I want to be an engineer, Daddy.
That means the right college, time...
...the G.I. Bill.
It also means a part-time job,
but it's what I want.
Me and Pa started this business
with one axe, one saw.
We built it up to take care of a big family
through hard times.
I guess it must be hard to think that
nobody wants to join you, huh?
Never expected John-Boy to,
or Jim-Bob, or Jason, but I...
...kind of counted on Ben.
- Is something the matter with Mama?
- Yeah, she's had a relapse.
She started to cough again.
The doctor says she has to
go to Arizona to get well.
That is , miles away!
I know, that's why
I'm taking her there myself.
JOHN-BOY:
It was a time when our family world...
...seemed to be in constant motion.
The movement of people
to and from the Mountain...
...contrasted sharply with the serenity
we had known there for so many years.
Perhaps
because we were so close to it...
...we didn't recognize the certain signs
that an old era was ending...
...and a new day we couldn't
even envision was in its dawning.
NORMAN: It's about the most beautiful
sight I've ever seen.
All those months in that POW camp,
I dreamt of this.
NORMAN:
As soon as I'm discharged...
...I'm heading straight home
for Kansas.
My little girl
should be talking very soon.
I'm gonna teach her
how to say "Daddy."
I bet you'll be glad to see your wife.
Yeah.
My whole family.
I just hope they're glad to see me...
...especially when I tell them
what I have to.
I still think I should come with you.
You need a chaperon.
No, forget it, Elizabeth.
I've earned this vacation.
A week in Atlantic City
with an ocean view room...
...and all those returning veterans
to squire me around.
Not to mention a week away from J.D.
- It's those veterans I worry about.
- Looks like you're all packed.
I have everything.
My bathing suit for the beach.
I have a gown for the ballroom,
and my pajamas and a toothbrush.
And I'm going to put it in the car.
[PHONE RINGS]
I'll get it.
Hello? Ooh, okay.
Just a second, I'll get her.
Cindy!
- [WHISPERING] Who is it?
- It's a surprise.
Cindy!
She's coming.
CINDY:
What's the matter?
- It's the telephone.
- Oh.
Hello? Ben!
[ALL SQUEALING]
Hi. Where are you?
Norfolk? Of course, I'll be there.
Oh, that sounds wonderful.
Oh, Ben, I love you.
Bye.
- Well, Ben's safe, I can see that.
- He's coming home tomorrow!
- He is?
- Tomorrow!
The Navy flew him from the coast
to Norfolk for his discharge.
He wants me to meet him tomorrow.
I can't believe we wait all this time,
and everything happens so fast.
He wants to go to Washington,
because he wants to see Olivia.
- It'll be just like a honeymoon.
- Ha-ha-ha.
I'm going to heat the coffee,
I can't stand so much good news.
[ALL LAUGHING]
My head is just racing.
I just want to get in that car
and I want to go to Norfolk.
And I think I should pack
and maybe I should wash my hair first.
What am I going to do
for gas coupons?
The only person around here
with any extra ration coupons is....
I've been saving them for my vacation.
I wouldn't want you to give that up.
I'll find another way to get there.
Well, it will be some
honeymoon trip by bus.
We can't let you hitchhike.
Guess Ben will just have to
get home on his own.
Here, Cindy, take those.
I want you to have them.
I'll never forget this, Erin.
I probably won't let you.
You better go pack.
Go.
Hello.
- Did you hear the news?
- I sure did.
All my boys are safe and sound.
I know you're anxious to see him.
I'll have him back as soon as I can.
You take your time.
Just be with each other for a while.
I'm a little nervous,
and I don't know why.
I know why.
I have missed him so much
and I love him more than ever...
...but he's gone through things
that I don't know about.
Things that we didn't share.
- Maybe he's changed.
- He's bound to have changed.
I changed when I came back
from Europe, so did Liv.
You just need to spend
some time together, that's all.
I want to be everything
that he remembers.
But I need him to be for me, too.
- Do I sound crazy to you?
- I'm sure he's thinking the same things.
Oh, I'd feel so much better if he was.
All you have to do is see each other,
take one look, it'll be all right.
- I'll bet you on that.
