Gunsmoke (1955–1975): Season 7, Episode 3 - Miss Kitty - full transcript
Kitty has her friends in Dodge buzzing when she meets the stage in the early hours to pick up a small boy. All wonder, especially his foster parents: could his real mother be Kitty?
Starring James
Arness as Matt Dillon.
Buddy.
♪♪
♪♪
Whoa...
- Morning, Zeke.
- Morning.
Might be I got another
passenger for you.
She ain't said.
You, uh, riding with us, ma'am?
I'm meeting someone.
You got a youngster with you?
We sure do.
Hey, sonny, sonny,
sonny wake up.
Somebody's waiting for you.
Oh, Thad! Thad!
I must have just fell asleep
'cause I've been wide awake
the night long thinking
about seeing you.
There's people probably
trying to sleep in there.
Oh.
Oh! Oh, you
look fine, just fine.
I sure wondered if
I'd ever see ya again.
Well, I wondered about
that myself sometimes.
But we don't have to worry
about that anymore, do we?
Let me give you a
hand up there, lady.
Oh, thank you.
Up you go, sonny.
Now you hang on tight.
Mattie! Mattie, they've come!
- Hello, Horace.
- Miss Kitty.
Morning, Mattie.
Have a hot
breakfast ready, Kitty.
Oh, that's wonderful.
Well, this is Thad.
Thad, this is
Mr. and Mrs. Kelker.
- How do you do, ma'am?
- How do?
How do you do, sir?
Well, now, boy, it's, it's
a pleasure to meet you.
He got any rougher
clothes than that?
Out here, Sunday
best is for Sundays.
Well, I, I don't know what
he's got packed in there,
but whatever he needs,
I can sure bring it out.
Land's sakes, I can
make him his needs.
We got enough
old clothes around.
Mattie, did I hear you say
something about breakfast?
Hey, that's a
real cow, ain't it?
Yeah... plain everyday cow.
Haven't you ever
seen one before?
Well, yeah, but not this close.
Now that's a fright...
a boy his age not
knowing all about cows.
There's worse things, Horace.
There is?
He's a city boy. You
just give him some time.
Oh, before I forget.
I want to, I want
to give you this.
Give it to Mattie. I'm
no hand with money.
Here you are, Mattie.
Seems a lot to pay, Kitty.
From the look of him,
he-he won't eat much.
You're giving him
a place to stay.
That means an awful lot to me.
I got a list marked
down for you inside, Kitty.
You sure best eat something
'fore you ride back to Dodge.
Uh, our keeping
him here, Miss Kitty,
there won't be no
trouble about it?
No. No, there
won't be any trouble.
Fetch the boy in, Horace.
I don't believe that
tendon's pulled.
It's not swollen any.
Must be a bruise right
here someplace, Moss.
- Take a look here?
- Yeah, yeah.
Seems to me like it...
What do you mean?
You're not even paying
any attention to me.
What's the matter?
It's Miss Kitty's
stall, it's empty.
Yeah, sure it is.
Well, her mare's gone.
Her bridle and saddle, too.
Well, I never knew her to
go riding without any of 'em.
Did you ever know her to go
riding at 3:00 in the morning?
No, sir, and neither did you.
It's the truth, Doc.
I slept here last night on
account of a sick horse.
About 3:00... I knew it was 3:00
'cause I looked at the
clock... I heard a noise.
I looked over and
Kitty's stall was empty.
Her bridle and saddle gone, too.
Then I heard
somebody riding off.
Heard somebody? Well, you
don't know it was Miss Kitty.
No, I'm not sure, but
whoever it was took her mare,
took her bridle and saddle, too.
Well, good heavens, what
do you want to stand here
and try to figure
it out for anyway?
Why don't you just go
on over to Long Branch,
she'll be there,
I'm sure she will,
and then you can tell her
about the horse. Go on.
All right, all right.
And I'd be much obliged to
you if you could find a little time
to look at my horse's hoof!
Now you reach
under and you get this,
and then you pull it
through and you twist it.
Then you hold it with your
thumb, then you change hands
and you reach under
and you get the red one,
then you twist it.
Then you hold it
with your thumb.
Now you reach under
and you get this 'un
and then you pull it
through and you twist it.
Then you hold it with your
thumb, then you change...
Chester, whatever
you're doing, stop it!
I am trying to do a sum.
Well, Mr. Jonas, you
can't hardly expect me
to do this in my head,
not until I get the hang
of it. Good, anyway.
I wouldn't swear to it, Marshal,
but it looks like you owe me
eight dollars and 72 cents.
72, that's the whole month?
- Yes.
Mr. Jonas, have you got
another couple of rolls of ribbon?
- Ribbon?
- Yeah, I think I could do six of 'em.
Maybe even eight.
Well, now, just what
kind of fancy work
are you taking up, Chester?
- Looks pretty good.
- Oh, for heaven's sake!
Oh, oh, oh! Now
don't tear it up!
Now, now just a minute.
I'm not hurting your ribbon!
Mr. Dillon, now looky there.
Look at that. Just
a little reata I made.
It's kind of limp, but
just made out of ribbon.
But you can tell I got
a good feel for braiding.
Yeah, except that
you're not supposed
to make reatas out
of ribbon, Chester.
You got any rawhide, Mr. Jonas?
I got some for sale.
Well, I didn't mean to
take it up as a serious thing.
Do you want anything
else, Marshal?
No, I guess that'll
be all, Mr. Jonas.
So how about the ribbon now?
Oh, forget it. It
wasn't your doing.
All right, eight 72.
Thank you.
Oh, uh, a potato.
A potato?
Yeah, a potato.
A potato?
Mr. Jonas, you sure
can be contrary today.
Just one potato.
That's all I want
for the spout on
the corn oil can.
Help yourself.
Yeah, thank you kindly.
Oh, say, Marshal,
as far as you know,
Miss Kitty's in town, ain't she?
Yeah, far as I know.
I suppose she is.
It's funny, though,
this morning when the
stage stopped at Willow Bend,
I got the notion Miss
Kitty was out there.
Willow Bend? You
must have been there
before dawn, weren't you?
It was just before, and I
can't deny I was dead asleep,
but I woke up hearing this
voice I'd swear it was Miss Kitty's.
You mean, you just heard
a voice, you didn't see her?
Well, she and this
boy was riding off.
I'll admit I didn't
see her real good.
Riding off with a boy?
This youngster.
He was on the stage
when I got on at Hayes City.
And then at Willow
Bend, like I said,
Miss Kitty... or somebody
that sure talks like her... met him
and they rode off together.
This, this boy, did
you know him at all?
I never laid eyes on him.
Well, you must have
dreamt it, Mr. Jonas.
I mean, Miss Kitty
and some little feller?
Why it's out of the question.
Well, I'd sure like to
satisfy myself about it
one way or the other.
Well, I wouldn't worry
about it too much, Mr. Jonas.
Thanks a lot.
