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00:00Music
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00:59When I was growing up on Walton's Mountain, in those years of the Great Depression, for
01:19me and my brothers and sisters, it was a time of making do with the little there was. A
01:26time of stretching a nickel till it bought a dime's worth. Often, a time of doing without.
01:33In such times, keeping children in school was just too much of a strain for many families.
01:39But for my father, educating his children had almost the same importance as feeding
01:43and clothing us. I remember one day when the regular routine of our school life was threatened.
01:49John boy, I've just had some news from home and my sister in Norfolk, there's been an accident.
02:00I'm sorry. I've got to try to get in touch with my brother-in-law by telephone and I'd
02:06appreciate it if you could take charge of the classroom. Well, I'll try to. Just try to keep
02:12the students quiet. You can let them do their homework or you can read to them. Here's a
02:20copy of Tom Sawyer. Okay. I just had a long letter from her only yesterday. Thank you. Thank you, John.
02:43Miss Hunter's idea. You don't think I'd be up here if it was up to me, do you? You're gonna teach the class.
02:49Why don't we just have recess until Miss Hunter gets back? Didn't you hear it, John boy? Recess is over. Thank you, Ben. Sit down. Come on. Thank you, Ben.
03:01Maybe we just ought to do our homework. Quiet. Let's just do homework. Come on now. I don't like this either. John boy, where'd Miss Hunter go?
03:22Well, there was an emergency in her family. Look, from now on, if you want to ask a question, why don't you just raise your hand, all right?
03:29But John boy, I'm your sister. I know that. I'm just trying to be the teacher is all. Come on. Lucilla, where are you going? Shopping my pencil. All right.
03:45Hey, come on. That's no fair. Look, just sit down. I'll read to you. Tom Sawyer. All right. Sit down.
04:05Chapter twenty nine. The picnic. Huck on Injun Joe's track. The revenge job. Aid for the widow. The first thing that Tom heard on Friday morning was a glad piece of news.
04:20Judge Thatcher's family had come back to town the night before. Both Injun Joe and the treasure sank into secondary importance for a moment.
04:29I sure wish I could have seen you teach in school, John boy. It was just the same as at home. Bossy. It was like being big brother to 20 instead of six. I don't know how Miss Hunter does it.
04:39It's her training and experience. She's had plenty of both. And that is why she is so good. Oh, man, you know everything about it. That's why I'm so good after spending 50 odd years of married life with you.
04:51Not 50. It seems more like. What did you teach him, John boy? I didn't try to teach him anything. Miss Hunter just told me to keep him quiet. I read to him. Tom Sawyer.
05:03He stopped at the most exciting part where Tom and Becky are lost in the cave. Well, I guess you're just going to have to learn how to read in order to find out what happens next.
05:13Will Miss Hunter be back? I don't know. Elizabeth, what are you doing? John boy said whenever I want to ask him a question, I have to raise my hand. Well, school's out. What is it you want?
05:25Yeah, I just go to the bathroom. Yes, you may. Well, I understand that Miss Hunter's sister had a bad car accident in Norfolk.
05:39She's going to pull through. All right. But she's going to need nursing for a spell. Machines will be the death of us all.
05:45Oh, people had accidents long before they had motor cars. Oh, man. Will there ever come a time when I say something and you don't contradict me?
05:53Don't abandon hope. Miss Hunter feels she has to go to Norfolk to take care of her sister.
06:00It's not just Miss Hunter's sister. It's she's got four nieces and nephews and the oldest is nine. Miss Hunter is the closest kin they have.
06:08Who's going to take care of her class? John boy, looks like you got a full time job.
06:12No, I just filled in this afternoon. I'm going to a special school board meeting tonight.
06:18Won't be easy to find a substitute teacher midterm. Can't pay much. We're going to have to keep Miss Hunter on salary if we can.
06:25Well, we can go on vacation until Miss Hunter gets back if we have to. Ben, I think we can come up with a better answer than that.
06:35John boy. You ought to be asleep. I'm scared. Scared? You got nothing to be scared of.
06:44I'm scared for Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher. I keep thinking of them lost in that cave. Will they get out?
06:53Well, I shouldn't tell you this, but yes, they do get out.
06:58I won't tell anyone else. Okay. Good night, honey.
07:03Night.
07:15Vivi, I didn't expect you to be up. That must have been some meeting. It sure was.
