Kitty and Hootie had already seated themselves when Matt, Doc and Festus arrived at the table in the saloon. Festus took a seat next to his aunt, while Matt and Doc sat on either side of Kitty. Festus wiggled into his seat and leaned to his aunt, "You really mean it, that Henry is still with them monkeys?" the deputy's left eye scrunched in question - and concern.

"Oh, yes, dear Festus! I wouldn't dare show my face in Dodge again ifin he was still living with me, after what he done last time." Aunt Hootie turned her attention the Kitty, "I'm so glad that you were able to rebuild," she smiled.

Kitty smiled back, "Well, to be honest Hootie, it seems that the fire was probably a good thing. My roof was rotten!" Kitty chuckled. "I'm just glad no-one was seriously hurt."

"Me too," Doc ticked his head.

Festus hung on every word of his aunt, "Is Henry happy with his monkeys?"

"For heaven's sake, Festus! Why don't you take up with the circus to find out?" Doc barked and Festus flinched. "You hush up! I was jawin' with my aunt, that's all," Festus retorted.

"Oh, Festus," Hootie laughed, "Your cousin couldn't be happier," Hootie pulled her handbag up to her lap and opened it before she fished through it looking for what it was she wanted. After a brief search, she held out a photograph of Henry and his monkeys. "See! Now, don't he look happy!?" she chortled again.

Festus warily took the photograph and looked at it before he ticked his head, "It sure does look like he's enjoying them critters, don't it?" he handed the photograph to Doc who was sitting closest to him. Even Doc was bemused and handed the cabinet card to Kitty who inturn handed it to Matt. "Does this mean you want to join up with him, Festus?" Matt looked up from the photograph.

Festus' eyebrows knotted at the centre, "No I don't want to join up with Henry...nor the circus neither. I'm just glad that Henry is well away from me..." The hill man sat back in his chair with a huff which of course caused his friends to laugh.

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Addie Modhercan held another damp cloth to her father's head, "How ya feeling now, Pa?"

Argonaut Modhercan looked up to his daughter, "I ain't feeling any better, Addie. Them concoctions you've been mixin' don't seem to be doing nothing, now." He rolled his head back and looked up at the hides that made the roof of their temporary shelter. The Modhercans were a transient bunch.

Addie sat back with her niece hovering over her shoulder. "Pa, I tried everything, with what we got," she wiped her forearm across her runny nose. Her eyes stung from the tears that wanted to fall.

"I know girl," Argonaut pat her hand, "Maybe it's my time..."

"Don't say such things!" Addie stood with her hands on her hips, "There's gotta be somehtin' more I can do..." she started to leave her father's side when Piney's hand clutched at her grey ragged skirt. Addie stopped and looked down at the growing yong girl, "What Piney? What is it? I don't have time fer games..."

Piney nodded in acknowledgement, "This ain't no game, Aunt Addie. Why don't you go and fetch that book learnin' doctor that fixed me up like new?"

Addie stopped and thought. Then she looked down at her ailing father and a slight smile creased her lips. "You might be on to something there, Piney. You was always a smart Haggen, even ifin we don't bring you up like one."

Piney nodded again, "I know, if it weren't fer my Pa running off and my Ma dying from grief, I guess, I would be a Haggen," she said sadly - mostly about her mother, then she smiled, "But I like being a Modhercan too!"

Addie laughed lightly and then pressed her index finger over her lips, "Shhh. We gots ta be quiet what Pa gets rest. Come on out side..." Addie took Piney's hand as they left the hut.

Skeeter and Herk stood outside the hut and waited for Addie and Piney, "What's going on with Pa?"

"He ain't well. Just like before." Addie snapped at he half witted brothers.

"So whatcha gonna do?" Skeeter pressed.

"I'm gonna fetch me that book learned doctor from Dodge. And you two better be nice to him this time, or I'll make sure he poisons you!" Addie wagged her finger in her brothers' faces. They both swallowed hard then slowly agreed.

Addie turned to Piney, "Now that you're the smartest one, I want you to look out for things here while I'm going to Dodge."

"Ahh...can't I come with you?" Piney tried to convince Addie to take her with her to Dodge, "I've never been to a city before!"

Addie shook her head no, "I'll be sure that once Pa is feeling better, that we take you to the city. You have to stay here and watch out for things..." Addie placed her hand on Piney's shoulder, "You understand, don't you?"

Piney smiled, "I'll do my best, Aunt Addie." She knew how much of a handful her uncles could be. It was Argonaut that kept them in line.

"I know you will." Addie smiled back before turning to her brothers, "I need a horse and saddle..."

Both brothers scrambled from sight to saddle a horse while Addie gathered a few supplies to ready for her journey into Dodge. It was several years ago that she was last there and she hoped that she remembered how to get to the big city.