03x18 - The Caretakers

[bunniefuu]

[Birds chirping]

(john-boy) when I was growing up

in the blue ridge
mountains of virginia,

we never heard the
words "generation gap."

yet such a separation developed

shortly after my grandfather
recovered from an illness.

and for a while it was to thr*aten
the unity of the entire family.

[Saw whirring]

You feelin' all right, pa?

Oh, no, I was just
takin' a breather.

Well, come on, let's get
this crowley order done.

You know you can take
a rest if you want to.

I'd thank you,
john, if you'd start

Treatin' me like I
was a grown-up man,

Instead of if I was
jim-bob or elizabeth.

Listen, pa, I don't trust you to
tell me when you're feelin' poorly.

Now, I don't want to take a
chance of you gettin' sick again.

I'm as sound in mind and
body as I have been for years

And I'd appreciate it if you'd stop
treatin' me as if I was an invalid.

All right, pa. Take
your word for it.

Come on, we got a lot to do,

And there's only the two of us to
do it, what with everybody in school.

There. That ought to do it.

It'll rise better if you
knead it a little bit more.

This is a new kind of flour.

It says in the directions you don't
have to work so hard to get good bread.

Yeah. Well, I've been
baking bread for years.

Don't tell me about directions.

We're livin' in a century
of progress, grandma.

We might as well
take advantage of it.

Mama? Mama.

Oh, mama, look. Look, I won it!

There was a
contest in a magazine,

And... And I won it, and it's only a
consolation prize, but it's wonderful.

What is it? It's face powder,

And rouge, and there's
a thing of lipstick.

Oh, mary ellen,

Oh, look, grandma, the rouge is
a beautiful color. Peach blush.

Well, it makes me
blush to think of you

With that paint all over
your face. It's sinful.

Says who?

The bible says so.

Oh, grandma, that's such an
old-fashioned idea, it's silly.

Well, your mama's just been
telling me I live in the wrong century,

And I'd just as soon not
hear it from you, too.

Mary ellen, you
better go upstairs.

She didn't mean
anything, grandma.

Well, children just don't
know their limits these days.

I think we're pretty lucky.

[Water running]

(Jason) what a day.

(Children) hi,
grandma. Hi, mama.

(Olivia) hello.

(Ben) mmm. Mmm.

Wow. Oatmeal cookies.

Jim-bob, now, you stop that.
You'll ruin a whole day's baking.

Holy cow, grandma,
you scared me.

I don't care for that kind
of language, young man.

I was just lookin'
for somethin' to eat.

(Grandma) you'll ruin
your appetite for supper.

Grandma, we always
have snacks after school.

Erin.

Grandma, how come
you're so grouchy today?

I'm not grouchy, you're all
acting like a bunch of wild indians.

[Ben whooping]

Ben! Sometimes you don't have
the brains you were born with.

Now, will you all get your snacks
and get out of the kitchen, please?

(Jim-bob) wait, I want a
cookie, I want a cookie.

Go on, get out of here.

I'm goin'. Ben...

(Jim-bob) I'm going, I'm going.

Well, if he was one of mine, his
backside would be smartin' by now.

Grandma, he didn't
mean to be rude.

Well, I don't appreciate
them makin' fun of me.

Grandma, come on, now.

Well, you're always
taking their side against me.

[Saw whirring]

Oh, that does it, pa.
Crowley order's ready.

Well, I'll go get the
truck. We can start loadin'.

I can manage.

You gonna start
babyin' me again?

Oh, come on, pa. You know
you've been workin' for hours.

It wouldn't hurt you
to go in and sit down

And read the paper for a while.

All right. I'll go inside and sit
in the rocker and start knittin'.

That's nice, easy work
and not too strenuous.

Like it or not, pa, you're gonna
have to start learnin' to take it easy.

You're tryin' to tell me I'm an
old man. I already know that.

Pa... Why don't you get your
mama to pickle me and set me

In a jar on a shelf somewhere?
That way I would last longer.

Pa, you're just talkin' foolish.

The sooner you start helping
me to unpack and unwrap,

The sooner your precious pool
table will be available for use.

It's not that that I'm
upset about, honey.

Then why are you so petulant?

Well, it's just a matter
of simple business.

I can't take the hardware
down off the walls

And put up a bunch of shawls.

I fail to see why not.

Because this is
farmland around here.

And when a farmer comes in here

And... And he wants
to buy a... A pitchfork,

He doesn't want to look at
the walls all covered with,

Uh, with geegaws.

High-fashion home furnishings
such as spanish shawls

To be used for decorative
purposes are not geegaws.

Oh, honey-babe,

[Door chime ringing] now, that
is a term of endearment

Which I find rather
embarrassing.

Well, what's the matter
with "honey-babe"?

