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00:30♪
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01:20Many times when I have tripped across those events
01:23in one's life called milestones,
01:25I have thought about how they so often catch us unawares.
01:30There was, for instance, that unforgettable spring
01:32many years ago when in the same week
01:35Grandma had to face growing old,
01:37Mary Ellen had to face the feelings of a woman.
01:41Everything's ready. Everything's been ready.
01:43They don't care if everything gets just tough as shoe leather.
01:46Let it burn.
01:48They'll come when they're good and ready.
01:52Dawes, boys, dinner is ready.
01:55Stop looking at me. Just watch those rolls.
01:58Dinner!
02:00Ha ha ha!
02:02Ah, got you.
02:04I'm not doing anything.
02:06We finished stacking the kidney, Grandma.
02:08You have anything else for us to do before dinner?
02:10Yes, we're having stew for dinner.
02:12And if you don't like it, you can do without.
02:14But Grandma, we never...
02:16I'm sick and tired of hearing your complaints.
02:18Now you just be glad you got what you got.
02:20Grandma, I don't think you understood what Ben meant.
02:22Charlie Sneed's out there shooting the breeze.
02:24He says the president's gonna talk on the radio tonight.
02:26Is that so?
02:28Uh-huh. I think he's gonna talk on the new deal.
02:30Now I'm right sorry about that.
02:32Huh?
02:34Of course that's onion peel.
02:36How do you think I'm gonna make stew without peeling onions?
02:38Grandma, Grandpa didn't say...
02:40Boys, can I speak to you a minute?
02:50Boys, I want you to stop laughing at your Grandma.
02:52She's having a little bit of trouble with her hearing lately.
02:54I'll see.
02:56Cut it out!
02:58Boys, I'm speaking to you.
03:00I was just trying to get him to be quiet and pay attention.
03:02Her hearing is getting worse and worse
03:04and she doesn't want to let on.
03:06Grandma's proud.
03:08That she is.
03:10She's bragged all her life about never being sick a day.
03:12But now she's getting old, she's getting deaf,
03:14and she doesn't want to admit it.
03:16Now you children could help consider
03:18it by pretending not to notice it.
03:20Well, I'll be sure to let all the others know.
03:22Anybody who laughs gets a punch.
03:24Thank you, gentlemen.
03:32Onion peel.
03:34Daddy, I've been meaning to talk to you about something.
03:36What is it, son?
03:38You know the old shed?
03:40Yeah.
03:42Well, I'd like to have it.
03:44I could fix it up for an office.
03:47What has it of an old man leaving the land
03:49and shutting himself up in an office?
03:51I guess it's come to that.
03:53All right, you got it.
03:57Didn't you two hear me call you for dinner?
03:59I heard you live, but I had a little business
04:01to talk over with my son.
04:03I won! I won!
04:05I raced you to the big tree, John boy.
04:07You lost!
04:09I did not!
04:11John boy, Mary Ellen, dinner!
04:13I think you got them all grown up
04:15for something.
04:17All right.
04:21...of this administration
04:23that there can be no
04:25collective security
04:27without careful
04:29attention to the
04:31individual security of all
04:33citizens.
04:35Therefore, we have
04:37this day proposed to the
04:39Congress of the land...
04:41Girls, please.
04:43...that we call
04:45social security.
04:47Our plan has
04:49a three-fold purpose.
04:51One...
04:53He sure is a great one for proposing new plans, isn't he?
04:55...temporary relief
04:57for those who lose
04:59their jobs.
05:01We propose a plan
05:03for...
05:05Boys, quiet down and listen.
05:07...a pension ranging from
05:09$10 a month to
05:11$65 a month
05:13to persons over the age
05:15of 65
05:17who qualify.
05:19Whoopee! Now I can retire.
05:21...we would offer help
05:23to our handicapped,
05:25to the blind,
05:27the deaf,
05:29the crippled, and the aged.
05:31We propose
05:33these measures so that
05:35fear can be
05:37banished from the hearts
05:39of all...
05:41Grandma?
05:43I was listening to that.
05:45Grandma, I was
05:47listening to the radio.
05:51You have just heard President Roosevelt
05:53speaking from the floor of the Senate.
05:59What happened?
06:01Turned it off. That's what happened.
06:03What did you do that for?
06:05Man's got a good voice. I can hear what he's saying.
06:07I don't like what he's saying.
06:09He's gonna keep on saying the same thing all night.
06:11Frankly, Ma, I think we got
06:13a good president there.
