"Doc, I feel dizzy."
"Then we won't take any more." The old man clamped off the tube that ran from the needle in Kitty's arm, removed it, and bandaged her up.
She sat up. "Did it work?"
Doc removed the needle from the hillman's arm and bandaged the small hole. He was smiling broadly as he held his patient's wrist. "Pulse is stronger, he's got some color back...I'll say it did. You've got good blood, Kitty."
Kitty reached out and touched Festus' hand. It was warm again and she seemed to feel that warmth in her heart. Then he opened his eyes. "Ma'am?" His voice was weak but steady, and she smiled at him.
"It's Kitty to you, Festus."
Festus looked around and saw Doc. He tried to sit up and the old man restrained him. "Take it easy, Festus. How do you feel?"
The hillman closed his eyes. "Like I couldn't whup a weak kitten." His eyes popped back open. "What happened? I remember bein' in the Longbranch, and that ugly feller with the knife..." He saw the bandage on Kitty's arm and his eyes grew big with alarm. "Did he hurt you after all, Miss Kitty?"
Kitty laughed through the tears in her eyes. "No, Festus, he didn't hurt me. In fact, I think he may have introduced me to one of the best friends a girl could ever have."