The sun was setting before they finished eating and they all filed outside to watch it. Doc stood next to Festus, enchanted by the display of clouds shot through with gold darkening to purple as the light faded and the hills slowly lost their soft green and turned to graceful silhouettes. A single star came out, then another and another until the sky glittered with their light. A low breeze rustled the leaves of the cottonwoods and crickets started to sing all around them. Festus remained outside when the Haggens went back to their supper and Doc waited with him until finally he looked at the old man and smiled.
"Been a lotta years since I seen the sun set over them hills." Festus shook his head. "I kinda forgot how pretty it is."
Doc smiled back. "Do they always come out to watch the sun set?"
Festus nodded. "Ain't you noticed how the sun don't never set the same way twicet? Ever' day it's diff'rent from anythin' you have ever saw before and the bestest thing is it just gets prettier and prettier the more time goes on. Just makes you feel plum soulsome."
"Soulsome?"
"Soulsome and roundy, like there ain't no sharp edges stickin' out noplace."
They fell silent then, looking at the sky until Eliab came out. "Doc, Jessamine wants you. She thinks it's time."
Doc nodded. "All right, Eliab. Festus, go get my bag."
"Right away, Doc." The hillman hurried away and Doc and Eliab went back to the house, Festus catching up with them as they reached the porch. There was a cry of pain from inside and Sweet Billy hurried out, Melody at his heels. "Doc, I think Orabelle needs you right now!"
Doc took his bag from Festus. "I'm on my way. Festus, why don't you and Eliab take Sweet Billy for a walk or something?" He went inside and the three hillmen looked nervously at each other. They heard Doc say something and Jessamine answer but they couldn't catch the words. Sweet Billy broke out in a cold sweat and Eliab took his arm.
"Come on, cousin. Doc Adams is right...this here ain't no place for us. You can show me what you been doin' with the barn..." Eliab's voice died away and Festus was left alone with Melody.
The little girl took his hand. "Uncle Festus, I'm scared."
Festus knelt next to the child. "Ain't nothin' to be skeered of with old Doc in there. Melody, have you ever saw a real doctor's buggy?" She shook her head and he smiled. "Well, all I can say is yore in for a real treat. I might just hitch up Popcorn and take you for a little drive. Would you like that?"
Melody looked back at the house. "I'd ruther stay here. What if'n Doc Adams needs some help with Orabelle?"
Festus raised his brows. "I hadn't thought of that. 'Course the way Doc usu'lly does things is he likes folks to clear outta his way at first and then help him out after a while."
Melody turned over what Festus had said while the hillman waited patiently. Finally the little girl spoke. "I s'pose we could go for a drive...if'n that's the way Doc Adams does things."