[♪]
Sanctify this water with the spiritual purpose
for which thou hast ordained it
and grant we beseech thee that this child
now to be baptised therein may receive the fullness
of thy grace and ever remain
in the number of thy faithful children.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen.
And so, in the presence of this company,
the parents, Evelyn and Emmett...
We welcome to our congregation, Carrie Alexandra Grier.
[baby crying]
She's a beautiful little girl, Emmett.
Not too much Alec.
You must be thrilled to bits and pieces,
to have Emmett back in town after all these years.
That's good. Go on.
Alright, alright, alright now if you could
all just cosy together for me?
Oh Alec, straighten your tie!
Oh and Emmett for my article, how long ago was it exactly
that you left Avonlea?
Alec and I were about...
uh sixteen - dinosaurs still walked the earth.
We'll let your readers work out the arithmetic.
Alright we'll go on three!
One - two...
[laughter]
three!
Well shall we head out for the celebration?
Thanks again, Reverend.
A pleasure.
And Mrs. Grier I hope we see you and little Carrie...
Oh my days the Presbyterian Church women...
Every man for himself.
Oh Janet don't forget the jumble sale.
Oh Eulalie I wouldn't dream of it.
Good day.
Well. As I live and breathe, Emmett Grier.
We heard you'd bought the old Calder place.
It's so nice to see someone finally fixing that place up.
I hope you make a go of it.
This lovely young thing can't be the wife
you've been hiding out there?
This is Evelyn.
I look forward to getting to know you all.
I'm sure.
Excuse us.
Well, the Lord's work calls.
Olivia?
Don't forget we'll be collecting for the jumble sale!
Well, well, Emmett Grier and Alec King a team again.
Yes.
Emmett's back, with a flibberty-jibbet girl
to call wife.
The world may change, but some people don't.
[indistinct playful voices]
Well I think it's wonderful what you and Emmett have done
in a few short months on this farm, Evelyn.
Oh yes.
We're so grateful to Alec for having written us
about the place and encouraging Emmett to come.
But you must miss city life, oh.
Oh, not at all.
Avonlea is Emmett's true home.
I've never seen him happier.
If it weren't for Alec, he'd still be miserable,
scrounging for work in Halifax.
Oh Alec! Watch your back!
Oh!
But, now Eveyln, you had a vocation in music.
Alec says you're a very accomplished pianist.
One could hardly call a few... a few recitals a vocation.
There's no future in it.
Emmett always said that.
And he was absolutely right.
Why if it hadn't been for the few students I taught
before I was married,
I couldn't have supported myself.
Well now why don't you take on students in Avonlea!
No I don't think I'll be taking students,
not with the baby, and...
and certainly Emmett would never allow it,
he's far too much proud to...
to let me take on students.
[laughing]
Oh look at them.
They're like twelve year olds.
Best chums.
I tell you, it's the harvesting it gets harder on
this old body every year.
Harvesting, my Aunt Frances.
Reckless rugby's more like it Alec.
Here are the things for the jumble sale.
Oh just pile them on the chair dear.
Jumble sales.
Of all the ridiculous notions
Presbyterian church women ever had.
What's so ridiculous about it?
Well everybody donates their old junk to get rid of it...
Yes?
...and then they're expected to buy everybody
else's junk to replace it.
Oh, don't be so blessed crabby.
The proceeds go to the Christian Mission in Borneo.
Besides,
it's fun going through other people's old junk.
Now hold on, these shoes,
I paid two dollars for these shoes.
Those?
They pinch your toes.
Well they were the best shoes in the catalogue!
You haven't worn them since Olivia's wedding!
Well I'm not going to let Bert Potts get them for a nickel.
They're my shoes,
and if they are going to be given away,
I will do the giving.
Oh...
I...I got up to nurse Carrie,
didn't want to wake you.
Come on, I'll tuck both my wee girls into bed.
Well my dear,
I do believe that baby's finally asleep.
Good.
[baby crying]
[loud sigh]
No, no allow me.
Oh thanks.
[♪]
I bet you've never had a ship named after you before?
[chuckles]
What's...what's that a shoreboat and stanker?
What do you think?
You're not planning on going fishing, in that?
I am.
And so are you, Alec, if you're a true friend.
Everyone's doing it.
They're pulling money from the sea.
Come on!
[singing a jig]
I haven't been off shore fishing
in what fifteen years, man.
It'll do us good.
