE BARN TEMPORARILY.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS GONNA SAY.
[both chuckle]
AH, BEN,
WHAT'S GOIN' ON IN HERE?
I'M GOIN' TO BUILD A KITE, GRANDPA.
A KITE. MMM.
THERE'S GOING TO BE A KITE-FLYING CONTEST.
I WANT TO WIN.
NOW, THAT IS AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT.
YOU KNOW ANYTHIN' ABOUT BUILDIN' A KITE?
LL, I'VE GOT AN IDEA.
UH-HUH.
WELL, NOW. THAT'S GREAT.
YOU KNOW, I USED TO BUILD KITES
THAT WOULD PUT BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO SHAME.
ONCE, WHEN I WAS NO MORE THAN YOUR AGE,
I BUILT ME A KITE THAT WAS SO STRONG,
IT BROKE ITS STRING AND JUST WENT WINGIN' AWAY.
THAT'S TOO BAD, GRANDPA.
THEY FOUND HER A WEEK OR SO LATER,
CLEAN OVER IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.
THIS CONTEST IS FOR THE KIDS
IN OUR SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS.
TELL YOU WHAT, BEN.
I WILL HELP BUILD YOU A KITE
THAT WILL BE THE FINEST KITE
THAT MAN HAS EVER MADE.
HOW ABOUT IT, HUH?
M?
WHAT DO YOU SAY?
[sighs] OK, GRANDPA.
ALL RIGHT, BEN, NOW LET'S GET TO WORK.
R?
HEY, GRANDMA.
THERE'S SOME MAIL COME FOR YOU.
BIG OR SMALL?
BIG.
RIGHT THERE.
[envelope rustling]
"WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU
"THAT THE MATERIAL YOU SO KINDLY SUBMITTED
"FOR OUR CONSIDERATION
FAILS TO MEET OUR NEEDS AT THIS TIME."
THAT'S THE BEST STORY I'VE EVER WRITTEN.
NOW TELL ME WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT?
WELL, THEY DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING WAS WRONG.
THEY JUST SAID IT WASN'T WHAT THEY NEED.
GRANDMA, THEY NEVER TELL YOU WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT.
LOOK, SILK IS BEAUTIFUL.
BUT NOBODY COULD SELL ME SILK
IF I WAS SHOPPING FOR GINGHAM.
GRANDMA, THIS IS A REJECTION SLIP.
YOU KNOW HOW MANY OF THESE THINGS I'VE GOT?
I COULD PAPER THE WALLS WITH THEM.
GOOD.
IT'LL--IT'LL HELP AGAINST THE COLD WHEN WINTER COMES.
[footsteps approaching]
JOHN-BOY,
YOUR FATHER HAD TO HELP OUT AT THE YOUNGER PLACE
SO HE WANTS YOU TO GO TO THE BUS STOP
AND PICK UP MISS POLLARD.
TE.
YES, MA'AM. PICK UP MISS POLLARD AT THE BUS STOP.
I GUESS I'LL KNOW HER WHEN I SEE HER.
SHE'S PROBABLY THE ONLY PASSENGER
GETTIN' OFF THE BUS. SHOULDN'T BE DIFFICULT.
I AM SMILING.
THEN YOU'D BETTER TELL YOUR FACE.
FIRST THING SHE SEES THAT GLUM LOOK,
SHE'LL GET RIGHT BACK ON THAT BUS AND HEAD NORTH.
WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH HIM?
GOT REJECTED AGAIN.
OH, BIG ENVELOPE.
[birds twittering]
EXCUSE ME, BY ANY CHANCE, WOULD YOU BE MISS POLLARD?
NOT ONLY WOULD BE, I AM.
BUT NOT BY CHANCE. BY DESIGN.
[eng
I'M JOHN-BOY WALTON.
I'M SORRY I'M LATE,
I GUESS OUR CLOCK AT HOME MUST BE SLOW.
THE BUS WAS EARLY.
OH, WELL, I'LL JUST PUT YOUR THINGS IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK.
THAT'S HEAVY.
THAT'S MY LIBRARY.
I'LL GET IT.
I'M SORRY.
I BELIEVE YOU. DON'T KEEP SAYING IT.
O, YOU'RE ON...
AH, EXCUSE ME.
DO I SEE A REJECTION SLIP?
YEAH, IT'S A HOBBY OF MINE.
I COLLECT 'EM.
YOU KNOW WHY THIS WAS REJECTED?
WELL, THE SLIP SAYS THAT I DIDN'T HAVE WHAT THEY WANTED.
THAT'S EDITORIAL JABBERWOCKY.
THINK?
TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH, I DON'T KNOW. I LIKE IT. I THINK IT'S GOOD.
(Megan) WELL, IF YOU LIKE, I'LL READ IT
AND TRY AND TELL YOU WHY IT MISSED.
HAVE YOU EVER DONE EDITORIAL WORK?
YES, EVERY SINCE COLLEGE,
I'VE BEEN DEVOTING MY TIME TO EDITORIAL WORK.
REALLY?
YOU MEAN SHORT STORIES AND NOVELS AND SUCH?
NO. MY FATHER WAS AN EDUCATOR OF SOME RENOWN.