07:21At one point we were ready to give up. Take Ben's suggestion, give the kids a vacation.
07:26No substitute teachers around here? Not one in the county. Not for the money we can pay.
07:31Well, what are we going to do? We were just about to give up.
07:36And then Mrs. Richardson thought of this woman she heard about in New York from the school board, daughter of some famous professor.
07:44We took a chance, made a long distance call and Mrs. Richardson explained the situation to her and we got ourselves a substitute teacher.
07:50From New York City? A Miss Pollard. Coming in bus day after tomorrow.
07:54Miss Pollard? Megan Pollard. Pretty name. Smart as a whip.
07:59Mrs. Richardson says she graduated from college with all kinds of honors.
08:03Well, how come she's not teaching? She's been doing some kind of research work.
08:07She's young and inexperienced, but I'm sure she'll be able to fill in well for Miss Hunter.
08:11I'm glad you're able to work it out.
08:14Well, there is one more thing.
08:17Since we pay so little, we decided we ought to offer a free room and board.
08:22John.
08:23Well, now, Vivi, we got more kids in school than anyone else.
08:26Seemed only fair. And John boy wouldn't mind sleeping out in the barn temporarily.
08:32That's what I was going to say.
08:39Hey, Ben. What's going on in here?
08:42Well, I'm going to build a kite, Grandpa.
08:43A kite?
08:45Well, there's going to be a kite flying contest. I want to win.
08:47Well, now that is an ambitious project. Do you know anything about building a kite?
08:52Well, I got sort of an idea.
08:56Well, now, that's great.
08:58You know, I used to build kites that would put Benjamin Franklin to shame.
09:02Once, when I was no more in your age, I built me a kite that was so strong it broke its strings and just went winging away.
09:09That's too bad, Grandpa.
09:10They found her a week or so later, clean over in the Shenandoah Valley.
09:14Well, this contest is for the kids in our Sunday school class.
09:17Tell you what, Ben. I will help build you a kite that will be the finest kite that man has ever made.
09:24How about it, huh?
09:26What do you say?
09:28Okay, Grandpa.
09:29All right, Ben. Now, let's get to work.
09:32Where's your paper?
09:37Hey, Grandma.
09:40Some mail come for you.
09:42Big or small?
09:43Big.
09:46Where?
09:54Here.
10:05We regret to inform you that the material you so kindly submitted for our consideration fails to meet our needs at the present time.
10:11Now, that's the best story I've ever written, and I want them to tell me what's wrong with it.
10:14Well, they didn't say anything was wrong with it. They just said it wasn't what they needed.
10:18Grandma, they never tell you what's wrong with it. All they say...
10:20Look! Silk is beautiful, but nobody could sell me silk if I was shopping for gingham.
10:26Grandma, this is a rejection slip. You know how many of these things I've gotten? I could paper the walls with them.
10:31Good. It'll help against the cold when winter comes.
10:40John boy, your father had to help out at the younger place, so he wants you to go to the bus stop and pick up Miss Pollard.
10:46John boy, it's getting late.
10:47Yes, ma'am. Yes, ma'am. Pick up Miss Pollard at the bus stop.
10:51I guess I'll know her when I see her.
10:53She's probably the only passenger getting off the bus. It shouldn't be too difficult.
10:57Try to work up a smile.
10:58I am smiling.
10:59Well, then you better tell your face. First thing she sees that glum look, she'll get right back on that bus and head north.
11:05What's the matter with him?
11:06Got rejected again.
11:08Oh, big envelope.
11:21Excuse me, by any chance, would you be Miss Pollard?
11:24Not only would be, I am, but not by chance. By design.
11:39I'm John boy Walsh.
11:41I'm John boy Walsh.
11:43I'm John boy Walsh.
11:45I'm John boy Walsh.
11:47I'm John boy Walsh.
11:48I'm John boy Walsh.
11:50I'm sorry I'm late. I guess our clock at home must be slow.
11:53The bus was early.
11:54Oh, well, I'll just put your things in the back of the truck.
11:57That's heavy.
11:58That's my library.
12:04I'll get it.
12:12I'm sorry.
12:13I believe you. You don't have to keep saying it.
12:15No, you're sitting on the...
12:17Excuse me.
12:18Do I see a rejection slip?