Well, you know, Moss's
story taken by itself
or Jonas' either,
for that matter,
don't mean too much,
but put 'em together
and I don't know.
Well, yeah, Doc, except
that Jonas won't admit
that it was Kitty he saw anyway.
Well, Moss didn't actually
say he saw anybody.
He just heard somebody
ride away on a horse.
Well, it's a mystery,
that's what it is.
You know, it just makes
you feel kind of tingly thinking
that maybe it could
have happened.
Kind of what?
You know, tingly.
Oh, tingly who?
Oh, now, Doc, don't
try and make out
that I'm the only one around
here that ever felt tingly.
I tell you, this story
about Miss Kitty gets out,
half this town's
gonna feel that way.
Oh. Mr. Dillon, it's her!
It's Miss Kitty!
Oh, now, maybe
we're just gonna find out
all about this right now.
Well, maybe, but
don't let's push her.
If she wants to tell
us about it, she will.
Yeah. L-Let's don't go
borrowing trouble, Doc, at all.
Well, borrowing or not,
if she rode out at
3:00 in the morning,
now, she hadn't ought
to have done that,
and you ought to
talk to her about it,
'cause it just ain't
safe, that's all.
Well, no. She'd have
to have a pretty good
reason, I'll say that.
- Well, seems to me...
- She's coming.
Like you'd have to be
in trouble or something.
Well, now, let's-let's
not let on to it
that we're-we're thinking
anything about her at all.
Just, you know, just...
Hello, Kitty.
Hello.
Well, this looks
like a mass meeting.
Yeah, you-you look just fine.
Oh, yeah, just look
nice and rested.
Well, thank you.
Uh, I don't mean
to interrupt... Oh.
But Chester, I-I wonder
if you'd do me a favor.
Oh, anything.
Would you take my mare
back to Moss's for me?
Oh, take the mare,
uh, oh, yeah...
He'd be glad to.
Oh, I'd be glad to.
Yeah, that's all
right. Over to Moss's.
Well, thank you.
Oh, uh, by the way,
if you three think
you're acting like
yourselves, you're not.
Wh-What did she mean by that?
I mean, I-I thought
we took it off real good.
Now that's a
pretty sight, Charlie.
It's some near the fire for me.
I got a feeling anything
that burns is gonna be mine.
That's right.
That's just right.
You giving me all that, Tucker?
Why, you earned it, Charlie.
Hey, you got to admit,
you didn't know
about that bank till me.
I get the extra for all
the thinking and planning.
I ain't complaining, Tucker.
It's good you ain't.
Where you bound now?
Oh, I got a stop
or two before, but...
I'm heading for Dodge.
You got women
everywhere, ain't you, Tucker?
Everywhere there's women.
They're warmer
than whiskey, Charlie,
and softer than that bottle.
A man's a man any
way he knows how.
You got anybody, Charlie?
Anybody that's yours?
I had a wife once.
I don't have nothing now.
I had a wife once,
and I got me a son.
That's why I'm going to Dodge.
I mean to get that boy.
You mean just take him?
He's mine.
A boy'd just get in
your way, Tucker.
A man's got a
right to his own son.
I want what's mine,
and I mean to get
him any way I have to.
Well, you ain't a man
to put down roots.
You mean to have
the boy ride with you?
Hmm. Thad's too young for that.
But having him back...
might be I wouldn't
mind rooting down.
You know Dodge, Charlie?
No. I never come that way.
There's a woman in Dodge
I sure wouldn't
mind seeing again.
She ain't no ordinary woman.
Kitty's got red hair and
eyes that can laugh.
And she's full of fire.
And she's just crazy mad
for you, ain't she, Tucker?
Maybe that's what I like
best about her, Charlie.
Kitty don't care for me at all.
No, sir.
I expect she downright hates me.
She's got cause, Charlie.
She's got cause.
I never heard you talk that
way about a woman before.
I never told you
about Kitty before.
She really hate you, Tucker?
Mm-hmm.
She tell you so
right to your face?
Yeah.
Lots of times.
She must be some woman.
Some woman.
You know, Matt,
this being a mystery woman is
a new kind of role for me, Matt.
Well, Kitty, Moss and Jonas
can't quite make you out.
Mm-hmm, Doc, Chester?
They're pretty much
the same, I guess.
What about you?
Kitty, I always figured that
what you did is your business.
You know that.
Yeah, you always have.
You know, women
have the reputation for it,
but I swear, men
are every bit as nosey
and every bit as gossipy.
Well, don't be too
hard on us, Kitty.
We were just a little bit
worried about you, that's all.
Yeah, I-I know.
You know, this
business of leaving town
at 3:00 in the morning...
That's pretty dangerous
for a woman alone.
Nobody knows I did that.
Nobody but you.
Kitty, you're not in some
kind of trouble, are you?
'Cause if you are, you
don't have to be in it alone.
Matt, nobody ever
knew me like you do.
I never let anybody.
Now, for a good number of years,
I've told you
everything and anything.
Now, if there's something
I just don't feel like
I'm ready to talk about, well...
I wouldn't ask you to.
Thanks.
You know, I think you
better pass the word along
to the all-male grapevine
that I'm going to be
leaving town for a little while.
Hmm. Well, look, just
do me one favor, will you?
Yeah, if I can.
Don't leave town at
3:00 in the morning.
Well, I can promise you that.
Okay.
Well, if I don't see you again
before you go, why, good luck.
Thanks, Matt, and thanks
for not asking any questions.
Take care of yourself.
You, uh, sure must be
taking some trip, Miss Kitty.
Well, it's trip enough
for me, Mr. Jonas.
Are you going far?
Well, far enough.
I wish you'd let me
help you with that.
Oh. Oh, no, Miss Kitty. Now,
you-you save your strength.
You going all that
way, you'll need it.
It's been a long time
since I've driven a wagon.
You ain't gonna drive all
that way alone, are you?
All what way?
Well, you know,
all that way to...
wherever it is you're going.
I'll manage.
Yeah. Well, if it's
something you have to do...
Well, it's something I
want to do, Mr. Jonas.
Yeah, I figured that, but...
Oh, now-now, let's see.
Here's the, um... sugar candy?
That's right. Sugar candy.
Yeah, I-I see it is.
I, uh... I never knew you
to be a hand to eat
much candy, Miss Kitty.
Never have been.
Well, good morning.
Oh, morning, Matt.
About ready to go, are you?
Just about.
I'd, uh, say there's
enough there
to last a family a
nice, long while.
Wouldn't you say so, Marshal?
It's a pretty good load.
Yeah, and a
good-sized family at that.
Help me up, will you, Matt?
Sure.
Uh, Miss Kitty?
Uh, where are you off to?
Chester, is that my mail?
Oh, yeah.
Thank you very much.
Uh, where are you
going, Miss Kitty?
If I tell you, Chester... Yeah?
Then you all might find me
before I want to be found.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Uh, where-where... where
is she going, Mr. Dillon?