WE WERE PREPARIN' A COLLECTION OF HIS WORKS WHEN HE...
WHEN HE DIED.
I'M SORRY.
DO YOU THINK MAYBE WE COULD--
SHOULDN'T WE BE GETTING ON?
CERTAINLY. OF COURSE.
[engine starts]
I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY, MR. WALTON.
(John) OH, WE FEEL REAL LUCKY HAVIN' YOU.
I WAS LOOKING FOR A TEACHING POSITION THAT'D BE A CHALLENGE.
YOU GOT ONE.
[all chuckling]
COME ON, I'LL SHOW YOU TO YOUR ROOM.
I ALREADY TOOK YOUR LUGGAGE UP.
THANK YOU.
SHE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE A TEACHER.
WHAT'S A TEACHER SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE?
MISS HUNTER?
(Grandma) NO, I CAN'T MAKE UP MY MIND
WHETHER SHE'S OLDER TRYIN' TO LOOK YOUNGER
YOUNG TRYIN' TO LOOK OLDER.
SHE'S YOUNG.
THAT'S NO CRIME.
SHE'S ALREADY GOT HER MASTER'S.
WHATEVER THAT IS.
SHE SEEMS STUCK-UP TO ME.
I THINK SHE'S SHY.
I DON'T THINK SHE EVEN LIKES US.
WHOA! WHOA, NOW,
YOU'RE JUMPIN' TO CONCLUSIONS SO FAST,
YOU'LL BE OUT OF BREATH.
SHE'S HELPIN' US OUT IN AN EMERGENCY.
SHE'S NEW TO US, WE'RE NEW TO HER.
GIVE IT TIME.
[giggles]
SHE REMINDS ME OF MY FIRST GRADE TEACHER.
EVERYTHING REMINDS YOU OF SOMETHIN'.
HMM, I EXERCISE MY MEMORY, OLD WOMAN.
THAT'S WHAT KEEPS IT SO HEALTHY.
YOUR MEMORY AND YOUR MOUTH.
ALL THE BETTER TO...
STOP IT.
[laughs]
I HOPE YOU'LL BE COMFORTABLE HERE.
LOOKS JUST FINE.
IT GETS A LITTLE NOISY SOMETIMES.
IS THAT YOUR FATHER?
MY LATE FATHER. HE WAS AN EDUCATOR.
AND THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY?
I'M ALONE.
IT MAKES FOR AN UNCLUTTERED LIFE.
HE TRAVELS LIGHT WHO TRAVELS ALONE.
YOU KNOW THE SAYING.
WE USUALLY SIT DOWN TO SUPPER ABOUT 6:00.
IF IT WOULDN'T BE TOO MUCH BOTHER,
I'D PREFER TO HAVE SOMETHING SIMPLE HERE.
OF COURSE. YOU MUST BE TIRED AFTER YOUR LONG BUS RIDE.
I DON'T WANT TO INTRUDE ON YOUR FAMILY.
YOU WOULDN'T BE INTRUDIN'.
AND I'M A LIGHT EATER.
I'LL HAVE A TRAY SENT UP.
THANK YOU.
AND PLEASE, MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME.
MISS POLLARD?
YES.
I'M ETHEL RICHARDSON,
MEMBER OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.
MISS HUNTER ASKED ME TO STOP IN HERE
ON YOUR FIRST MORNIN' AND MAKE YOU WELCOME.
THANK YOU.
SHE ALSO SAID TO TELL YOU HER GRADE BOOKS AND ASSIGNMENT SHEETS
WERE IN THE TOP DESK DRAWER.
UH, THANK YOU, I FOUND THEM.
I UNDERSTAND YOUR FATHER WAS A VERY FAMOUS PROFESSOR.
HE WAS A PIONEER IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION.
MISS HUNTER WENT ON AND ON ABOUT HIM.
SHE CALLED HIM "THE TEACHER'S TEACHER."
AND HERE YOU ARE
CARRYIN' ON THE FAMILY TRADITION.
I'M TRYING.
OH, I KNOW IT ISN'T EASY COMIN' INTO A STRANGE SCHOOL
AND TAKING OVER FOR SOMEBODY ELSE.
BUT A LITTLE SCHOOL LIKE OURS
IS EASYGOIN',
FRIENDLY.
WELL, IF THERE'S ANYTHIN' AT ALL I CAN DO TO HELP.
THANK YOU.
IT'S VERY NICE HAVIN' YOU WITH US.
[birds chirping]
(Jason) COME ON, ELIZABETH. WE'LL BE LATE.
(Elizabeth) I'M COMING.
[children chattering]
WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH THOSE WEEDS?
THEY'RE NOT WEEDS. THEY'RE WILDFLOWERS.
I'M GOING TO GIVE 'EM TO OUR NEW TEACHER.
[children chattering]
TAKE YOUR SEATS, PLEASE.
GOOD MORNING, CLASS. I'M MISS POLLARD.
CLASS!
I'M TO BE YOUR TEACHER WHILE MISS HUNTER IS AWAY.
