The Waltons

How did you know Ashley was the right man?

I looked into his eyes one day and suddenly I was lost.

Just the way it was with me.

Were you able to forget him?

He's been locked in my heart all these years.

Some people can love only once, you know.

So, I shut myself up and lived with my memories.

Miss Emily, that's just what I'm going to have to do.

Oh, dear.

There is a fine moment in our lives

when we are young and innocent and our hearts first awaken

to the mystery and pain of love.

At such a time we can give our love freely

without fear of hurt or pain.

The arrival of a new young minister

in town caused my father to witness such an awakening

in the heart of my sister Elizabeth.

John, I appreciate your coming by.

Glad to, Reverend.

Haven't seen you much. Must be busy settling in.

Name's Andy and you know where I can be found any Sunday.

Don't try converting me. I've been a heathen too long.

Wouldn't dream of it, John.

What can I do for you?

Looks like there's some rotten floor boards here.

Reverend Buchanan neglected to mention it when he moved out.

I worry about my parishioners.

I have visions of Corabeth Godsey

putting her foot right through the floor.

That would sure ruffle her feathers.

Well, what do you think?

It's probably rotten underneath. Let me check the closet.

- Are you alright? - Hey.

The floor caved in right to the ground. Uh-oh.

- What is it? - Uh-oh.

- Watch out. - What?

- There's an animal there. - What?

- Come on, come on. Run. - What it is?

Come on, run!

Tell me there was a skunk in there.

Boy, he got you real good.

Stay back, stay back, stay back. Stay back! Stay back!

You sure tomato juice is gonna kill the smell?

It's the only thing I know that does it.

After a while, I'll give you some soap and water.

Then you can stop smelling like tomato juice.

What am I going to do? I can't let that skunk

have free run of the parsonage.

Not much you can do. He'll leave when he gets good and ready.

Till then, you could stay with us for a few days.

Thank you, John.

Good morning, Reverend.

I brought some more tomato juice.

Smells like I'm just in the nick of time.

I'll get some soap and water and some fresh air.

I certainly hope that batch is warmer than this one

because I am freezing to death.

No wonder Mama won't let you in the house.

I think I'm getting used to this.

- Your nose must've gone numb. - This is no joke, Elizabeth.

Being attacked by a skunk is not very funny.

Well, skunks are wonderful animals,

as long as you aren't mean to them.

I wasn't mean to him.

They catch mice and rats.

But I don't have mice or rats.

Well, that's because the skunk was in your house,

clearing them all out.

Somehow I find it difficult to be appreciative

when I'm up to my waist in tomato juice.

A skunk is one of God's own creatures.

As a minister, don't you think you should forgive and forget?

Elizabeth Walton,

if you don't start showing some respect for your new minister,

I'm making you take a tomato juice bath, too!

Hello, Corabeth.

Oh, hello, Erin.

What can I do for you today?

Well, Mama needs six cans of tomato juice.

Oh, I'm so glad that Olivia has given up

the old-fashioned method of home canning.

Store-bought tomato juice is just every bit

as pleasurable to the palate as the old-fashioned kind.

Oh, well, it's not for drinking. It's for the Reverend's pants.

I beg your pardon?

A skunk got into the parsonage and sprayed him.

We threw away his shirt,

but Mama thinks she can save his pants.

Oh. How disagreeable.

- Oh! Hello, Erin. - Miss Mamie, Miss Emily.

- Hello. - Corabeth.

Hello. Your visit is so fortuitous.

I have just gotten in a new shipment of lace antimacassars.

I'm sure hey must be lovely, Corabeth,

but today we just want some Mason jars.

For the Recipe, don't you know?

We've just finished a superb run through Papa's Recipe machine.

We were on our way over to your house, Erin, to find you.

Then I'm glad we ran into each other.

Sister and I are writing a book

based on excerpts from Papa's journals and our own diaries.

We feared we could never complete such a task

if we had to write it all down ourselves.

So we were thinking, with your knowledge of shorthand,

perhaps we could dictate it to you.

- We would, of course, pay you. - Well, I'd be happy to help you.

We are anxious to write our book quickly because of the war.

We heard that the soldiers want books

to read in their fox groves.

I think that's fox holes, Sister.

Wherever they want to read it, I'm sure it will be just fine.

Ben, Jim-Bob mind your manners.

It's the first time our new preacher has come for supper,

I don't want him thinking that you only behave in church.

Sometimes they don't look so well-behaved in church either.

I wouldn't go high and mighty, Jason.

I saw you yawning at the last week's sermon.

I think you should all model yourselves after John Curtis.

He behaves himself perfectly and quietly.

Andy, you sit over here, next to Erin?

Daddy's clothes doesn't look too becoming on you, Andy.

Elizabeth, will you say the grace, please?

Dear Father, thank you for the food before us

and the good company to share it with.

Bless this food to give us strength in the day to come.

- Amen. Amen.

It was a very nice blessing, Elizabeth.

I hope you don't mind if I use it myself sometime.

Ben, will you please start the corn?

- Why, of course, Erin. - Thank you.

You're welcome. Jim-Bob, would you please pass the beans?

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Mama, can I please have a biscuit?

If it's not too much trouble.

Liv, why don't you introduce me to these folks?

I don't think I've met them before.

I didn't want you all to act like you're in finishing school.

It's Andy, he's an inspiration to us all.

You look like you could use a little inspiration.

Uh-uh, sounds like a sermon.

Now, I don't know what Reverend Buchanan's ways were,

but the only sermons you'll get from me are in church on Sunday.

That's a relief. Sounds like a real person, huh?

- Jim-Bob! - It's alright.

I like to think of myself as a person before a minister.

- Let's start that ham here. - Pass the ham.

Sorry, Daddy.

I don't know why you keep getting all the fish.

A little prayer goes a long way, John. Give it a try sometime.

I would if I thought it would do any good.

Maybe I ought to leave the pond to you

and get working on next Sunday's sermon.

Oh, no, no. You can't run off when you're ahead.

You're providing supper tonight and earning your keep.

I got one. I got...

What'd you say about prayer?

Well, maybe Elizabeth here will change your luck.

Mama thought I'd find you here.

Mr. Sarver wants you to call him.

Well, here, you take this. Catch some fish.

We can't let the preacher think he can beat us in our own pond.

I didn't know you were a fisherman, Elizabeth.

Grandma used to take me down here all the time.

What's this?

19th century English poetry?

I have to learn a poem for school.

Well, you don't sound too pleased.

I like the poem, but I'm having trouble remembering parts of it.

Try reciting it to me and I'll follow along?

Oh, would you?

I asked Jim-Bob but he thinks poetry is sickening.

Well, not me. There's not too many things I like better

than listening to a pretty girl read poetry.

Okay.

It's this one.

First Love by John Clare.

Ready when you are.

"I ne'er was struck before that hour."

"With love so sudden and so sweet."

"Her face..."

"Her face it bloomed..."

"His face it bloomed..."

Her face.

"Her face it bloomed like a sweet flower."

"And stole my heart away complete."

"My face turned pale as deadly pale."

"My legs refused to walk away."

That's very good. Good.

I think I know the rest, except for the end.

Alright.

Um... "She seemed..."

"She seemed to hear my silent voice,."

"Not love's appeals to know."

"I never saw so sweet a face As that I stood before."

"My heart has left its dwelling-place."

"And can return no more."

"My heart has left its dwelling-place."

"And can return no more."

- You're getting a bite! - I know.

- Pull it in. Haul it in.. - I will.