May 23, 1935
That evening at home, John-Boy sat on the couch and told his family what had happened that day.
"I don't know what's going on down there. She started to talk to me and then he walked up and she stopped. But he did start the car up. I tell you, that engine sounds like it ought to be in a Duesenberg."
"Probably was, maybe that's why he's acting so funny." Jason jokingly suggested.
"Maybe the car's made up of stolen parts." Ben suggested with a laugh.
"Maybe there's a machine gun left in the rumble seat from a bank robbery." Jim Bob suggested as his eyes widened.
"I think you children are letting your imaginations get the better of you." 6-month pregnant Olivia smiled, turning from her seat next to John at his desk.
"John-Boy, Erin and I were talking with Jenny. We don't want your car to look like every other car, so we think we ought to have a sister project."
"Designed to what?"
"Designed to design you a new-looking car." Mary Ellen smiled.
"We can paint it." Erin said.
"Red like a fire truck, then everyone will think you're the fire chief." Suggested Jim Bob.
"I think it ought to be something more college-y, like painting slogans on it."
"I don't think it's a very good idea for me to make my first appearance at college too noticeable." John-Boy said.
"Maybe you oughtta let John-Boy decide what he wants to do." John suggested without looking up from his desk.
"Well first I'd like to have it. Then I'd like to paint it a dignified shade of tan, I think."
"Tan?!" Erin exclaimed. "Jenny won't want to go riding in a car that's as boring of a color as TAN!"
"I'll ride with him anywhere." Jenny smiled, resting her head on John-Boy's shoulder.
"I once saw a car with white fenders and a black and white checkered body." Ben said.
"What did it look like, a butterfly with wheels?" John-Boy laughed.
"No it looked like a newspaper with wheels." Ben replied and everyone laughed.
"John-Boy, could you paint the rumble seat a special color?" Elizabeth asked.
"Why the rumble seat, Honey?"
"Because that's where I'm gonna sit." She smiled.
"John-Boy, can I be the first one to ride in your new car?" Jim Bob asked.
"Me too!" Elizabeth added.
"All that fuss over an old car!" Esther exclaimed. "You'd think no one had had one before."
"No one ever did in this family. That old truck doesn't count." Mary Ellen replied.
John looked up from his work at this statement. "It counts if you wanna get somewhere."
John-Boy yawned. "Well I've gotta get somewhere. I've gotta get to bed. Mr. Rudge is getting his money's worth and my back's telling me it's time to say goodnight."
"I'll give you a ride home Jenny." Jason said.
"It's time everybody got to bed. Upstairs." Olivia told the five younger children.
The chorus of groans began, followed by "Goodnights."
The adults visited after the children went upstairs.
"I think one of us ought to go and visit the Rudge's." Esther suggested, looking up from her sewing.
"Doesn't sound like they want anyone around." Olivia said.
"Well, I suppose so, but with John-Boy working over there, well, I think we ought to know more about these people."
"I hope they're not taking advantage of John-Boy." Olivia looked at her husband with worry in her eyes.
"Now, don't worry, Liv. He'll be a married man in three weeks. He's gonna have a bride to protect as well as himself. We can't be there all the time. He's gonna have to sort through these things himself." John replied.
May 24, 1935
The next day, John-Boy went back to the Rudge's to work. He finished fixing the roof by mid-morning.
"Well, you've got a new roof." John-Boy smiled at Mrs. Rudge as she brought him a glass of millk.
"The house feels cozier already." She smiled. "I thought you might be thirsty."
"Thank you." He smiled, taking the glass from the woman he guessed to be around his mother's age. He sat down and took a drink. "I purely love milk. I never realized how much I really love it until we lost our cow and had to do without."
"Oh I'd be glad to send your mom over some. With a family that big, she must be lost without a cow!"
"Thank you, ma'am, but we've got another one."
"I walked past your house one night." Mrs. Rudge smiled. "I was in a mood for walking, so I just kept going and going until there I was, in front of your house. It was around 9:00 and all the lights were on. I could hear all those children's voices all over the house."
John-Boy laughed. "Well there's enough of us. We make enough noise at bedtime."
"I just stood there and listened until it got all quiet. Then I came back here."
"Martha!" Mr. Rudge called from the house.
"Right away, Hyder." She replied.
John-Boy handed her his empty milk glass. "Thank you ma'am."
Mrs. Rudge went up the stairs but stopped before going back inside. "John-Boy, why don't you have your lunch with us?"
"Oh thank you ma'am, but I brought my own."
"Ham, biscuits, and a jelly jar of soup. I've been watching you through the window." Mrs. Rudge grinned.
John-Boy smiled and shrugged. "Well if you don't think Mr. Rudge would mind."
"Oh I can't tell you what a pleasure it would be for both of us to hear a young person's voice sharing our meal with us."
"Thank you, I believe I will." John-Boy smiled and agreed, following Mrs. Rudge into the house.
During lunch, Mrs. Rudge asked John-Boy about his siblings. John-Boy recounted the story of how Mary Ellen wanted to try blonde hair dye but was too afraid to try it on her own hair, so she used Jim Bob as a Guinea pig. When finished, John-Boy decided to ask the Rudges a few questions.
"What brought you up to Walton's Mountain?"
Mr. Rudge made up an excuse about his leg bothering him, so he left the table.
"Ma'am, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry. I really didn't." John-Boy apologized to Mrs. Rudge.
"I know you didn't John-Boy."
"There is one thing I'd like to know, though. How come he acts so peculiar about that car?"
"He'll have to tell you that." Mrs. Rudge said.
John-Boy nodded and finished his meal in silence.