08x14 - The Fastidious Wife

[bunniefuu]

Cindy, I got to get back to
work. I got some paperwork to do.

Stay another hour and
I'll give you a back rub.

Cindy, I can't let
Daddy down like that.

Well, I noticed you don't have
any problem letting me down!

Poor Ben can hardly take his
shoes off without you polishing them.

And you're so busy trying
to keep every hair in place

that we've all forgotten
what the real Cindy looks like.

Well, maybe you're just jealous
because I'm making you all look bad.

For your own sake,
Cindy, ease off.

Mind your own business.

Cindy, don't you think
you should let up a little?

You're starting
to look awful tired.

I forgot to put makeup on this morning.
I was so busy finishing the cradle.

Can you feel him? He kicked.

I sure can.

Cindy, I'm going
to be a good father.

- Hey, find your own girl, boy.
- Let me go!

- Hey, cut it out!
- Boys!

Come on, you two!

- Jason, what are you doing here?
- Hurry up and get dressed. Ben's in jail.

Walton's Mountain seemed
especially beautiful to m y brother Ben

and his wife Cindy

during the months they a
waited the birth of their first child.

But the w*r ma de its demands.

Ben ha d to work
harder than ever before,

lea ving Cindy alone at the time
when she needed him the most.

Come back to bed, Ben.

I can't, honey. There's
work to be done.

On Saturday?

The w*r doesn't stop on
Saturdays, and neither can I.

Remember when we used to
go dancing on Saturday nights?

Deadlines, seems like that's
all we do, one from another.

We had such an
exciting courtship.

It's not the millwork,
it's the dumb paperwork.

Whirlwind, you'd call it.

I'm not even 22 years of
age, I feel like an old man.

Ben, you're not listening to me.

Cindy, do I have any gray hair?

Ben, let's go out
tonight, just us two.

Casablanca is playing in Rockfish.
Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart.

Wish I could, Cindy. We
got a deadline to meet.

Maybe next week.

Next week.

Look what I found!

- His name's Harold.
- Can I hold him?

He just got here.
He's a bit shy.

Here, let me have him. You're
not holding him right anyhow.

- Serena, do you want to hold him?
- Yeah.

Don't drop him.

I won't, and even if I
did, it wouldn't matter.

'Cause cats have nine lives.

This cat looks awfully fat for a stray.
Where did he come from anyway?

He followed me home
from baseball practice.

Let me see him.

Jeffrey, I'm afraid Harold is about
to become a mother, and soon.

You're kidding!

We've got to think of a better
name than Harold, since he's a girl.

I can name her
Harold if I want to.

I found her. She's
going to sleep in my bed.

Aren't you?

Jeffrey, did you ask Uncle
John if you could keep Harold?

No, but he won't mind, will he?

What do you think, Elizabeth?

I think he might.

- Hi, Ike.
- Hi, kids.

Cindy, look what just arrived,
the most amazing book.

I am so eager for
my friends to see it.

You know, it is so important
that we retain our femininity

during these w*r years.

It will give the boys something to
fight for, something to come home to.

The Fastidious Wife?
Sounds intriguing.

My dear, it really
isn't for young girls.

I'm sorry, Corabeth, I
wouldn't want to be corrupted.

Now, was there
something you wanted?

Do you think we would lose the
w*r if I bought a pair of overalls?

I know they're not very feminine,
but they are handy in doing gardening.

Yeah, we got some new stock

- right over here.
- Thank you.

You know, I wish someone had given
me this book when I was a young bride.

Let's face it, Corabeth, you're about
as fastidious as they make them.

It was written by a
woman social worker

who spent years
counseling deserted wives.

Well, I don't think Ben's
ready to desert me yet.

She interviewed dozens of men

to find out what it was that
a man preferred in a woman,

what a woman could
do to make a man happy.

It is absolutely scientific,

with proven techniques about
how to help your marriage.

I'm sure that you will
be impressed with it.

Well, have you tried it?

My dear, I have resigned
myself years ago to Mr. Godsey,

but it is not too late
for you and Ben.

Now, you can cultivate his
affections, win his undivided attention.

Something I have been
unable to do myself.

Let's face it, Corabeth,
you adore me.

- I think I'll think about it, Corabeth.
- Well, what do you think?