(Grandpa) ike? Ike,
where are you?

Zeb.

Good to see you, zeb.

Ike, I'll need to b*at the
pants off you at a game of pool.

Well, there's nothin' I'd like
better than to let off a little steam.

But if you wanna
play pool today,

You better have all day
'cause the pool table is busy.

What's that?

Well, corabeth bought
a whole lot of stuff

And she's got it all
out on the table there

To be spread out
through the store.

What's goin' on around here?

Oh, zebulon, it's
nice to see you again.

Corabeth, what do you mean,
depriving ike and this community

Of one of our best
forms of entertainment?

Zeb, we are going to turn
this place into an emporium.

A thriving center of fashion and a
regular beehive of commercial activity.

Oh, hoity-toity.

What am I supposed to do when
I want to play a game of pool?

Oh, uh, isaac, perhaps you and
zeb would help me clear this area.

Corabeth, I did not come in here
to redecorate your emporium.

I came to play a game of pool,

And if I can't do that,
I will go elsewhere.

Ike, I warned you against
rushin' into this marriage.

I told you. I did.

Well, zeb, it's got its good and its
bad moments, I got to say that but,

I guess I got to take the
bitter with the better.

"Bitter with the better." That's
not my way at all. Thank you.

No, sirree. No.

[Birds chirping]

How about a lift, zeb?

Yes, I would appreciate a lift.

Hop in.

Where to?

Oh, well...

Why not, uh, come up to my
place, uh, sit and rock a spell?

Well, that would be nice.

Well, thank you kindly.
Yes, I would appreciate that.

Hasn't been easy, I
can tell you that.

I sure wouldn't know what to do
without my esther around the house.

Well, I couldn't
imagine it, either.

But you have to get
used to it. And you do.

The worst thing is, uh,
bein' in the house here, alone.

It just don't seem right
for one person to be livin'

Where there's
always been before.

Thinkin' of sellin' out, henry?

No, not with the
way money is today.

I got myself an offer
of a new job, though.

Salesman for a company
in, uh, charlottesville.

I'm thinkin' about takin' it.

That ought to help you
keep your mind off things.

Uh, problem is, I need me
somebody to take care of the place.

Well, it shouldn't be
too hard to find someone.

Jobs bein' as scarce as they
are to come by these days.

Well, I don't want just anyone.

It's got to be somebody
I can depend on.

I'll think about it. See if I
can find someone for you.

Well, if you do, zeb, tell him
there's weeks' pay in advance,

If they start immediately.

Now, that's $ cash in advance.

That ought to tempt someone.

Hey, I'll mention
it around, henry.

I'll be much obliged, zeb.

Uh, miss emily heard
I had the pleurisy,

And she came by with
a jar of the recipe.

Now, what're the chances
of talkin' you into a little sip?

Oh-oh, pretty good, henry.

[Laughing]

Yeah.

Well, if we do indulge, might
we do it over a game of checkers?

Help yourself. Right
there in the cabinet.

Did, uh, you up and quit
on john, or did he fire you?

Oh, I am just being independent.

He's been trying
to mollycoddle me

On account of the
trouble I had with my ticker.

I thought I'd just show him
what's what and take the day off.

[Henry laughing]

Livie, you seen pa?

No, I haven't seen
him since dinner.

Must have wandered off
somewhere. He's fit to be tied.

Grandma's in a tizzy, too.

Why don't you and me run away
and hide until things calm down?

There's nothin' I'd like better.

Except this fellow elmer caine

Wants me to make a
bid on a job he's got.

All right.

But I feel like I'm being
left with a sinking ship.

It'll probably all blow over.

Ma and pa don't stay
out of sorts long.

[Laughing]

Now, satisfied? Yeah.

All right, I take
mary ellen. Jim-bob.

Erin.

Elizabeth.

How come I always
get picked last?

'Cause you're a crummy player,

And no one wants
to get stuck with you.

Well, then I'm not
gonna play at all.

Hey, honey. What's goin'
on around here, elizabeth?

I'm not speaking to them.

They're gonna play baseball, and I
don't wanna play. It's a silly game.

Oh, all right. Don't
go away mad, though.

May I offer myself as a
substitute for your sister?

Gee, grandpa, you better not.

I mean, all that
running and stuff.

It might be too
much of a strain.

On what?

On your heart.

Mary ellen, if that's your
idea of a bedside manner,

Maybe you better
choose another career.

Well, jason, the doctor said he's
not supposed to do anything strenuous

And baseball has
all that running.

I know.

It's not what you said.
It's the way you said it.

Yeah, mary ellen.

It's a good thing you
don't wanna be a diplomat.

Well, if all of you don't stop
picking on me, I'm gonna go inside.

Is that a promise?