I don't know, Chester.
You mean, she's going
out of town all alone,
and you don't even
know where she's going?
That's about it.
What do you suppose
Miss Kitty wants
with a boy's rifle?
Boy's rifle, sugar candy.
Things that might
be for a youngster.
Whoa.
Um... This is new
territory for me, ma'am.
Can you, uh, point
the way to Dodge City?
Well, it's back up this road.
Most of the day by wagon, but
you can make a lot better time.
Well, maybe I ain't in no hurry.
I am.
Ah, now, you don't
want to rush off, little lady.
Well, I don't mean you no harm.
I just ain't seen a nice
lady in a long, long time.
I sure wouldn't hurt her.
Look, I told you what
you wanted to know,
and I told you I'm in a hurry.
Now, let go of those lines.
Well, you got an awful lot
of spunk, I'll tell you that.
Now ride on out of here, mister.
I got a feeling you'd use that.
I guarantee you I would.
I believe you, lady.
I believe you.
Chester, you're sure
raising hob with that potato.
Well, I'm just upset
about Miss Kitty, I guess.
Well, why don't
you try taking it out
on a new reata or something.
Well, I-I just don't feel like
that up to braiding, Mr. Dillon.
Look, jam that thing on
there for the last time, will you?
You're giving me the willies!
Oh.
Oh, Mr. Dillon,
I just can't feel
that you're content with what
Miss Kitty's been up to lately.
Chester, whatever
Miss Kitty is up to...
I'm content with the fact
that it's a lot more her
business than it is ours!
Well, yeah, I know
that, Mr. Dillon.
The only thing I was
thinking that just...
Look, I just don't want
to hear any more about it.
So, look at this.
Huh?
You remember this
fellow? Tucker Ferrin?
Tucker Ferrin?
No, I don't...
Oh, wait a minute.
Yeah, I remember him.
You know, Mr. Dillon.
He's a big, fall fellow.
Used to hang around
the Long Branch a lot.
You know, he thought
he was a real ladies' man.
Yeah, that's right.
This was some
years ago, wasn't it?
Yeah, it ain't been too recent.
Well, he's wanted for
robbery and murder.
$500 reward.
Do you train your
hens to hide the eggs,
or is it their own idea?
They got a mind of
their own, all right.
Come here, Kitty, I want
to show you something.
Now, what do you make of that?
Well, he's helping Mattie.
What is there to make of it?
Hanging out clothes.
A boy hanging out clothes?
Well, he's just
trying to be useful.
I was his age, I was
off with a fishing pole
or I was working
a plow or planting.
I'd have taken a good tanning
afore I'd have
done woman's work.
Horace, if, if you need him
to help you around here...
Oh, that's not it,
Kitty, I like Thad.
He's a nice youngster, but
he's just too blamed citified.
Didn't he ever have
any menfolk around?
Not very often.
I'm thinking of the
boy's own good.
Horace, I'd, I'd count
it a real big favor
if you'd teach him the
things that he ought to know.
You want him to be a
regular boy, don't you?
More than anything, till
he grows up to be a man.
You leave his mane be.
Just sit him good and get a
free, firm hold on your reins.
That's the way, boy.
That's the way.
That's fair shooting for cans.
Of course you can't figure
rabbits or prairie chickens
to line up in a row for you.
But hitting 'em... that's
better than missing, ain't it?
Yeah, hitting's
better than missing.
Fetch the cans,
son, you're doing fine.
Asleep?
Oh, dead to the world,
although how he can sleep
with a bed full of tin cans
is more than I can figure out.
Well, that's a
boy for you, Kitty.
Well, I'm learning.
Thad is, too, and I'm
mighty grateful to you.
Kitty, uh, Horace is worried
you didn't want the
boy to learn to shoot.
Oh, now, Mattie...
No, now, it's best
said out in the open.
Oh, for...
Well, now, Horace,
Mattie's right.
I guess it's time a lot of
things were just said right out.
I think it's time that you
know more about Thad.
Nothing you don't
want to say, Kitty.
Face value's good enough for us.
You got a right to know.
I've known Thad
since he was born.
His mother, she
used to work for me.
Then she married a man
by the name of Tucker Ferrin.
Does that name mean
anything to you, Horace?
Don't mean a thing to me.
Hmm.
Well, Tucker Ferrin is a
very, very handsome man,
very good with the ladies
when he wants to be.
He's an outlaw.
Thad's mother...
Ellie was her name...
She didn't know about Tucker
until after Thad was on the way.
She left him and had the boy,
but Tucker found her again.
He always did.
She spent her life hiding
Thad from his father.
He'd beat her.
But she'd never tell him
where she'd sent the boy.
I promised Ellie a
long, long time ago
if anything ever
happened to her,
I'd see to it that Tucker
never got his hands on Thad.
Well, what happened
to her, Kitty?
Well, the last
beating killed her.
Ellie's friends sent
Thad on to me.
Well, he's a... he's a fine boy.
Fine boy, no matter what.
My bringing him here...
That was an awful lot
for me to ask of you.
We're not concerned
for ourselves.
Ain't that at all.
Come on, Mattie.
Let's red up, huh?
I'd best be getting
ready for bed.
I'll be along soon, Horace.
Good night, Kitty.
Good night, Horace.
You've, uh... said
it all now, Kitty?
Every bit, Mattie.
I'm, uh... I'm bound
to ask you right out.
Is... is Thad your son?
Why, Mattie, I told you.
I know what you told me.
No.
I can't say that
I'd mind if he was.
But no, Thad's not my son.
Aunt Kitty?
Mm-hmm?
Why do they call it fishing?
'Cause that's what it is.
What do they call it
when you catch fish?
That's good fishing.
So far, we're not
very good, are we?
It's nice, though.
Nice and quiet.
Smell that, Aunt Kitty?
It's kind of sweet-like?
Mm-hmm.
That's sweet clover.
Cattle like it.
Horses, too, sometimes.
Uncle Horace told me that.
Well, he's just about
as right as he can be.
'Bout most things, he is.
I'd sure like to
catch him a fish.
Well, maybe our
luck would change
if we'd spit in the river.
You think it would?
Supposed to, if
you believe in luck.
Well, I don't know, Aunt Kitty.
Oh, go on, try it.
Well, all right.
Oh, say, that ought
to get the job done.
You think so?
I think so.
I sure hope so.
Go on, Aunt
Kitty, it's your turn.
Oh, no, no.
I think you took care
of that for the both of us.
Oh. I don't guess ladies
are much for spitting anyway.
Not as a general rule.
Ladies sure are different.
I mean, from menfolk.
Yes.
Yes, they are.
Aunt Kitty?
Mm-hmm?
About my pa.
What about him, Thad?
Do I really have a pa?
Why, of course you do.
I can't remember him.
And ma... sometimes she'd say,
"I don't know, Thad,
maybe you got no pa."
Well...
your mother was not
very well sometimes.
Do you know him?
Oh, I knew him.