IT ISN'T EASY TO CHANGE TEACHERS
IN THE MIDDLE OF A TERM
BUT IF WE DO OUR JOBS EVERY DAY,
WE SHOULD MANAGE VERY WELL.
[children laughing]
CLASS!
YOU'RE LATE.
I'M SORRY.
TARDINESS IS SOMETHING I CAN'T TOLERATE.
IT SHOWS A SELF-CENTERED LACK OF CONSIDERATION
FOR YOUR FELLOW STUDENTS AND YOUR TEACHER.
PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEAT.
WELL, M-MA'AM, THE REASON WE'RE LATE IS--
WE CAN ALWAYS FIND EXCUSES.
BUT THEY ARE USUALLY JUST A FURTHER WASTE OF TIME.
SIT DOWN, PLEASE.
MISS POLLARD, IF MAYBE YOU'D LET ELIZABETH SHOW YOU WHY THEY'RE LATE--
I'VE DEALT WITH THAT MATTER.
TAKE YOUR SEAT, ELIZABETH.
(Megan) NOW, WHEN WE WERE
I WAS INTRODUCING MYSELF TO YOU.
I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT IF WE'RE TO WORK TOGETHER
THAT WE GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER. I HOPE YOU AGREE?
ERIN?
ONCE WHEN A NEW BOY CAME TO OUR SCHOOL,
MISS HUNTER HAD EACH ONE OF US
INTRODUCE THE PERSON BEHIND US TO HIM.
WELL, THAT'S MISS HUNTER'S WAY
AND I'M SURE IT WORKED VERY WELL FOR HER.
BUT I HAVE TO KNOW EACH OF YOU IN DEPTH,
SO I HAVE SOME SPECIAL TESTS.
[children sighing]
CLASS.
NOW, TIME IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THESE TESTS,
SO WE'LL HAVE TO GET STARTED IMMEDIATELY.
ERIN AND JOHN WALTON, WILL YOU PASS THESE OUT FOR ME, PLEASE?
[Jason muttering]
[children laughing]
[children murmuring]
[cane tapping]
CLASS, PLEASE TRY TO BE A LITTLE QUIET
AND CONCENTRATE ON THE TEST.
EXCUSE ME, MISS POLLARD,
WE HAVE
I KNOW THE SCHEDULE, BUT TIME IS ESSENTIAL
IN MY EVALUATION OF THIS TEST.
THERE WILL BE OTHER RECESSES.
IN THE SCIENCE SECTION,
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT'S WANTED.
THE POINT OF THIS TEST
IS TO GAUGE YOUR COMPREHENSION LEVELS.
SO IF THERE'S A QUESTION YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND,
G
EXCUSE ME, MAYBE I CAN HELP HIM--
JUST DO YOUR OWN WORK.
I THINK MY HAND IS SWOLLEN.
AFTER ALL THOSE TESTS, IT SHOULD BE.
SHE SAYS THERE'LL BE MORE TOMORROW.
I THINK TRUE-FALSE AND MULTIPLE-CHOICE TESTS ARE SO UNFAIR.
THE NEW TEACHER IS A: COLDER THAN AN ICICLE,
B: TALKS LIKE A DICTIONARY,
C: ACTS LIKE A SMILE WOULD CRACK HER FACE,
D: ALL OF THESE.
D.
PROBABLY ALL SHE KNOWS HOW TO DO IS GIVE TESTS.
I WISH MISS HUNTER WOULD COME BACK.
I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M SAYIN' THAT FOR.
WE'RE NOT BEING FAIR TO MISS POLLARD.
DO YOU THINK SHE'S BEING FAIR TO US?
[children playing]
(John-Boy) HI.
WE'RE JUST STARTIN' FOR HOME.
I'D ONLY HOLD YOU BACK.
I LIKE TO SET MY OWN PACE.
ALL RIGHT, WE'LL SEE YOU LATER.
BYE-BYE.
SEE YOU LATER.
(Jason) ONE, HUT, 3.
[all chattering]
(Erin) GIVE IT BACK HERE.
[Jason grunting]
READY. MARCH.
HUT, 2, 3, 4. HUT...
[John-Boy and Jason laughing]
(Jason) HEY, WAIT. HOLD ON!
(Mary-Ellen) COME ON.
(Ben) COME ON, ERIN.
(Mary-Ellen) HEY, THERE THEY GO.
(Jason) COME ON, GIRLS. HURRY UP.
[chattering continues]
(Jason) THIS WAY. WATCH OUT FOR THE ENEMY.
[Elizabeth giggling]
(Mary-Ellen) WHO'S GOT THE GUN?
(Jason) I GOT IT.
(Elizabeth) WHOA!
[all screaming] WHOA!
GOOD GOING.
[Erin giggles]
(Jason) ONE, HUT, 3...
(Erin) READY? MARCH.
HUT, 2, 3, 4!
[children laughing]
[water flowing]
(Megan) LOOK AT ME, FATHER. LOOK AT ME.
SEE ME. SEE ME.
[birds chirping]
I HAVE A FEELIN' WE'RE WASTIN' OUR TIME.
JUST KEEP IT REAL PLAIN.
[door slamming]
HELLO?
HELLO.
HOW DID IT GO?