How are we supposed
to get this game started

With everyone mad at
each other? I'm going to ike's.

(Jason) yeah, I'll go with you.

Want to play catch?

With you?

(John-boy) mmm-hmm.

You need me?

No.

No.

You're really bearing
down on your homework,

Aren't you, john-boy? Yep.

Oh, what you got there?

Eh, lord alfred tennyson, huh?

Grandpa... Oh, see. Is
tears, idle tears in there?

Yes, it is.

You know, I've read
everything that man ever wrote.

charge of the light
brigade, the lady of shalott,

thanatopsis,
mourning at the bar...

crossing the bar. and thanatopsis
is by william cullen bryant.

Yes, right. Yes,
uh, you're right.

Grandpa, I'm tryin' to
write an essay. Excuse me.

Well, what I was going
to say that any one

Of lord alfred tennyson's
poem's would make a fine essay.

lady shalott, for
instance. "O, lady, lady"...

Grandpa, the essay has to be
on the entire works of tennyson.

Now, my professor happens
to be an expert on the subject,

So I really have to
concentrate on it. I'm sorry.

Not bein' an expert, I'll let
you get on with your work.

No offense,

I see you got plenty to
do. You best get on with it.

Grandpa.

Grandpa, john's looking for you.

Oh, good. Uh, where is he?

He's out by the mill.

[Grandpa mumbling]

John, hear you
been lookin' for me.

Here I am, willin',
ready, and able.

Good news, pa. I
just saw elmer caine.

He ordered , posts.

[Exclaiming] how about that?

That's one whale of an order.

Well, we still got an
hour or so before dark.

We might as well
get started, john.

You know, pa, I've been
thinkin', with this big order,

Maybe we should
take on an extra hand.

What's that?

Uh, if we worked
hours a day for weeks,

We wouldn't get
this order in on time.

John, you've been
carrying on all day

As I was a perfectly
useless old man

And I am sick and tired of it.

Look, pa, I want to get somethin'
straight with you right now.

You have made it perfectly
clear how you feel and think.

So live with it. Do it yourself.

[Birds chirping]

Oh, esther. Well, I'm sure
glad that you're here.

What? Oh, zeb, I'm in no mood
for any of your carryings on.

What's the matter with
you? You feelin' all right?

Well, if feeling like a th
wheel is feeling all right,

Then I'm feeling just fine.

Well, same thing's been
happenin' to me all day.

They haven't even given
me the time of the day.

They keep insistin' that I am not
taking proper care of my health.

Nobody willin' to
hear a word I say.

Just excess baggage.

You know, I have half a mind to start
walking down that road and not come back.

Esther,

Come on.

(Grandma) come on, what?

Come on. We're goin'
right now. Both of us.

We're goin' where?

Well, you keep insistin' you
wanna go somewhere else

Live with dignity and independence.
All right. We are goin' right now.

I'm not insisting anything. I
just said that I felt like leaving.

But that doesn't mean I want to.

Esther, we are goin'.

Oh, you old fool. Now
stop... What are you doing?

Zeb.

Esther, are you comin' with me?

Are you gonna bring your
nightgown or go without?

[Birds chirping]

Old man, now you
just wait for me.

If you're really
going, then so am i.

Now w-what do you
think you're doing?

Grandma, what's goin' on?

He's determined to go,
and I'm going with him.

Where?

Henry townsend is in need
of a caretaker. I've got the job.

If the children care to come
to see me, they are welcome.

If you are really in need
of me, you know where I am.

Come along, esther.
Oh, pa, don't be crazy.

And there's nothin' wrong
with my head or my heart.

Grandma, speak to
him. Reason with him.

I'll try, livie, but I
think it's too late.

Grandpa, where you going?

Grandma?

(John) all right,
everybody wash up?

(All) yeah.

(Ben) boy, I'm hungry.

[Cutlery rattling]

(Olivia) all right.

(John-boy) looks good.

It was grandma's
turn to say grace.

How'd you like to
say it tonight, honey?

Yes, daddy.

We thank you, god, for the
food you put on the table,

And please make grandma
and grandpa come home soon.

(All) amen. Amen.

All right, everybody, try
to enjoy your supper, now.

Mama, grandma
used to cut my food.

I'll do it for you, honey.

Here you go, son.

Thank you.

There we go.

Are grandma and
grandpa havin' supper now?

(Olivia) I don't know.

I'm sure they are, honey.

What are they eating?

I don't know, elizabeth.
Don't worry about it.

You sure did prepare a right sizeable mess
of vittles for just people, mrs. Walton.

Well, i, uh,

I... I guess, maybe I'm... I'm used
to cookin' for a big family.

Price of food bein' what
it is, uh, better go easy.

I'm no millionaire, you know.