I haven't seen
him in a long time.
You think he'd like me?
I think he'd like you.
Maybe he'll come for me someday.
Maybe he will.
Hey, look, Aunt Kitty!
I got some luck!
I got some luck!
I hope so.
There ain't no need twisting
your head off, Mr. Dillon.
What you're looking
for just ain't here.
You seem awfully
sure of that, Chester.
Miss Kitty is nowheres about.
Well, it just so happens that
I wasn't looking for Miss Kitty.
I'm looking for Tucker Ferrin.
Oh, him.
Just got word that he
may be headed this way.
You know, Mr. Dillon,
when Miss Kitty's here,
you don't mind how flat
and warm that the beer is.
All that you mind
is that she's there
and that it's a
pleasure to sit with her.
Course, I guess you miss
her, too, in your own way.
Just wonder if we
appreciated her enough
when she was amongst us.
Well, Chester, you know,
she's only been gone a few days.
Well, I'm surprised
at you, Mr. Dillon.
It don't make any difference
how long she's been gone.
Time don't mean anything.
I can miss somebody
in an hour if I want to.
Yeah, well, I'll tell you
what you do, Chester.
You stay right here
and you miss her.
I'm going out and look around.
Well, now, I can go with
you if you want me to.
No, no. You just stay here
and pull yourself together.
Well, that...
maybe that-that might be best.
What'll it be, mister?
Whiskey. A bottle of whiskey.
And make it two glasses.
I may find myself a friend.
You live here, mister?
No, not right here in the
Long Branch I don't, no.
I don't see no
trail dust on you.
Well, I don't suppose you do.
I live here in Dodge, if
that there's what you mean.
Yeah, well, I'm... I'm
looking for somebody.
Yeah.
Oh, no, no. No, thanks.
I-I got my own
poison right here.
You, uh, know a lady
named Kitty something?
Well, yeah, I reckon I do.
That is, I know a Miss Kitty.
There more than one in Dodge?
Well, there ain't even one now.
Now, how is that?
Well, she's gone...
She left town.
That's how that is.
Say, are... are, uh,
you a friend of hers?
No, I just heard
a lot about her.
Wondered if she is as
pretty as everybody said.
Oh.
Well, she sure
is pretty all right.
She's got the
prettiest red hair, and...
and she's just, uh, so
friendly and obliging and all.
Ah.
How long has she been gone?
Well, you know, it do seem
like she's been gone forever.
Actually, it's just
been a few days now.
Sure is hot and dry to be riding
across the prairie on a stage.
Well, she didn't go on a stage.
No?
Oh, no.
She drove a team of horses out.
Went out on a wagon.
You know, there
ain't many women now
that can handle
a team of horses,
but I'll tell you,
Miss Kitty can.
What's your name, mister?
Chester.
Chester Goode.
Well, Chester, I'm
going to buy you a beer.
Well, thank you kindly.
Morning, Tucker.
Thought you'd be out of
Kansas by now, Charlie.
I'm, uh, taking my time.
You coming from Dodge City?
I took it in.
Let's you and me
have a little talk, Charlie.
Now, I'm, uh... I'm
moving on, Tucker.
If I was you, I'd get
out of these parts, too.
Why did you go
to Dodge, Charlie?
I wanted to... that's all.
You tell me why.
Now, Tucker... Why?!
It was the way you
talked about her.
I figured I ought
to just see her.
You went to see Kitty?
Yeah, only... Don't, Tucker.
I didn't see her.
She ain't even there.
You tell me about that.
Well, sh-she just ain't there.
She went away for a
while... That's what they said.
You going to tell me
where she is, Charlie?
I don't know where she is, Tuck.
Charlie, you come all
this way about a woman,
you know where she is.
Well, I... I just think I know.
That's all.
Where?!
Well, let me go.
Let me go. I'll tell you.
Well, it must have
been her the other day.
Right here, I-I... I met
her going that way.
There ain't nothing that way.
No town.
Well, that's the way she
was going, Tuck... honest.
I want to believe you, Charlie.
Well... it's no good
me lying to you, Tuck.
I just... I just
wanted to see her.
I didn't mean nothing.
That's your trouble, Charlie...
You don't mean nothing.
♪♪
Mattie, where's Thad?
With Horace, down by
the pond shooting rabbits.
Well, get on down there
with them and stay there.
- Kitty...
- I mean it, Mattie.
Tucker Ferrin's
coming up the lane.
- But how'd he know to come here?
- I don't know.
Just go, please, and hurry.
You shouldn't have
to face him alone.
Mattie, please!
Now, I ain't usually
this lucky, Kitty.
What do you want, Tucker?
You remember me, do you, Kitty?
As to what I want...
that'll take some telling.
You going to make
me do all the talking?
Just say what you
came to say and get out.
You always was one
for speaking up, Kitty.
Now, my Ellie, she'd
cry and whimper.
You don't act like
that, now, do you?
I come for the boy, Kitty.
I don't have him.
He was coming to you.
Ellie told me.
She didn't mean
to tell me nothing,
but she come around
to telling me that.
She lied to you.
Thad didn't come to me.
Ellie was in no shape for lying.
You killed her.
Ellie wasn't up to living.
She didn't have your fire.
Maybe you and me
and the boy, we...
You're dirt I wouldn't walk on.
You're rotten.
Now, let's talk about the boy.
I want him.
You've got no right to him.
I'm his pa, and I
haven't the right?
That's Ellie talking,
not you, Kitty.
I don't know where he is.
You're just wasting your time.
If you don't tell me,
I'm going to have
to beat you, Kitty.
And then I'll have
a look around.
We're just bound to
settle this, you and me.
You'll have to kill
me, too, Tucker.
I will if I have to, Kitty.
But you're going to tell me now.
Now, you get out
of here, Tucker.
No.
You got no more time.
Get out that door, or
I'll kill you right here.
There ain't a woman alive
with a stomach for killing.
I mean it.
Aunt Kitty!
Aunt Kitty?
Aunt Kitty?
Oh, Thad.
I've got so many
things to tell you.
♪♪
Hello, Kitty.
Hello, Matt.
Matt, this is Thad Ferrin.
Thad, this is Marshal Dillon.
Oh, how do you do?
This is Tucker Ferrin's boy.
Oh?
Tucker Ferrin's dead.
He was shot.
We buried him this
morning at the Kelker farm.
And I saw to it he
had a decent burial.
Marker and all.
My pa was an outlaw.
I guess you knew that.
Yes, I did, son.
Most everyone knew it... but me.
Um, Thad,
would you wait
for me over there?
You'll be coming?
Right away.
There you go.
Kitty, you said Tucker
Ferrin was shot?
Yes, he was.
Who did it?
I got some things I
got to tell you, Matt.
But not right now.
Come on.
He's facing things like a man.
Yep.
But, Kitty, you know, he's...
he's still a pretty young boy.
He's going to
need a lot of help.
He is.
I know it.
