The Waltons (1971) s07e03 Episode Script

The Baldwin place? We seem to have come too far, or perhaps not far enough.
If you will proceed in a westerly direction exactly three-quarters of a mile, you will come across the Baldwin house.
It is a late 18th century Georgian mansion.
You've been most helpful.
Thank you.
Sisters, I'm Reverend Buchanan.
I'd be happy to show you the way.
You're a good Samaritan.
Thank you.
Come, Sister Theresa.
Thank you.
Why are they dressed so funny? Because they are nuns.
Catholic nuns.
And I suspect that they are here in pursuit of that child staying at the Baldwins'.
Maybe I'd better go tell Jim-Bob.
He may wanna rescue her! Our years of containment as a family unit were growing to a close in 1941.
Everywhere there was a new mobility.
New and different people found their way to Walton's Mountain to touch and shape the lives of our family, bringing customs and beliefs that were foreign to us.
One such encounter had a special meaning for my brother, Jim-Bob.
Working all night makes you kind of tired, doesn't it, Son? I didn't work all night.
Heard the saw late last night and then first thing this morning.
You've said it plenty of times, Daddy, an order doesn't fill itself.
How long before you can get that order for the new desk to Camp Lee? I can get started anytime.
Finishing's the problem.
I know Jason hasn't got much free time, but how about Jim-Bob? Well, he shows up sometimes.
I don't know, it's just not for him.
Give him an engine to work on or short-waves, anything but mill work.
Mill work's what we've got, Son, and I sure don't have much time.
Looks like you got two jobs cut out for yourself.
What are you talking about? Cutting that lumber and finding someone to help you do it.
Find someone? Hire someone.
Well, I don't know how to do that.
Yes, you do.
It's easy.
Is it as you remember it, Mary Frances? Oh, I believe it's more beautiful, Cousin Emily.
You'll have the same room you had eight years ago.
That looks to that lovely mountain.
Where the Waltons live.
They're both still here, the family and the mountain.
I'm so grateful you let me visit.
Oh, look! What is it, dear? Someone's flying a kite, see? It looks so high and free.
Someone's holding that string.
Even a kite needs a mooring, or it has no purpose.
We all need a purpose.
To be sure.
To be sure.
Oh, no.
Corabeth has these squares.
She calls them, well, leftovers, you know.
The word has two sounds Oh, it'll come to me.
Anyhow, I'm about the only person who can use them.
- They don't cost much "Remnants"! - Oh.
Speaking of remnants, don't you hurt? Not very much.
Grandma, you got any silk? Hmm? This is cotton.
Besides, it's mine.
Well, silk's best for me, anyway.
Yeah, this is real nice, Grandma.
You got any more? Oh, yes.
I could make a really big kite out of this, or maybe even a couple smaller ones.
Kites? Kites? What else am I gonna use silk for, Grandma? - Come on.
Go on.
- Kite.
Come on.
I'm so glad you came! You like my new skirt? Why, I believe it is a skirt.
Why, and it's brand new.
You can see that.
I made it myself.
All I have to do is put in the hem.
Well, how clever of you.
We were hoping to find your mother at home, Elizabeth.
We'd like to talk to her, privately.
Sure, she's right inside.
She's fixing up an old chair of Grandpa's for Grandma to use.
By the way, Elizabeth, I'm certain we can find some material at home, if you want to sew something else.
Sure, that'd be great.
Sure.
- Mama, the Baldwin sisters are here.
- Oh.
- Thank you, Elizabeth.
- Hello, ladies.
Miss Emily, if any of that material is silk, Jim-Bob could use it.
Oh, good.
Here, won't you sit down? Thank you.
What's Elizabeth talking about? I really don't know.
Oh, I do, Sister.
She and Jim-Bob are making skirts, and he prefers silk.
I think you must be confused with what Elizabeth said.
That's exactly what's wrong, Sister and I don't know how to talk to young people.
Of course, she didn't come here to talk, she came here to think.
And that's worried me from the very beginning.
Perhaps if we'd had children of our own.
Sister, Papa would never have permitted such a thing! You told me Mary Frances was coming.
I gather she's arrived.
She had written that she wanted to come here to do some thinking.
What we want to know, Olivia, is what do you think a 17-year-old girl thinks about? Mary Ellen thought about baseball.