Don't worry, henry.

We have no intention of eatin'
you out of house and home.

Daddy, you never did tell us
why grandma and grandpa left.

They just left.
They're being stubborn.

Got minds of their own.

Will they come back?

(John) they'll come back when
they're ready to come back.

Now, nobody wants
them to be gone.

I'm sure they don't
want to be gone, either.

I hope so. Food doesn't
taste right with them gone.

You know, I keep expecting
grandpa to say, "pass the potatoes."

And grandma would say,
"old man, you've had enough."

[Grandpa panting]

Thanks, zeb, uh, that'll do just
fine, uh, put 'em right in there.

[Grunting] yeah.

Now, you folks just think
of the place as your own, uh,

Feel free to play the
radio. Anything at all.

[Crickets chirping]

Well, there... There is
another thing, henry.

Oh, what is it, zeb? Come
on, i... I gotta get moving.

You know that, uh, salary you
offered me, weeks' pay in advance?

When did I say that?

[Laughing] when you first
talked about the job.

Oh, you in the need of cash?

Well, isn't everyone?

Well, this is the first
time esther and I have ever

Found ourselves
in this sort of, uh...

Well, in case of an emergency.

Yes, we could use cash.

[Grumbling] a
bargain's a bargain.

Yeah, a bargain's a bargain.

[Groaning]

[man on radio] so when the
cops did get here, molly,

it took 'em minutes...

Think I'm gonna
go to bed. Me, too.

Me, . Good night.

Turn the radio off,
will you, son? All right.

with that moose head
down over his shoulder.

I'm tired, too.

Mama, is it my fault because
grandma got mad at me this morning?

No, honey.

Everybody was just
testy with everybody else

And it got to be like a
snowball, growin' and growin'.

Nothing we can
do about it tonight.

Let's see what
happens in the mornin'.

What about you,
honey? You sleepy?

Mmm, just a little bit. But I
miss grandma and grandpa more.

The sooner you get to bed,
the sooner it'll be mornin',

And maybe the day will make
everything look different.

Come on, honey. There you go.

Carry you up. Good night.

(John) good night,
honey. Good night, dad.

Good night.

Well,

To tell you the truth, I'm
feeling pretty bad about it myself.

I was sort of offhand to
grandpa about somethin' today.

I regret it now.

He's just being pig-headed.

Stubborn as a mule.

Just wants to prove he
can get along without us.

Well, sure he can.
But who wants him to?

Nobody. Not even him, I'm sure.

And anyway, daddy, we've got...

You've got a big order to fill
tomorrow. That's a three-man job.

We're gonna have to
get somebody extra.

Look, why don't you just, uh...

Why don't you just go over there

And... And tell him we need him?

It'll make him feel better.

No. I'm not gonna do that.

I'll just give him a
chance to simmer down.

Ok.

Good night.

Good night.

[Water splashing]

Oh, this kitchen is
drivin' me to distraction.

That water comes out of there
like it's got a mind of its own.

[Chuckling]

Well, it's probably a lot more trouble
than washers. I'll fix it tomorrow, esther.

[Dishes rattling]

Henry gone?

Oh, in fine fettle, too.

He left as though he
was the lord of the castle

Leavin' it in the
hands of his peasants.

Ah, we got our pay,
though. Fivers.

I wonder where I can put it.

Tell you what, esther, there's somethin'
to be said for bein' your own boss.

Like what?

Like not havin' to ask
for your own salary.

You either earn your
money or you do without.

♪♪[Music playing]

[Music stops playing]

[Clock ticking]

[Sighing]

Ah,

You can't help but
notice this clock is here.

fibber mcgee and
molly must have started.

Zeb, turn the radio on.

[Radio static crackling]

[Knob clicking]

[Grandpa thumping radio]

[Radio clicking off]

[Clock ticking]

[Sighing]

[Grandpa exhaling]

[Metallic clanging]

Esther,

[Groaning] let's get
ready for bed.

Seems strange, doesn't it?

I don't know. I'm so mad I
can't even feel sad about it.

John, you gettin' mad
isn't going to help anybody.

It's too late, I'm mad already.

I think you ought to go over
to henry townsend's place

And get this thing settled
first thing in the mornin'.

No, I'm not goin' over there
first thing in the mornin'.

And I don't want the
children goin', either.

He's just bein' pig-headed.

All I was concerned
about was his health.

He had no business to
go off in a huff like that.

You know, zeb, maybe I was a
little crusty with the children.

You forget sometimes
what it's like to be little.

And I was thinking,
in... In the mornin',

It would be a good idea if you went
over and... And had a chat with john.

I could go along,

And see livie and the children.

No, I have no intention
of goin' over and see john.

He's made it quite clear
to me I have no earthly use

Around the mill or the place.