- I have never wanted you to be so right.
Oh, I feel so selfish leaving you.
Don't worry about me,
you have this time together.
You need it. I'd just be in the way.
Have I ever told you
how wonderful you are?
It's never too late.
[BOTH LAUGHING]
Give him kisses for me, and tell him
we can't wait to see him. Go on.
What happened to my car?
ELIZABETH:
I washed it for Ben, and for you, too.
[GINNY CRYING]
ROSE:
Virginia.
CINDY:
Sweetie. Oh.
You're the only people in
the whole world that I'd leave her with.
Oh, you're not to worry, now, Cindy.
- Have a wonderful time.
- Oh, thanks.
[BOTH LAUGH]
I'll tell Ben
that we're using your vacation.
I wouldn't want to go away
with Ben coming home, anyways, Cindy.
Oh, thank you.
Come on, you go!
Take your things.
- You be careful driving.
- I will. Oh, what's that?
[ALL LAUGHING]
- A little one?
- A going away present.
- Get out of here.
- Okay.
I can't believe it!
I think that was the nicest thing
you ever did...
...giving up your vacation like that.
Well, I haven't canceled my plans.
I've just kind of postponed it a little.
ELIZABETH: Oh, really?
I thought the idea was to rest.
I am going to rest,
right here on the Mountain.
You kidding?
J.D.'Il never give you a moment.
He'll be here or on the phone
with you half the time.
Well, hopefully,
he won't be able to find me.
Besides, there's been something
I've wanted to do for a long time...
...and this will just give me a chance
to do it.
- What's that?
- Finish reading w*r and Peace.
Finish, Erin?
- Well, Mary Ellen, I've read five pages.
- Ha, ha.
Doesn't sound too exciting.
They sure didn't give Cindy much notice
that Ben was going to be discharged.
That's the Army way.
Must be the Navy's, too.
Easy, son.
I was hoping
to surprise Ben with this office.
I won't have time to now.
The important thing is he's got
his own desk and a place to put it.
What more were you planning
to do to it?
I was gonna put some
wood paneling in here.
That's just the icing on the cake.
This will suit Ben fine.
His own base of operations.
He'll be on his way in no time.
On his way?
To becoming a tycoon.
Yes, Ben always loved this work.
He's the only one of you boys that did.
Ben's got the head for it,
all right, and the drive.
He's lucky to have it
to come home to, Daddy.
Yeah.
Pa had it waiting for me
when I got home.
Couldn't have dragged me
off these mountains.
Ben will feel the same way.
Cindy!
Cindy.
My Cindy.
I can't believe it.
I know, but we will.
Where's Virginia?
I left her at home,
you'll see her soon enough.
I wanted this time just for us.
[CINDY GIGGLING]
BEN:
Getting sleepy?
CINDY: I'm afraid to close my eyes.
You might be gone when I open them.
BEN:
Not me, lady.
What are you thinking about?
You, Virginia, and me.
That's good.
Cindy.
I want more than anything
to go home...
...but I want you
to understand something.
- I don't want to stay.
- Not stay?
I've seen a new world...
...and I want us to be a part of it.
It's not simple, any of it.
I have to go to school.
You mean college?
I mean engineering school.
Cindy...
...I saw things blown up
and torn apart...
...and I helped rebuild them.
Sometimes better than ever.
I learned a lot.
But those engineers.
They could build anything.
How to build anything
with the materials--
Wait a second, not so fast.
I don't know
what you're talking about.
I'm talking about
a whole new life for us.
I've been thinking a lot.
You really mean
leave Walton's Mountain?
If you want this as much as I do.
All I want is to be with you.
I love you so.
- See any changes?
- It all looks great to me.
Hello, Miss Virginia.
You have any idea who I am?
Aw, you remember your daddy,
don't you?
Come here, sweetheart.
- Ben!
GIRLS: Aah!
- Hey!
- Welcome home, Ben!
- You look great.
BEN: Thank you.
Erin, I heard about the gas coupons.
Thank you.
It's worth a lot to
have you back home, Ben.
She talks like that for the first day or so,
and then it's back to the old Erin.
[ALL LAUGH]
- Where's Daddy?
- I think I saw him over at the mill.