Erin went from rabbits and fawns to young men.
Mary Frances, I don't know about.
Well, she walks a very great deal.
And thinks.
I remember a quiet girl, very pretty.
She seems so lonely.
We were wondering if some of your children could become acquainted with her again.
Young people have a way of finding each other.
- I'd like to see her again, too.
- Oh.
That could be arranged.
Yes.
Are you nesting up there? I'm trying to rescue this kite.
That's my kite, you know.
Not if I climb up and get it.
You abandoned it.
You're gonna get stuck anyway.
That's where you're wrong.
I already am.
You're kidding? Oh, I'd like to be.
Don't look down.
I'll help you.
Do hurry, please.
That's the trouble with girls climbing trees.
They get so far and then they chicken out.
They can't go any higher and they can't come down.
I've climbed lots of trees.
This one just didn't look so high from down there.
Stay where you are and don't try anything funny.
Is there anything funny about this at all? Just take it slow and move your leg over to this branch.
Is that better? Yes, thank you.
Maybe we can rescue it together.
It looks like a lovely captured bird.
Except it's got four wings.
Well, it had four wings.
I'm sorry.
That's all right.
It really is.
It's all right.
Thank you.
Thank you so much.
Looks like you're obliged to me now.
I'm Beau Pauley.
Well, Ben Walton.
That much the man told me.
What he said was, "Ben Walton's looking to hire someone.
" - You do mill work? - Sure do.
Your mill's near here? It's about five miles up the road.
Well, where you've been working? Oh, around.
How big's your crew? Full-time, I got myself.
I'm looking for a good man.
You're looking at the best.
We'd be working side by side, so it's important that we get along together.
Ben Walton, you need me and I need this job.
We're gonna get along fine.
Climb aboard.
Oh, please, don't go.
Aren't you Mrs.
Walton? And you're Mary Frances.
I remember you very well.
I'm gonna dig some ferns.
You wanna help? Oh, yes, if I can.
It's not hard.
You just have to be sure you get enough soil.
Here you go.
Maybe I could bring some to Cousin Mamie and Cousin Emily.
They're real pleased to have you here.
The Mountain is a good place to think things through.
How'd you know that's what I'm doing, or trying to do? Just a guess, and I do have three daughters.
Do you pray, Mrs.
Walton? I sure do.
The best way I know to find answers.
Do you always get an answer? In God's time, I do.
In God's time.
I'm so glad you said that.
Sister Scholastica says I have a gift for impatience.
That when I think I know I want something, I want it immediately.
That's not unusual for a young person.
Sister Scholastica? She's a nun at the convent.
How can I learn patience, Mrs.
Walton? You've come to the wrong person.
Patience is something I haven't got time for.
You don't seem to be impatient.
The way I see it, impatience means that you care about someone or something.
And you should see how much I care when Jim-Bob forgets to empty the trash! Ma, Livie thought you'd like to have Grandpa's chair out here on the porch.
I thought it'd be nice for watching fireflies after supper.
The cushions make it seem like new, don't they, Ma? How about some tea? Anything I can do for you, Ma? Grandma and I are gonna have a cup of tea to celebrate finishing that chair.
It'll make sitting on the porch a real pleasure for her.
Maybe after a while she'll be able to forget it was Grandpa's.
Why should she forget? She's sleeping in their room, in their bed.
They were so close.
And going in that room, night after night, alone.
It's hard enough for me with Curt just away in the Army.
She doesn't go in that room alone.
Not that room.
What do you think, short stop or first base? A catcher.
He takes in anything I throw at him.
Do you smell something? I'll bet Elizabeth's bought some of that cheap perfume, again.
What's the matter with everybody? What's going on up there? I don't know, but it's not me.
If I went to class smelling like that, they'd kick me out of school.
I'm going to the library.
I'm going to the library, Grandma.
The library.
Must be some librarian.
Well, hello there.
Has the mail come, Mr.
Godsey? Yeah, Corabeth is in there sorting it now.
Okay, I won't be long.
Well, she sure is pretty, isn't she? Just about three gallons, Ike.
We're just going to Rockfish.
Boy, somebody sure has got something powerful smelling on.
Well, that's some of John-Boy's old aftershave lotion.
Can you tell I put some on? Oh, no.
No.