- Am I a vision of loveliness?
- Absolutely.

I think I'll wear them
home, Corabeth.

Well, I do hope you'll
take the back roads.

I'm sorry, son.

You're going to have to take
the cat back where you found her.

You can't get rid of her
while she's pregnant!

Yeah? Want to bet?

Why can't we keep her?

Because before long, there's going
to be a lot of kittens around here,

and you won't want
to get rid of them either.

And then we'll have
cats up to our ankles.

The time to stop it is right
now. The cat leaves after supper.

Well, it's a shame, with the
children growing up in the city and all,

that they can't see
the kittens being born.

Cindy could learn
a lot from it, too.

Please, Uncle John.

Harold's very ladylike.

The answer is
no and that's final.

Come on, Harold.

He doesn't want you.

Once an orphan,
always an orphan.

Jeffrey!

I guess it's a little late
to get rid of the cat now.

She looks like she's
pretty near due.

Well, at least she doesn't
have swollen ankles.

Soon as those kittens are old enough
to leave their mother, they're gone.

You understand?

Sure. That'll be
okay, won't it, Serena?

We'll put them up for adoption.

Let's go make a bed
for him right now. Her.

I'll eat this bread
pudding later.

I got to get out to the mill.
Ben will think I deserted him.

Me, too, I gotta go or
I'll be late for my date.

Does anybody mind if I
say good night now, too?

You're not going to bed already?

How about a game
of Chinese checkers?

No, thanks, I've started a new
book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

Seems like you're
reading a book a week.

I have a lot of time
for reading these days.

Well, now, for heaven's sake, what am
I going to do with all this bread pudding?

I can't toast it.

- See you later, everybody.
- Bye-bye.

Bye. ROSE: Bye.

Good night, Cindy.

- Good night. Have a good time.
- Thanks.

- We're going to see Casablanca.
- I hear it's real romantic.

I vow and declare, it gets hot
enough in that kitchen to melt wax.

It's nice out here.

It would be a good night to
take a drive down the river.

It's what Ben and I used to do.

Do a little sparking
along the way I'll bet, huh?

Those days are gone forever.

I remember my
11th birthday party.

Mamma said I could
have 11 friends,

and we played 11 games,

and she made hats for us
all out of the funny papers.

It was the most wonderful day.

I cried when it was over.

I knew there would never, ever be
another day like that in my whole life.

Well, it was just a beginning.

There was the day I won the
declamation contest in high school,

and the day I met my Burt,

and the day John and Olivia asked
me to become a part of this family.

Well, there were a lot
of other days in between.

It's just that no sooner does one
part of your life come to an end,

and there's something
better waiting for you.

You and Ben may not
spark along the river again,

but you're coming into a whole
new kind of closeness, Cindy.

You're right, Rose. I don't have
any right to feel sorry for myself.

Good night.

Darn that moon.

- Hey, Jason!
- How are you?

Rose told me I'd
find you out here.

I'd like you to meet
my buddy, Ned Phillips.

- This is my brother, Ben.
- Good to see you.

- My father, John Walton.
- Welcome.

- Thank you, sir.
- We're on our way over to the Dew Drop.

Thought we'd stop by and
see if you wanted to join us.

Well, if you're talking
to me, no, thanks.

Why don't you run along,
son. You have a good time.

- Yeah, but we're not finished yet.
- I'll take care of it.

Cindy did want to
get out, I'll go get her.

- All right, we'll meet you in the car.
- Sounds good.

- Nice meeting you, sir.
- Bye, now.

- Thanks, Daddy.
- All right, have fun, son.

Will!

Cindy?

Good night.

Praise the Lord and
pass the amm*nit*on

Praise the Lord and
pass the amm*nit*on

And we'll all sa y peace!

Hey, Jason, I didn't know you
could play the piano like that.

I haven't been in
the army all my life!

Last call. You guys
ready for another beer?

None for me, thanks. I've had about all I
can handle. My friend here has had more.

Besides, it's getting late.
We should be getting home.

Hey, wait a minute.
The night is still young.

I feel like having myself a
dance. What do you say, sweetie?

- Her name's Sue Ann.
- I don't care what her name is

- just so long as she can jitterbug.
- Come on, Ned.