He's so anxious to see you.
[ROSE SOBBING]
Poor Rose. She cries when they come,
she cries when they go.
Burt used to say I only cried
when I was glad or sad or mad...
...and I was never anything else!
Daddy?
Ben!
[BOTH LAUGH]
Welcome home, son!
- Thanks, it's good to be back.
- Ha, ha.
What do you think? It's still wet.
BEN:
"John and Ben Walton, Proprietors"?
I was hoping to have this finished
before you got home.
- What have you done here, Daddy?
- It's your new office, son.
Your first job is gonna be
to help me finish it.
What do you think?
Well, you've sure caught me off guard.
I mean, the sign and all.
I figured a promotion was in order.
Family man, home from the wars.
I never could have dreamed of this.
Your grandpa did something like this
for me when I came home.
He bought a new saw.
It was like saying,
"This is where you belong, son."
- Yeah.
- Of course...
...if you want to change anything,
just feel free.
Oh, no, Daddy,
everything's just beautiful. Really.
Ha, ha. Why don't you go get
reacquainted with your daughter.
I've got some more plans to show you,
but they can wait till later.
- Okay, I'll see you at supper.
- All right, son.
It's a beautiful job, really.
- Welcome home.
- Thank you.
Everything looks so nice.
Hey!
[GINNY COOING]
[BEN CHUCKLES]
Did you talk to your dad?
Mm-hm.
Did you know he made me a partner?
He's built a whole new office!
Cindy, I've been thinking so much
about my plans...
...I never thought about his.
I guess you didn't get a chance
to tell him that we'd talked to my dad.
I didn't get a chance
to tell him anything.
I just had no idea
he'd count on me this way.
Well, I guess he thinks that you want it
as much as he does.
I'm gonna have to tell him about it.
First thing after supper.
We'll tell him.
We're in this together, you know.
Mm. Heh-heh.
[ALL CHATTERING]
Dear Lord...
...we thank you for the great gift
of life and health...
...and especially for bringing Ben
back to us safe and sound.
We ask you to look after
all those not here.
Olivia, John-Boy, and Grandma.
And we hope
you haven't let Ben forget...
...how to help out
in the lumber business. Amen.
ALL:
Amen.
John, I don't like to be critical
of your prayer...
...but you didn't
ask a blessing on the food...
...and, Lord, it may need it,
and a little salt, too.
- Would someone please pass the salt?
- Here you go.
How was your mama
when you visited her?
Her work's winding down,
but she's still awful busy.
CINDY:
She looked awful tired to me.
She was working two shifts
when I last saw her.
I put a stop to that.
It'll be good when she can give up that
Red Cross work and come home again.
That ought to be soon,
now that the w*r's over.
I'm going down to Washington
and see her about that real soon.
I can't believe it.
Maybe we'll all be back together again.
Yeah, it'll be just like it used to be.
Hi, Daddy.
Well, hello, you two.
- Thought sure you'd be in bed by now.
- We wanted to talk to you.
Good. We've got a lot of talking to do.
A lot of plans to make.
Here, look at this.
You too, Cindy.
BEN: That's our place.
JOHN: Uh-huh.
You made such a beautiful home
out of that old shed...
...I thought maybe you'd need
some more room now.
Look, put a room
right around here, extra room...
...and maybe wrap the porch
right around here.
What do you think?
- It's just a rough sketch, you know.
- Daddy, please-- Please don't.
Now, I don't want
to step on anybody's toes.
It's just that we have our own plans.
You're talking about
a different kind of plan, huh?
I want to be an engineer, Daddy.
That means the right college,
and time...
...the G.I. Bill.
It also means a part-time job,
but it's what I want.
It's what we both want.
What kind of college
are you talking about?
We were talking to Cindy's father
while in Washington.
- He's stationed at the Pentagon.
- He thinks a university like, uh, MIT.
Purdue.
Maybe Cal Engineering.
He knows the dean of admissions there.
He does, huh?
He's got a lot of good connections.
- Looks like you've got the ball rolling.
- There's just one thing, Daddy.
It's your plans.
I mean, this big, beautiful office...
...expanding the shed.
- All of this has got to be right with you.