Keep us young - the salt spray, the ocean air!
Look we can fish in the lap of luxury.
This beauty has got a gasoline engine
and an oil burning stove.
We can have a cup of tea and warm our hands...
You and your wild schemes Emmett, you'll never change?
Alec, I haven't farmed enough to survive this first winter.
I don't have two pennies to rub together.
If the truth be known,
we'll be grateful for the salt cod
to eat this Christmas.
I almost lost her with the baby.
She's still not a hundred per cent.
She just won't let on.
She was built for a finer life
and it tears my soul to see her go without.
She has no idea of the straits we're in.
Will you help me?
Ay, ay captain.
[chuckling]
[♪]
What's this?
[♪]
♪ [piano music] ♪
It's starting to rain.
[raindrops pattering]
My silly father and Mr. Grier will get soaked to the skin.
[thunder]
The weather's getting worse.
You'd think they'd have sense enough to get off the water.
[loud cracking of thunder]
[♪]
[loud thunder]
My God the weather's coming on quick.
I sure hope your father and Mr. Grier have sense enough
to get off that water.
It's getting wild out there, Emmett.
We'd better head her back.
I never knew took you for the squeamish sort, Alec.
I'm not squeamish, you fool.
I'm just practical.
Well we got to take some risks.
We're not old men.
Whoa!
[♪]
Look out! Emmett!
Emmett! Come on, we gotta get out of here!
Hurry up!
Jump!
[♪]
[loud screams]
Gus?
[music stops]
[crying]
Gus?
Gus? Gus?
-Gus? -Go get help...
What about my father? Gus!
Sara, take her and get help!
Felicity. Hurry.
Gus will find your father.
Come on.
Emmett!
EMMETT!
[baby crying]
Don't. Oh dear God don't.
Evelyn?
[screaming] Emmett!
[crying]
Don't leave me.
Don't leave me...
Don't leave me Emmett, please.
Don't leave me.
God, please, please.....
[baby crying]
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God
who has been pleased to call out
of this sinful and dying world
the soul of our brother,
the dear departed.
O lamb of God that takest away the sin of the world
have mercy upon us
and grant us thine peace.
Amen.
Not much of a turn out, is it?
No.
No, it isn't.
You know, he was away twenty-five odd years,
people barely remember him.
And nobody knows her from Adam's neighbour.
We've made twice too many sandwiches.
Well maybe we should save these for the jumble sale.
Oh, no.
They should be sent home with Mrs. Grier.
I suppose.
Bert would you like some tea?
Aye!
Heck, she's only half his age.
And not a lick of sense, so they say.
And she has no family?
Can you imagine, not a one.
There isn't a Grier left alive that could take her in.
Isn't that awful?
Can I get you some more tea Evelyn?
She'll lose that farm.
She can't run it with a babe in arms.
Nobody'll buy it.
I mean, it sat for years before Alec King
talked Emmett into taking it.
Isn't that a fine how-do-ya-do?
What was Alec King thinking?
She'll be lucky to escape the poor house
with the clothes on her back.
[pouring loudly]
[clangs down]
Here.
Yes, there there.
There there.
You two get some rest.
I see you've got a broken window there.
I'll stop by first thing tomorrow
and see to it.
What's to become of us?
Evelyn you know...
this is no time to make any plans now.
You...you just get some rest.
There's a lot of work that needs to be done around here.
The farm can't run itself
but we can't let Mrs. Grier fend for herself.
So that means you girls are going to have to do more
than your share, especially with Felix in Halifax.
Yes, father.
See you later then.
Where should we start?
[clatter]
[sigh]
[loud crash]
Um...I've been going through Emmett's things.
There's no will... that I can find.
And...no insurance papers.
I...there's...
here...
there's bank correspondence
and there's a letter from the lawyer who...
who supervised the... sale;
... could you....
Look I don't really know anything
about your personal affairs.
It...it's the mortgage...
it doesn't look very good I don't think...
Alright I'll take them and look them over.
Thank you.
Oh Janet had also mentioned that the girls
might be interested in piano lessons.
So if that's true,
now would be a good time for them to start coming.
Well...I'll..um....I'll..
[baby crying]
Oh the baby sorry. Excuse me.
I'm coming.
[register ringing]
Oh Elvira, you're not going to put this
in the jumble sale, are you?
Oh yes.
How can you part with it?
Well I never wear it.
You should wear it to church.