06:15I don't know what you're so riled up for tonight.
06:17The whole country's
06:19gonna be paupers if he keeps giving our money away.
06:21Ma!
06:23Well, what sense does it make
06:25for a man who's worked hard
06:27to raise a crop to have to turn under half of it
06:29in order to get a few cents from the government?
06:31Well, I know it sounds strange, Grandma,
06:33but it does work. We've been studying it in school.
06:35It's true, Grandma.
06:37It's called the law of supply and demand.
06:39The less crops there are...
06:41The more money he gives away, the more money...
06:43What good is it?
06:45If you ask me, we got a crazy man up there
06:47in the White House.
06:49Grandma, President Roosevelt is the most wonderful president
06:51this country's ever had.
06:53Speak up a little bit louder. She can't hear you.
06:55He cares about people, Grandma,
06:57and he's doing something to try and help this country.
06:59May I ask why you're shouting at me, Mary Ellen?
07:01I'm sorry, Grandma.
07:07John, I'm going on up.
07:09I've been on my feet since 5 this morning
07:11and I'm worn out. Good night.
07:13Night, Libby.
07:15Ah, come along, Lib.
07:17You kids don't be late now.
07:19Esther?
07:25I'm worried about Grandma.
07:27Her hearing's been getting worse every day,
07:29not to mention her temper.
07:31She sure was feisty tonight.
07:33But then this president's done something
07:35that no one else has ever been able to do before.
07:37What's that?
07:39Put her in a box, tie a string on it,
07:41and put a label on it.
07:43Who'd ever dare?
07:45She's gonna be 68 on Saturday.
07:47That makes her eligible for Social Security.
07:51Except the newspapers don't call it that.
07:53They call it old age pension.
07:55Blame her. I guess I'd resent it, too.
07:57No one's ever called her old before.
07:59Now this president's gone ahead
08:01and made it official.
08:03Esther, I'd like to talk to you
08:05real plain.
08:07The whole world's gone crazy.
08:11It's moving faster than a body
08:13can keep up with.
08:15You're not listening to me.
08:17Old woman,
08:19you've been of a mean temper lately,
08:21troubling everyone in the family.
08:23Something wrong?
08:25Something wrong?
08:27Where'd it all go?
08:31Where'd it all go so fast?
08:37I don't even recognize myself.
08:39I look so different.
08:43But I feel the same inside.
08:47There aren't any wrinkles
08:49on my mind or spirit.
08:55I don't know.
09:25Hello?
09:49Hello?
09:51Hello.
09:55You scared me.
09:57I'm sorry.
09:59I just came down to do some fishing.
10:03Do you live around here?
10:05About a mile up the road.
10:13Kevin Sturgis.
10:15Mary Ellen Walton.
10:17You don't live around here, do you?
10:19No, I'm a student
10:21at the University of Virginia.
10:23Oh, my brother just got accepted
10:25to Boatwright University.
10:27He's gonna be a writer.
10:29I'm supposed to start med school.
10:37Could you do me a favor?
10:39Sure.
10:41Let down your hair.
10:59You're beautiful.
11:05I wish I could paint you
11:07just as you are now.
11:11I wish I could be a painter.
11:14My dad doesn't understand
11:16why a grown man would want to be an artist.
11:20But I sure do.
11:24Are you a grown man?
11:26I'm 20.
11:28How old are you?
11:30How old do you think?
11:3216?
11:3417?
11:36That's close enough.
11:44I'm sorry.
12:06I'm sorry.
12:08I'm not usually such a gorilla.
12:10I have to go.
12:14Do you have a phone?
12:16No.
12:18I have some friends of mine
12:20meeting me here today
12:22and I have to go back to school
12:24tomorrow night.
12:26I sure would like to see you again
12:28before I leave.
12:30Can I come by your house tomorrow?
12:32Yeah.
12:34No.
12:36All right.
12:38Goodbye.
12:42Your house?
12:44Where is it?
12:46First one on the left up the road.
12:48See you tomorrow, Mary Ellen.
12:52Goodbye.
12:54Goodbye.
13:10Libby,
13:12I'm going to need your help
13:14to see that Esther gets to the doctor.
13:16About a hearing?
13:18Whatever it is, it's come over.
13:20I found her doubled up over the sink this morning.
13:22You know she hasn't been to see a doctor
13:24in over ten years.
13:26I know.
13:28I'll see what I can do.
13:30Thank you, Libby.
13:32Grandpa,
13:34there's one thing I'd like to mention.
13:36What's that?