Are you enjoying staying with your aunts? Oh, very much.
Only they're cousins.
Miss Mamie and Miss Emily are my mother's first cousins.
No, I'm not finding a thing for Baldwin.
Oh, but my name's Conover.
My mother was a Baldwin.
Mary Frances Conover, what a lovely name.
Oh.
It appears to have been sent from a convent.
Yes, where I go to school.
I was expecting this.
Thank you so much.
You have a pleasant ride to Rockfish.
They sure do make a nice couple, don't they? They? Yeah, Mary Frances and Jim-Bob.
You mean Jim-Bob is going out with that Catholic girl? Well, whatever she is, he sure is crazy about her.
You got some bad news? Disappointing news.
I was so sure I would have an answer.
I'm sorry, Jim-Bob.
I shouldn't show my feelings so much.
Well, I don't see anything wrong with that.
It's bad discipline.
I have so much to learn.
Well, we're going to the library.
To learn about kites.
Maybe there's something else you'd rather do? No, we planned to do this, it's important we stick to it.
It's no good drifting all the time.
Drifting is one of the best things I do.
Grandpa said I had a real knack for it.
It's going to be high adventure, I feel it through me.
Do you, Sister Theresa? When Mother Superior sends me on an errand to Richmond, it's my duty to comply.
Well, you are happy to be going, aren't you? Oh, yes.
Is there any way you can let your face show that? Oh, that's so much better.
We'll work on smiles while we're away.
Is it a very long way from Stanton to Richmond, Sister? Well, it depends on which route you take.
And I know lots of interesting side roads.
And they tell me that the country around Walton's Mountain is very beautiful.
Get out the way, Old Dan Tucker You're too late to get your supper Get out the way, Old Dan Tucker You're too late to get your supper Now Old Dan Tucker come to town Swinging them ladies round and round First to the right and then to the left Then to the one that he loves best What's the matter with him? What's the matter with him? I've got a happy worker, and don't hurt his feelings.
Howdy, young lady.
Mama says it's quitting time.
She'd like to know if you'll take supper with us? We've got the best food in Jefferson County.
Well, you thank her kindly.
- What does that mean? - Not this time, but I'm obliged.
You tell your mama that.
We'll see you tomorrow morning.
Me and the sun.
Get out the way, Old Dan Tucker You're too late to get your supper Get out the way, Old Dan Tucker You're too late to get your supper Get out the way, Old Dan Tucker You're too late to get To get your supper Get out the way, Old Dan Tucker Mary Frances has simply flowered since her arrival, Olivia.
We had a lovely talk in the woods.
Sounds like she's enjoying her stay here with you.
- Will she be coming to church? - Well, no It seems to me there was something else she was planning.
Oh, you remember, Sister, she went off with Jim-Bob.
He's doing a nice job of drawing her out.
I was hoping she'd come to church.
I think we'd better go on inside, don't you? Olivia! I'll be right along.
- Good morning, Olivia.
- Good morning, Ike.
Go inside and save us a place.
Olivia, I feel that it is my Christian duty as a kinswoman - to give this information - Oh, Corabeth, I'd rather you didn't.
Jason's just finished the opening hymn.
But this will challenge the very roots of your faith.
I would give anything not to be the bearer of such bad tidings, but still and all Mary Frances Conover is a Catholic, and she's seeing a lot of Jim-Bob.
Oh, my.
Well, of course, if it has your sanction.
You've taken care of your Christian duty, why don't we go on inside and pray for understanding? Which way would you say, Sister? The signpost puts Richmond to the right.
A fork in the road is always a challenge, or at least it's meant to be, I believe.
Not if there's a signpost.
I have a preference for the least-traveled roads.
How do you feel about roads, Sister? I have only the feeling that the signpost puts Richmond to the right.
Well, then that means that Walton's Mountain must be to the left.
It's a pretty good wind up there.
You want to fly it? Oh, I'd love to, if you think I can hold on to it.
Oh, I'll be here.
You'll do all right.
Old Lawrence Hargrave surely invented himself something.
He did? Jim-Bob, all our research and you don't remember the Australian who invented the box kite? Well, I got other things on my mind, lately.
It's really going now.
Did your father ever build that house up on the Mountain? He started it lots of times.
All kinds of things keep him from finishing it.