12:20Yeah, it's a hobby of mine. I collect them.
12:23Do you know why this was rejected?
12:25Well, the slip says that I didn't have what they wanted.
12:27That's editorial jabberwocky. What do you think?
12:31Well, to tell you the truth, I don't know. I like it. I think it's good.
12:34Well, if you like, I'll read it and try and tell you why it missed.
12:39Well, have you ever done editorial work?
12:41Yes, ever since college, I've been devoting my time to editorial work.
12:44Really? You mean short stories and novels and such?
12:48No. My father was an educator of some renown.
12:51We were preparing a collection of his works when he...
12:54When he died.
12:56I'm sorry. Do you think maybe we could get...
12:58Shouldn't we be getting on?
13:01Certainly. Of course.
13:15I certainly appreciate this opportunity, Mr. Walton.
13:18Well, we feel real lucky having you.
13:21I was looking for a teaching position that would be a challenge.
13:24You got one.
13:26Come on, I'll show you to your room.
13:31I already took your luggage out.
13:39I'm sorry.
13:41It's all right.
13:43He doesn't look like a teacher.
13:45Well, what's a teacher supposed to look like, Miss Hunter?
13:48Well, I can't make up my mind whether she's older trying to look young,
13:52or young trying to look older.
13:54She's young.
13:55That's no crime.
13:57She's already got her master's, whatever that is.
13:59She seems stuck up to me.
14:01I think she's shy.
14:02I don't think she even likes us.
14:03Whoa, whoa. Now, you're jumping to conclusions so fast, you'll be out of breath.
14:07She's helping us out in an emergency.
14:08She's new to us, we're new to her.
14:10Give it to her.
14:12She reminds me of my first grade teacher.
14:15Everything reminds you of something.
14:17I excite my memory, old woman.
14:19That's what keeps it so healthy.
14:21Your memory and your mouth.
14:23All the better.
14:28I hope you'll be comfortable here.
14:30Looks just fine.
14:32It's a little noisy sometimes.
14:34Is that your father?
14:35My late father.
14:37He was an educator.
14:40And the rest of your family?
14:42I'm alone.
14:44It makes for an uncluttered life.
14:46He travels light, who travels alone.
14:48You know that, eh?
14:52We usually sit down to supper about six.
14:55If it wouldn't be too much bother, I'd prefer to have something simple here.
14:59Of course, you must be tired after your long bus ride.
15:02I don't want to intrude on your family.
15:03You wouldn't be intruding.
15:05And I'm a light eater.
15:09I'll have a tray sent up.
15:13And please, make yourself at home.
16:03Carla?
16:05Yes, I'm Ethel Richardson, member of the school board.
16:08Miss Hunter asked me to stop in here on your first morning and make you welcome.
16:14She also said to tell you her grade books and assignment sheets were in the top desk drawer.
16:17Thank you, I found them.
16:20I understand your father was a very famous professor.
16:23He was a pioneer in the field of education.
16:26Miss Hunter went on and on about him.
16:29She called him the teacher's teacher.
16:30And here you are, carrying on the family tradition.
16:34I'm trying.
16:36Oh, I know it isn't easy coming into a strange school and taking over for somebody else.
16:42But a little school like ours is easy going.
16:46Friendly.
16:51Well, if there's anything at all I can do to help.
16:57It's very nice having you with us.
17:09Come on Elizabeth, we'll be late.
17:11I'm coming.
17:25What do you want with those weeds?
17:27They're not weeds, they're wildflowers.
17:28I'm going to give them to our new teacher.
17:44Take your seats please.
17:55Good morning class, I'm Miss Pollack.
17:59Class?
18:09I'm to be your teacher while Miss Hunter's away.
18:12It isn't easy to change teachers in the middle of a term.
18:15But if we all do our jobs every day, we should manage very well.
18:18Class?
18:23You're late.
18:25I'm sorry.
18:26I'm sorry.
18:28Tardiness is something I can't tolerate.
18:30It shows a self-centered lack of consideration for your fellow students and for your teacher.
18:36Please take your seat.
18:38Well, ma'am, the reason we're late is...
18:40We can always find excuses.
18:42But they're usually just a further waste of time.
18:44Sit down please.
18:46Miss Pollard, if maybe you'd let Elizabeth show you why they're late...
18:49I've dealt with that matter.