13:38I don't think you should call Grandma
13:40old woman.
13:42Why not?
13:44She'll be 68 on her birthday
13:46coming up this Saturday.
13:48That's why not.
13:52Give me back my hand!
13:54Children!
13:56Now what is
13:58going on here?
14:00Ben wouldn't give Mary Ellen her handkerchief.
14:02Where'd you get that?
14:04I met a boy from the university this morning
14:06and he gave it to me.
14:08That's very nice. Now who's the boy?
14:10His name is Kevin Sturgess and he was going fishing
14:12and we just met.
14:14I bet you if he goes to a university
14:16he doesn't know how old you are.
14:18That is enough. Sit down and have your lunch.
14:20I've seen it all around this place.
14:22And where have you been?
14:24I've been tending to some business, Mama.
14:26Yeah, like what?
14:28I went for a walk, Jason.
14:30I wish I could go for a walk and never come back.
14:32You see Mary Ellen tripping around with her hair in front of the mirror?
14:34I hate you!
14:36Mary Ellen, wait!
14:38Ben, you creepy old crawly ugly caterpillar!
14:40Benjamin Walton, you want me to take a switch to you?
14:42Why'd I do so bad?
14:44You spied and you tattled for one thing.
14:46She always teases me.
14:48You're in two different stages. I don't know how to keep up with you.
14:50Now you just watch your step, Ben Walton.
14:52Mama, come quick!
14:54Now what?
14:58Shame, shame, you creepy old caterpillar!
15:04Mama, Mary Ellen's about to do it.
15:06She won't let me in.
15:08I'll see what I can do. Go have your lunch.
15:10Mary Ellen?
15:12Go away.
15:14Mary Ellen, it's Mama.
15:16Please open the door.
15:34You want to talk about it?
15:36No.
15:40They were kind of rough on you, weren't they?
15:44That's not it.
15:48Honey, what's the matter?
15:50Come here.
16:12He kissed me, Mama.
16:16Kevin Stern just kissed me.
16:20He said I was beautiful.
16:40The way I feel right now, Mama,
16:42is just the way you feel when you're in love?
16:46Probably part of it.
16:48How was this boy, Mary Ellen?
16:50Well, I was waiting in the lake,
16:52just cooling off.
16:54I turned around and there he was.
16:58Tall and handsome.
17:00Sun making his hair shine.
17:06It was just like a movie.
17:08Sounds like it.
17:10And it all happened so fast.
17:14He thinks I'm lots older than I am.
17:16And you didn't bother to correct the impression.
17:18No, Mama, I just couldn't.
17:22When it was happening,
17:24I wasn't 14.
17:2614 is just a kid.
17:30I don't really know how to explain it.
17:32But lots of times lately,
17:34I just don't feel like a kid.
17:36I know.
17:38Your body's saying one thing
17:40and your emotions and experience
17:42are saying something else
17:44and you can't always talk together.
17:46That's right.
17:48That's it, exactly.
17:50Well, some of the kids
17:52I've known all my life.
17:54Sue Ann Carlson, for instance.
17:56Every time she sees a boy,
17:58she starts acting silly
18:00and all she ever talks about
18:02is marriage and kids and stuff.
18:04Is that the way it's gonna be?
18:06Well, I guess that depends on you.
18:10Becoming a woman in a sentence,
18:13for heaven's sakes,
18:15it's a beginning
18:17of new possibilities.
18:19Love,
18:21marriage, children.
18:23When the time is right
18:25and if that's what you want.
18:27But in any case,
18:29it's a natural cycle
18:31and it's filled with joys
18:33and sorrows,
18:35responsibilities.
18:39Like keeping a house
18:41No.
18:43Like being one half of the adult
18:45human race.
18:47Mama, would you
18:49do me a favor?
18:51If I can.
18:53Kevin said he wanted to see me
18:55before he went back to school
18:57and he said he'd stop by tomorrow.
18:59Well,
19:01if he does, could you please keep the children away?
19:07You gonna tell him how old you are?
19:09Yeah, I'll tell him.
19:13But I want to see him alone.
19:17If he comes.
19:19I'll see what I can do.
19:21Come on down, have some lunch.
19:25My first little girl
19:27feeling the pangs of romance,
19:29so soon.
19:31Well, I'd better start saving my money.
19:33Time passes, it's the father of the bride
19:35who pays for the wedding.
19:37You're a smart man.
19:39With John Boy you talk about college,
19:41with Mary Ellen it's automatically a wedding.