You remember that clear since you were nine years old? It was such a lovely idea.
I guess it's good to have a dream you can make come true.
I've got mine.
I'm going to be a pilot.
You sound so sure of that.
Well, I am.
I've always wanted to fly.
Sometimes, it's hard to think about anything else, especially school.
But how can you really be sure? I mean, there are a lot of things you could grow up to be.
Well, I've thought about other jobs.
Racing motorcycles.
Driving in the Indianapolis 500.
Things like that.
Whenever I see a big old hawk gliding around up there in the sky, I always come back to wanting to be like him.
Wanting to fly.
You always come back to it.
Would you go flying with me? I might.
If you didn't do a lot of stunts and daredevil things.
That's half the fun.
Except, I'd be real careful with you.
Keep it straight and level.
You better eat some more of Miss Mamie's sandwiches or she'll think you didn't like them.
I'm not very hungry.
I haven't been very hungry, lately.
I don't sleep much, either.
People get sick if they don't eat and sleep.
I'm sure I've never felt this way before.
I think about you all the time.
I mean, all the time.
First thing in the morning, I want to come and see you.
Jim-Bob Being with you makes me feel all warm inside.
And when I take you home and you close that door I like you, too, very much.
Mary Frances, I liked this girl named Patsy Brimmer.
She was nice and I liked her, but this just isn't the same at all.
I never heard you say so much.
Nobody ever did.
Now, please understand me, I have the warmest personal regard for Miss Mamie and Miss Emily.
But why would they keep the truth of her Catholicism a secret? Corabeth, would you mind giving me a hand, please? You know, the Baldwin ladies are wide-open books, Corabeth.
They're very inclined to tell me, or anybody else, anything.
Except about this.
Don't you see? No, Corabeth, I don't see.
Thank you, Hank.
Well, mine will not be the first voice to cry in the wilderness.
My great aunt Agatha, who traveled extensively, always said that Catholics needed just the tiniest foothold to take over.
Well, that Mary Frances found the right place.
I tell you, Walton's Mountain is in danger.
Is that true, Reverend? Elizabeth, I think we'll be able to hold our own against this Mary Frances Conover.
Oh, Reverend.
She is but the first step.
I am surprised at your complacency at this threat to our very way of life.
Corabeth, with you defending our way of life, I think we're pretty secure.
Well, I try and do my duty.
Forewarned is forearmed.
I don't understand this.
Poor child, Jim-Bob is just being led around by the nose by that papist.
I thought they just had dates.
I sought Olivia to tell her, but she already knew.
Well, you know, I think having a Catholic around is pretty good.
A little bit of competition never hurt anybody, including Baptists.
Reverend, I hope that you will remember that when they and their alien and mystical ways become part and parcel of Walton's Mountain.
Could someone direct us to the Baldwin house? I thought surely I'd find my answer while I was here.
It would be an agreeable place for an answer.
But if it hasn't come But you have.
I take that as a sign.
A very definite sign.
That I have a preference and curiosity about least-traveled roads, and the desire to see that tiny speck on the map, Walton's Mountain.
Yes, but you wrote that you couldn't come.
Well, the trip to Richmond came up quite suddenly.
I know you're here to help me with my decision.
No.
Just to stand with you awhile.
We cannot stay.
I can't make it alone.
God wouldn't let you.
If it's his will that you become a nun, he will show you the way.
He will give you the answer.
"The answers come in God's time.
" Jim-Bob's mother told me that.
You'd like her, Sister.
I like her already.
Jim-Bob.
I believe I like him, too! Do you travel a great deal? No.
This is my first trip away in seven years.
Away from the convent? Sister Scholastica thought it'd be good for me.
Are you enjoying yourself? It is very different.
We're very glad you've come.
And we hope you can stay awhile.
Don't we, Sister? Oh, no.
I call her "Sister".
We are sisters.
Of course you are, too.
But as you say, it's very different.
They wear the most beautiful costumes! Turn, please.
Turn, please.
Corabeth says they're alien and mystical, and Mary Frances, too.
I doubt she meant that kindly.
I'm glad Reverend Buchanan was there to stand up for them.
She says, "Mary Frances leads Jim-Bob around by the nose.
" If you're going to take Corabeth's gossip to heart, I'm going to have to start keeping you away from there.
I just don't understand why she's so bothered by them.