GOOD. THE FIRST DAY ON ANY NEW JOB IS USUALLY THE HARDEST.
WILL YOU HAVE SOME TEA WITH US?
UH, WELL, THANK YOU,
BUT I HAVE SOME TESTS TO SCORE.
OH, ABOUT DINNER.
UH, WE'RE HAVIN' A TREAT TONIGHT.
GRANDMA IS MAKIN'
SOME OF HER SPECIAL PORK CHOP GRAVY.
OH, WELL, IF YOU DON'T MIND,
I--I PREFER TO HAVE A SANDWICH AND A GLASS OF MILK IN MY ROOM.
ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
WELL, YOU CAN'T COMPLAIN SHE'S UNDERFOOT.
WHAT YOU'RE DOIN'?
WILL YOU HOLD THIS WHILE I PUT THE PASTE ON?
A KITE.
A KITE, HUH?
LET'S SEE.
OH, THIS IS A PRETTY FUNNY-LOOKIN' KITE, BEN.
WELL, GRANDPA SAYS IT'S THE BEST.
UH, I DOUBT YOU'LL EVER GET THIS OFF THE GROUND.
WELL, I HAD AN IDEA OF WHAT I WANTED TO DO.
BUT GRANDPA WANTED ME TO DO IT HIS WAY.
HEY, LISTEN. YOU WANT A KITE
THAT WILL REALLY OUTCLASS EVERYBODY'S?
I'LL SHOW YOU D IT,
GET SOME BROWN PAPER. I'LL LOOK UP SOME WOOD, THEN I'LL SHOW YOU
HOW TO MAKE A KITE THAT CAN GO TO THE MOON.
GET THE PAPER.
[knocking on door]
YES?
IT'S JOHN-BOY, MISS POLLARD.
NTERRUPTING
OH, NO. I COULD USE A BREAK.
IS SOMETHING WRONG?
OH, NO, SORRY.
IT'S JUST THAT YOU LOOK SO MUCH, UH,
DIFFERENT WITH YOUR HAIR LIKE THAT.
HMM.
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU H-HAD A CHANCE
TO READ MY STORY.
YES, I'VE READ IT.
WELL?
YOUR WRITING IS COMPLETELY UNDISCIPLINED.
I DON'T THINK I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.
LITERATURE, UH,
ONS.
GOOD WRITING HAS TO BE DETACHED AND OBJECTIVE.
ONE HAS TO FEEL THAT THE AUTHOR IS IN CONTROL.
WELL, YOU SEE, THIS STORY COMES FROM SOMETHING
THAT REALLY ACTUALLY DID HAPPEN BETWEEN MY FATHER AND ME.
AND I THOUGHT MAYBE I COULD SHARE THE FEELINGS
I HAD IN THE STORY.
LISTEN, THERE'S A TRAP THERE.
WHEN YOU'RE WRITING ABOUT SUCH AN INTENSE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP,
YOU HAVE TO BE ALL THE MORE OBJECTIVE.
IT'S SO EASY TO FALL INTO MAWKISHNESS
OR SENTIMENTALITY.
THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK I DID?
YOU WANT MY HONEST REACTION?
SURE.
I WAS EMBARRASSED.
IF YOU MUST PUT DOWN YOUR FEELINGS, USE
BUT IF YOU'RE WRITING FOR PUBLICATION,
YOU HAVE TO WORK FOR BALANCE.
STYLE.
DO YOU KNOW THE ESSAYS OF RALPH WALDO EMERSON?
SOMEWHAT.
STUDY HIS ESSAY ON INTELLECT.
PARAGRAPH BY PARAGRAPH, WORD BY WORD.
ASK YOURSELF
WHY EMERSON USED ONE PHRASE INSTEAD OF ANOTHER.
ANALYZE HIS RHYTHMS, DIAGRAM HIS SENTENCES,
LIST THE FIGURES OF SPEECH.
WHEN YOU THINK YOU FINALLY UNDERSTAND THE TECHNIQUES HE USED,
TRY AND WRITE AN ESSAY JUST LIKE HIS.
WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN DO THAT.
YOU ASKED FOR HELP.
TRUE.
WELL, I DO THANK YOU.
[door closing]
HERE.
ADDIE WILSON. ABSENT.
LUCILLA YOUNGER.
HERE.
THERE SEEM TO BE AN UNUSUAL NUMBER OF ABSENTEES TODAY.
TO SAVE TIME IN THE FUTURE,
I'VE MADE AN ALPHABETICAL SEATING CHART.
WE DON'T NEED TOO MANY CHANGES.
SO AT RECESS,
MARTHA BRONSON, TRADE WITH GEORGE TALBOT,
ARTHUR HAPGOOD WITH JANE PORTER,
AND BETTY ANDREWS TRADE WITH LUCILLA YOUNGER.
MRS
YES, LUCY?
MISS POLLARD, MAY I PLEASE KEEP THAT DE
LUCILLA, I'VE EXPLAINED THAT I WANT ALPHABETICAL SEATING.
(Megan) SINCE YOUR NAME BEGINS WITH A "Y,"
YOU SIT AT THE END OF THE ROW.