18:51Take your seat Elizabeth.
18:57Now, when we were interrupted, I was introducing myself to you.
19:00I think it's very important if we're going to work together that we get to know each other.
19:04I hope you agree.
19:06Erin?
19:08Once when a new boy came to our school, Miss Hunter, at each one of us,
19:12introduced the person behind us to him.
19:14Well, that's Miss Hunter's way and I'm sure it worked very well for her.
19:18But I have to know each of you in depth, so I have some special tests.
19:22Class.
19:24Now, time is very important in these tests, so we'll have to get started immediately.
19:28Erin and John Walton, will you pass these out for me, please?
19:31Go help her, John.
19:32Now, time is very important in these tests, so we'll have to get started immediately.
19:35Erin and John Walton, will you pass these out for me, please?
19:38Go help her, John.
20:02Class, please try to be more quiet and concentrate on the test.
20:05Excuse me, Miss Pollard, you see, this is when we usually have our morning recess.
20:09I know the schedule, but time is essential in my evaluation of these tests.
20:13They'll be at the recesses.
20:15In the science section, I don't understand what's wanted.
20:17Part of the point of this test is for me to gauge your comprehension level,
20:20so if there's a question you don't understand, just skip it and go on to the next one.
20:23Excuse me, maybe I can help you with...
20:25Just do your homework.
20:33I think my hand is swollen.
20:35After all those tests, it should be.
20:37Jesus, there'll be more tomorrow.
20:39I think two false and multiple choice tests are so unfair.
20:42The new teacher is A, colder than an icicle.
20:44B, talks like a dictionary.
20:46C, acts like a smile would crack her face.
20:48D, all of these.
20:50D? Probably all she knows how to do is give tests.
20:53I sure wish Miss Hunter'd come back.
20:55I don't know what I'm saying that for. We're not being very fair to Miss Pollard.
20:58You think she's being fair to us?
21:03All right, we're just starting for home.
21:06I don't want to hold you back. I'd like to set my own pace.
21:09All right, we'll see you later.
21:11Bye-bye. See you later.
21:15One, cut, three.
21:22Ready, march. Up, two, three, four.
21:28Hold on!
21:32Come on!
21:46Come on, Amber.
21:49Come on, Amber!
22:03This way. Watch out for the enemy.
22:07Who's got the gun?
22:09I've got it.
22:16Watch it.
22:20It's going.
22:23One, cut, three.
22:29Ready, march.
22:32Up, two.
22:53Look at me, Father, look at me.
22:56See me, see me.
23:03I have a feeling we're wasting our time.
23:06Just keep it real plain.
23:08Hello?
23:10Hello.
23:14How'd it go?
23:16Quite well.
23:18Good. First day on any new job's usually the hardest.
23:21Will you have some tea with us?
23:23Well, thank you, but I have some tests to score.
23:27Oh, about dinner.
23:29Ah, we're having a treat tonight.
23:30Grandma's making some of her special pork chop gravy.
23:33Oh, well, if you don't mind,
23:35I'd prefer to have a sandwich and a glass of milk in my room.
23:39All right.
23:46You can't complain she's underfoot.
23:52What you doing?
23:54Will you hold this while I put the paste on?
23:56Sure, what is it?
23:58A kite.
24:00Oh, let's see.
24:02Oh, this is a pretty funny-looking kite, Ben.
24:05Well, Grandpa said it's the best.
24:07Oh, I doubt you'll ever get this off the ground.
24:09Well, I had an idea of what I wanted to do,
24:11but Grandpa wanted me to do it his way.
24:13Hey, listen, you want a kite that'll really outclass everybody's?
24:15Yeah.
24:17Well, I'll show you how to build it, all right?
24:19Get some brown paper, I'll look up some wood,
24:21then I'll show you how to make a kite that could go to the moon.
24:23But Jason, I know what I'm doing.
24:25Get the paper.
24:27Yes?
24:29I hope I'm not interrupting your work.
24:31Oh, no, I could use a break.
24:38Is something wrong?
24:40Oh, no, I'm sorry.
24:42It's just that you look so much different
24:44with your hair like that.
24:46Hmm.
24:48I was wondering if you've had a chance to read my story.
24:51Yes, I've read it.
24:53Well?
24:55I've read it.
24:56Well?
25:00Your writing is completely undisciplined.
