"Doc, what time is it?"

Doc pulled out his watch and consulted it, then snapped it shut and tucked it away in his pocket. "Five minutes since the last time you asked what time it was."

Festus counted on his fingers, frowning. "What time wuz it then?"

"Ten minutes since the last time you asked what time it was."

The deputy glared. "Cain't you tell what time it is now?"

The old man looked at his watch again. "Yes, I can."

He put it away and Festus snapped, "I wuz meanin' cain't you tell me?"

Kitty came over and slapped Doc on the shoulder. "Doc, stop it."

The old man looked elaborately innocent. "I'm not doing anything. It's him asking what time is it every few minutes. Festus, why don't you get a watch of your own?"

"Because I don't usu'ly care what time it is! When it's light it's time to get up. When it's dark..."

Doc cut in. "It's time to go to the Longbranch and hit Kitty up for free drinks."

Festus looked disgusted. "Smart alec..."

It had been eight years since Letty left for boarding school-eight years of hard work and privation for Festus. Doc had helped his friend during those years as much as he could, but the deputy was the one who raised every cent of the two hundred dollar a year tuition. Now she had graduated and was coming home and Festus had been in a state of nervous anticipation that tugged at every last fiber of Doc's heart, making him even more cantankerous than usual.

There was a faint whistle in the distance and Festus grabbed Doc's arm. The old man pulled away, scowling, and his friend bounced to the end of the platform. "Doc, Miss Kitty, here it comes now!"

Doc pulled out his watch again. "Only half an hour late."

The deputy snorted. "I s'pose now I don't care you'll tell me what time it is?"

The old man smiled widely. "10:15AM."

Festus was looking eagerly up the tracks but he turned around, puzzled. "What's that there AM?"

"Means in the morning."

"I can see it's mornin'!"

Kitty shook her head at Doc and took the deputy's arm. They could see the train now. Festus was quivering with excitement and Kitty tugged at him. "Settle down, Festus."

The train pulled in and he gently disengaged himself from Kitty and planted himself right in the path of the disembarking passengers. A few people looked annoyed but most of the travelers were too weary to really notice the man in their way. Then a tall young woman with big blue eyes and fair hair stepped out, looking around anxiously. She spotted the deputy and jumped down. "Festus!"

"Letty!" Festus gathered her into his arms and she squeezed him around the neck. "You still don't know I got to breathe?" Letty released him and he stepped back, holding her hands and looking at her with approval. "You sure have growed up into a fine young lady. Them's the fanciest duds I have ever saw."

Letty rolled her eyes. "Festus, this is a traveling suit."

"You don't mean t'say that there getup is just for settin' on a train?" The deputy eyed the ribbons and lace trimming her hat and jacket, then lifted one hand to inspect her dainty kid glove. He seemed bemused and Kitty stepped in.

"Letty, you look just wonderful. Did you have a good trip?"

"Oh, it was fine, Miss Kitty, if you could ignore the dust. I'd forgotten just how dry and dusty it is out here." She turned her head. "Festus, would you get my trunk? It's in compartment B."

Festus said sheepishly, "I forgot my readin' specs. S'pose you could show me where yore stuff is?"

Letty raised her eyebrows and Doc said hastily, "I'll go with you, Festus. You might need a hand." He smiled warmly at Letty. "It's a real pleasure seeing you again, young lady. You'll have to tell us all about school."

"I'll be glad to, Doctor Adams."

"Now, now, call me Doc."

She laughed. "Doc."

Kitty took her arm. "Doc, Festus, we'll meet you at the Dodge House."

They strolled away arm in arm and Festus watched them go until Doc snapped, "Well, don't just stand there! We've got to get Letty's things sometime today."

"All right!" The deputy turned to his friend and his soft hazel eyes were glowing. "Ain't she growed up finer'n frog's hair?"

Doc looked down the street. Letty had separated herself from Kitty and was walking next to the redhead with her hands behind her back. "She's a beautiful young woman, Festus." The old man smiled at his friend but he glanced down the street again and his eyes were troubled.