19:43Oh well, she's lucky.
19:45And what if she decides not to get married at all?
19:47She does have a choice, you know.
19:49Libby, you're starting to sound like one of those suffragettes.
19:51And you're starting to make me mad.
19:53Libby, we've been married all these years
19:55and you still don't know when you're being teased.
19:57Were you?
19:59Well, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
20:01No, I ought to feel good about myself
20:03because of the choice you made.
20:05I'd better get back to work.
20:07Those wedding dresses cost a lot of money.
20:23No, thank you, GW.
20:25What's the matter with you?
20:27Nothing, I just feel like strolling.
20:29Beautiful day, isn't it?
20:31I'm kind of sweaty myself.
20:33I think it's beautiful.
20:35You can almost hear the flowers
20:37and the sun talking to each other.
20:39You can?
20:41You want me to take your books or something?
20:43If you like.
21:03Grandpa?
21:05Hi, Marianne.
21:11Have you been around here all day?
21:13So far, why?
21:15Well, a friend of mine said that they were going to stop by
21:17and see me and I was just wondering
21:19if anyone had been here.
21:21I haven't seen anyone new like.
21:23Okay, thanks, Grandpa.
21:29It's beautiful.
21:31And it's beautiful.
21:33And it's practical.
21:35And it's cheap.
21:37That's no reason to give Grandma something that she won't like.
21:39Who says she won't like it?
21:41I don't know, I just don't think she will.
21:43Why won't she like something that she really needs?
21:45Would you children please go someplace else to argue?
21:47If you don't believe me, ask Marianne.
21:49Oh, please, I'd like to be alone.
21:51Marianne, I'm sorry about yesterday.
21:53That's okay, Ben.
21:55Well, we need you to decide something for us.
21:57It's the officer going in on something for Grandma.
21:59We'll make her hair better and everything.
22:01Yeah, and it only costs 35 cents.
22:03And it's beautiful, but Aaron doesn't like it.
22:05See?
22:07An ear trumpet.
22:09I think it's very nice.
22:11What did I tell you, Aaron?
22:13Thanks a lot.
22:15Come on, where can we get the paper?
22:17Let's go downstairs.
22:25Marianne?
22:27Can I meet him?
22:29Meet who?
22:31Your boyfriend.
22:33Aaron.
22:35First of all, he is not my boyfriend.
22:37And second, I don't even know if he's coming by.
22:39No, you can't meet him.
22:41Okay, that's okay.
22:43Just wanted to see if you look like a movie star.
22:45You read my diary?
22:47I was just lying there open.
22:49I didn't think you'd mind.
22:51You didn't think I'd mind if you read my innermost thoughts?
22:53Well, we always share everything, don't we?
22:55It's my choice.
23:01Grandma.
23:03Grandpa said he found you doubled over the sink.
23:05Were you in pain, or was it a dizzy spell, or what?
23:09Probably just a case of pure aggravation
23:11at an old man making a mountain out of a molehill.
23:17Mama, I just have to have a room of my own.
23:19I want some privacy.
23:21Your mother and I were talking.
23:23Oh, never mind, Grandma.
23:25You wouldn't understand.
23:27Well, I understand one thing,
23:29and that is you're getting too big for your britches.
23:31If I spoke to my grandmother like that,
23:33I'd have had my mouth washed out with soap.
23:35Grandma, when the children need correcting,
23:37I'll do it.
23:39She's just a child.
23:41Grandma.
23:53What is it around here lately?
23:55Everybody's snapping at everybody else.
23:57I know.
24:01I'm sorry, Mama,
24:03but I'll just go crazy if I don't have a place to myself.
24:05Can I have the old shed, please?
24:09I don't know, Mary Ellen.
24:11John Boyd was studying in there today.
24:13Yeah, but he can write under a tree.
24:15He doesn't care.
24:17Well,
24:19will you promise to fix it up
24:21and take care of it properly?
24:23Will I?
24:27You just watch me.
24:43What do you think, John Boyd?
24:45What are you doing?
24:47Fixing up my new room.
24:49Look.
24:51Isn't it beautiful?
24:55I told Mama to come out and see.
24:59Mama, what is Mary Ellen doing in my study?
25:01I mean, she's moved in lock, stock and barrel.
25:03Your study?
25:05Yeah, last night Daddy gave it to me.
25:07He said it was mine.
25:09I didn't know anything about those arrangements.
25:11I didn't know anything either.
25:13But you don't really mind, do you?
25:15I mean, you have a room of your own.
