Aunt Hootie held tight of Henry's left ear and waltzed him to the doorway of the Long Branch and out on to the street. Kitty, Matt, Festus and Newly watched on as she held hard enough that he almost walked on his toes.
"What did I tell you about lookin' fer me? Now we have ta move on directly!" Hootie's tone was not one heard before in Dodge. Even Festus took note.
"Wall Ma. What waz I supposed ta do? I ain't got no money and every time I get me a plan...well, my hard luck comes along. I needs ya!" Henry whined.
"Well these good folks of Dodge have seen what you can do to their town from yer other visits. Look at yer poor Cousin Festus! He's jumpier than a frog in a hot water pond!" Hootie practically shook Henry by the ear to make in look at Festus.
"Sorry Cousin Festus. Guess I done it again..." Henry looked sheepish at the ruffled deputy.
Matt, Kitty and Newly looked at Festus as he still appeared ready to bolt off in any given direction. His eyes caught theirs and he all of a sudden felt compelled to tell Hootie and Henry that all was fine and that they were still welcomed in Dodge. It was alike an alien force had taken control of his mind and mouth. "Ah, fiddle. Thar weren't no real harm done. Aunt Hootie, you and Henry stay fer a few more days. After all tomorrow is our big town celebration with fireworks and all..."
And an equal force held Matt, Kitty and Newly speechless when Hootie agreed to stay. The threesome looked at each other in stunned silence.