Kitty, you know...
there's a pretty good
reward out for Tucker Ferrin.
Matt, I don't know anybody
who would be
interested in that money.
♪♪
Arness as Matt Dillon.
Buddy.
♪♪
♪♪
Whoa...
- Morning, Zeke.
- Morning.
Might be I got another
passenger for you.
She ain't said.
You, uh, riding with us, ma'am?
I'm meeting someone.
You got a youngster with you?
We sure do.
Hey, sonny, sonny,
sonny wake up.
Somebody's waiting for you.
Oh, Thad! Thad!
I must have just fell asleep
'cause I've been wide awake
the night long thinking
about seeing you.
There's people probably
trying to sleep in there.
Oh.
Oh! Oh, you
look fine, just fine.
I sure wondered if
I'd ever see ya again.
Well, I wondered about
that myself sometimes.
But we don't have to worry
about that anymore, do we?
Let me give you a
hand up there, lady.
Oh, thank you.
Up you go, sonny.
Now you hang on tight.
Mattie! Mattie, they've come!
- Hello, Horace.
- Miss Kitty.
Morning, Mattie.
Have a hot
breakfast ready, Kitty.
Oh, that's wonderful.
Well, this is Thad.
Thad, this is
Mr. and Mrs. Kelker.
- How do you do, ma'am?
- How do?
How do you do, sir?
Well, now, boy, it's, it's
a pleasure to meet you.
He got any rougher
clothes than that?
Out here, Sunday
best is for Sundays.
Well, I, I don't know what
he's got packed in there,
but whatever he needs,
I can sure bring it out.
Land's sakes, I can
make him his needs.
We got enough
old clothes around.
Mattie, did I hear you say
something about breakfast?
Hey, that's a
real cow, ain't it?
Yeah... plain everyday cow.
Haven't you ever
seen one before?
Well, yeah, but not this close.
Now that's a fright...
a boy his age not
knowing all about cows.
There's worse things, Horace.
There is?
He's a city boy. You
just give him some time.
Oh, before I forget.
I want to, I want
to give you this.
Give it to Mattie. I'm
no hand with money.
Here you are, Mattie.
Seems a lot to pay, Kitty.
From the look of him,
he-he won't eat much.
You're giving him
a place to stay.
That means an awful lot to me.
I got a list marked
down for you inside, Kitty.
You sure best eat something
'fore you ride back to Dodge.
Uh, our keeping
him here, Miss Kitty,
there won't be no
trouble about it?
No. No, there
won't be any trouble.
Fetch the boy in, Horace.
I don't believe that
tendon's pulled.
It's not swollen any.
Must be a bruise right
here someplace, Moss.
- Take a look here?
- Yeah, yeah.
Seems to me like it...
What do you mean?
You're not even paying
any attention to me.
What's the matter?
It's Miss Kitty's
stall, it's empty.
Yeah, sure it is.
Well, her mare's gone.
Her bridle and saddle, too.
Well, I never knew her to
go riding without any of 'em.
Did you ever know her to go
riding at 3:00 in the morning?
No, sir, and neither did you.
It's the truth, Doc.
I slept here last night on
account of a sick horse.
About 3:00... I knew it was 3:00
'cause I looked at the
clock... I heard a noise.
I looked over and
Kitty's stall was empty.
Her bridle and saddle gone, too.
Then I heard
somebody riding off.
Heard somebody? Well, you
don't know it was Miss Kitty.
No, I'm not sure, but
whoever it was took her mare,
took her bridle and saddle, too.
Well, good heavens, what
do you want to stand here
and try to figure
it out for anyway?
Why don't you just go
on over to Long Branch,
she'll be there,
I'm sure she will,
and then you can tell her
about the horse. Go on.
All right, all right.
And I'd be much obliged to
you if you could find a little time
to look at my horse's hoof!
Now you reach
under and you get this,
and then you pull it
through and you twist it.
Then you hold it with your
thumb, then you change hands
and you reach under
and you get the red one,
then you twist it.
Then you hold it
with your thumb.
Now you reach under
and you get this 'un
and then you pull it
through and you twist it.
Then you hold it with your
thumb, then you change...
Chester, whatever
you're doing, stop it!
I am trying to do a sum.
Well, Mr. Jonas, you
can't hardly expect me
to do this in my head,
not until I get the hang
of it. Good, anyway.
I wouldn't swear to it, Marshal,
but it looks like you owe me
eight dollars and 72 cents.
72, that's the whole month?
- Yes.
Mr. Jonas, have you got
another couple of rolls of ribbon?
- Ribbon?
- Yeah, I think I could do six of 'em.
Maybe even eight.
Well, now, just what
kind of fancy work
are you taking up, Chester?
- Looks pretty good.
- Oh, for heaven's sake!
Oh, oh, oh! Now
don't tear it up!
Now, now just a minute.
I'm not hurting your ribbon!
Mr. Dillon, now looky there.
Look at that. Just
a little reata I made.
It's kind of limp, but
just made out of ribbon.
But you can tell I got
a good feel for braiding.
Yeah, except that
you're not supposed
to make reatas out
of ribbon, Chester.
You got any rawhide, Mr. Jonas?
I got some for sale.
Well, I didn't mean to
take it up as a serious thing.
Do you want anything
else, Marshal?
No, I guess that'll
be all, Mr. Jonas.
So how about the ribbon now?
Oh, forget it. It
wasn't your doing.
All right, eight 72.
Thank you.
Oh, uh, a potato.
A potato?
Yeah, a potato.
A potato?
Mr. Jonas, you sure
can be contrary today.
Just one potato.
That's all I want
for the spout on
the corn oil can.
Help yourself.
Yeah, thank you kindly.
Oh, say, Marshal,
as far as you know,
Miss Kitty's in town, ain't she?
Yeah, far as I know.
I suppose she is.
It's funny, though,
this morning when the
stage stopped at Willow Bend,
I got the notion Miss
Kitty was out there.
Willow Bend? You
must have been there
before dawn, weren't you?
It was just before, and I
can't deny I was dead asleep,
but I woke up hearing this
voice I'd swear it was Miss Kitty's.
You mean, you just heard
a voice, you didn't see her?
Well, she and this
boy was riding off.
I'll admit I didn't
see her real good.
Riding off with a boy?
This youngster.
He was on the stage
when I got on at Hayes City.
And then at Willow
Bend, like I said,
Miss Kitty... or somebody
that sure talks like her... met him
and they rode off together.
This, this boy, did
you know him at all?
I never laid eyes on him.
Well, you must have
dreamt it, Mr. Jonas.
I mean, Miss Kitty
and some little feller?
Why it's out of the question.
Well, I'd sure like to
satisfy myself about it
one way or the other.
Well, I wouldn't worry
about it too much, Mr. Jonas.
Thanks a lot.
Well, you know, Moss's
story taken by itself
or Jonas' either,
for that matter,
don't mean too much,
but put 'em together
and I don't know.