YEAH, BUT MISS HUNTER SAID--
LUCILLA, MISS HUNTER ISN'T TEACHING THIS CLASS NOW. I AM.
SO DURING RECESS,
YOU WILL CHANGE YOUR SEAT.
YES, JOHN?
EXCUSE ME, MA'AM.
YOU SEE, THE-- THE REASON THAT LUCILLA--
I'M NOT INTERESTED.
I HAVE MY OWN REASONS FOR ASKING HER TO CHANGE HER SEAT.
OH, I DON'T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND--
I'VE HEARD ENOUGH.
SORRY.
AND BEFORE WE START WORK,
BEN WALTON, WILL YOU COME UP HERE, PLEASE?
YES, MISS POLLARD?
ON THE BASIS OF YOUR TESTS,
I DO YOU'
FOR SIXTH-GRADE WORK.
YOUR SCIENCE TEST W
WELL, YOU SEE, I'M NEVER GOOD ON WRITTEN TESTS
WHEN I CAN JUST TALK.
WE HAVE TO RELY ON WRITTEN TESTS.
AND UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES,
I DON'T THINK IT'D BE FAIR TO KEEP YOU IN 6TH GRADE.
YOU MEAN, I HAVE TO BE IN 5TH GRADE ALL OVER AGAIN?
I'M AFRAID SO.
YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR DESK DURING RECESS.
(Megan) NOW, FIRST GRADE
GET OUT YOUR PENMANSHIP BOOKS AND WORK ON LETTER "Q."
2ND GRADE,
TURN TO THE STORY ON PAGE 32 OF YOUR READERS.
(Megan) YOU CAN SEE FOR YOURSELF
WHERE BEN'S TEST SCORES LIE
IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE OTHER 6TH GRADERS.
WELL, I KNOW EN TESTS
BUT SURELY CLASS PARTICIPATION COUNTS, TOO.
WELL, MY FATHER PIONEERED THESE TESTING PROCEDURES.
AND I WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH HIM IN THEIR DEVELOPMENT.
AND I KNOW
THAT THESE APTITUDE PROFILES ARE REMARKABLY ACCURATE.
AND UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, I DON'T THINK IT'LL BE FAIR
TO KEEP BEN IN THE 6TH GRADE.
WH-WHAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND
IS HOW BEN SEEMED TO BE DOING SO WELL.
(Olivia) ON HIS LAST REPORT CARD, HE GOT MOSTLY B'S.
WELL, MISS HUNTER HAS HER METHODS. I HAVE MINE.
UNDERSTAND WE'RE NOT TELLING YOU HOW TO TEACH SCHOOL.
JUST WE WANT WHAT'S BEST FOR BEN.
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT IN THE CLASSROOM,
THAT DECISION HAS TO BE MINE.
COULD--COULD YOU GIVE HIM AN ORAL EXAMINATION
OVER THE SAME MATERIAL?
IT'LL GIVE HIM A CHANCE
TO SHOW WHAT HE KNOWS IN HIS OWN WAY.
I DON'T SEE HOW THAT WILL DO ANY GOOD.
I'M SURE BEN WILL DO VERY WELL
WHEN HE APPLIES HIMSELF.
WILL YOU EXCUSE ME, PLEASE?
WHO'S THAT?
IT'S ME, ELIZABETH.
I'M PLAYING "I'M A GROWNUP."
HAT CAN BE FUN MES.
IT'LL MAKE DADDY LAUGH.
HE'LL PRETEND HE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE ME.
s]
(Megan) NOW, WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE QUEEN
WHO HELPED COLUMBUS?
LUCILLA?
LUCILLA?
I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T HEAR THE QUESTION.
YOU DIDN'T HEAR THE QUESTION
BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T PAYING ATTENTION.
NO, MISS POLLARD, THE REASON--
I'M NOT INTERESTED IN EXCUSES.
YOU'LL STAY AFTER SCHOOL, AND WRITE A 100-WORD THEME
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF PAYING ATTENTION IN CLASS.
(Megan) NOW, WHO KNOWS THE ANSWER TO MY QUESTION?
BEN?
QUEEN ISABELLA.
LUCILLA!
JOHN WALTON.
[children chattering]
CLASS!
WE'LL GO ON WITH OUR HISTORY LESSON.
NOW, WHO CAN NAME COLUMBUS' SHIPS?
[bird chirping]
WELL, NOW, WHAT HAVE WE GOT HERE?
THOUGHT YOU'D BE WORKING ON YOUR KITE.
I'M NOT EVEN GONNA BOTHER WITH IT.
I'LL JUST MESS IT UP ANYWAY.
BEN, THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU.
I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN DO ANYTHING RIGHT.
KITE, IDN'T YOU?
YEAH, BUT JASON SHOWED ME HOW TO DO IT.
I HAD AN IDEA OF MY OWN, BUT...
DADDY?
DO YOU THINK I'M DUMB?
LISTEN, SON, I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN FEELIN' KIND OF LOW LATELY,
AND I DON'T BLAME YOU, BUT, UH.
ILY,
YOU UNDERSTAND?
YES, SIR.