Well, some folks don't like anybody to be different from them.
Catholics are people, same as we are.
Looks pretty good, huh? Well, I mean the hat.
Looked better on Beau.
You should see the hats the nuns wear.
Well, this is my hat and I bought it in Rockfish.
Where you taking your hat? Don't you worry, Mama, I'm taking it only to the best places.
You and Beau going out alone? Yeah, Daddy.
Sure is a great guy.
Works like a son of a gun, I'll say that for him.
And just sings that silly song and works his head off.
Well, good night.
Good night, Son.
Where's that Beau from? He never said.
He just kind of smiles a lot.
Mama? Do Baptists have nuns? No, honey.
Hmm.
It's too bad.
Because I just might like to be one.
That will make very uncomfortable sleeping, Sister.
I do not plan to sleep.
Well, I called the convent, they know our plans.
Everything is well with them.
Your plans, Sister.
I should not have fallen in with them.
I thought, when I mentioned high adventure, I saw a little twinkle in your eye.
I doubt that very much.
I belong at the convent.
I am comfortable there.
I do not belong in a Protestant house, Sister Scholastica.
It's the only house.
Why, if His Holiness came to visit Walton's Mountain, he would probably stay here.
His Holiness would have gone straight to Richmond.
Good night.
Good night.
Good night.
Whoa, steady there.
I think I better help you walk, you keep bumping into me.
Me? I suppose that's why Jason asked us to leave.
Well, he doesn't like me taking your beer.
A very serious man, Jason is.
- Yeah, yeah.
Wrong car.
You know, I never would've slipped you that beer if I'd known you were a minor.
I mean, Ben, I thought you were 30, 35, at least.
Beau, I think you had a little bit more than beer tonight.
Come on.
Hey, if I have, it's something I can handle.
To the boarding house, old buddy.
I think I need to put you in the mill tonight.
That way I can keep an eye on you.
You're the boss.
What did you say the name of this place is? Why, it's the Dew Drop Inn.
I've been kicked out of a lot of places.
I always like to remember their names.
Old Dan Tucker He got drunk He fell in the fire Ben! Ben! Daddy? Blazes going on around here? Well, I don't know.
Beau and I came in late last night, and we slept out here so we wouldn't wake you up.
To get sober, I'd bet.
Where is he? I don't know.
I was going to keep an eye on him.
- But I guess he already left.
- Did more than that.
There's money damage here, Son.
It's a mess.
It's going to throw you behind schedule.
You going to fire him? No, I'm not going to fire him.
You are.
That's the way it works.
You hired him.
- Yes, sir.
- Do it today.
I got to go to Scottsville, I'll be back tonight.
Get this place cleaned up.
Oh, this is a fine Cody.
The best I've ever seen.
Mary Frances and I built it ourselves.
Oh, then come, Mary Frances, you take it.
I'm always afraid I'll let go.
Oh, nonsense.
Jim-Bob won't let you do that.
That's a girl.
Yeah.
Jim-Bob, do you know Mount Weather, Virginia? No, I don't.
Well, around 1910, for some data collection, they strung a train of 10 kites together.
The highest one went four-and-a-half miles.
Really? That's hard to believe.
Not that you'd lie or anything.
Jim-Bob! Got it? Yeah.
Howdy there, Ben.
Beau, you made a terrible mess in here last night.
Hey, you sure know how to throw a party, Ben.
I haven't enjoyed myself so much in a blue moon.
Well, it cost us money.
I've wasted half a day cleaning up this mess.
And you ruined the lumber.
There's nails in that power saw! I'm sorry, Ben.
I promise it will never happen again.
That's right, it won't happen again.
Because you're fired.
Well, that was a good one.
I sure am glad I know when you're kidding.
I'm not kidding.
I'm serious.
I don't want you working here anymore.
I thought you said we were buddies, you and me.
You're not going to kick out an old buddy, buddy? I checked in to where you were working before.
I should have done it sooner.
You poking around behind my back? They all said the same thing.
You started out working great, then you start drinking liquor on the job, then you slack off.
Well, I can't afford that, Beau.
You're crazy if you think I'm going to let some punk kid lay me off.
I was man enough when I hired you.
Yeah? Well, it's going to take your old man to fire me.
No, it's not.
I'm in charge here.
I want you out.
