 John-Boy is working hard on his novel. But when a fire ravages the Walton house, he is stuck with just a few pieces of charred paper, and his family stuck without a home. Olivia reluctantly agrees to let the children stay with friends until the house is rebuilt. But she starts to see changes in them that she doesn t like, especially in little Elizabeth, who becomes more and more withdrawn. And all the while, John-Boy s guilt about the fire prevents him from beginning his novel again.