25:18Oh, of course, John Boyd's the oldest
25:20and he always understands.
25:22I mean, girls are girls,
25:24so you gotta be patient and you gotta understand them, right?
25:26And Jim Bob, well, he's just a little baby boy,
25:28so you gotta be patient and understand him.
25:30And Ben and Jason, well, of course, they're in the middle
25:32and that's always difficult,
25:34so you gotta be patient and understand them.
25:36But never worry about old John Boyd's feelings
25:38because he's practically a man
25:40and you don't have to understand him.
25:42Well, I'll tell you right now,
25:44I'm tired of being so understanding and so patient.
25:46I thought I told you
25:48to take it easy, old woman.
25:50You're not gonna make an invalid out of me, old man.
25:54Esther!
25:56What's that?
25:58Boys!
26:00John Boyd!
26:04Esther!
26:06What's that?
26:08Boys!
26:10John Boyd!
26:16She kept tearing out of the house
26:18like she usually does
26:20and grabbed hold of the screen door
26:22and swayed a little and then fell right on the ground.
26:24She's a strong woman, Pop.
26:26She's gonna be all right.
26:28Well, it was only two or three steps,
26:30but by the time I got to her, she was out like a light.
26:32Dr. Vance is with her, Grandpa.
26:34He'll take care of everything.
26:36John Boyd.
26:42On that side.
27:00I'm really worried about Grandma.
27:02I wish we knew what would happen to her.
27:04I'm really worried about Grandma.
27:06I wish we knew what was wrong with her.
27:08It's getting on, son.
27:10We'll just have to wait and see what Dr. Vance has to say.
27:16About the shed, John Boyd,
27:18and you blowing up at Mary Ellen.
27:20You know, your mother and me got our wires crossed.
27:22You see, Daddy,
27:24it's just that someone around here
27:26always seems to want something that I have.
27:28Yeah, I know.
27:30But Mary Ellen didn't know
27:32that I gave you the shed.
27:34Look, Daddy, I'm sorry.
27:36And I didn't mean to blow up
27:38out of the way I did. That was wrong.
27:40It's just that she was being so selfish
27:42at the time, and...
27:44John Boyd, you remember how it was
27:46when you first started to feel like a man?
27:50Yeah, I think I know what you mean.
27:52Mary Ellen's had her...
27:54some attention paid to her by a young man.
27:56What's that got to do with the shed?
27:58Well, now, don't be stubborn, son.
28:00A girl begins to feel like that.
28:02She seems to need a nest,
28:04and Mary Ellen's made that shed into her nest.
28:06Well, why can't she find another nest?
28:08I mean, I did have first dibs on that shed.
28:10That's right, you did.
28:14You think about it, will you?
28:17Yes, sir.
28:19All right.
28:30How is she?
28:32Full of spit and vinegar.
28:34Told me she keeled over from the heat,
28:36and I should mind my own business.
28:38You think it was the heat?
28:40No, no, I suspect some trouble in the inner ear.
28:42I want to have her see a doctor I know in Charlottesville.
28:44If we can get her to go.
28:46I'll get her to go.
28:52Esther, you are without doubt
28:54the stubbornest woman in the county.
28:56I got a touch of lightheadedness from the heat,
28:58and that is all that is the matter with me.
29:00Now stop bothering me.
29:02I want you to get yourself dressed
29:04and come to Charlottesville with me to see the doctor.
29:06I am not budging from this chair,
29:08and if you want me to go to Charlottesville,
29:10you're going to have to drag me there.
29:12Now leave me alone.
29:28Hey, Grandpa.
29:30Now don't speak to me
29:32while I'm fit to be tied.
29:34I'm trying to walk it off.
29:36What's the matter? Is it Grandma?
29:38Oh, yes.
29:40You know, she says
29:42she won't go to the doctor
29:44unless I drag her there.
29:46Well, then drag her there. She's got to go.
29:58This is a mighty pretty spot.
30:00It sure is.
30:02I always remember the first time
30:04I found this pond.
30:06There wasn't any road along here then,
30:08and I was out walking with a girl.
30:12I ever tell you about that girl?
30:14Uh-uh.
30:16Eyes were all bone green
30:18by the time I got to Charlottesville.
30:20She was a pretty girl.
30:22She was a pretty girl.
30:24She was a pretty girl.
30:26Eyes were all bone green
30:28behind the ears. Country boy.
30:30She was a pretty little thing
30:32with long brown curls.
30:34Everyone around here called her
30:36Sissy.