Soldier, you couldn't
walk across the floor.

- Try me. Play something, Jase.
- Hey, take your hands off me!

- Hey, find your own girl, boy.
- Let me go!

Let go of her, Ned!
- Ned, come on.

- Hey, cut it out!
- Boys!

Come on, you two!

Cindy, wake up!

- Jason! What are you doing here?
- Hurry up and get dressed. Ben's in jail.

You know, the reverend closed
with one of my favorite proverbs,

"He that putteth his trust in
the Lord shall be made fat."

There's nothing like a good sermon to
help a man see the errors of his ways.

Too bad it wears
off by Saturday night.

Hey, Ben. How's the welterweight
champion of Walton's Mountain?

Cindy, could I speak to
you a moment please?

- Excuse us, this is private.
- I'll just run home and fix dinner.

I heard about that incident at
the road-side tavern last night.

You have my deepest sympathy.

I would just like to
forget about it, thanks.

I know exactly how you feel.

But, my dear, when a
man goes out on the town,

it is because there is
something amiss at home.

I'm sorry, Corabeth, but I refuse to take
the blame for Ben getting into a fight.

I understand. It's
hard to accept at first.

But this will
explain everything.

Read it and you will thank
me for it the rest of your life.

- I can't take this, Corabeth.
- I refuse to take no for an answer.

I have already
put it on your bill.

If it does not help your marriage,
return it. Complete refund.

Cindy, what was that all about?

She just sold me a book,
right in front of church!

Harold!

Harold went and had her kittens
while we were gone at church.

Boy, Serena will be mad. She
wanted to be here when they were born.

How about that? A quartet.

Poor old Ned will be
doing KP for a month.

The sheriff took one look at Cindy
and didn't have the heart to hold Ben.

Too bad. A night in jail might
have done him some good.

It was only a fight. No
one got hurt or anything.

I notice Cindy's been kind of cool to
you lately, son, and I don't blame her.

You got to start thinking about
her more and about that baby, too.

You want to be the kind
of papa he'll be proud of.

Don't worry, my baby
is going to be perfect.

I'm glad to hear that. I've been
waiting a long time for a perfect Walton.

If anyone can do it, Cindy can.

Sue Ann, what
are you doing here?

Ben Walton, this
is for last night!

I just don't know
how to thank you.

Sue Ann, this is
Ben's wife, Cindy.

You ought to be so proud
of him. He's a real man!

He did tell you how he
rescued me from an ugly drunk?

He told me about the drunk.
But he didn't tell me about you.

Well, he was wonderful. I'm just
sorry it caused so much trouble.

You come on in any time,
honey, and I'll treat you to a beer.

And, next time, bring your wife.

Jason and me will
make this delivery.

You two have things
you want to talk about.

Not me. I wouldn't want
to hold up the w*r effort.

What if we go out for
dinner tonight in Rockfish?

I'm sorry, Ben, but I'm
awfully busy. Maybe next week.

Give me a chance, will you?

Looks like you're in
the doghouse, Ben.

She going to be cold for a week.

That's what you get for
keeping bad company.

Hey, wait for me.

Come on in.

What have you got there?

Well, I've been meaning
to bring it in from the attic,

and now that I see it in broad daylight,
I'm not sure it was such a good idea.

It does look like it
may need a little work.

Would you believe John Curtis
spent his first six months in this cradle,

along with most of the rest of
the newborn Waltons before that?

A family relic, huh?

More like a historical monument.
Think it will go another round?

Well, it may have to.

Ben's been promising to take me
into Charlottesville to pick up a crib,

but I hardly see him these days.

He has been awfully busy lately.

He's been a lot more busy
since I started looking like a tub.

You know, men do get crazy when
they're expecting, no doubt about that.

Somebody ought to write a
book about expectant fathers.

Even Curt got a little crazy when I came
close to my time, and he was a doctor.

You reading a new book?

Corabeth gave it to me. I
haven't even started it yet.

"The fastidious wife
is the wife who fulfills

her femininity by
accepting with grace

"the domination and leadership
of a strong, masterful man."

Sounds like Ben.

Ben thinks of himself
as masterful, all right.

"A woman need not be beautiful, but she
will keep her person delicate as a flower.

"Her home must be
more than immaculate.