NOW LISTEN, HERE,
WHY NOT YOU JUST BUILD THE KITE YOU GOT IN MIND?
YOUR OWN WAY.
YOU TAKE NO ADVICE FROM ANYBODY.
YOU UNDERSTAND?
THANK YOU, DADDY.
[footsteps approaching]
HOW'S IT GOING?
FINE.
THERE'S EVIDENCE TO THE CONTRARY.
OUT.
YOU KNOW, I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU,
IF YOU CAN GET OVER BEING ANGRY AT ME.
YOU'RE SURRENDERING TO YOUR EMOTIONS AGAIN.
LIKE RUNNING OUT OF CLASS WITHOUT AN EXPLANATION.
WELL, I HAD A REASON.
WOULD YOU CARE TO TELL ME WHAT IT IS?
NO.
[sighs]
THERE'S A THEORY
THAT WE CAN ONLY UNDERSTAND HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
WHEN WE VIEW THEM OBJECTIVELY.
NOW, MY FATHER'S THEORY--
MISS POLLARD!
LUCILLA YOUNGER IS NOT A THEORY.
SHE'S A LITTLE GIRL WHO'S HARD OF HEARING
(John-Boy) AND THAT'S WHY MISS HUNTER
ALWAYS LETS HER SIT UP AT THE FRONT OF THE CLASS.
SHE'S DEAF?
NO, SHE'S NOT DEAF.
SHE JUST DOESN'T HEAR VERY WELL.
WHY DIDN'T SHE TELL ME?
SHE TRIED TO.
SO DID I.
I SEE.
OH, GOOD MORNIN'.
I JUST HEARD ABOUT THE MEETIN'.
AND I WAS WONDERIN' IF YOU'D LIKE TO TALK
OVER THE PROBLEMS WITH ME BEFOREHAND.
WHAT MEETING?
WHY? THE SPECIAL MEETIN' OF THE SCHOOL BOARD.
I JUST ASSUMED YOU'D BE INVITED BECAUSE--
SINCE I'M THE REASON THE MEETING'S BEING CALLED?
OH, I'M--I'M SO SORRY.
I--I--I KNOW
EVERYTHIN' IS GOING TO WORK OUT JUST FINE.
[door closing]
MISS POLLARD GET BACK FROM SCHOOL YET?
NOT YET.
WHAT HAPPENED AT THE MEETIN'?
AH, WHAT A MESS.
THE PARENTS ARE ALL REAL UPSET.
(John) HALF THE CHILDREN ARE REFUSING TO GO TO SCHOOL
AND THE OTHER HALF ARE THREATENIN' TO QUIT.
LITTLE LUCILLA YOUNGER HAS TAKEN TO HER BED.
WAS SHE SET BACK LIKE BEN?
NOT IN THE SAME WAY.
WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN?
I DON'T KNOW.
ALL THE PARENTS ARE SAYIN' IT WAS A MISTAKE
RST PLACE.
THEY WANT ME TO TALK TO HER.
THEY WANT ME TO BRING ABOUT SOME CHANGES.
MR. WALTON, MAY I SPEAK TO YOU FOR A MINUTE?
I WAS HOPIN'
I WOULD TALK TO YOU, TOO, MISS POLLARD.
I'M SUBMITTING MY RESIGNATION.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE SUBMITTING YOUR RESIGNATION?
EFFECTIVE AT ONCE.
I ADMIT WE HAVE A PROBLEM HERE,
BUT NOTHIN' WE CAN'T TALK OUT.
I DON'T THINK IT WOULD DO ANY GOOD TO TALK ABOUT IT.
MY RESIGNATION SETTLES IT.
NO, IT DOESN'T.
YOUR RESIGNATION UNSETTLES EVERYTHING, MISS POLLARD.
WE NEED A TEACHER HERE.
WE NEED YOU.
HALF THE CLASS DOESN'T NEED ME.
LUCILLA YOUNGER DOESN'T NEED ME.
YOUR OWN CHILDREN DON'T NEED ME.
I HAVE TRIED TO DO MY BEST,
IT, UH, JUST WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH.
A LADY WITH YOUR EDUCATION HAS A LOT TO GIVE US HERE.
MAYBE IT'S A QUESTION
OF YOU LEARNIN' HOW TO GIVE IT.
MR. WALTON, I DIDN'T WANT THIS DISCUSSION,
BUT SINCE YOU STARTED IT, LET'S SPEAK PLAINLY.
THEY JUST DON'T LIKE ME.
NOW I HAVE, SOMETIMES,
BEEN ABLE TO FORCE PEOPLE TO RESPECT ME
I CAN SOMETIMES MAKE THEM A LITTLE AFRAID OF ME,
BUT I CAN'T MAKE THEM LIKE ME.
YOU CAN GIVE THEM A CHANCE.
MR. WALTON, IF I CAN'T BE A TEACHER
WITHOUT WINNING A POPULARITY CONTEST,
I CAN'T TEACH.
NO ONE IS ASKIN' YOU TO WIN--
I'LL LEAVE IN THE MORNING.
(Megan)
IT'S JOHN-BOY.
I JUST CAME TO SAY THANK YOU.
FOR WHAT?