Really?
You don't think it's too young for me?
Not a day.
You know I think I just might.
Oh Mrs. Grier.
May I help you?
I have this notice I'd like to put on your bulletin board,
if that's all right?
I'm going to be offering piano instruction in my home, ladies.
If any of you know any interested children.
I'm sure you'll find that my rates are more than competitive.
Well... good day.
Well what do you think of that?
Well I think it's a fine how-do-you-do, I say.
Imagine...
Her, hanging out her shingle
and Emmett barely in the ground.
There is proper way to do things.
Well I'll say so.
Well, I can assure you that no girl of mine
is going to that woman for piano lessons.
I can assure you, ladies, that I am eminently qualified.
I have my certificate from the Royal Conservatory -
first class honours.
I also have other awards and commendations,
but if you won't send me your children,
then perhaps you'll send me your laundry,
because I'd do that, too.
I'd take in sewing, but I'm not much good at it.
Unless of course you have a position for me here
at the store Mrs. Lawson.
Then ladies, if your children are interested in piano lessons,
I would be more than grateful for whatever business
you could send my way.
♪ [piano music] ♪
[music stops]
Hello.
I've tended to all your animals.
I should just pick up my tools and head home.
How's Carrie doing?
Please... She's fine.
Mr. King?
Hullo there!
Gus, what can I do for you?
Do for me?
Nothing.
It's more like what can I do for you?
Oh?
How's that?
It was you.
You gave me these here shoes, Mr. King...
They look good.
You're welcome to them.
No offense - Mr. King -
but I never seen a man to look so bone weary.
I seen you working Grier place.
Oh, Gus, I'm trying to run two farms,
with a body that doesn't want to run one.
Well, then it's settled.
I'm working for my shoes, Mr. King.
I'll be there mornings as of Tuesday to give you a hand.
You don't need to do that...
Oh, look can you use the help or no?
Yes...
yes, I could use the help.
Tuesday morning!
[♪]
Alec?
[shudder]
Alec?
It's cold out here.
You must be exhausted.
Why aren't you in bed?
Well I...well I've been straining my eyes....
reading through Emmett's papers.
Is there some way that I can help?
What are you looking at?
Stars.
How many do you think there are?
Millions? Millions of millions.
I don't know.
Shall we count them?
I remember nights when Emmett and I were boys -
laying on our backs in that field back out there.
Staring up into the deep.
Endless depth of stars.
Endless.
You know for me, that vastness was always so...
humbling.
But Emmett, no he...
he looked into infinity and he saw a universe
of endless possibility.
He always thought he could grab the world by the tail.
He still was - that boy.
And like all boys,
he never thought that he'd die.
Oh Alec...
What if it had been me?
But it wasn't you.
But what if it had been me that been knocked unconscious.
Emmett, you know he was a stronger swimmer.
I mean...he would have found me.
Alec, I won't have you talking this way.
And you wouldn't be if you weren't worn to a fiddle string,
working two farms.
I gotta to go in.
I've got to write a letter to Emmett's lawyer.
Well I'll help you.
Alec, you just can't keep worrying yourself this much.
What am I going to do?
Well.
We'll think of something.
The way I hear tell,
Alec King is at the Grier farm day and night.
No!
I've seen him work that farm himself for her.
They're sure friendly.
That Alec King,
with his best friend swept
off the face of the earth.
Well, where there's smoke...
There's sure to be tongues wagging.
There is such a thing as charity, ladies.
Idle tongues make idle chatter, ladies.
Elvira Lawson,
if you can tear yourself away,
Olivia wishes to look at material
suitable for young Montgomery here.
Oh yes. Yes, of course, Hetty.
Right away.
EVELYN: Curve your hand up like this.
♪ [piano music] ♪
Curve your hand up like this.
[sigh] [slams hands on keys]
I'm sorry, Mrs. Grier.
I'm just no good at the piano right now.
All right.
You've suffered enough for one day.
Off you go.
-Really! -Really.
Goodbye father.
What happened with Cecily?
Oh, there are some days when a young girl
shouldn't be bound to a piano.
She should be running across a field, as fast as her legs
will carry her.
Well good Lord.
I remember this one - it's for four hands.
Hetty and I used to spend hours playing this.
Well do you want to try it?
Let's see if these gnarled old fingers can remember it...
