Festus had been moved to Doc's spare bed, and as they entered the office Ma came out of the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
"How's the patient, Ma?" asked the old man.
"He seems fine, except for his head hurting, " said the kindly little woman, "but Doc, he looks at me so strangely, as if he never saw me before!"
"Well, as far as he knows, he has never seen you before."
"I know that's what you said, Doc, but I've known Festus for years and...well, it's just so strange."
Doc patted her arm. "Thanks for staying with him. I'll take over now."
"All right, Doc." Ma nodded at them. "Marshal, Kitty." She left and Doc looked at the bedroom door.
"Now remember, he doesn't know who you are. Act naturally with him, but don't expect him to act like himself. He may say or do things he normally wouldn't, but he's still the same person." Kitty reached for Matt and took his hand. He gave her a reassuring squeeze and looked at Doc. The old man nodded and opened the bedroom door.
Festus was sitting up in bed, head in hands. As they filed in and he saw Kitty he pulled up the blanket and glared at Doc. "Doctor Adams, I know you said you wuz brangin' some folks, but you just can't keep paradin' strange women through here!"
Kitty stopped short, then came forward at a gesture from Doc. "Festus," said the old man, "this is Kitty Russell and you've known her as long as you've known me."
Festus looked dubious. "I don't know that I know you, Doctor, and I sure don't see how I'd forget knowin' anybody as pretty as this here lady."
Kitty was startled. In all the years she had known Festus, he had never once said a word about her looks. She knew he loved her, but his feelings had always been brotherly and it gave her an odd pang to realize he thought she was pretty. She smiled gently and sat down next to the bed. "How you feeling, Festus?"
He plucked at the blanket. "I'm fine, ma'am."
She bit her lip. "It's Kitty, Festus. My name is Kitty."
"Miss Kitty."
The words were right but the tone of his voice was so uncertain Kitty wanted to cry. "I'll be by later, Festus, and when you feel up to it, you come see me at my place." Festus looked scandalized and she added hastily, "I mean the Longbranch. That's the saloon I own." His eyes widened and Doc came forward.
"We'll be there, Kitty." She nodded and tried to pat Festus on the shoulder but he pulled away. For a moment she stood frozen, then she turned and went from the room. Doc watched her go, then turned back to the deputy. "Festus, this is another good friend, Matt Dillon. He's the marshal here."
"The marshal!" Festus started to get up. Doc tried to restrain him, but even in his weakened state Festus was a lot stronger than Doc. Matt took a step towards the bed and the deputy subsided. "Doctor Adams, tell me the truth. Am I wanted for somethin'? Did I get hurt resistin' arrest?" His soft hazel eyes were terrified and Doc tried to soothe him without success. Finally he went to Matt and spoke in a low voice.
"Matt, you'd better go. I'm sorry. I didn't realize he would react like this." The marshal couldn't speak. He left the room and Doc returned to Festus and took his wrist. The deputy was trembling, his pulse racing, and Doc frowned. "I'm going to give you something to help you relax."
"I don't need to relax, Doctor! I need to know what's goin' on!"
Doc sat next to the bed and took a deep breath. "I've already told you. Your name is Festus Haggen. You live here in Dodge City. My name is Doctor Galen Adams, but everybody calls me Doc."
"Do I call you Doc?"
"That's right. We've been friends for a good many years. And Kitty is your friend, and so is Matt. You don't have to be afraid of him."
"He's a lawman, ain't he?"
"Well, so are you. Here..." Doc got up and showed Festus his shirt. "Look. This is your shirt and here is your badge. You're a United States Deputy Marshal, and you got hurt in Kitty's saloon trying to stop a fight."
The deputy fingered the badge, then said in a low voice, "I cain't read what it says."
"You never learned to read."
Festus threw the shirt across the room. "How can a man be a marshal if he cain't read?" He dropped his head in his hands. "I wisht you would tell me the truth!"
"I am telling you the truth, you stubborn mule!" The words were out before Doc realized what he was saying.
Festus looked up abruptly. "Why, you ornery old scutter..." Doc's face lit up, but the deputy was looking horrified. "Doctor Adams, I'm sure sorry. I don't know what made me say that."
Doc slumped into the chair next to the bed. "That's what you call me."
"Thought you said I call you Doc."
The old man looked wistfully at his friend. "You call me a lot of things."
Festus spoke cautiously. "You sure we're friends?"
"Oh, my...yes. Yes, indeed. You can take my word on that."