[Sighing]

Seems to me it should be his duty to
come over here and apologize to me.

(Elizabeth) mama, I'm not
gonna be able to sleep.

Why not, honey?

'Cause I need to say good
night to grandma and grandpa.

Well, they're not here.

Will they come back?

They'll be back before
you can say boo, honey.

(Elizabeth) you mean by the time I
have to go to sleep tomorrow?

I hope so, honey. I hope so.

Now, try to sleep.

(Mary ellen) mama,
she is asleep.

Good.

Good night, everybody.

[Sighing]

And furthermore, I think
livie owes you an apology.

Yeah, maybe you're right.

Good night, old man.

Good night, old woman.

That does it.

You sure that's not
gonna make things worse?

I got no choice.

Even with john-boy helpin',
I still need another hand.

I've got a great idea.

Let's go fishin'. We
can catch enough fish

For supper, and maybe grandpa...

I don't wanna go fishin'.

I'd rather go
fishin' with grandpa.

Me, too.

It's all mary ellen's fault.

If she hadn't
opened her big mouth

When grandpa wanted
to play baseball...

Everything is always
mary ellen's fault.

And daddy won't even let us go over
to henry townsend's and apologize.

And grandma and grandpa
might never get back.

Well, it's all
mary ellen's fault.

She was talkin' back to
grandma and grandpa.

It is not all anybody's fault.

I was rude to grandpa myself.

Anyway, I think
there's a lot more to it

Than just the few
things we said to him.

Well, what do you
think we should do?

Well, I wish I could go
over and tell 'em I'm sorry.

Yeah, I know.

So do i.

[Sighing]

[Water sputtering]

There's a lot more wrong
than just air in the pipes.

I've got to go down to
ike's and get some pipe.

I don't think henry's touched this
plumbin' since the house was built.

Now, what have we got here?

Look.

Oh, I feel like a criminal,
throwin' all that food out.

Well, we could give
it to the chickens.

Oh, I wish I had my
old cast-iron skillet.

I made pancakes
in it for years.

This newfangled thing, everything
just burns in it, or sticks to it.

All right, all right,
come on, honey.

Try it again. I'm
gettin' real hungry.

[Knocking on door]

Grandpa?

John-boy.

How are you? Fine, fine.

Uh, what brings you here?

Someone send you?
No, nobody sent me.

I just came to... Oh,
john-boy, come on in, come on.

Thank you.

Seems like a nice house.
Are you comfortable here?

Well, after a fashion.

Well, the stove isn't
like the one at home.

Uh, would you like some coffee?

Yes, I would. Thank
you very much.

Well, sit down.

Grandpa, uh, I really...

How're the children?

The children are
fine. They're, um...

Well, we miss you very much.

Uh, I really came
to say that, uh...

I really came to say that... That
the children are very, very sorry

For the way they
acted the other day.

The children know that you
come here? They sent you?

No, no, uh, they
wanted to come, though.

Well, you tell 'em to
come this afternoon.

Now, that'll give me
time to bake some cookies.

Oh, why don't you come home?

I am not going back to a home
where I'm not wanted or needed.

(John-boy) you are
wanted and needed.

Your daddy doesn't think so.

Of course he thinks
so. You know that.

Well, zeb, I would like to
make my views known. Esther.

Grandpa! John-boy.

Zeb. Esther.

I want it understood this is a
matter between your daddy and me.

Well, just... I don't want
to hear anymore about it.

Grandpa, you... You
are a very proud man.

And my daddy is, too.
You're... You're both...

You're both very
much alike that way.

(Grandpa) what about you?

Me?

Have you finished
your tennyson essay?

Yes, I finished it.

Speakin' of pride, sort of
runs in the family, don't it?

Yes, it does.

I'm sorry.

I was rude the other day.

I guess the real reason I came
over here was to tell you that.

If I'd acted a little smarter,

I think I could've used
your help with that essay.

Sorry, grandpa.

Why don't you all come home?

I haven't talked
to your daddy yet.

Then I guess I
better go on home.

Well, I better be
getting along, too.

I gotta get down to
ike's get some plumbing...

Well, why don't you... Why don't
you let me give you a lift, all right?

Oh, no. Oh, no, no. I think
I'll walk. I need the exercise.

Ok, if you'd rather walk.

Well, on second
thought, I guess, it's just...

I would appreciate
a lift down there.

Good.

And I intend to carry a full
line of the very newest patterns.

Paris originals.

What for?

Well, styles are changing
so rapidly, mrs. Brimmer.

We wouldn't want the ladies in
the area to fall behind the times.

I've been wearin' the same
style dress my whole life

And I don't see the slightest
reason to change now.

Oh, when you'll
see, mrs. Brimmer,

You'll just love being in style.