Well, yeah, Doc, except
that Jonas won't admit
that it was Kitty he saw anyway.
Well, Moss didn't actually
say he saw anybody.
He just heard somebody
ride away on a horse.
Well, it's a mystery,
that's what it is.
You know, it just makes
you feel kind of tingly thinking
that maybe it could
have happened.
Kind of what?
You know, tingly.
Oh, tingly who?
Oh, now, Doc, don't
try and make out
that I'm the only one around
here that ever felt tingly.
I tell you, this story
about Miss Kitty gets out,
half this town's
gonna feel that way.
Oh. Mr. Dillon, it's her!
It's Miss Kitty!
Oh, now, maybe
we're just gonna find out
all about this right now.
Well, maybe, but
don't let's push her.
If she wants to tell
us about it, she will.
Yeah. L-Let's don't go
borrowing trouble, Doc, at all.
Well, borrowing or not,
if she rode out at
3:00 in the morning,
now, she hadn't ought
to have done that,
and you ought to
talk to her about it,
'cause it just ain't
safe, that's all.
Well, no. She'd have
to have a pretty good
reason, I'll say that.
- Well, seems to me...
- She's coming.
Like you'd have to be
in trouble or something.
Well, now, let's-let's
not let on to it
that we're-we're thinking
anything about her at all.
Just, you know, just...
Hello, Kitty.
Hello.
Well, this looks
like a mass meeting.
Yeah, you-you look just fine.
Oh, yeah, just look
nice and rested.
Well, thank you.
Uh, I don't mean
to interrupt... Oh.
But Chester, I-I wonder
if you'd do me a favor.
Oh, anything.
Would you take my mare
back to Moss's for me?
Oh, take the mare,
uh, oh, yeah...
He'd be glad to.
Oh, I'd be glad to.
Yeah, that's all
right. Over to Moss's.
Well, thank you.
Oh, uh, by the way,
if you three think
you're acting like
yourselves, you're not.
Wh-What did she mean by that?
I mean, I-I thought
we took it off real good.
Now that's a
pretty sight, Charlie.
It's some near the fire for me.
I got a feeling anything
that burns is gonna be mine.
That's right.
That's just right.
You giving me all that, Tucker?
Why, you earned it, Charlie.
Hey, you got to admit,
you didn't know
about that bank till me.
I get the extra for all
the thinking and planning.
I ain't complaining, Tucker.
It's good you ain't.
Where you bound now?
Oh, I got a stop
or two before, but...
I'm heading for Dodge.
You got women
everywhere, ain't you, Tucker?
Everywhere there's women.
They're warmer
than whiskey, Charlie,
and softer than that bottle.
A man's a man any
way he knows how.
You got anybody, Charlie?
Anybody that's yours?
I had a wife once.
I don't have nothing now.
I had a wife once,
and I got me a son.
That's why I'm going to Dodge.
I mean to get that boy.
You mean just take him?
He's mine.
A boy'd just get in
your way, Tucker.
A man's got a
right to his own son.
I want what's mine,
and I mean to get
him any way I have to.
Well, you ain't a man
to put down roots.
You mean to have
the boy ride with you?
Hmm. Thad's too young for that.
But having him back...
might be I wouldn't
mind rooting down.
You know Dodge, Charlie?
No. I never come that way.
There's a woman in Dodge
I sure wouldn't
mind seeing again.
She ain't no ordinary woman.
Kitty's got red hair and
eyes that can laugh.
And she's full of fire.
And she's just crazy mad
for you, ain't she, Tucker?
Maybe that's what I like
best about her, Charlie.
Kitty don't care for me at all.
No, sir.
I expect she downright hates me.
She's got cause, Charlie.
She's got cause.
I never heard you talk that
way about a woman before.
I never told you
about Kitty before.
She really hate you, Tucker?
Mm-hmm.
She tell you so
right to your face?
Yeah.
Lots of times.
She must be some woman.
Some woman.
You know, Matt,
this being a mystery woman is
a new kind of role for me, Matt.
Well, Kitty, Moss and Jonas
can't quite make you out.
Mm-hmm, Doc, Chester?
They're pretty much
the same, I guess.
What about you?
Kitty, I always figured that
what you did is your business.
You know that.
Yeah, you always have.
You know, women
have the reputation for it,
but I swear, men
are every bit as nosey
and every bit as gossipy.
Well, don't be too
hard on us, Kitty.
We were just a little bit
worried about you, that's all.
Yeah, I-I know.
You know, this
business of leaving town
at 3:00 in the morning...
That's pretty dangerous
for a woman alone.
Nobody knows I did that.
Nobody but you.
Kitty, you're not in some
kind of trouble, are you?
'Cause if you are, you
don't have to be in it alone.
Matt, nobody ever
knew me like you do.
I never let anybody.
Now, for a good number of years,
I've told you
everything and anything.
Now, if there's something
I just don't feel like
I'm ready to talk about, well...
I wouldn't ask you to.
Thanks.
You know, I think you
better pass the word along
to the all-male grapevine
that I'm going to be
leaving town for a little while.
Hmm. Well, look, just
do me one favor, will you?
Yeah, if I can.
Don't leave town at
3:00 in the morning.
Well, I can promise you that.
Okay.
Well, if I don't see you again
before you go, why, good luck.
Thanks, Matt, and thanks
for not asking any questions.
Take care of yourself.
You, uh, sure must be
taking some trip, Miss Kitty.
Well, it's trip enough
for me, Mr. Jonas.
Are you going far?
Well, far enough.
I wish you'd let me
help you with that.
Oh. Oh, no, Miss Kitty. Now,
you-you save your strength.
You going all that
way, you'll need it.
It's been a long time
since I've driven a wagon.
You ain't gonna drive all
that way alone, are you?
All what way?
Well, you know,
all that way to...
wherever it is you're going.
I'll manage.
Yeah. Well, if it's
something you have to do...
Well, it's something I
want to do, Mr. Jonas.
Yeah, I figured that, but...
Oh, now-now, let's see.
Here's the, um... sugar candy?
That's right. Sugar candy.
Yeah, I-I see it is.
I, uh... I never knew you
to be a hand to eat
much candy, Miss Kitty.
Never have been.
Well, good morning.
Oh, morning, Matt.
About ready to go, are you?
Just about.
I'd, uh, say there's
enough there
to last a family a
nice, long while.
Wouldn't you say so, Marshal?
It's a pretty good load.
Yeah, and a
good-sized family at that.
Help me up, will you, Matt?
Sure.
Uh, Miss Kitty?
Uh, where are you off to?
Chester, is that my mail?
Oh, yeah.
Thank you very much.
Uh, where are you
going, Miss Kitty?
If I tell you, Chester... Yeah?
Then you all might find me
before I want to be found.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Uh, where-where... where
is she going, Mr. Dillon?
I don't know, Chester.
You mean, she's going
out of town all alone,
and you don't even
know where she's going?
That's about it.