♪ On yonder hill there stands a maiden. ♪
♪ Whom she is I do not know. ♪
♪ I will court her for her beauty. ♪
♪ She will answer yes or no. ♪
♪ Oh...no John, no John, no John, no. ♪
♪ My father was a Span... ♪
He told me he would never leave me --
He promised me,
he would never leave me.
Hey!
Morgan, get your own.
You're supposed to share.
Shh!
Mind if I join you?
Of course.
[baby cooing]
♪ [organ music] ♪
♪ [singing] ♪
Oh will you girls wait here for me for a moment, please.
Hello.
I don't know how she can show that face in public.
Nor Janet, neither, so far as I'm concerned.
I'm sorry, but I seem to have lost my husband.
[coughing]
Have you seen him?
She was so quiet during service...
Thank you, very much.
Felicity! Cecily! Supper's ready!
Evelyn?
I'm...I'm so sorry to bother you.
Um, something's gone awry with the pump in my yard.
I'm...I'm completely without water.
Oh what a shame you had to come all this way,
passed so many other neighbours...
I - I've found it difficult meeting them, and I...
I hate to impose on people, I....
Well, I...
Obviously, I've come at a bad time.
Oh I'm right here, Evelyn.
I'll just...just get my coat.
Alec, you've not yet had your supper.
I'll wait outside.
Alec...
Well, supper's not going anywhere, is it?
Oh...oh fine.
You just run along then.
Janet, I don't understand what you're going on about.
No. I can see that.
Look let's not argue about this now.
Evelyn needs help.
I'll be back in an hour.
Go run along supper's ready.
[slams door]
Now, please.
-What! -That's what she said.
Sally Potts!
Repeat what you said to my sister!
-Felicity? -Repeat it.
I dare you.
I'm not afraid to say the truth if you want to hear it.
Your father is pitching woo to the widow Grier.
I know it, everybody in Avonlea knows it.
How can you say such foul things?
I saw it with my own eyes.
Everybody knows what a fool Alec King
is making of your mother.
Sally Potts!
Like my mother says,
It's always the holier- than-thous like Alec King
that carry on the worst in secret.
Felicity, you don't believe what Sally said, do you?
No!
Now as Miss King would say, talk is cheap,
and Sally's talk is cheaper than most.
Now I known men that run with women.
And I can tell you what you already oughta know -
your pa ain't one of them.
But what about what Sally saw?
I don't know what Sally Potts thinks she seen.
All I know is I never met a more decent fella than your pa.
Generous to a fault -
no one deserves that description
better than Alec King.
Too generous sometimes?
Well he's just doing what he thinks is right.
He's the type of fella that has to do more
than just feel sorry for you.
He's gotta make your life easy.
The problem is,
life can't always be easy.
He never tries to make anything easier for me.
You'll thank him for that one day.
Now I want to preface what I am about to propose by saying
that I have given this a great deal thought.
Alec, what is it?
Well a...
foreclosure by the bank on Emmett's property is at hand...
Oh dear.
Poor Evelyn.
And after consideration,
I've decided that the best resolution
for this business is for us to use the King principal
to purchase Emmett's property from the bank.
The King principal?
Oh Alec!
I think it would be good both for us and Evelyn.
HETTY: And I do not.
Alec that's the most absurd idea you've ever had.
What's more I won't allow it.
Hetty - you won't even listen...
No. I shan't.
You're not thinking clearly, you know that.
My answer's no.
And that's final.
When and if you come to your senses about this business,
I will be more than willing to listen to you.
Olivia?
Alec, I appreciate how you feel.
I know how much you have taken upon yourself.
I think you're being very noble. But...
But what do you think Olivia?
I want your support in this matter.
Alec, my answer is no.
No?
How can you just callously shut someone out like that?
You, who talk so freely about charity?
Oh Alec, be fair.
That money is for all of us - for our children -
for your children, too.
We'd all like to do something to help.
We were fond of Emmett, too...
Were you?
Yes. We were.
But we have to use some reason.
Well you just reason some way out of this for Emmett's wife!
Alec, please don't...
He...
...I'm sorry about his behaviour.
He's under a terrific strain...
I know.
Alec dear? Can I get you anything?
No. Thank you.
I could pour you some tea.
No more tea.
It's bothering my sleep, I think.
I have to agree with Olivia.
What?
I agree with Olivia.
I don't know what you're talking about.
Alec, please!
What?
It is not your fault that Emmett died.
I never said that it was.