- Oh, don't worry about me.
It's just, you know, it's....
[JOHN CLEARS THROAT]
I'm just kind of surprised, you know?
It's a bit of a shock.
But it's your life, you know, son.
I wouldn't try to lead it for you,
even if I could.
Um....
Well, here, come on, sit down.
Tell me all about it. You must
have given this a lot of thought.
Well....
It was the airstrips we built,
and the portable docks and the bridges.
I'd see a guy standing there...
...the next thing I knew,
he had good plans for it.
Before long,
it was standing there in front of me.
I mean, I'm telling you,
that's damn exciting!
Well, you know.
Yes, son, damn exciting.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
Oh! Oh, my stars!
That gave me a start!
Do come in, Mr. Pickett.
You don't know
how glad I am to see you.
Well, sorry I can't return the favor.
This child is on her vacation,
Mr. Pickett.
Ike told me that you hadn't left town.
I need you to come to my office Friday.
It's urgent.
You heard Rose,
this child's on her vacation.
But there's
an Army Procurement Officer coming...
...and you're the only one
that knows anything.
Did you hear that, Rose?
I may need a witness sometime.
Well, you're used to dealing with those
details that he'll need to know about.
And you know where the data is.
And you have those nice ways of
dealing with Army Procurement Officers.
- Erin?
- The answer is no, J.D.
- Erin, you've got to.
- No, I don't.
I haven't had a vacation
since I started working for you.
J.D., everything you need is in the files.
I know because I put it there myself.
- I'm sure you'll find it.
- No, I won't.
I'm used to thinking on a larger scale.
Major planning, huge projects.
- I just can't do it.
- Think small, J.D.
Erin, don't you dare run out on me!
Mr. Pickett!
- Get out of my way!
- You'll have to move me.
Oh, now!
I won't forget this, Erin Walton!
Mr. Pickett, that is quite enough.
You are an intruder here.
I don't have to put up with this.
You most certainly do not. Bye-bye.
[HORN HONKS]
Good morning, ladies.
- Hello, Ike.
- Good morning!
- John, fill her up?
- Please, Ike.
Good morning, John,
we've heard the wonderful news of Ben.
We're so grateful Ben was paroled.
Sister, I don't think it works
like that with prisoners of w*r.
- Well, he was sprung, wasn't he?
- Please give him our best.
I'll do that.
EMILY:
Bye.
Well, Ben's home, huh?
You tell him to come by and say hello.
He'll be by.
I bet he looks good, huh?
Yeah, he looks fine.
What ails you?
I'm not sick, if that's what you mean.
[CHUCKLES]
Whatever's on your face
sure doesn't look good, that's all.
Ben wants to go to college.
He wants to be an engineer.
I'll be darned.
I would have sworn that
he'd have been content...
...to come home
and join you in the business.
So would I.
So that's what ails you, huh?
Ike...
...I'm gonna say this once
just to get rid of it.
Me and Pa started this business
with one axe, one saw.
We built it up to take care of a big family
through hard times.
I guess it must be hard to think that
nobody wants to join you, huh?
Never expected John-Boy to,
or Jim-Bob, or Jason, but I...
...kind of counted on Ben.
Guess maybe I shouldn't have.
Well, he was good at it
right from the beginning.
He liked to work with wood,
plan things.
He used those tools
like they were part of him.
That's all the groundwork
for being an engineer.
Yeah. I guess he can do
whatever he wants with his life.
I mean,
I'm not going to stand in his way.
[CAR APPROACHING]
Uh, what can I do for you?
I'm supposed to have a daughter
around here someplace.
Cindy Walton?
CINDY: Why didn't you tell us
you were coming?
You don't warn the troops when
you're planning to hold an inspection.
- Heh. It's good to see you again, sir.
- You, too, Ben.
You all live here together,
I understand.
Well, Ben and Cindy
have their own place around back.
Is that where you're hiding
my granddaughter, I suppose?
- Oh, not for long.
- It's time you get to know each other.
Cindy and Ben got company?
That's Cindy's father.
- Oh, my!
- Yes.
John, what kind of a car is that?
Rose, that's what you call
an expensive car.
