Festus climbed the stairs to Doc's office and opened the door. "Doc, I got me a terrible headache."
The old man looked annoyed. "I told you that you would. Do you think you can get hit over the head with a gun and not suffer any ill effects?" He rummaged in his medicine cabinet. "I told you to rest, but nobody ever listens to a word I say. I suppose I could give you some laudunum..."
The hillman came inside and closed the door. "It ain't that kind of a headache."
Doc straightened up. "Well, what kind is it?"
Festus sat by the door. "It's the kind you get from studyin' 'bout somethin' when you cain't find no answer. You just study on it and study on it and your head gets to achin'..."
Doc cut in. "Before my head gets to aching, just what have you been studying about?"
"It's Letty. Matthew got the feller that killed her mama."
"That's good news."
"But Doc, that yahoo done killed her pa too! The child doesn't have a soul in the world now. What's to become of her?"
The old man ran his hand over his face. "I suppose she'll have to go to the county orphanage."
The hillman's face fell. "She's such a sweet little thing, Doc. Smart as turpentine, too."
Doc said firmly, "They'll take good care of her there, Festus."
Festus shook his head. "Nossir, I just cain't see it that way. Letty don't belong there."
"Well now, just where do you think she should go?"
"I don't know! That's why I come to you! Cain't you think of nothin' better than that there orphanage?"
"Festus, what makes you think I know of a better place for a little girl?"
"Well, yore the brightest feller I know..." Doc looked pleased and Festus continued. "...when it comes to book learnin', that is. 'Pears like you don't know much 'bout things outside'a books..." Doc glared. "...but you of all people ort to be able to think of somethin'."
The old man was exasperated. "Well, if you're going to pin me down I suppose the best place for her is school."
"Oh, Doc, she don't need schoolin' near as much as she needs somewheres to live."
"I was referring to a boarding school."
"What's that?"
Festus looked bewildered and Doc took a deep breath. "Haven't you ever heard of a boarding school?"
The hillman shook his head. "I've heerd tell of a boardin' house, but never no boardin' school."
"Well, it's a school where the students go to live while they learn their lessons."
"You mean they live there all the time with the teachers and all?"
"That's right."
"Well, I s'pose that might do. How do we send her to one?"
"We!" Festus turned his soft hazel eyes on Doc and the old man swallowed hard and said gruffly, "We'll have to talk to Matt first. Where's Letty now?"
"Over to Ma Smalley's. Ma said she'd keep her as long as need be."