30:38I never have
30:40before or since that summer
30:42felt
30:44the way I did about a girl.
30:51She was so young
30:53and so full of dreams.
30:55In a way, she was considerable
30:57the way Mary Ellen is right now.
31:01That Sissy, she wasn't like
31:03the other girls.
31:05She wasn't even thinking of settling down.
31:07She's real handy with a needle.
31:09It was her aim to go over to Richmond
31:11and start up
31:13a dress shop of her own.
31:15Only 18 years of age
31:17and already thinking that way.
31:21Yes, sirree.
31:23There's something real special about that Sissy.
31:27Smart as a whip.
31:29Pretty as a picture.
31:31And she could hold her own
31:33with any man.
31:40In a way, I feel real sorry
31:42whenever I think of Sissy
31:46because none of her dreams
31:48ever amounted to much.
31:50What happened to her?
31:54I married her.
32:11Hey, Ike.
32:13Hey, John boy.
32:15What can I do for you?
32:17Well, I'd like a birthday present
32:19if you can manage that.
32:21I reckon we can find something.
32:23Hey, how about this for Grandma?
32:25That'd be good for a curiosity shelf, huh?
32:27It's pure china.
32:29That's a mighty pretty little figure
32:31but how much for it?
32:33Let's see.
32:35Mark the 50 cents
32:37for you.
32:3975.
32:41No, 35 cents.
32:43Oh, well, I'll take that. Thank you.
32:48Oh.
32:50Oh, no, John boy.
32:52You don't get those.
32:54I grew those myself
32:56and they are not for sale.
32:58You know, it took me two seasons
33:00to grow those.
33:02I cultivated them,
33:04nurtured them,
33:06until they came to be
33:08the beauties they are.
33:10Those are the most beautiful
33:12flowers I've ever seen
33:14in my life.
33:16Fifteen cents.
33:18No, John boy.
33:20Not even for you.
33:22Not 15 cents, no.
33:36Now, how did I let them
33:38talk me into that?
33:46Grandma,
33:48gonna be up for dinner, mama?
33:50The doctor wants you to stay in bed.
33:52Oh, Marianne, will you take this
33:54in these, grandma?
34:08In my day,
34:10people knocked.
34:12I'm sorry, grandma, but I have a handful.
34:14Mama asked me to bring you
34:16this tray.
34:18I never had a meal in bed in my life
34:20and I don't intend to start now.
34:22Grandma, the doctor said.
34:24The doctor said what?
34:26That I was too old and too feeble
34:28to come to the table like everybody else?
34:30Well, no, grandma.
34:32You think so, too?
34:34Let me tell you something, young lady.
34:36I cleared the ground this house stands on
34:38side by side with my husband.
34:40I planted crops with him.
34:42I did his work. I milked cows.
34:44I did all the meals. I even took care of the chickens.
34:46And now, just because I've had a little
34:48dizzy spell, they want to put me out to pastor?
34:50Well, you tell them
34:52they can give their old age pension to somebody else
34:54because I don't need it.
34:56Please, take that tray out of here.
35:04Grandma?
35:06Grandma?
35:08What?
35:10Today, before I came home,
35:12was there anyone around asking for me?
35:14Yes, around noontime
35:16there was a young man here.
35:18What did you tell him?
35:20I told him
35:22you were in school with the other children.
35:26With the other children?
35:32He was here, mom.
35:34And now he's never going to come back.
35:40Hey, girl,
35:42where are you going like that?
35:44You wouldn't understand. Nobody could understand.
35:56Don't try me.
36:04Someone thought I was beautiful.
36:06Someone just once took me seriously
36:08as a woman.
36:10And now he's found out that I'm just a great school child
36:12and he's going to feel like a fool
36:14and I feel like a fool.
36:16Well, you shouldn't.
36:18Why not?
36:22Mary Ellen,
36:26these are for you.
36:36They're beautiful.
36:42Why?
36:44I don't know.
36:48Sometimes a man has to give flowers
36:50to a woman
36:52even if it is his own sister.
36:54Oh, boy.
37:10You know,
37:12you can have the shed
37:14if you want the shed
37:16because I really study much better
37:18on my own and I don't really need it.
37:20So if you want it, you can have it, okay?
37:26Can you come in?
37:52Good morning, Daddy, John-boy.
37:54What are you going to do, a little farming?
37:56Oh, I thought I'd plant a few roses outside my room.
37:58See you.
38:02That was a nice thing you did for your sister yesterday, son.