Jim-Bob would sure like to see that,
wouldn't he?
Do you like him?
- Jim-Bob's all right.
- I mean Cindy's father.
You know, he's a colonel.
Colonels take time, Rose.
Grandpa? Huh? Mm.
I'd forgotten babies come this little.
She was a lot smaller to begin with.
You miss that, being overseas.
She'll make a fine general's wife
when she's full grown.
- Or maybe a general.
- Mm-hm.
- Heh-heh.
- I had counted on a grandson...
...but I think I'm beginning to get over
the disappointment already.
You guys are going to get along
just fine. I can see that.
- How long can you stay, sir?
- I'm just here for the day, this trip.
Now that I know the way, I'll be back.
Good.
Ben, my friend at Cal Engineering...
...would like to know
about your school grades.
- Did you flunk anything?
- Oh, no, sir.
Tell him.
He graduated third in his class.
Hey.
BEN: Come on, Cindy.
It was just a small country school.
There were only six people
in the class. Heh.
BRUNSON:
Nobody has to know.
Your experience with the Seabees
should count for something.
You're used to
putting theories into practice.
- In a hurry.
BRUNSON: Don't forget...
...schools need young men like you.
BEN:
I hope you're right.
I'm sure you're right.
I mean, you would know.
Better than you, that's all.
From what I hear,
the job situation isn't too big a problem.
Schools themselves place students,
and companies come to them for help.
So we should be able
to handle that, if.
With Daddy, there's always an "if."
If you understand you're going to be
working your tail off.
And I mean off.
The curriculum's tough.
It and a job are exhausting.
It's going to be a long time
before you two have time together.
CINDY: You don't have
to paint the picture too black.
No, I think he's right.
I think we should look at it head on.
- I think that's what we're doing.
- How does your father feel about this?
Well, he's getting used to the idea.
See, I always worked for him
in the mill.
He made Ben a partner
before he knew of his plans.
But now,
I think he's getting used to it.
I really do.
Good.
Hi.
- A little off-course, aren't you?
- No, sir. I live here, sir.
Always glad to meet a Walton.
I'm Cindy's dad.
James Robert Walton.
Nice to meet you, sir.
- Is your father at the mill?
- Yes, sir.
I was about to have talk with him.
Nice to see you.
Yes, sir.
You take care of it, now.
[BRUNSON CLEARS THROAT]
- Colonel.
- You allow visitors?
Come on in.
I just ran into, uh,
the Air Corps Walton.
That's Jim-Bob.
He's on a pass from Langley Field.
Jim-Bob. I ought to know
all the names by heart.
Cindy's letters
are so full of your family.
It was good knowing
that she was being looked after...
- ...while Ben and I were overseas.
- Huh.
So, what do you think
of your new granddaughter?
She has her mother's
delicate face and build.
There's a little Walton in her, too,
don't you think?
I'm not much of a family man,
Mr. Walton.
Cindy was a young lady
when her mother d*ed...
...and I never knew
quite what to do about her.
Somebody did right all right with her.
My mother, probably, and some aunts.
Later, she seemed to like
the boarding schools I sent her to.
Being in the Army,
you weren't around a lot.
Just often enough
to do all the wrong things.
Too many expensive presents
to make up for time away.
But we did learn to enjoy each other.
We're good friends.
Things went different in our family.
We're close-knit.
My Ma and Pa grew up round here,
stayed all their lives.
Just like their folks before them.
There's a life out there
beyond the Mountain, Mr. Walton.
I do get off this mountain
once in a while, Colonel.
- Say, how about a drink?
- Sure.
A sip of this ought to be able
to put us on a first name basis.
Thank you.
John.
You're welcome, Harry.
- Henry.
- Henry.
This was made by
a couple of Virginia gentlewomen.
They call it the Recipe. Help yourself.
Cindy and Ben tell me you're all for them
moving on to engineering school.
I guess they've got a right
to make up their own minds.
The hell you do.
You want him to stay on this
infernal Mountain, just like you did.
You're pretty sure of that, are you?
Like your daddy before you
and his daddy before him.
Life begins and ends right here,
isn't that about the size of it?
Colonel, I didn't have to stay here.
I wanted to.
