My mother and Mrs. Kimmelmann watched this display with mild surprise, and then as Aida and I separated, my mother dabbed at her eyes with one of the lace hankies she carried in the sleeve of her dress. She took my arm, smiled at Mrs. Kimmelmann and Aida, and then we walked slowly to the hallway where Bill Tilghman, Signore Difranco, and Mr. Hawes were waiting.

"We best be gettin' to the depot," Bill said, looking at his pocket watch.

Bill, Mr. Hawes and Signore Difranco squeezed into the front seat, while mother and I climbed onto the backseat. Mother grasped my hand and held it tightly as the wagon bumped along the rutted dirt streets. A few minutes later, we pulled up to the Dodge City depot. The train was already...

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