25:03I don't think I know what you mean.
25:07Literature, uh,
25:09doesn't come from a jumble of raw emotions.
25:12Good writing has to be detached and objective.
25:15One has to feel that the author is in control.
25:19Well, you see, this story comes from something
25:21that really actually did happen between my father and me,
25:23and I thought maybe I could share
25:25the feelings I had in the story.
25:27There's a trap there.
25:29When you're writing about such an intense
25:31personal relationship,
25:33you have to be all the more objective.
25:35It's so easy to fall into mawkishness
25:37or sentimentality.
25:39That's what you think I did.
25:41You want my honest reaction?
25:44Sure.
25:46I was embarrassed.
25:48If you must put down your feelings,
25:50use the diary,
25:51but if you're writing for publication,
25:53you have to work for balance.
25:55Style.
26:03Do you know the essays
26:05of Ralph Waldo Emerson?
26:07Some what?
26:09Study his essay on intellect.
26:11Paragraph by paragraph, word by word.
26:13Ask yourself why Emerson used
26:15one phrase instead of another.
26:17Analyze his rhythms,
26:19diagram his sentences,
26:21when you think you thoroughly
26:23understand the techniques he used,
26:25try and write an essay just like his.
26:27Well, I don't know if I can do that.
26:30You asked for help.
26:33True.
26:36Well, I do thank you.
26:43Marianne Walton.
26:45Here.
26:46Addie Wilson.
26:47Absent.
26:48Lucilla Younger.
26:49Here.
26:51You have absentees today.
26:53To save time in the future,
26:55I've made an alphabetical seating chart.
26:57We don't need too many changes.
26:59So at recess,
27:01Martha Bronson,
27:03trade with George Talbot,
27:05Arthur Hapgood with Jane Porter,
27:07and Betty Andrews,
27:09trade with Lucilla Younger.
27:11Miss Pollard.
27:13Yes, Lucilla?
27:15Miss Pollard,
27:17may I please keep that desk?
27:19Lucilla, I've explained
27:21everything to you.
27:23Yeah, but Miss Hunter said...
27:25Lucilla, Miss Hunter isn't teaching this class,
27:27now I am.
27:29So during recess,
27:31you'll change her seat.
27:36Yes, John?
27:38Excuse me, ma'am.
27:40You see, the reason that Lucilla's supposed to be...
27:42I'm not interested.
27:44I have my own reasons
27:46for asking her to change her seat.
27:48Well, I don't think you understand.
27:49Sorry.
27:54And before we start work,
27:56Ben Walton, will you come up here, please?
27:59Mrs. Pollard?
28:01On the basis of your tests,
28:03I don't think you're quite ready
28:05for sixth grade work.
28:07Your science test was particularly bad.
28:09Well, you see, I'm never good on written tests
28:11when I could just talk.
28:13But we have to rely on written tests.
28:15And under the circumstances,
28:17I don't think it would be fair
28:19for me to have to be in fifth grade all over again.
28:21I'm afraid so.
28:23You can change your test during recess.
28:36Now, first grade,
28:38get out your penmanship books
28:40and work on letter Q.
28:42Second grade,
28:44turn to the story on page 32 of your reader.
28:50You can see for yourself
28:52where Ben's test scores lie
28:54in relationship to the other sixth graders.
28:58Well, I know written tests are important,
29:00but surely class participation counts, too.
29:03Well, my father pioneered
29:05these testing procedures,
29:07and I worked very closely with him
29:09in their development.
29:11And I know that these aptitude profiles
29:13are remarkably accurate.
29:15And under the circumstances,
29:17I don't think it would be fair
29:19for me to have to be in fifth grade all over again.
29:21Well, what we don't understand
29:23is how Ben seemed to be doing so well.
29:25On his last report card,
29:27he got mostly Bs.
29:29Well, Miss Hunter has her methods.
29:31I have mine.
29:33Understand we're not trying to tell you
29:35how to teach school.
29:37It's just we want what's best for Ben.
29:39I do understand that.
29:41But in the classroom,
29:43that decision has to be mine.
29:45Well, could you give him
29:47an oral examination
29:49so he can do very well
29:51when he applies himself?
29:53Will you excuse me, please?
30:01Who's there?
30:03It's me, Elizabeth.
30:05I'm playing I'm a grown-up.