As a matter of fact,

This little country store
could really prosper

If substantial changes were made
to keep up with the modern times.

Ok, mrs. Brimmer, here we go.

We got the beans, and
the salt, and the ketchup.

(Corabeth) mr. Godsey,

The ketchup is sitting
right on this doll's skirt.

Oh, sorry.

Don't you just love
these dolls, mrs. Brimmer?

So decorative, don't you agree?

I'll tell you, mrs. Godsey,

A doll like that would look like
a fish out of water in my house

And just about anyone
else's around here.

You tell her, mrs. B.

What was that, mr. Godsey?

Did I fail to hear your
remark to mrs. Brimmer?

Oh, I was just kiddin',
honey. Just spoofin'.

[Door chime ringing]

(Corabeth) john, good
mornin'. Corabeth, ike.

Mornin', john. Could you
put this up for me, please?

"Help wanted now.

"Man to cut fence posts.

See john walton."

(Mrs. Brimmer) john,

Aren't you gonna say hello?

Mrs. Brimmer.

Sorry, I didn't see you.

I... I got so much on my mind.

Thanks, ike.

Excuse me.

(Corabeth) bye, john. Bye, john.

Then it's true.

What?

I was talkin' to fanny tatum,

And she told me,

That she saw henry townsend
last night before he left town

And he told her

That zeb and esther walton
had moved into his place

As hired help.

I find that
difficult to believe.

Mrs. Brimmer, I'm sorry to
keep you waiting, that'll be $ . .

I'm gonna pay you today, ike.

Oh, good. There's
, and there's $ .

Bye, now.

Bye, corabeth.

(Corabeth) bye, mrs.
Brimmer. Bye, ike.

[Door chime ringing]

Mr. Godsey,

I don't know why you rushed
mrs. Brimmer off like that.

She's a good
customer, and I'm sure

She would've bought
one of these lovely dolls.

It just isn't fittin'
that we be talking

About our kin behind their back

When we don't
know the full story.

I hope everything's all
right down at the house.

Maybe I better just go
down there and check it out.

No.

Mr. Godsey.

I don't appreciate you
being so abrupt with me.

I said no, and I meant it.

I guess I'll just have
to abide by your wishes.

♪♪[Grandpa singing]

(Grandpa) things must really be
hummin' over at your house, huh?

(John-boy) hummin'?

Well, that new
work order comin' in.

I don't think daddy's
even started it yet.

Oh? Well, what is he doin'?

I don't know, I left the
house right after breakfast.

♪♪[Humming]

He, uh, didn't say
anything about, uh,

Comin' over here to see
me and esther, did he?

Oh, didn't say
anything to me about it.

Why don't you go
over and see him?

No, no.

You tell him we're managing
to get along all right.

That I am not sufferin'
from overwork

And I am getting plenty of rest.

[Laughing] grandpa.

Stubborn as a
mule, your daddy is.

I can't imagine where
he gets it from.

You needn't get smart
with me now, young man.

As long as we're going down to
ike's, I might get him to shave me.

Isn't that taking an unnecessary
risk rather early in the morning?

I haven't got my razor.

You know, you didn't
happen to see it, did you?

That long, straight-edged
one with the ivory handle.

No. You didn't happen
to lose it, did you?

I'm not in the habit of
losing things, young man.

I just may have come
over here without it.

Might be in the bottom
drawer of the bathroom.

I do hope the boys don't...

Oh, well, we could always drive on
over to the house and have a look.

That's not necessary.

Oh, it'll just take a minute
if we just drive on over.

You are as stubborn
as your daddy.

I've told you on
numerous occasions

I do not intend to go
back to your house.

And I don't want you to keep
tryin' to get me to go there.

I didn't bring it
up. I stopped talkin'

As soon as you made
your views clear.

Stubborn as a mule. Just as
stubborn as your daddy any day.

Well, I may get it
from him, but I think

We both know
where he gets it from.

I swear, it's impossible to carry
on a civilized conversation with you.

That'll be enough talk
out of you, young man.

You can just stop the car,
and I can walk over there.

I'm perfectly capable of
walkin' over to ike's by myself.

[Door chime ringing]

Married life agreein' with you?

Oh, it's just great.

You know, you ought to try it.

[Laughing] oh, no. No, not me.

Hey, ike. John-boy! Hi, zeb!

How's corabeth? Oh, just great.

She's in the back havin' tea.

You know, uh, you wanna
go back and say hey to her?

No, no, just, uh, give
her our regards, ok?

That goes for me, too.

Boy, it sure is great
to see the two of you.

What're you gettin' so all-fired
excited about? I saw you just yesterday.

Well, it's just not...
Now you're kin...

