It was the next morning, around 7am.
I see Arthur coming towards my tent. Let's see what he needs.
Arthur: James. I need a favour.
James: Yes?
Arthur: An old acquaintance of mine... well, old
friend of mine is town and I need you to go see them.
James: You want me to go see one of your old friends?
Arthur: Yes.
James: Would that old friend, by any chance, be Mary Linton?
Arthur: Y-yes.
James: Why the hell won't you go see her?
Arthur: Christ, man. I don't know, I'm afraid I'll... do something I regret to her new husband.
James: So... you want me to go see your old... girlfriend because your afraid you'll kill her husband?
Arthur: That's right.
James: Okay, I'll do it. But only cos you'll owe me a favour.
Arthur: Okay, I'll owe you.
James: Good. Happy we see eye to eye on this.
I get off my bed, put my hat and jacket on as it's a little cold, mount up onto Jamie and start going to Valentine, I should've asked where she is. Where else would she be other than Valentine, though, ain't no woman living in their own in the middle of The Heartlands.
...
I arrive in Valentine, I hitched up outside the general store. I was gonna get her some roses. Say their from Arthur to make it look like he made a little effort at least.
I go into the general store and approach the counter.
Clerk: Don't think I've seen you he- wait a minute... you that feller fought Tommy outside Smithfield's?
James: Yeah, that was me.
Clerk: Never seen him lose a fight before. You two fought it out fair and square, all until that do-gooder Thomas Downes came in.
James: That's his name, is it?
Clerk: Yeah, he runs a charity fund raising outside, except he keeps the money for himself and puts it towards something for his Tuberculosis.
James: Some do-gooder, huh?
Clerk: He's a snake. Anyway, what can I do for you?
James: You got any roses? Like... mint condition roses
Clerk: This for a lady?
James: Y... yeah.
Clerk: I got the perfect flowers for you.
He goes over to his window where he had... damn, he had a lot of flowers.
He takes his time and carefully picks out 6 roses.
He comes back to the counter.
Clerk: Here you are. Six fine roses.
James: That's very kind. How much.
Clerk: One dollar please, sir.
James: Here's five. Keep it.
Clerk: Bless you, sir. You are a saint.
James: Don't worry about it.
Clerk: Good luck with that lady.
He said as I was walking out the door.