38:04Oh, well, Daddy,
38:06I may not always like it, but like it or not,
38:08I am the oldest, I guess.
38:10I think we had you first.
38:12Stubborn my foot.
38:14Look who's calling the kettle black.
38:16You're stubborn. You're stubborn.
38:18Well, I have convinced her.
38:20We are going to Charlottesville to see the doctor
38:22and we'll be back in plenty of time
38:24for your party.
38:26I'm feeling just fine today.
38:28Today is your birthday.
38:30Yeah, and you're using it to get your own way.
38:32I told her there is an old Chinese custom
38:34that you're supposed to give a gift
38:36to the other fellow on your birthday
38:38and your gift to me is to go to Charlottesville
38:40to see the doctor because I am tired
38:42of picking you up off the ground all the time.
38:44Makes good sense to me, Grandpa.
38:46We'll be back in time for supper.
38:48Old Chinese custom, my foot.
38:50Old Chinese custom of five or six wads.
38:52Would you like to try that one?
38:54No, I have trouble enough with the one I've got.
38:58Mama, why do Grandpa and Grandma
39:00always act like they're mad at each other
39:02when they're really not?
39:04Some people have different ways of showing their love,
39:06sweetheart.
39:14Hi, Mary Ellen.
39:16Hi, G.W.
39:18What room?
39:20This is my very own private apartment.
39:22Looks like an old shed to me.
39:24Not inside, it doesn't. Come on, I'll show you.
39:28Of course it needs some fixing up.
39:30I've got to paint this old closet
39:32and get the doors on it fixed.
39:34Where'd you get those?
39:36Oh, you mean those flowers?
39:38Somebody die or something?
39:40G.W., it just so happens
39:42those were a present from an admirer.
39:44What kind of admirer?
39:47Anything silly. A man, of course.
39:49A man? Who?
39:51Oh, women don't talk about presents they give
39:53from one man to another.
39:55I bet your daddy don't know you're getting presents.
39:57Who are they from, Mary Ellen? I want to know.
39:59G.W. Haynes, I do believe you're jealous.
40:01Well, I don't know if I am or not.
40:03Never had a girlfriend before.
40:05Am I your girlfriend?
40:09I don't know.
40:11I told you, I never had one before.
40:17G.W.
40:21Do you suppose that you could fix the hinges
40:23on this old closet for me?
40:25Of course I could.
40:27Oh, good.
40:37Can I help put the cakes, Mary Ellen?
40:39No, Elizabeth, don't get your fingers burnt.
40:41Can I help spread the icing?
40:43Not right now, Elizabeth.
40:45The cake's cool.
40:47This one's done.
40:49Can I draw on the card?
40:51No, you'll mess it all up.
40:53Can I do anything?
40:55Yes, Elizabeth.
40:57You can lick out the bowl
40:59when we're done icing the cake.
41:01Thanks, Mary Ellen.
41:03There we go.
41:05To our dear grandmother,
41:07may your joys be as deep as the ocean
41:09and your troubles as light as the clouds.
41:11Elizabeth, Ben, Jim Bob and Mary Ellen.
41:13That's gonna go great with the gift.
41:15What are you gonna give her?
41:17It's a secret.
41:19It's a good secret.
41:21Maybe.
41:23I made Grandma something that she'll really like.
41:25What is it?
41:27What does it look like?
41:29Never saw anything like that before.
41:31It's a muffler.
41:33Oh, that's a muffler.
41:35Who's that supposed to fit?
41:43I thought I was doing it right, Mama.
41:45Don't you worry, Erin.
41:47The color's just beautiful.
41:49It's exactly the right size
41:51for Grandma to wear over her knees
41:53when she's listening to the radio at night.
41:55First time I ever heard of a knee muffler.
41:59There are such things, aren't there, Mama?
42:01Absolutely.
42:03They're the latest rage in New York.
42:05This sounds like a happy group.
42:07Is Grandma back yet?
42:09Not yet, John.
42:11It's a birthday present I made for Grandma.
42:15That's nothing to laugh about.
42:17That's beautiful, honey.
42:23That's very original, too.
42:25I don't believe I've ever seen
42:27a knitted dish towel before.
42:29Here they come, Mama.
42:31Children!
42:33Your Grandma's here.
42:35Children!
42:37Happy birthday!
42:39Happy birthday, Grandma!
42:41Happy birthday!
42:43Oh, shut up!
42:47Happy birthday.
42:49Happy birthday.
42:51Happy birthday.
42:53Shut up.