It's nothin' special, but I
feel closer to you, and, uh...

Hi, mr. Walton. I'm
glad to see you, too.

Oh, hello there. I haven't seen
you for a month of sundays.

What've you been doin' with
yourself? Oh, nothing much.

John-boy, I got some
mail for you. What?

(Easy) I worked a couple
of weeks in esmont.

I'm available if you
know about a job.

Uh, look, grandpa, why don't
we just go on over to the house

And... And see about
your razor, ok?

Well, I thought I'd
get ike to shave me.

Let's just go on
over to the house.

No, let's just go over
and see if the razor's...

"Help wanted." Huh.

"Help wanted now.

"Man to cut fence posts.

See john walton."

Huh.

Oh, mr. Walton, I'll bet you knew
about that all the time, didn't you?

And you were gonna surprise me.

[Door chime ringing]

Grandpa.

Grandpa, what about your razor?

I'll let my whiskers
grow to the ground

Before I go back to your house.

"Help wanted" indeed.

(Easy) oh, john-boy,

I'm glad I caught up with you.

How'd you like to give me
a ride out to your place?

I think I might be the answer
to your daddy's needs.

Hey... Hey, where's your
granddaddy going in such a hurry?

Just get in, easy. The less you know
about it, the better off you'll be.

Grandma!

(Grandma) livie!

Oh, I am so glad to see you.

Oh, livie.

Oh, grandma, none of that arguin'
yesterday was meant to be serious.

I'm so sorry.

Oh, so am i. And I know.

I was just feeling old and left
out. It... It happens some days.

I know it.

Can we walk a little,
if you have time?

I want to talk to you,
but not in the store.

There are too many
ears waitin' to hear.

Are... Are the
children all right? Yes.

I miss 'em. Oh,
they miss you, too.

It seems like you've
been gone for months.

Well, it just all
happened so fast...

Are you happy at henry
townsend's place? Oh, of course not.

I... I hate it, and so does zeb.

Well, can't we
just stop all this,

And you and grandpa come
home where you belong?

Oh, I'd love it, livie,

But... But zeb still thinks
that john doesn't need him.

Well, he's wrong.
I can tell you that.

And nobody knows
it better than john,

Whether he wants
to admit it or not.

I don't feel right about keepin' you
away from your schoolwork, son.

Don't worry about
it. I'll make it up.

[Machine whirring] you sure go at
it when you work, mr. Walton.

It's the only way
to do things, easy.

We got a lot to do.

[Blade clanging]

Easy, watch out!

I'm... I'm sorry about
that. It's all bent up.

How many times did I tell you not
to touch it till it gets past the blade?

[Birds chirping]

You all right?

(John) yeah, I'm fine.

John-boy, you two switch jobs.

I've done this kind of
work before lots of times.

Well, thanks, easy.
It's... It's just that,

Uh, john-boy and me
worked together before.

Oh, well, whatever
you say, mr. Walton.

Come on, easy.

John-boy, get my toolbox.
I gotta change this blade.

All righty, is it in here?

[Water spluttering]

Damnation.

[Sighing]

[Clock chiming]

[Knock on door]

Come in.

Come in!

Grandpa!

Elizabeth!

[Laughing]

How's my youngest granddaughter?

[Laughing]

Where's grandma? Oh, she's
gone out to the store somewhere.

But we can have some cookies
and some... Some milk, huh?

Where... Where's the
rest of the young 'uns?

They were scared to come.

Scared?

Well, mary ellen
thinks you're mad at her

Because she wouldn't
let you play baseball

And the rest of the children think
that you don't like them anymore.

Oh.

But I told them it wasn't right.

Sure you like them.
You're our grandpa.

But they didn't understand.
And grandma likes them, too.

They still didn't understand.

Oh, I guess they
don't understand.

[Door opening] and I'm not
too sure that I do, either.

Here she is. Grandma!

Elizabeth, oh.

Can't we all go
home now, grandpa?

[Saw whirring]

Hey, daddy, I gotta go.

What's that, son?

I gotta go. If I don't go now,
I'm gonna miss that class.

All right. Ok. Thank you.

Easy, let's take a break,
get a cup of coffee.

Oh. Oh, no, thanks,
mr. Walton, uh,

Uh, coffee don't
set well with me.

I... I think I'll just
catch myself winks.

[Birds chirping]

John, can I talk to you?

Liv, if you got any
problems, talk to me later.

I got more than I
can handle right now.

That easy, he's a disaster.

I saw grandma before.

You went over there?
No. We met at ike's

And we had a long talk, and
everything's made up between us.

And, john, they hate
it at henry townsend's.

It's uncomfortable, they're
homesick, they miss us.

They wanna come back?

Well, grandma says grandpa
isn't ready to just yet.