30:07That can be fun sometimes.
30:09It'll make Daddy laugh.
30:11He'll pretend he doesn't recognize me.
30:20Now, what was the name of the queen
30:22who helped Columbus?
30:24Lucilla?
30:27Lucilla?
30:29Oh, I'm sorry.
30:31I didn't hear the question.
30:33You didn't hear the question
30:35because you weren't paying attention.
30:37I'm not interested in excuses.
30:39You'll stay after school
30:41and write a hundred-word theme
30:43on the importance of paying attention in class.
30:45Now, who knows the answer to my question?
30:47Ben?
30:50John Walton.
30:56Class!
30:58We'll go on with our history lesson.
31:01Now, who can name Columbus's ships?
31:11Well, now, what have we got here?
31:14I thought you'd be working on your kite.
31:16I'm not even going to bother with it.
31:17I'll just mess it up anyway.
31:19Ben, that doesn't sound like you.
31:21Not if I can do anything right.
31:26You built this kite, didn't you?
31:28Yeah, but Jason showed me how to do it.
31:30I had an idea of my own,
31:32but...
31:34Daddy?
31:36Do you think I'm dumb?
31:39Now, listen, son.
31:41I know you've been feeling kind of low lately
31:43and I don't blame you, but
31:45I don't allow dumb people in this family
31:47to mess with me, understand?
31:49Yes, sir.
31:51Now, listen here.
31:53Why don't you just build a kite you've got in mind?
31:55Your own way.
31:57And don't take no advice from anybody.
31:59Understand?
32:01Thank you, Daddy.
32:18How's it going?
32:21Fine.
32:30There's evidence to the contrary.
32:33Well, I'll work it out.
32:36You know, I might be able to help you
32:38if you can get over being angry at me.
32:40You're surrendering to your emotions again.
32:44Like running out of class.
32:45Like running out of class without an explanation.
32:49Well, I had a reason.
32:51Would you care to tell me what it is?
32:53No.
33:00There's a theory
33:02that we can only understand human relationships
33:05when we view them objectively.
33:07Now, my father's theory...
33:09Miss Pollard!
33:12Lucilla Younger is not a theory.
33:13She's a little girl who's hard of hearing.
33:15And that's why Miss Hunter
33:17always lets her sit up at the front of the class.
33:25She's deaf.
33:28No, she's not deaf.
33:30She just doesn't hear very well.
33:39Why didn't she tell me?
33:44She tried to.
33:46So did I.
33:52I see.
34:08Oh, good morning.
34:10I just heard about the meeting
34:11and I was wondering if you'd like to talk over
34:13the problems with me beforehand.
34:15What meeting?
34:17Well, the special meeting of the school board.
34:19I just assumed you'd be invited because...
34:21Since I'm the reason the meeting's being called.
34:24Oh, I'm so sorry.
34:27I know everything's going to work out just fine.
34:41Good morning.
35:00Miss Pollard, you back from school yet?
35:02Not yet.
35:04What happened at the meeting?
35:06Oh, what a mess.
35:08Parents are all real upset.
35:09One half of the children are refusing to go to school
35:11and the other half are threatening to quit.
35:15Little Lucilla's younger.
35:17She's taken to her bed.
35:19Was she set back like Ben?
35:21Not the same way.
35:23What's going to happen?
35:25I don't know.
35:27All the parents are saying it was a mistake
35:29to bring Miss Pollard here in the first place.
35:31They want me to talk to her.
35:33They want me to bring about some changes.
35:35Mr. Walton, may I speak to you for a minute?
35:40Sure.
35:49I was hoping to have a talk with you too, Miss Pollard.
35:52I'm submitting my resignation.
35:55What do you mean you're submitting your resignation?
35:57Effective at once.
35:59I admit we have a problem here,
36:01but nothing we can't talk out.
36:03I don't think we'd do any good to talk about it.
36:05My resignation settles everything.
36:07No, it doesn't.
36:09It doesn't settle anything, Miss Pollard.
36:11We need a teacher here.
36:13We need you.
36:15Half the class doesn't need me.
36:17Lucilla Younger doesn't need me.
36:19Your own children don't need me.
36:21I have tried to do my best.
36:23It just wasn't good enough.
36:25A lady with your education has a lot to give us here.
36:30Maybe it's a question of you learning how to give it.
