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But she starts to see changes in them that she doesn't like, especially in little Elizabeth, who becomes more and more withdrawn.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.