My oldest son, John-Boy,
he is a writer in New York.
He doesn't get back here much.
He didn't have to stay.
And Ben doesn't have to stay.
There's no law forcing him to.
I guess I owe you an apology.
Yeah.
It's just that I don't like being told
what I think.
Thank you, John.
- Well, I better get going.
- Give Mama our love, Daddy.
- I wish I could bring her home with me.
- One of these days you will.
Tell her how our plans are coming.
I'll tell her, and I'll tell her
your father was visiting, too.
We'll take care of things
while you're away.
You always do, son.
See you Monday morning.
- Bye.
- Bye-bye.
I don't know if he's worried about us
or Mama.
He's worried.
[MACHINE WHIRRING]
Do you see what I see, Jim-Bob?
He must be sleepwalking
or something.
I just came in to lock up
and I saw this work order, so, uh...
- ...thought I'd finish it up for him.
- In the middle of the night?
I think Ben's got sawdust in his veins.
Well, I thought I'd get ahead
on this work before I leave.
We'll still be around.
While you're off at school,
we'll still help out.
Daddy'll want to replace us right away,
but we'll be here.
Just try not to get your elbows
and knees in the equipment, huh?
- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.
Night.
Erin...
...J.D.'s downstairs. He's got a man
with him, they want to talk to you.
I don't even want to
hear the name J.D., Elizabeth.
Well, you might wanna
see who's with him.
Is it Van Johnson?
No, but he's pretty cute.
Anything would look cute
standing next to J.D.
Well, they're waiting.
I told J.D. I wasn't going back
to work yet, and I'm not.
Do you want me to tell him that?
No, I'll tell him.
It'll give me great pleasure.
- Now, Erin--
- Don't "Now, Erin" me, J.D.
I am trying to enjoy the first vacation
you to give me...
...since the beginning of this w*r.
I have worked and -hour days...
...and still brought home
work to do at night.
Your files are in order,
your correspondence is kept up...
...your payroll is taken care of,
and I even left a memo on your desk...
...on how to take care of that
Procurement Officer.
That's him over there.
Captain Bennett.
I will meet you in my office
at : Monday morning...
...when my vacation is over.
What do you suggest
I do in the meantime?
I don't care. Go fishing.
Take a hike or read a book.
- Erin!
- You're very attractive, Miss Walton.
- You won't get around me that way.
BENNETT: It's your eyes, I think.
Is there a nice place for dinner
anywhere close?
- No.
J.D.: There's a little inn...
...up on Monticello Mountain.
It's loaded with atmosphere,
and the food's real good, too.
Wouldn't you care to join me?
I know you procurement types.
All you're looking for
is a cheap bid on a contract.
What if I promise not to talk business?
- Well--
- And if the subject of business...
- ...were to come up--
- J.D., get in the car.
You can't order me around like that!
J.D., get in the car.
Well, I never!
Seven o'clock?
I'll be ready.
[ENGINE STARTS]
You'd have never met anyone
that cute in Atlantic City.
Elizabeth, I think you should read
w*r and Peace.
ROSE: I've fixed a little something for
John to have when he gets home.
- He sometimes stops along the road.
- Well, it's just a little snack.
Some sandwiches and coleslaw,
a few pickles. Cookies, of course.
Just one of Rose's light little lunches.
Ice cream, Rose?
Maybe a little layer cake?
Say, I think I do have some cake.
[PHONE RINGING]
I'll get it.
Hello?
Yes, this is the Walton residence.
Yes, sir! I'll get him for you, sir!
- Hey, Ben, it's for you.
- Must be my father.
Thank you.
Hello? Colonel Brunson.
Yes, sir.
I guess I can call you Henry.
You called him? What did he say?
I did?
Oh, sir, I'll never forget you for this.
Yes, I'll give her your love. Thank you.
Thank you. Bye-bye.
- Did you get it?
- I've been accepted!
[ALL CHEERING]
JASON:
Congratulations, Ben!
[ALL CHATTERING]
John'll be sorry
he missed this celebration!
JASON: Daddy, we'd just about decided
to start worrying about you.
It's not me you should worry about.
Is something the matter with Mama?