36:34Mr. Walton, I didn't want this discussion,
36:36but since you started it, let's speak plainly.
36:39Now, I have sometimes been able
36:41to force people to respect me.
36:43I can sometimes make them a little afraid of me,
36:45but I can't make them like me.
36:47You can give them a chance.
36:49Mr. Walton, if I can't be a teacher
36:51without winning a popularity contest,
36:53I can't teach.
36:55No one is asking you to win a...
36:57I'll leave in the morning.
37:10Yes?
37:12It's John, boy.
37:22I just came to say thank you.
37:24For what?
37:26Oh, lots of things.
37:28For reading my story, trying to help me out,
37:30and for lending me this book.
37:32I see it belonged to your father.
37:34I don't know what it is,
37:36but I think it's important.
37:37Well, look.
37:39I see it belonged to your father.
37:41Yes, he was always courting Emerson
37:43and Roskin and Montaigne.
37:45I'm glad to know that I was able
37:47to be of some help to somebody.
37:49I think you taught me something very important.
37:51Emerson and I.
37:53You see, for me,
37:55the feelings have to be there first
37:57or I just can't write.
38:01But the whole point of my criticism
38:03was to guide you away
38:05from that reliance on feelings.
38:07To do what you told me to do.
38:09Concentrate on words and rhythms
38:11and figures of speech
38:13and never mind whether there was anything
38:15I really had to say,
38:17but for me that just doesn't work.
38:19I hardly think you've given it a fair try.
38:21No.
38:23I read my story over again
38:25and I admit there's things wrong with it.
38:27It's clumsy and awkward in places,
38:29but I think it says something true
38:31about the feelings between me and my family
38:33and I know now that that's what
38:35I want my writing to do.
38:37And it won't.
38:39Some people are going to like it
38:41and some people are just going to be
38:43uncomfortable and embarrassed by it.
38:47Like me.
38:52First you thank me for helping you
38:54and then you tell me that everything
38:56I said and did was wrong.
38:58I just think maybe you helped me
39:00in a way that you didn't intend.
39:03It doesn't really matter.
39:07Well, anyway, I did read all these essays
39:09and I confess that the one I like the best
39:11is the one on self-reliance.
39:13This may be a good time for me
39:15to reread that one.
39:17Well, I just like that one
39:19because that's where he says
39:21you have to trust your emotions.
39:38Thank you, Lord,
39:40for keeping this family in good health
39:42and for giving us the strength
39:44to handle the burdens of each day
39:46and for the blessing
39:48of this bountiful food.
39:50Amen.
39:51Amen.
39:52Amen.
39:53Amen.
39:54Amen.
39:55Amen.
39:56Amen.
39:57Amen.
39:58Amen.
39:59Amen.
40:00Amen.
40:01Amen.
40:02Amen.
40:03Amen.
40:04Amen.
40:05Amen.
40:06Amen.
40:11It's quiet tonight.
40:13Is Miss Pollard really leaving?
40:15She is, honey. Tomorrow morning.
40:17Who'll be her teacher now?
40:19Don't look at me.
40:21She shouldn't go.
40:23Can't you talk to her, Daddy?
40:25I tried to.
40:27She just won't listen to reason.
40:29Reason has nothing to do
40:31with what's happening to her.
40:33She's up in her room crying.
40:34I don't know if I heard her.
40:50Miss Pollard?
40:53Miss Pollard?
40:56I'm resting.
40:58Miss Pollard, I'd like to talk to you.
41:02Megan, open this door at once.
41:04Why?
41:12I didn't want anyone to see me.
41:14Because you've been crying?
41:17So childish.
41:19Weak.
41:20We all feel childish and weak sometimes.
41:23But adults mustn't show it.
41:25Why not?
41:30Why not?
41:31Why not?
41:34Because intelligent people
41:36are strong and self-reliant.
41:38And never depend on anyone
41:40for support,
41:42comfort,
41:45love?
41:48Well, if you don't depend on anyone...
41:51You never get hurt.
41:54Megan, how old are you?
41:58I'm 24.
42:02And tonight I feel younger than Elizabeth.
42:06You've accomplished a great deal
42:08for someone so young.
42:11I worked very hard
42:13to get through the university.
42:17I always managed to get good marks.
42:20Your father must have been
42:22very proud of you.
42:26I think I did it all for him.