And it is not your fault that you survived.
Alec...
I need some air.
It's obvious something has to be done, Hetty.
But I don't know what to do about it?
I mean I could tell Alec to stop helping her?
But you know him, he won't do that.
Or I could tell her to stop using him?
But I suppose that would be callous.
She's a woman who has relied on the strength of others.
For us Kings, we'd rather suffer a painful death.
Well, you understand my point Janet.
But being on one's own can be a terrifying experience.
I remember trying to teaching Olivia to walk.
I was so frustrated.
She wouldn't let go of the edge of the table.
So yes, independence is a frightening thing.
You know, Hetty King, you are often a remarkable woman.
Oh.
Mr. King?
Gus.
Thought that was you.
Well tomorrow's Tuesday.
Would you like me to meet you at your place, or the Grier's?
Gus, it really... it isn't necessary.
Necessary?
You gimme the shoes.
I don't know much about fine shoes,
but I figure they're worth a week's wages.
Look I didn't do it for get cheap labour.
You don't owe me anything.
Mr. King,
you're real proud of King Farm, and everything you got,
and you have very right to be.
I think it's awful good of people who have,
to share what they got.
But you know, I never had nothing but myself,
so if I'm gonna be proud of anything, I gotta be proud
of looking after me.
You're an independent lad, Gus Pike.
But don't you think you've taken on enough already?
Well everyone's got their own burden to carry.
Their own weight.
You know what my mother used to say?
About carrying a burden?
At first, it'll weight you down, but sooner or later,
it'll make you strong.
If you carry somebody else's burden for them,
don't ever expect them to get strong enough
to carry on without you.
Are we still talking about shoes, Gus?
I'll be on the King farm tomorrow morning -
with the birds.
[♪]
I'm sorry.
You were right.
I felt guilty.
I wanted to help her.
She seems so fragile - so...
I know.
Don't worry.
Daniel won't be wearing any of these anymore.
They're beautiful.
Truth be told, I think most of these belonged to Cecily.
Cecily?
[chuckling]
It's amazing how fast they grow.
Oh, I know.
Sometimes you wish you could stop them at Daniel's age.
You know just when they start talking,
just before they take to their legs
and run away from you.
Ah? This is a dear one.
Daniel wore this from seven to nine months.
Although, I expect Carrie will wear it much later.
My sister, Abigail's wee one wore it, too.
I suppose they do...
What's that?
Take to their legs and run away from you.
And run to what?
I wish she didn't have to.
You can't stop her growing you know.
Or running - or falling - or catching measles
or getting in schoolyard fights.
You just have to teach her to deal with the good and bad.
I suppose you're right.
Alright we'll put our backs into it here.
And then head on over to Mrs. Grier's.
Cecily you can feed the chickens,
collect the eggs and Gus you can clean out the hogs.
-All right... -Good morning everyone.
Gus.
I just thought you could use some extra hands in the barn.
Felicity, we...
I'll help Gus.
Where are we starting?
You're doing the pigs.
Wonderful.
Did you know that some people actually think that pigs
are smarter than dogs?
No kidding? Says who?
I just read it somewhere.
You just mind your own bees wax.
[knocking]
Come in.
Beautiful day.
Lovely.
I brought you a bushel of apples.
A whole bushel?
Oh well, Carrie likes applesauce.
You know, you're too kind to me.
Evelyn we...
I...I have something I want to talk with you about.
I spoke with the bank today, and um...
I've decided to let them take the place.
Take the...
this is your home.
No.
Avonlea isn't my home.
It was Emmett's.
I'm going to sell whatever I can,
and they can take the rest.
But where will you go?
Well...I've been corresponding with a friend
at the conservatory in Toronto
and if I can teach piano in Avonlea,
I can teach it anywhere.
It's amazing how much faster the students learn
when they actually want to take the lessons.
It's busier in the fall.
So my chances of getting a position are better
if I go now so.
I have to build a life - for me and for Carrie.
[♪]
This is the address of the boarding house.
Promise you'll write.
I will, Evelyn.
I will.
You've been so generous.
Thank you.
Goodbye, Evelyn.
Everything's on board.
Say goodbye to your godfather.
Goodbye, Carrie Alexandra.
[driver knocking]
We really must go.
Yes.
Goodbye, Evelyn.
Emmett was fortunate - in having you for his friend.
So am I.
Goodbye, Alec King.
You take care.
[♪]