"It must reflect her
romantic nature."

I think they ought to write a book
called The Fastidious Husband.

Well, I guess I am
not very delicate.

This place really
isn't romantic.

Listen to these chapter headings.
"Making Him Feel Like a Hero."

"The Art of Doting."

"Learning to be Adorable."

I think you ought to throw this
book out before Ben gets home.

Well, that won't
be for hours yet.

Well, maybe you ought to read the
chapter about the husband who works late.

"A husband will talk convincingly
about the press of business,

"but when he works late night after
night, you know you have failed."

And you just thought
there was a w*r going on.

- I'll talk to you later, Cindy.
- Bye-bye.

Darling!

Cindy, I thought
you'd still be asleep.

And miss a chance
to kiss you good night!

Cindy, you're not
still mad at me?

Of course, not. Anger is such an
unbecoming emotion, don't you think?

I'd always thought so.

Cindy, I'm sorry
about last night.

That's all right. You had every
right to go out and have a good time.

A man needs to relax.

- Where are you going?
- To start your bath.

- You don't have to do that!
- It's my pleasure.

It'll be just a minute.

Cindy, I don't want you to
tire yourself waiting on me.

How can I get tired of doing
things for the man I love?

Pregnant women
sure are changeable.

Kissing's a lot more
fun than fighting, isn't it?

Sure is.

I'd better get my
bath ready, right?

Right, and I'm going to be in in
just a second to scrub your back,

but I have to get
something from the house.

Till then.

Mary Ellen, you ever tried to
sleep in a room full of kittens?

I found some hot chocolate,
why don't you have a cup?

Okay.

- What's that you've got on?
- It was a wedding gift.

I thought it was
about time I wore it.

You look like something
left over from a birthday party.

- What are you doing still stirring?
- I was waiting up for Ben.

It's so dull for a husband to
come home to a sleeping wife.

- Cindy, have you been reading that book?
- I just glanced at it.

- Let me make some...
- That's okay. I don't need it anyway.

I should stay slim
and trim for Ben.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Boy, she's sure acting strange.

It's that crazy book about
how to be a good wife.

That's how a wife's
supposed to act?

You should read that book. A
Christian saint couldn't live up to it.

Sounding like Corabeth.

That's right.

Poor Cindy.

Poor Ben.

We named that one
Mercury because he's quick.

And what does a silly name like
that have to do with being quick?

If you did your homework
once in a while, you'd know.

We should name that pretty
gray and white one Aphrodite.

That's a dumb name for a cat.

It is not. Aphrodite is the
goddess of love and beauty.

Or we could call that one
Puss and this one Boots.

That's even dumber than
Asperdity and Mercury.

Why don't we have some regular
names like George or Frank?

- We need animal names.
- You mean like Serena?

Will you guys quit
it? Wait a minute,

we have to think about
the future of the cats.

I can't think of better names
than gods and goddesses.

Nana, what do you think
we should name the kittens?

Well, I think you better not get
too attached to these little fellows.

You're going to have to
give them away, you know.

I wish nobody would take them.

Besides, they aren't big
enough and they do grow slow.

"The fastidious wife is
conscious of her appearance,

"taking the extra time required to
keep herself fresh and beautiful.

"'My wife is alwa
ys a joy to look at, '

"was the comment of
one satisfied husband.

"Inside every man is a little boy who has
not quite outgrown the need to be babied.

"Wait on your
husband. Fuss over him.

"It is the little things you do that
will make him forever grateful.

"Housework for the fastidious
wife is never a burden,

"for she knows her husband
delights in a fastidious house.

"A good long look in
a mirror will con vince

most women that
daily exercise is a must.

"Toda y's hidden cur ves
ma y be tomorrow's bulges,

"and nothing will cause a man to
lose interest faster than unsightly fat."

I don't see how that's
gonna do you any good.

George? Here, George.

Jim-Bob, can't you
help me find George?

In a minute.

Is this what you're looking for?

- Uncle John, where'd you find him?
- On my bed.

Bad kitty. Don't go into
Uncle John's room anymore.

I told you you could keep Harold,
if you gave the kittens away.

But they're not big
enough yet, Uncle John.

They're weaned and they're
running all over the place.

What if nobody wants them?

You can always give
them to old man Baskin.