42:55Happy birthday.
43:00Grandpa, is something wrong?
43:01What is it, Pa?
43:02The doctor says that this old sweetheart of mine is going to be around for another 20 years!
43:10Yay!
43:12Stop it!
43:14She is as fit as a fiddle. The doctor examined her from head to toe.
43:18Of course, he had to do it under the sheets.
43:21You should have heard the carrions on.
43:24What was it?
43:25It was a viral ear infection, just like Doc Vance said.
43:29Nobody is going to have to yell anymore because I got some medicine to fix up my hearing.
43:33That was her best birthday present.
43:36Here is the other one.
43:39Open it up.
43:43I only wish it was solid gold.
43:46I found it in a dress shop in Charlottesville.
43:49I thought maybe you would like it.
43:55You see, I remember it, Sissy.
43:58Sissy.
44:00Seb, you old fool.
44:06Now, if everybody is giving presents, we might as well...
44:08Grandma, here you are. Happy birthday.
44:11Ben, Jim Bob, Elizabeth, can I see you for a minute?
44:17What do you want, Mary Ellen?
44:19I've done something really awful.
44:21You asked me for my advice and I wasn't listening.
44:24What I'm trying to say is we can't give Grandma the ear trumpet, especially not now.
44:28I know what you mean, with her hearing coming back and all.
44:31Besides, she doesn't seem old anymore. You know what I mean?
44:34No, she is still old. Real old.
44:38Besides, it's the only thing we can give her.
44:41Well, leave that to me.
44:49I made you something for your curiosity shelf too, Grandma.
44:52Oh, Jason, you carved that all by yourself?
44:55Yes, ma'am. I know how much you love to feed the chickens, so I thought we should get a cackle out of it.
45:01Well, they're both beautiful.
45:03Open mine now, Grandma.
45:06Why, Aaron, this is just fine.
45:09Oh, it's a beautiful thing. It's lovely.
45:13What is it?
45:15Why, Zeb, surely you know what this is. Anybody can tell what it is.
45:20It's a beautiful, um, pillowcase.
45:26I know, but I'm not going to tell anybody.
45:28Happy birthday.
45:30Happy birthday, Grandma.
45:33Happy birthday, Grandma.
45:35Oh, they're beautiful.
45:38To our dear Grandma, may your joys be as deep as the ocean and your troubles as light as the clouds.
45:46Lisbeth, Ben, Jim Bob and Mary Ellen.
45:50Oh, that's lovely.
45:52John Boyd, you wrote that, didn't you?
45:57Oh, my.
45:59I really dreaded this day turning another year older and you, all of my very dear family, turned it into the happiest birthday of my life.
46:13So far.
46:26No, okay.
46:43John Boyd, how much did I give your office back?
46:45What happened?
46:46Well, I decided I'm not ready for privacy.
46:48I didn't sleep a wink all last night. I've never been so lonely in all my life.
46:51Well, that's nice.
46:57All right, Jim Bob.
47:05Here.
47:08For me? Oh, thank you, G.W. What's the occasion?
47:11Well, what are you doing here, John Boyd? Where's Mary Ellen?
47:15Here I am, G.W. You're it.
47:17I'm going to get you, Mary Ellen.
47:20Isn't there an old saying about the more things change, the more they're the same?
47:25I believe so, yeah.
47:28Oh, Lilly, I can't tell you how good it feels to feel good again.
47:34There's only one thing troubling me now.
47:36What's that, Grandma?
47:41What is this, anyway?
47:43What is this, anyway?
47:51Mary Ellen's newfound maturity was with her one day, then gone the next.
47:56In time, it was to come to stay.
47:59Today, she lives in Richmond, Virginia,
48:02the wife of a professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and the mother of two sons.
48:08We see each other when we can,
48:10and our talk is apt to return to those days during the Depression,
48:14which, these many years later, still seem filled with wonder.
48:19John Boyd? Yes, ma'am?
48:22Does the world go around the sun, or does the sun go around the world?
48:26I believe the Earth circles the sun, ma'am.
48:29I wish you would stop talking about things that go around. You're keeping me awake.
48:32I can't sleep either, just lying here tossing and turning.
48:35Let's all go downstairs and have some cocoa.
48:37That's a good idea, Jim Bob.
48:39Can't we, Mama?
48:40I'd be crazy if I said yes.
48:42You would, but go ahead anyway.
48:44All right, but don't dirty my kitchen.
48:51You know, cocoa's not a bad idea. Want some?
48:55Why not?