- Narrator: [narration as John 'John Boy' Walton, Jr. reading from his journal] Looking back down the years to the Great Depression, I realise now that our family was much more fortunate than most. Many things were in short supply, but we had the advantage of being able to live on the bounty of the rich Virginia country. And even more important than the gifts of the land, our family remained intact. We stayed together under one roof and were never deprived of the comfort and closeness of our mother and father. Those feelings easily made up for what we often lacked in material things.
- Esther Walton: What's so funny?
- The Grandfather: [Holds up book] This Venuto fella, he sure knew how to have himself a good time. I don't know though. It's pretty gamy. I don't know if this is the sort of book the children should read. It's pretty racy.
- Esther Walton: Where?
- The Grandfather: Never you mind.
- Esther Walton: Let me see that, come on.
- [Takes book, reads a little]
- Esther Walton: What does racy mean?
- The Grandfather: Fast.
- Esther Walton: I don't see anything racy in that.
- The Grandfather: [Takes book back] Look here, maybe this is the kind of book you shouldn't read either.
- Esther Walton: You old fool! You can read anything into anything with that mind of yours!