You know what
he'll do with them.

He'll put them in a sack
and throw them in the river.

Don't worry. We'll find a home
for them. Won't we, Jeffrey?

How do you like it?

It sure doesn't look like that old,
simple handmade cradle I remember.

Thanks. I wanted something
special for our baby.

It's special, all right.

Now, look, I thought that maybe I could
drape off this corner as a sort of nursery.

I'd put a chest of drawers
right here for the baby's things,

and then I'd have a rocker
here where I could nurse him.

Cindy, don't you think
you should let up a little?

You're starting
to look awful tired.

I forgot to put makeup on this morning.
I was so busy finishing the cradle.

Oh!

Can you feel him? He kicked.

I sure can.

Cindy, I'm gonna
be a good father.

Remember I used to burp
John Curtis for Mary Ellen.

That's woman's work.

I want you to save your
strength for man's work, for me.

It's getting close.

Are you scared?

I'm just scared that
you'll stop loving me.

That'll never happen.

Cindy, I got to get back to
work. I got some paperwork to do.

Stay another hour and
I'll give you a back rub.

Cindy, I can't let
Daddy down like that.

Well, I noticed you don't have
any problem letting me down!

Ben, I'm sorry. I
didn't mean that.

You know I'd rather be with you.

It's just that we're
awfully rushed these days.

Well, I guess the sooner you go,
the sooner you're gonna be back.

- Cindy, are you sure you're all right?
- I'm fine.

Come on.

- Hi!
- Hi, Cindy!

I came in for some oatmeal.

Ooh! Stocking up on
baby food? How very wise!

One never knows when
a shortage may occur.

Well, actually, I'm making
cookies for Ben. They're his favorite.

Sounds like you're still
being the fastidious wife, huh?

Well, I do hope you that are
spreading the word about our little book.

I guess Corabeth didn't
tell you the book isn't selling.

She's about to lower the price.

Mr. Godsey, why must you
undermine me at every turn?

Because I think that book
is just full of nonsense.

- Well, I do not.
- But I do.

Mr. Godsey, it is inconceivable to
me why we have remained together.

- We have absolutely nothing in common.
- You are absolutely wrong, Corabeth.

We've got everything in common.
We got the store, we got our livelihood.

And two people, man and wife,
that do all those things together,

well, they just don't
need anything else.

Well, a little understanding and
consideration might be helpful!

However, there is some
truth in what Mr. Godsey says.

Have you read the chapter on

taking an interest in
your husband's work?

But I'm still practicing
10 ways to please.

Cindy, you can skip ahead.

Thanks, Corabeth. Bye.

- You still got it?
- Right here.

Think it will really work?

It's got to. It's
our only chance.

Hi, Jeffrey. Hi, Serena.
What do you got there?

We're giving away
kittens, absolutely free.

Absolutely free, huh?
Look at this, Corabeth.

Ain't that the sweetest
thing you ever saw?

We've already given away two.

Mr. Godsey, I do hope that you're not
thinking of accepting one of these things.

They're absolutely worthless.

It's good for nothing except
to eat and make a nuisance.

Corabeth has never allowed
us to have a cat in the house.

Look!

- I'll get it! I'll get it!
- Mr. Godsey! Get it out!

It's only a little mouse!

The most loathsome creature
on the face of the Earth.

- Aphrodite could help.
- Who?

Aphrodite. That's
the kitten's name.

Aphrodite was the
goddess of love and beauty.

Well, maybe that's not
a bad idea, Corabeth.

It might cut down the mouse
population. What do you think?

Well, with a name like
Aphrodite, who could resist?

Yes, nice kitty. Yes,
well, she is a nice kitty.

k*ll!

- Hey!
- Hi!

- Well, what you got there?
- Oatmeal cookies. It's a surprise.

But don't tell Rose that I got into
the raisins. They're hard to come by.

I'll just eat the evidence before
she gets suspicious, okay?

Thank you.

What are you doing?

Just straightening up.
This place is a mess.

Cindy, you shouldn't do that. You
look tired. You should take a nap.

I'm fine. I wanna help you.
I'm interested in your work.

- I'll just start by doing these papers.
- Okay.

- And I'll be very quiet.
- Good.

You know, a woman shouldn't
hinder her husband in his work.