Yeah, she's had a relapse.
She started to cough again.
The doctor says
she has to go to Arizona to get well.
That is , miles away!
I know, that's why I'm taking
her there myself.
Hey.
Doing something
that has to be done tonight?
No, I tried to sleep.
Every time I do,
I keep seeing that doctor's face...
...coming into the waiting room.
Daddy, is it that bad?
It's not hopeless, son,
not by a long sh*t, but, uh....
But your mama needs rest
and sunshine...
...and I'm gonna make sure
she gets them both.
Cindy and I have been talking.
Rose told me about your good news.
I ought to be congratulating you.
College can wait.
You need me to stay here
and take care of things.
Listen, Ben...
...I'm not going to have you
change your plans because of this.
You can't start putting things
off, son...
...like I did about that house
on top of the Mountain.
Now it's too late.
Yeah, but what are you
gonna do about the mill?
I'm gonna sell it.
It's the only thing there is to do.
I can't let you do that!
You got nothing to say about it, son.
This mill is a beautiful little operation.
I'm not going to let it lay around idle.
We can make some good money on it.
Keep us all going for a while.
Daddy, we can have it paid off
in five years.
Ben, in five years you can be building
these bridges you're talking about.
Now, listen. This whole country's
in a hurry changing...
...trying to make up
for these last four years.
But this place is your whole life.
Don't feel sorry for me.
I don't feel sorry.
I always knew you kids would grow up,
one by one, and move on.
I don't have to move right away,
I can stay and help you!
Ben, don't make this
any harder than it is.
You've got a dream, son,
you go after it.
This mill's for sale.
That's all there is to it.
I'm not changing my mind.
I found this in the attic.
It's one of Grandpa's old hats.
How do I look?
It'll keep the sun off.
[CHUCKLES]
Well, maybe I can make some use of it.
Thank you, honey.
You're doing that all wrong.
Suppose you show me how to do it.
First of all,
you put the shoes on the bottom.
- How was I supposed to know that?
- Anybody would know that.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
I hope you can find Mama a house
with trees around it.
It gets to be degrees in Arizona.
You know, they tell me they've got
air conditioning out there now.
We'll write to you every week.
We got pretty good with round-robin
letters when the boys were overseas.
Your mama and me will look forward
to every letter, honey.
Are you sure you want to take these?
Of course. I always take my long johns
wherever I go.
Oh, Daddy.
I know, honey.
You're trying to act so grown-up.
You're really hurting inside,
aren't you?
First Mama, now you.
Now listen, Elizabeth...
...just gonna get your mama settled
and I'm coming back real soon.
I still feel so alone.
You've got your brothers and sisters,
you've got Rose.
All kinds of people to look after you.
It's not going to be forever, right?
I'm gonna send you a telegram
when I'm coming back.
And I want you waiting
right on the front porch for me.
- What if I wait by the chicken coop?
- Ha-ha-ha.
You can wait all the way in town,
if you want to.
Yoohoo, Ben!
- Corabeth! Ha, ha.
- Welcome home!
Oh, thank you. It's good to be back.
Ben, uh, this is Mr. Gentry...
...who may be interested
in purchasing the mill.
- Mr. Gentry.
- Are you the owner?
No, my daddy is.
He's on co-op business
in Charlottesville.
- I'll be glad to show you around.
- Oh, my goodness!
That's what I'm here for, isn't it?
It's a family operation, is it?
Well, my grandpa started the business,
my daddy built this mill.
He expanded it, too.
Before that,
we had a mill out by the barn.
Are those your offices?
Uh, yes, they are.
They're not quite finished yet.
I believe that, uh, Mr. Walton was
in the process of wood paneling them.
The whole place could be larger,
it seems to me.
Well, there's plenty of room
for expansion.
My daddy even has plans for it.
Well, don't be shy, Ben. Show him.
Right in here.
Here they are.
Daddy had some plans.
Right here, he was gonna
make some skylights...
...for better lighting.
Right here was where he was
gonna put a storage area.
And this was gonna be
a book-keeping secretary office.
He sure had big plans for this place.
Looks to me like you'd be better served
with less office space...
...and more shop space.
Give you room for the right machinery.