You mean they want me to go
over there and ask him to come back.

Mmm-hmm.

[Door closing]

(John) what's the matter, honey?

I want grandma and
grandpa to come back.

They're in a bad place, they
don't like it, and I need them.

We all do, honey. We all do.

All right.

I'll take care of it.

When easy wakes up, ask him
if he wants somethin' to eat.

I'll be right back.

Would you like a
nice, hot cup of cocoa?

All right.

[Sighing]

You've never seen
anything like it, pa.

He's ruining all my blades.

Oh, easy's not
such a bad fellow.

No, he's not such a bad fellow.

He's just helpless
around the mill, that's all.

[Birds chirping]

If you slowed down and did
half of what you're capable of

We'd get that job done a
lot quicker than with easy.

I noticed you said
"slowed down."

Let's not start
that again, pa, huh?

You were takin' on too much.

Yes, but you made it sound as
if I was ready for the boneyard.

Well, maybe I was just
a bit pig-headed, huh?

So were you.

Runs in the family.

Pa, I need you at the mill.

It's not the same at home. The
kids feel terrible, and so does livie.

It's just that the house
is empty without you, pa.

It's wrong.

Zeb and I feel the same way.

Well, let's go home, then.

Give me that, ma.

Well, all right.

Oh, great scott, I
just remembered.

I promised henry I'd
take care of this place

And water his wife's roses,
and he paid me weeks in advance.

Well, I don't care. We can
come over every day. Come on.

Well, all right.

Let's go home, pa. We'll figure
out somethin' later. Come on.

[Grandpa grumbling]

[Sighing]

[Car approaching]

[Saw whirring]

Easy!

Hello, mr. Walton.

[Saw stops whirring]

Easy.

(Grandpa) easy, I wonder if
you'd do me a great big favor.

(Easy) oh, sure,
mr. Walton, if I can.

You know henry townsend?

He's gone off on a new job

And I've been helpin'
out on his place for him.

But it is just too much
for me to handle at my age,

And I wonder if you could.

Oh, i... I'm sorry,
mr. Walton, but, uh,

John here has hired me,
and... And I need the money.

Money? Oh, money. That should
be the least of your worries.

Money, why, in the living room

In the front room,
on the mantelpiece

Under the clock,
there are $ bills.

And that is, uh,
weeks' advance in wages.

And it's all yours
if you'll help me out.

(Easy) well, if... If john
thinks he can spare me.

Oh, john'll understand.

All that work over there.
It's too much for me at my age.

You know. There's a
garden to take care of.

And there's all the
plumbin', it's all out of whack.

And I'd surely appreciate it if
you'd just take over for me, easy.

Don't forget to
feed his chickens.

Oh... Oh, sure. Sure.

It... It'd be a lead-pipe
cinch for me.

I'd be happy to, if john
agrees. Oh, he'll agree.

There's a lot of big rocks
out there in the yard.

And another thing, you know, when you
go get your money from the mantelpiece

Don't' forget to
wind that clock.

It's a particular
favorite of henry's

And... And the sound of it will
keep you from gettin' lonesome.

I'll drive you, easy.

[Chuckling]

[Engine starting] take it easy.

Oh, grandma, I'm so sorry. I didn't
mean to upset you in the morning.

Grandma. Grandma,
it's good to see you.

(Grandpa) esther? Esther.

Come on, step on it. Open up.

(Grandpa) hello, boys.
Come on in, grandpa.

(Mary ellen) grandpa, I'm so
sorry. It wasn't my fault.

(Erin) yeah, it was
your fault, mary ellen.

[All chattering]

Come on, mary ellen, you
were talking back to grandpa.

Girls, stop that.

You can play baseball
any time you want.

Simmer down. Simmer down, girls.

Well?

You reckon we'll get caught up?

Just about. Good.

John.

I admit to being tired,
but I sure feel good.

[Laughing]

Put that fire
out, son. Let's go.

All righty.

Pa? Huh?

Don't forget the light.

All right. All right.

(john-boy) it was good to have
our grandparents home again.

without them, the family
had been incomplete

and our lives disjointed.

but they were home.

and our lives were
back to normal.

(Elizabeth) grandma,
are you asleep?

(Grandma) what do
you want, elizabeth?

Can I sleep with
you and grandpa?

It's all right
with me, elizabeth.

Will you come get me? It's
dark in the hall, and I'm scared.

There's nothing to be scared of.

(Grandpa) ah, what's the matter?

What did you say? I said
there's nothing to be scared of!

Old woman, have
you lost your mind?

Hollering your head off
in the middle of the night?

I wasn't hollerin' at you.

I don't see anybody
else here but me.

Oh, go back to your snorin'.

Grandma, I'm waitin'.

I'm coming, elizabeth.