That's true.

You know, she should give him all
the support that she possibly can.

It's nice being here
together, isn't it?

I mean, with me helping you, we're
gonna have more time to ourselves.

Where are you going?

I've got to get these figures
over to Murdock Lumber.

- Daddy's trying to close a deal.
- Can I go?

Cindy, I'm not gonna let you get
on that bumpy road in your condition.

If we're not home by suppertime,
tell Rose to keep things warm for us.

Bye-bye.

- Bye, Apollo.
- See you later, Charlie.

He can't take care of
himself out here in the woods.

It's either that or
drown him in the lake.

He's just too little. He needs
his mama. She'll take care of him.

You run home and
get her. I'll stay here.

Where's Harold?

He's getting fur all
over the living room.

Jeffrey, where are you
going with that animal?

It's an emergency!

- Now, what was that all about?
- Beats me.

Now, Harold, you stay.

I feel like Hansel and
Gretel's wicked stepmother.

We couldn't just leave
Harold's kittens out here alone.

I know.

Come on. Turn around
and don't look back.

Don't look back.

Aren't you coming in for supper?

I thought I would wait
and eat with Ben later.

You shouldn't be skipping
meals in your condition.

Anyway, it looks like
you're finished in here.

Well, I'm gonna start on the mill
next. It's ankle-deep in sawdust.

All this trying to be the perfect
wife is wearing you out, Cindy.

I'll be better at it once
I get the hang of it.

If you live that long.

- Don't start, Mary Ellen.
- It can't be much fun.

Poor Ben can hardly take his
shoes off without you polishing them.

And you're so busy trying
to keep every hair in place

that we've all forgotten
what the real Cindy looks like.

Well, maybe you're just jealous
because I'm making you all look bad.

For your own sake,
Cindy, ease off.

Mind your own business.

I'll be here if you need me.

Did you leave the
light on in the mill, son?

No, Cindy was working in
here. I guess she left the light on.

- Cindy!
- What are you doing in here, honey?

I meant to have this all finished
by the time you guys got back.

- You okay?
- Yeah.

Let's get her in the house.
Take it easy. Take it easy.

- Cindy! I got her.
- Let's go.

- What's been keeping them?
- Just checking her out real careful.

You know, this is all my fault. I
should have made her slow down.

There was no way you could
know this was gonna happen.

I just took it for granted
she was strong, like Mama.

Calm down, son. You're not gonna
do Cindy or anybody else any good.

The past few weeks
she's been waiting on me

while I should have
been waiting on her.

Ben, you're going to
be a father real soon.

I'd hate to see you blame yourself
every time one of your children gets sick.

You're gonna be
feeling guilty all the time.

I just guess I have a lot to
learn about having a family.

You'll learn. One
a step at a time.

How is she, Doctor?

Suffering from exhaustion,
and she may be going into labor.

- But she's not due yet!
- I know.

The baby would have a
hard time of it right now.

Shouldn't she
be in the hospital?

I don't want to move her unless I
have to. Keep her in bed. Watch her.

And call me if
there's any change.

- Thanks for coming by.
- I'll be back tomorrow.

How's she doing?

She's been having
some contractions.

It's too soon to tell whether
it's the real thing or not.

I'll stay with her
now, Mary Ellen.

Okay, but you call me if you need me,
even if you have to get me out of bed.

Mary Ellen?

Thank you.

How are you feeling?

- The doctor said we might lose the baby.
- You'll be fine.

- Should I get Mary Ellen?
- No. Just stay with me.

I'm not going anywhere.

I'm sorry, Ben.

Cindy, I love you.

What is it?

Cross your heart and
hope to die. Swear not to tell.

- I swear. What is it?
- Come on.

Harold must have brought
her kitten all the way home.

- Gotta hide them.
- They can sleep with me.

You always kick off your covers.

Does Jim-Bob hang up
his clothes in the closet?

Sometimes.

We've gotta take a chance.

I'll make a nest
for them in there.

- There, doesn't that feel better?
- Can't I even get up and wash myself?

Not until we're sure
that that baby's all right.

Here's breakfast.

I'll come back in and
check on you in a while.

Thanks.

I want you to eat a big breakfast
so you can build up your strength.

I can't. I just
wanna go to sleep.

