Free The Waltons 1 by Robert Weverka

“We can easily set two more places at the table.”
    “No, no, we don’t want to intrude on you, Livvy, thanks. Eula and I ate along the way. We just wanted to pick up this scalawag here.”
    Eula Pendleton put her empty cup on the table and picked up her purse. “Yes, but thank you for the offer.” She rose, but Jenny made no move to get up.
    “Daddy? The Waltons said I could stay with them for a while.”
    The statement caught both the Pendletons by surprise. Dave stared at Jenny, then at John and Olivia.
    “That’s right, Dave,” John nodded. “Why don’t you let her stay a few days. We were just gettin’ acquainted.”
    “We’d be real glad to have her,” Olivia smiled.
    John-Boy’s hopes rose cautiously as Dave seemed to consider the idea.
    “What this little girls deserves,” he said, “is a trip across my knee.” He gave Jenny a stern look and then suddenly grinned. “But seein’ she’s mine and spoiled rotten to boot, Eula and I have decided to open up the old place and stay on for a while.”
    It was as if a spring had suddenly been released inside everyone in the room. Even Grandma cheered as Jenny leaped to her feet and gave her father another kiss. John-Boy felt like the teetering world had suddenly righted itself again.
    “Oh, Dad, thank you,” Jenny was crying. “And you too, Eula. You’re the nicest parents anybody could have.”
    “Okay.” Dave laughed. “Enough of this nonsense. Let’s go take a look at that old barn.”
    Jenny turned happily to Olivia. “I’ll come over first thing in the morning, Mrs. Walton. You just leave the breakfast dishes. And Grandma, I’ll hold you to your promise to teach me how to crochet. And I want to help with the polliwogs, Mary Ellen. And—”
    “And, and, and.” Dave Pendleton laughed. “If you’re gonna be up to so much tomorrow, we’d better get started with all that dust in our own house.” He put an arm around Jenny. “John, Livvy, I sure appreciate your lookin’ after my little girl.”
    “We enjoyed havin’ her, Dave.”
    “And she did far more than her share of work around here.”
    John-Boy opened the door for them. Jenny gave him a happy, triumphant smile, and John-Boy walked out with her after the others said good-bye.
    “Don’t forget your promise to take me to the mountain tomorrow, John-Boy.”
    “I won’t forget. In fact, if it’s all right, maybe I can come over to your house tonight.”
    “Could you? I’m sure Dad and Eula would be delighted.”
    Dave Pendleton was holding the car door open. “Come on, Jenny.”
    “I have some work to do this afternoon,” John-Boy said quickly. “Maybe I can make it after supper.”
    “Please try,” she said and hurried to the car.
    “Good-bye, John-Boy,” Mr. Pendleton called. “And thanks again.”
    “Good-bye, Mr. Pendleton.”
    John-Boy shoved his hands into his pockets and watched as the car made a U-turn and started down the road. In a way he was glad Jenny wasn’t going to live with them. Now he wouldn’t have to share her with the rest of the family. He quickly pulled out a hand and waved as Jenny smiled at him through the back window.
    In the kitchen Olivia and Grandma were putting out bread and pickles and milk. Grandpa was already slicing into a ham, making a sandwich.
    “Seems like a real nice girl,” he remarked. “A good-looker, too. That Dave Pendleton always did know how to pick ’em.” He glanced at Grandma’s scowl and quickly added, “Yes sir, that Dave Pendleton’s almost as good as I am at pickin’ pretty girls.”
    “Hmmph,” Grandma responded and headed for the cupboard to get plates. “I surely do wish I had as good a taste as you did, old man.”
    It took a minute for the remark to sink in, then everyone laughed and looked at Grandpa. He shook his head.
    “I’m not goin’ to answer that, old lady, you’re too quick-tongued for me. Here, John-Boy, have yourself a sandwich.”
    “Ladies are generally served first,” Erin