Now.
Where am I gonna go? What am I gonna do? Here's a week's pay.
Get yourself straightened out, okay? You sure there's no way? I'm sure.
Good luck.
Well, I'll be seeing you, old buddy.
Now, Old Dan Tucker came to town Swinging the ladies round and round First to the right, then to the left Then to the ones that he loves best Get out the way Once upon a time there was a young man named James Robert Walton.
He used to work on his car a lot.
Took care of Rover, teased his brothers.
Sometimes, I even managed to get a smile out of him.
I really liked him a lot.
Now, there's this stranger left behind, who mostly just stares off into space.
Don't you know why? I think I do.
Mama, nothing's ever felt like this before.
Sometimes it feels good, and then it hurts, and sometimes it feels really great till I get sort of sick.
It's known as being in love, Jim-Bob, and most of us manage to survive it somehow.
Mama, what would you say if I married a Catholic? I'd say you're both a little young.
Does that mean you don't like her? I like her very much.
I can't stop thinking about her.
You notice how pretty she is? I've noticed.
And there's a lot more than that.
A lot more.
I mean, if she feels the same way I do, maybe she'll wait for me until I get a job and I can take care of her.
That's how a good man feels when he loves someone.
That's the easy part.
The hard part is, she's Catholic? Yes, ma'am.
Why don't you two just go on getting to know each other and maybe the rest will take care of itself.
I wish I could make her understand how I feel.
I've tried to.
I just can't talk right.
Say what I wanna say.
Have you tried writing it in a letter? It's what your daddy used to do when he wanted to talk to me.
I don't know if I could do that.
I guess it wouldn't hurt to try.
That looks like a difficult letter you're trying to write.
I have to tell Jim-Bob what I've decided.
Then you've reached a decision? The one I think you want me to make.
Believe me, Mary Frances, I do not pray that your life duplicates mine.
After all, it's your life.
I thought you wanted me to become a nun.
Only if it's right for you.
My life fulfills me, but it might not fulfill you.
You must make your own decision.
With God's help.
Yes, I know.
It's all so difficult, though.
Important things usually are.
And telling Jim-Bob your decision, whatever it turns out to be, is important, too.
Much too important to just write him a letter.
Don't want to butt in, Son, but I don't like seeing you suffer like this.
I just don't know how to handle how I've been feeling lately.
Mmm.
I know what you mean.
I had the same problem when I first met your mama.
Walked around with a stomach ache for two months.
Yeah? Of course, at the same time, I felt like I was walking on a cloud.
Yeah? We had a problem because her folks didn't like me very much.
I wasn't sure she did.
She wasn't Catholic, though.
No, but her family thought I was some kind of heathen.
Were you? No angel.
But it all began to change, though, when I was able to tell her how I felt about her.
That's what I'm trying to do, write it in a letter to Mary Frances.
I can't find the words, though.
Only takes three.
Thanks, Daddy.
Hurry up.
You're late.
I came to say goodbye.
I'm returning to the convent.
Will you be back? I won't be seeing you again.
I thought you liked it here.
I thought we liked each other.
Remember what you said about flying? You always come back to it? That's just how it is with me.
You helped me understand that.
I have a calling.
I wish I hadn't.
Jim-Bob, I love you, but there are a lot of ways you can love.
You have to choose the way that's the most important to you.
I found my way.
Those nuns making you go back? No.
I wanted to tell you how I feel.
I guess you don't want it now.
Maybe if she loved somebody else, I could get that through my head.
She does love someone else, you see.
I know.
She loves God.
Why can't she love him here? She must undergo a time of testing before she becomes a nun.
When that time comes, it will be a kind of marriage for her.
She will take vows to a commitment to service and love that will last her lifetime and beyond.
I don't think I'll ever understand.
Maybe some day.
I pray you will.
The pain of that time stayed with Jim-Bob longer than any of us would have liked.
But, as it is with any lost love, a healing of the heart takes place and life becomes a thing of wonder again.
- Ben? - Yes, Elizabeth? What did you do with that hat, like Beau had? I threw it away.
I wish I had it.
I thought you wanted one like Sister Scholastica's.
That wasn't a hat, that was a habit.
Yeah, that's what Beau had.
A bad one.
Good night, Ben.
Good night, Elizabeth.
English - SDH