It's here if you get hungry. I'll
check in on you in a little while, okay?

- Ben?
- Yeah?

Take the cradle with you.

I haven't felt the baby
move all morning.

- Good morning.
- Morning.

How's Cindy?

Tired. Very worried. So am I.

Thanks, Rose.

Hey, does anybody know
how Apollo got in my shoe?

I thought I told you to
get rid of those kittens.

We tried, Uncle John.

- Harold's in my bathrobe.
- Well, you didn't try hard enough.

Remember now, you two promised
to find homes for those kittens.

We gave every single one of them away
except for Apollo. Nobody would take him.

We asked everyone.

Then we took him into
the woods with Harold.

We thought that
they'd stay there.

You mean, they
found their way home?

Sounds like a couple
of real smart cats to me.

Don't let that man throw
him in the river. Please!

What do you think, Mary
Ellen? Make a good mouser?

They look like
prime stock to me.

I'll tell you what we'll
do. We'll let Harold and...

- Apollo.
- Yeah.

- And Charlie.
- Whatever. Go to work in the barn.

Maybe they can help keep
down the mouse population.

That's a good idea, Uncle John!

Hurry! Let's get the kittens to work
before Uncle John changes his mind.

Hey, Daddy, you know
there's no rats in the barn

since that old black snake
moved in a couple of years ago.

I know, son, but you ever
know a snake that would purr

when you scratched
it behind the ears?

- Hello, Doctor.
- Evening. How's our patient?

- That's what we're waiting to find out.
- Let's have a look then.

You keep working this hard, we're
gonna be way ahead of schedule.

First time since this w*r began.

What we need around
here is more workers.

Trouble is, it just takes
too much time to train them.

Ben, is something wrong?

Yes, Daddy. I don't
wanna see Cindy hurt.

Why don't you tell me about it?

I don't know what to do.

What did you do when
Mama was big like that?

As I recall, when she first got pregnant
with John-Boy, I was pretty excited.

Of course, I got to admit that
toward the end I got a little nervous.

By the time Elizabeth
had come along,

I figured it was just something Liv
did every year with my help, of course.

Daddy, do you know the feeling of
being afraid to touch your own wife?

That if you touch her too
hard, you may break something?

'Cause that's what
I'm feeling right now.

Take it easy, son.

What's happened is
just a natural process.

You can touch her,
she's not gonna break.

The fact is she probably needs to
be held more than ever right now.

Dr. Lewis is here.

The labor's stopped.

I think you're going
to be fine, Mrs. Walton.

- How's my baby?
- The baby, too.

That young fellow's got a
strong, steady heartbeat.

You see to it that she stays
in bed for at least a week.

- I want you to take it easy, young lady.
- I promise.

And you stop working
her so hard, you hear?

I'll sit on her if I have to.

I'll be back tomorrow, but call
me if you need me in the meantime.

- We will. I'll walk you to your car.
- Thank you, Doctor.

I guess you can bring
that cradle back in.

Cindy, you're wonderful.

I didn't think you noticed.

I'm sorry if I made
you feel that way.

You're just so special to me.
I haven't known how to act.

What's this?

"Our research indicates
that men who spend

"excessive amounts
of time at work

"often do so to escape coming
home to an uninteresting wife."

- Where did you get this?
- Well, it came highly recommended.

Is that why you've been doing
all these things around here?

Like running my bath, and
trying to help me out in the mill?

I just wanted to make you happy.

Cindy,

there's a miracle going
on inside you right now.

You're creating life, our baby.

It's enough.

- Ben.
- I love you the way you are.

I always have.
And I always will.

I'll just remember
to say it more often.

- I love you.
- I love you.

Cindy took it easy
for the rest of her term,

and her relationship with m y
brother grew stronger every da y.

In the years to come, she
accomplished many things,

but she remained
true to her own spirit,

and never again tried to
become a fastidious wife.

Good grief, Elizabeth, what
do you have on your face?

Cindy gave me her mud pack.
- Well, take it off!

Not now. Seven
secret ingredients

are miraculously
softening my skin.

That sounds good. Let's see
how it looks in the morning.

- Good night, Daddy.
- Yeah, Daddy. Good night.

Good night!

Oh, no, I cracked my mud!