OH, LOTS OF THINGS.
FOR READIN' MY STORY, TRYING TO HELP ME OUT,
FOR LENDING ME THIS BOOK.
I SEE IT BELONGED TO YOUR FATHER.
YES. HE WAS ALWAYS QUOTING EMERSON,
AND RUSKIN, AND MONTAIGNE.
I'M GLAD TO KNOW
THAT I WAS ABLE TO BE OF SOME HELP TO SOMEBODY.
RTANT.
EMERSON AND I.
YOU SEE, FOR ME,
THE FEELINGS HAVE TO BE THERE FIRST OR I JUST CAN'T WRITE.
AY
FROM THAT RELIANCE ON FEELING.
I KNOW.
I TRIED TO DO WHAT YOU TOLD ME TO DO.
CONCENTRATE ON WORDS AND RHYTHMS AND FIGURES OF SPEECH,
AND NEVER MIND WHETHER THERE WAS ANYTHING I HAD REALLY TO SAY.
FOR ME, THAT JUST DOESN'T WORK.
I HARDLY THINK YOU'VE GIVEN IT A FAIR TRIAL.
NO?
I READ MY STORY OVER AGAIN
AND I ADMIT THERE'S THINGS WRONG WITH IT.
IT'S CLUMSY AND AWKWARD IN PLACES
BUT I THINK IT SAYS SOMETHING TRUE
ABOUT THE FEELINGS BETWEEN ME AND MY FAMILY.
AND I KNOW NOW THAT
THAT'S WHAT I WANT MY WRITING TO DO.
I SEE.
KE IT,
BECAUSE THEY WON'T.
SOME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LIKE IT
AND SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST GOING TO BE
UNCOMFORTABLE AND EMBARRASSED BY IT.
LIKE ME.
FIRST, YOU THANK ME FOR HELPING YOU
AND THEN YOU TELL ME EVERYTHING I SAID AND DID WAS WRONG.
I JUST THINK MAYBE YOU HELPED ME IN A WAY THAT YOU DIDN'T INTEND.
IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER.
WELL, ANYWAY, I DID READ ALL THESE ESSAYS AND I CONFESS
THAT THE ONE I LIKED THE BEST
IS THE ONE ON SELF-RELIANCE.
THIS MAY BE A GOOD TIME FOR ME TO REREAD THAT ONE.
WELL, I JUST LIKE THAT ONE BECAUSE HE SAYS,
YOU HAVE TO TRUST YOUR EMOTIONS.
THANK YOU, LORD, FOR KEEPING THIS FAMILY IN GOOD HEALTH.
STRENGTH
TO HANDLE THE BURDENS OF EACH DAY.
AND FOR THE BLESSING OF THIS BOUNTIFUL FOOD.
AMEN.
(all) AMEN.
IT'S QUIET TONIGHT.
IS MISS POLLARD REALLY LEAVING?
(John) SHE IS, HONEY. TOMORROW MORNING.
WHO'LL BE OUR TEACHER NOW?
NOW, DON'T LOOK AT ME.
(Olivia) SHE SHOULDN'T GO.
(Erin) CAN'T YOU TALK TO HER, DADDY?
(John) I TRIED TO. SHE JUST WON'T LISTEN TO REASON.
(Olivia) REASON HAS NOTHIN' TO DO
WITH WHAT'S HAPPENIN' TO HER.
SHE'S UP IN HER ROOM, CRYING.
I HEARD HER.
(Olivia) MISS POLLARD?
I'M RESTING.
MISS POLLARD, I'D LIKE TO TALK TO YOU.
MEGAN, OPEN THIS DOOR AT ONCE.
I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO SEE ME.
BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN CRYIN'?
IT'S SO CHILDISH, WEAK.
WE ALL FEEL CHILDISH AND WEAK SOMETIMES.
BUT ADULTS MUSTN'T SHOW IT.
WHY NOT?
WHY NOT?
BECAUSE INTELLIGENT PEOPLE ARE STRONG AND SELF-RELIANT.
AND NEVER DEPEND ON ANYONE
FOR SUPPORT,
COMFORT?
LOVE?
WELL, IF YOU DON'T DEPEND ON ANYONE...
YOU NEVER GET HURT.
MEGAN, HOW OLD ARE YOU?
I'M 24.
[sniffling]
AND TONIGHT, I FEEL YOUNGER THAN ELIZABETH.
YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL FOR SOMEONE SO YOUNG.
I WORKED VERY HARD
TO GET THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY.
GED KS.
YOUR FATHER MUST HAVE BEEN VERY PROUD OF YOU.
[inhales]
I THINK I DID IT ALL FOR HIM.
I WANTED TO PLEASE HIM MORE THAN ANYTHING,
AND WE NEVER REALLY TALKED.
HE COULDN'T
COMMUNICATE. HE...
HE COULDN'T EXPRESS EMOTION.
I THINK I NEEDED...
.
MEGAN,
LISTEN.
I LIKE YOU.
WE ALL LIKE YOU.
LETTIN' US.
WHEN THE LORD GAVE HUMAN BEINGS 2 ARMS,
IT WASN'T TO KEEP OTHER HUMAN BEINGS AT A SAFE DISTANCE.