What do you suppose
Miss Kitty wants
with a boy's rifle?
Boy's rifle, sugar candy.
Things that might
be for a youngster.
Whoa.
Um... This is new
territory for me, ma'am.
Can you, uh, point
the way to Dodge City?
Well, it's back up this road.
Most of the day by wagon, but
you can make a lot better time.
Well, maybe I ain't in no hurry.
I am.
Ah, now, you don't
want to rush off, little lady.
Well, I don't mean you no harm.
I just ain't seen a nice
lady in a long, long time.
I sure wouldn't hurt her.
Look, I told you what
you wanted to know,
and I told you I'm in a hurry.
Now, let go of those lines.
Well, you got an awful lot
of spunk, I'll tell you that.
Now ride on out of here, mister.
I got a feeling you'd use that.
I guarantee you I would.
I believe you, lady.
I believe you.
Chester, you're sure
raising hob with that potato.
Well, I'm just upset
about Miss Kitty, I guess.
Well, why don't
you try taking it out
on a new reata or something.
Well, I-I just don't feel like
that up to braiding, Mr. Dillon.
Look, jam that thing on
there for the last time, will you?
You're giving me the willies!
Oh.
Oh, Mr. Dillon,
I just can't feel
that you're content with what
Miss Kitty's been up to lately.
Chester, whatever
Miss Kitty is up to...
I'm content with the fact
that it's a lot more her
business than it is ours!
Well, yeah, I know
that, Mr. Dillon.
The only thing I was
thinking that just...
Look, I just don't want
to hear any more about it.
So, look at this.
Huh?
You remember this
fellow? Tucker Ferrin?
Tucker Ferrin?
No, I don't...
Oh, wait a minute.
Yeah, I remember him.
You know, Mr. Dillon.
He's a big, fall fellow.
Used to hang around
the Long Branch a lot.
You know, he thought
he was a real ladies' man.
Yeah, that's right.
This was some
years ago, wasn't it?
Yeah, it ain't been too recent.
Well, he's wanted for
robbery and murder.
$500 reward.
Do you train your
hens to hide the eggs,
or is it their own idea?
They got a mind of
their own, all right.
Come here, Kitty, I want
to show you something.
Now, what do you make of that?
Well, he's helping Mattie.
What is there to make of it?
Hanging out clothes.
A boy hanging out clothes?
Well, he's just
trying to be useful.
I was his age, I was
off with a fishing pole
or I was working
a plow or planting.
I'd have taken a good tanning
afore I'd have
done woman's work.
Horace, if, if you need him
to help you around here...
Oh, that's not it,
Kitty, I like Thad.
He's a nice youngster, but
he's just too blamed citified.
Didn't he ever have
any menfolk around?
Not very often.
I'm thinking of the
boy's own good.
Horace, I'd, I'd count
it a real big favor
if you'd teach him the
things that he ought to know.
You want him to be a
regular boy, don't you?
More than anything, till
he grows up to be a man.
You leave his mane be.
Just sit him good and get a
free, firm hold on your reins.
That's the way, boy.
That's the way.
That's fair shooting for cans.
Of course you can't figure
rabbits or prairie chickens
to line up in a row for you.
But hitting 'em... that's
better than missing, ain't it?
Yeah, hitting's
better than missing.
Fetch the cans,
son, you're doing fine.
Asleep?
Oh, dead to the world,
although how he can sleep
with a bed full of tin cans
is more than I can figure out.
Well, that's a
boy for you, Kitty.
Well, I'm learning.
Thad is, too, and I'm
mighty grateful to you.
Kitty, uh, Horace is worried
you didn't want the
boy to learn to shoot.
Oh, now, Mattie...
No, now, it's best
said out in the open.
Oh, for...
Well, now, Horace,
Mattie's right.
I guess it's time a lot of
things were just said right out.
I think it's time that you
know more about Thad.
Nothing you don't
want to say, Kitty.
Face value's good enough for us.
You got a right to know.
I've known Thad
since he was born.
His mother, she
used to work for me.
Then she married a man
by the name of Tucker Ferrin.
Does that name mean
anything to you, Horace?
Don't mean a thing to me.
Hmm.
Well, Tucker Ferrin is a
very, very handsome man,
very good with the ladies
when he wants to be.
He's an outlaw.
Thad's mother...
Ellie was her name...
She didn't know about Tucker
until after Thad was on the way.
She left him and had the boy,
but Tucker found her again.
He always did.
She spent her life hiding
Thad from his father.
He'd beat her.
But she'd never tell him
where she'd sent the boy.
I promised Ellie a
long, long time ago
if anything ever
happened to her,
I'd see to it that Tucker
never got his hands on Thad.
Well, what happened
to her, Kitty?
Well, the last
beating killed her.
Ellie's friends sent
Thad on to me.
Well, he's a... he's a fine boy.
Fine boy, no matter what.
My bringing him here...
That was an awful lot
for me to ask of you.
We're not concerned
for ourselves.
Ain't that at all.
Come on, Mattie.
Let's red up, huh?
I'd best be getting
ready for bed.
I'll be along soon, Horace.
Good night, Kitty.
Good night, Horace.
You've, uh... said
it all now, Kitty?
Every bit, Mattie.
I'm, uh... I'm bound
to ask you right out.
Is... is Thad your son?
Why, Mattie, I told you.
I know what you told me.
No.
I can't say that
I'd mind if he was.
But no, Thad's not my son.
Aunt Kitty?
Mm-hmm?
Why do they call it fishing?
'Cause that's what it is.
What do they call it
when you catch fish?
That's good fishing.
So far, we're not
very good, are we?
It's nice, though.
Nice and quiet.
Smell that, Aunt Kitty?
It's kind of sweet-like?
Mm-hmm.
That's sweet clover.
Cattle like it.
Horses, too, sometimes.
Uncle Horace told me that.
Well, he's just about
as right as he can be.
'Bout most things, he is.
I'd sure like to
catch him a fish.
Well, maybe our
luck would change
if we'd spit in the river.
You think it would?
Supposed to, if
you believe in luck.
Well, I don't know, Aunt Kitty.
Oh, go on, try it.
Well, all right.
Oh, say, that ought
to get the job done.
You think so?
I think so.
I sure hope so.
Go on, Aunt
Kitty, it's your turn.
Oh, no, no.
I think you took care
of that for the both of us.
Oh. I don't guess ladies
are much for spitting anyway.
Not as a general rule.
Ladies sure are different.
I mean, from menfolk.
Yes.
Yes, they are.
Aunt Kitty?
Mm-hmm?
About my pa.
What about him, Thad?
Do I really have a pa?
Why, of course you do.
I can't remember him.
And ma... sometimes she'd say,
"I don't know, Thad,
maybe you got no pa."
Well...
your mother was not
very well sometimes.
Do you know him?
Oh, I knew him.
I haven't seen
him in a long time.
You think he'd like me?
I think he'd like you.
Maybe he'll come for me someday.
Maybe he will.