Let you run a lot more
work through here.
Bring it into the th Century,
so to speak.
BEN:
This isn't a factory, Mr. Gentry.
We do top grade work here,
most of it by hand.
- We take a lot of pride in it.
- People today are in a hurry...
...for homes,
all the things that go into them.
They don't care much
about quality anymore.
I'm looking for a place
where I can turn out the most product...
...in the least amount of time.
Well, I don't think this is it.
Mr. Gentry, we've built our reputation on
honest dealings and good craftsmanship.
CORABETH:
Are you out of your mind, Ben?
Of course,
there is always capital in a good name.
Your reputation doesn't interest me.
Your mill does.
Am I to understand, then, that you are
willing to make an offer on the place?
This place isn't quite the way
you represented it, Mrs. Godsey.
But I'll, uh, give it some thought
and let you know.
CORABETH:
The possibilities are endless.
The trees grow right
up the doorway.
They practically walk into the mill
and hurl themselves into the saw.
I'll let you know.
It's nice to have met you, young man.
Well, any reasonable offer
will be entertained.
The owners are most eager to sell.
Daddy, I don't understand...
...why you won't take us
to Washington with you.
We want to see Mama
before you take her to Arizona.
She isn't too sick to see us, is she?
It's not that. It's just that
I don't want any kind of a big scene.
Mama wouldn't stand for that.
All right,
we'll all go see your mama together.
And we're pulling out
at : a.m. sharp tomorrow.
JOHN:
Hello.
JASON: Hello, ladies.
JIM-BOB: Good afternoon.
[WOMEN LAUGHING]
- I can see we came none too soon, John.
- Miss Mamie, good to see you.
We're all going to Washington
tomorrow morning.
I'm taking Liv to Arizona in a train.
Watch out for those Indians. They're
all over the place, don't you know.
MAMIE:
They no longer att*ck trains, sister.
Oh, that's a blessing.
We brought you
a little going-away present, John.
It's some of the Recipe,
one of our finest runs.
It will remind you of home.
Papa used it as a remedy
for simply everything.
I'm sure we'll make good use of it.
John, we'll miss you.
Miss Emily, I'll miss you, too.
Both of you.
Yoohoo, John!
Hi, Corabeth.
I have a customer who wishes
to speak to you, personally.
- Right now?
CORABETH: I know the pressure of time.
I work against them myself,
constantly.
But this is a partnership.
- Could be important.
- Goodbye, ladies.
BOTH:
Goodbye, John.
I'm coming, Corabeth.
Goodbye, darling.
[ALL LAUGHING]
Now, the bank says
this partnership is very essential...
...and I assure you, they know exactly
what they are talking about.
Ben, what do you think you're doing?
Daddy, it's what Cindy and I want.
Selling the mill to an outsider
would be like selling a part of Grandpa.
And you.
And all of us.
What I'm trying to say is...
...I don't need to leave here
to build bridges.
Oh, Ben.
Well, look, son, I'll be coming back.
You think when I do, you can see
your way clear to letting me back in?
It says it right up there.
Partners, Daddy.
[LAUGHING]
- Are you sure, son?
BEN: I'm positive.
JOHN-BOY:
It was not the end of a dream for Ben.
The world was out there
if he ever decided to go find it.
But he had discovered another world
just as important...
...and it consisted
of Cindy and Virginia...
...and hard work done
with love and pride.
It was a vast and fulfilling world
right there on the Mountain...
...and nobody understood that
better than our father.
ERIN:
Goodnight, Elizabeth. Goodnight, Jason.
JASON:
Goodnight, Erin.
Goodnight, Jim-Bob.
JIM-BOB:
Goodnight, Mary Ellen.
Goodnight, Erin.
ELIZABETH: Goodnight, John Curtis.
MARY ELLEN: He's asleep.
ELIZABETH:
I'll tell him in the morning, then.
Goodnight, everybody.
[ENGLISH - US - SDH]
09x08 - The Move
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A popular, long-running drama about a close-knit family in rural, Depression-era Virginia, sharing their trials and triumphs.
A popular, long-running drama about a close-knit family in rural, Depression-era Virginia, sharing their trials and triumphs.