TRUST YOUR FEELINGS, MEGAN.
TRY.
TRY.
COME ON.
MEGAN.
COME ON.
[both laughing]
(John) WELL?
ERIN, SCOOCH DOWN.
MARY ELLEN, GET A PLATE AND SOME SILVERWARE.
[all discussing]
(John) GET A GLASS, TOO.
(Olivia) HURRY UP.
ARE YOU SURE THERE'S ROOM?
(Ben) MAKE A LITTLE MORE ROOM.
PLENTY OF ROOM. COME ON DOWN.
RIGHT OVER HERE.
(Erin) RIGHT HERE.
(Grandpa) TASTE THE CHICKEN.
(Elizabeth) HERE ARE SOME PEAS.
(Grandpa) GOT SOME FRESH GREEN ONIONS RIGHT OUT OF THE GARDEN.
[all chattering]
[all talking]
GOOD MORNING, CLASS.
(all) GOOD MORNING.
[exhales]
WHEN YOU START IN A RACE
AND YOU FALL DOWN THE FIRST STEP YOU TAKE.
WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT?
YOU CAN EITHER LIE THERE AND FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF
OR CRAWL AWAY AND QUIT
OR JUMP UP AND START OVER AGAIN.
(Megan) WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
BEN?
I'D START OVER.
WELL, THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO WITH YOU.
BUT I NEED YOUR HELP.
WE HAVE TO PRETEND THAT THIS IS THE FIRST DAY.
ALL RIGHT.
(Megan) THAT MEANS LUCILLA, YOU'RE IN THE FRONT ROW.
BEN, YOU'RE IN 6TH GRADE.
EVERYONE TRADE BACK THE WAY YOU WERE.
[all chuckling]
NOW,
LET'S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER, AND I DON'T MEAN MORE TESTS.
(Megan) WHO'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE SOMEONE?
ELIZABETH.
THIS IS MISS POLLARD.
SHE'S OUR TEACHER WHILE MISS HUNTER IS AWAY.
SHE COMES FROM NEW YORK.
SHE DOESN'T SMILE AS MUCH AS MISS HUNTER
BUT MAYBE,
AFTER SHE GETS TO KNOW US, SHE WILL.
(Mary-Ellen) HURRY UP, EVERYBODY.
ALL THE KITES ARE GOING TO BE UP BEFORE WE GET THERE.
(John-Boy) WHERE'S BEN?
I EXPECT HE'S GONE TO FETCH THE CHAMPIONSHIP KITE
BUILD.
[Reckless barking]
I GAVE HIM THE SPECIAL BENEFIT OF MY KNOWHOW.
DPA.
AND THERE IT IS NOW.
SAY, WHAT DO YOU KNOW? ISN'T IT A BEAUTY?
WHERE YOU GOIN', BEN?
I'LL BE RIGHT BACK.
WHAT'S HE DOIN'?
HE'S GOT ANOTHER KITE.
(Ben) HERE'S YOUR KITE, JASON.
[exclaims]
(Grandpa) AH, LOOKS LIKE HE'S HAD THE BENEFIT
OF MORE THAN ONE EXPERT ADVICE.
YEAH. HE JUST DIDN'T WANT TO HURT ANYBODY'S FEELINGS.
DON'T TELL ME THERE'S MORE.
I MADE THIS ONE ALL BY MYSELF.
WELL, WHAT DO YOU KNOW?
I'M TELLIN' YOU, SK
WELL, WHAT ARE WE WAITIN' FOR? LET'S GO.
(John) ALL ABOARD!
[car engine starting]
[all chattering]
T DAY.
THE OTHER 3 WALTONS FINISHED,
AS THEY SAY, "OUT OF THE MONEY"
BUT NOBODY CARED.
IN DUE TIME, MISS HUNTER CAME BACK.
AND ALTHOUGH EVERYBODY WAS GLAD TO SEE HER,
THERE WERE TEARS SHED AT THE THOUGHT OF LOSING MISS POLLARD.
WE HAD LEARNED TO KNOW AND TO LOVE HER.
WE WERE ALL THE RICHER FOR THE TIME SHE HAD SPENT WITH US.
[car engine starting]
(John-Boy) I STILL HAVE THAT COLLECTION
OF EMERSON'S ESSAYS ON MY DESK.
WHENEVER I OPEN ITS PAGES,
I'M CARRIED BACK AGAIN TO THOSE DEPRESSION YEARS ON WALTON'S MOUNTAIN
AND THE SOUND OF THOSE VOICES OF THE PAST.
[crickets chirping]
(Elizabeth) MAMA?
(Olivia) YES, ELIZABETH.
DO I HAVE TO WAIT TO BE 21 BEFORE I'M GROWN-UP?
WELL, THAT DEPENDS.
SOME GIRLS GROW UP SOONER,
SOME LATER.
WILL YOU TELL ME WHEN I'M A GROWNUP?
I WON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU, HONEY.
WHEN IT HAPPENS, YOU'LL KNOW.
GOOD NIGHT, MAMA.
GOOD NIGHT, ELIZABETH.