42:27I wanted to please him
42:29more than anything.
42:33And we never really talked.
42:40He couldn't
42:43communicate.
42:46He couldn't express emotion.
42:53I think I need it.
42:58I think of you just once.
43:08Megan,
43:10listen.
43:12I like you.
43:16We all like you.
43:20Well, we could if you'd risk letting us.
43:22When the Lord gave human beings
43:24two arms,
43:26it wasn't to keep other human beings
43:28at a safe distance.
43:36Trust your feelings, Megan.
43:39Try.
43:45Try.
43:47Try.
43:49Come on.
43:52Megan.
44:08Be.
44:16Come on.
44:25Well?
44:26Aaron, scooch down.
44:27Mary Ellen, get a plate
44:28and some silverware.
44:31Get a glass, too.
44:32Hurry up.
44:35Are you sure there's room?
44:36Make a little bit more room.
44:37Plenty of room.
44:38Come on down.
44:39Right over here.
44:40Right here.
44:41Pass your chicken over.
44:42Here we are.
44:43There you go.
44:44Got some fresh green onions
44:45right out of the garden.
44:58Good morning, class.
44:59Good morning.
45:10When you start in a race
45:12and you fall down the first step you take,
45:15what can you do about it?
45:17You can either lie there
45:18and feel sorry for yourself
45:21or crawl away and quit
45:24or jump up and start over again.
45:26What would you do?
45:28Ben?
45:29I'd start over.
45:32Well, that's what I want to do with you.
45:37But I need your help.
45:39We have to pretend
45:40that this is the first day.
45:43Can we do that?
45:46All right.
45:48That means, Lucila,
45:49you're in the front row.
45:51Ben, you're in sixth grade.
45:53Everyone trade back the way you were.
46:02Now.
46:05Let's get to know each other
46:06and I don't mean more tests.
46:09Who'd like to introduce someone?
46:12Elizabeth.
46:15Elizabeth.
46:21This is Miss Pollard.
46:22She's our teacher
46:23while Miss Hunter is away.
46:24She comes from New York.
46:26She doesn't smile as much as Miss Hunter,
46:28but maybe after she gets to know her, she will.
46:33Hurry up, everybody.
46:34All the kites are going to be up
46:35before we get there.
46:36Where's Ben?
46:37I expect he's gone
46:38to fetch a championship kite.
46:39I showed him how to do it.
46:41I gave him the special benefit
46:42of my know-how.
46:45Here, Grandpa.
46:46And there it is now.
46:48Say, what do you know?
46:49Isn't it a beauty?
46:52Where are you going, Ben?
46:53I'll be right back.
46:55What's he doing?
46:57He's got another kite.
47:02Here's your kite, Jason.
47:07Well, it looks like he's had the benefit
47:09of more than one expert advice.
47:11Yeah, he just didn't want to hurt
47:12anybody's feelings.
47:13Don't tell me there's more.
47:16I made this one all by myself.
47:19Well, what do you know?
47:21I'm telling you,
47:22the skill is in the blood.
47:26Well, what are we waiting for?
47:27Let's go.
47:40Ben's own personal kite
47:41won second prize that day
47:43The other three Waltons finished
47:44as they say, out of the money
47:46but nobody cared.
47:49In due time,
47:50Miss Hunter came back
47:51and although everybody
47:52was glad to see her,
47:54there were tears shared
47:55at the thought of losing Miss Pollard.
47:57We had learned to know
47:58and to love her
48:00and we were all the richer
48:01for the time she had spent with us.
48:14I still have that collection
48:15of Emerson's essays on my desk
48:18and whenever I open its pages,
48:20I'm carried back again
48:21to those depression years
48:22on Walton's Mountain
48:24and the sound of those voices
48:25of the past.
48:30Mama?
48:31Yes, Elizabeth?
48:32Do I have to wait to be 21
48:33before I'm grown up?
48:35Well, that depends.
48:37I mean,
48:38if you want to be 21,
48:39you'll have to wait
48:40until you're 21.
48:42That depends.
48:43Some girls grow up sooner
48:44and some later.
48:46Will you tell me
48:47when I'm a grown up?
48:48I won't have to tell you, honey.
48:50When it happens, you'll know.
48:52Night, Mama.
48:53Night, Elizabeth.
49:12music only
49:42music only