Hey, look, Aunt Kitty!
I got some luck!
I got some luck!
I hope so.
There ain't no need twisting
your head off, Mr. Dillon.
What you're looking
for just ain't here.
You seem awfully
sure of that, Chester.
Miss Kitty is nowheres about.
Well, it just so happens that
I wasn't looking for Miss Kitty.
I'm looking for Tucker Ferrin.
Oh, him.
Just got word that he
may be headed this way.
You know, Mr. Dillon,
when Miss Kitty's here,
you don't mind how flat
and warm that the beer is.
All that you mind
is that she's there
and that it's a
pleasure to sit with her.
Course, I guess you miss
her, too, in your own way.
Just wonder if we
appreciated her enough
when she was amongst us.
Well, Chester, you know,
she's only been gone a few days.
Well, I'm surprised
at you, Mr. Dillon.
It don't make any difference
how long she's been gone.
Time don't mean anything.
I can miss somebody
in an hour if I want to.
Yeah, well, I'll tell you
what you do, Chester.
You stay right here
and you miss her.
I'm going out and look around.
Well, now, I can go with
you if you want me to.
No, no. You just stay here
and pull yourself together.
Well, that...
maybe that-that might be best.
What'll it be, mister?
Whiskey. A bottle of whiskey.
And make it two glasses.
I may find myself a friend.
You live here, mister?
No, not right here in the
Long Branch I don't, no.
I don't see no
trail dust on you.
Well, I don't suppose you do.
I live here in Dodge, if
that there's what you mean.
Yeah, well, I'm... I'm
looking for somebody.
Yeah.
Oh, no, no. No, thanks.
I-I got my own
poison right here.
You, uh, know a lady
named Kitty something?
Well, yeah, I reckon I do.
That is, I know a Miss Kitty.
There more than one in Dodge?
Well, there ain't even one now.
Now, how is that?
Well, she's gone...
She left town.
That's how that is.
Say, are... are, uh,
you a friend of hers?
No, I just heard
a lot about her.
Wondered if she is as
pretty as everybody said.
Oh.
Well, she sure
is pretty all right.
She's got the
prettiest red hair, and...
and she's just, uh, so
friendly and obliging and all.
Ah.
How long has she been gone?
Well, you know, it do seem
like she's been gone forever.
Actually, it's just
been a few days now.
Sure is hot and dry to be riding
across the prairie on a stage.
Well, she didn't go on a stage.
No?
Oh, no.
She drove a team of horses out.
Went out on a wagon.
You know, there
ain't many women now
that can handle
a team of horses,
but I'll tell you,
Miss Kitty can.
What's your name, mister?
Chester.
Chester Goode.
Well, Chester, I'm
going to buy you a beer.
Well, thank you kindly.
Morning, Tucker.
Thought you'd be out of
Kansas by now, Charlie.
I'm, uh, taking my time.
You coming from Dodge City?
I took it in.
Let's you and me
have a little talk, Charlie.
Now, I'm, uh... I'm
moving on, Tucker.
If I was you, I'd get
out of these parts, too.
Why did you go
to Dodge, Charlie?
I wanted to... that's all.
You tell me why.
Now, Tucker... Why?!
It was the way you
talked about her.
I figured I ought
to just see her.
You went to see Kitty?
Yeah, only... Don't, Tucker.
I didn't see her.
She ain't even there.
You tell me about that.
Well, sh-she just ain't there.
She went away for a
while... That's what they said.
You going to tell me
where she is, Charlie?
I don't know where she is, Tuck.
Charlie, you come all
this way about a woman,
you know where she is.
Well, I... I just think I know.
That's all.
Where?!
Well, let me go.
Let me go. I'll tell you.
Well, it must have
been her the other day.
Right here, I-I... I met
her going that way.
There ain't nothing that way.
No town.
Well, that's the way she
was going, Tuck... honest.
I want to believe you, Charlie.
Well... it's no good
me lying to you, Tuck.
I just... I just
wanted to see her.
I didn't mean nothing.
That's your trouble, Charlie...
You don't mean nothing.
♪♪
Mattie, where's Thad?
With Horace, down by
the pond shooting rabbits.
Well, get on down there
with them and stay there.
- Kitty...
- I mean it, Mattie.
Tucker Ferrin's
coming up the lane.
- But how'd he know to come here?
- I don't know.
Just go, please, and hurry.
You shouldn't have
to face him alone.
Mattie, please!
Now, I ain't usually
this lucky, Kitty.
What do you want, Tucker?
You remember me, do you, Kitty?
As to what I want...
that'll take some telling.
You going to make
me do all the talking?
Just say what you
came to say and get out.
You always was one
for speaking up, Kitty.
Now, my Ellie, she'd
cry and whimper.
You don't act like
that, now, do you?
I come for the boy, Kitty.
I don't have him.
He was coming to you.
Ellie told me.
She didn't mean
to tell me nothing,
but she come around
to telling me that.
She lied to you.
Thad didn't come to me.
Ellie was in no shape for lying.
You killed her.
Ellie wasn't up to living.
She didn't have your fire.
Maybe you and me
and the boy, we...
You're dirt I wouldn't walk on.
You're rotten.
Now, let's talk about the boy.
I want him.
You've got no right to him.
I'm his pa, and I
haven't the right?
That's Ellie talking,
not you, Kitty.
I don't know where he is.
You're just wasting your time.
If you don't tell me,
I'm going to have
to beat you, Kitty.
And then I'll have
a look around.
We're just bound to
settle this, you and me.
You'll have to kill
me, too, Tucker.
I will if I have to, Kitty.
But you're going to tell me now.
Now, you get out
of here, Tucker.
No.
You got no more time.
Get out that door, or
I'll kill you right here.
There ain't a woman alive
with a stomach for killing.
I mean it.
Aunt Kitty!
Aunt Kitty?
Aunt Kitty?
Oh, Thad.
I've got so many
things to tell you.
♪♪
Hello, Kitty.
Hello, Matt.
Matt, this is Thad Ferrin.
Thad, this is Marshal Dillon.
Oh, how do you do?
This is Tucker Ferrin's boy.
Oh?
Tucker Ferrin's dead.
He was shot.
We buried him this
morning at the Kelker farm.
And I saw to it he
had a decent burial.
Marker and all.
My pa was an outlaw.
I guess you knew that.
Yes, I did, son.
Most everyone knew it... but me.
Um, Thad,
would you wait
for me over there?
You'll be coming?
Right away.
There you go.
Kitty, you said Tucker
Ferrin was shot?
Yes, he was.
Who did it?
I got some things I
got to tell you, Matt.
But not right now.
Come on.
He's facing things like a man.
Yep.
But, Kitty, you know, he's...
he's still a pretty young boy.
He's going to
need a lot of help.
He is.
I know it.
Kitty, you know...
there's a pretty good
reward out for Tucker Ferrin.
Matt, I don't know anybody
who would be
interested in that money.
♪♪