People do not give it credence that a young girl could leave home and go off in the...

[first lines] 40-Year-Old Mattie: People do not give it credence that a young girl could leave home and go off in the wintertime to avenge her father's blood. But it did happen. I was just 14 years of age when a coward by the name of Tom Chaney shot my father down and robbed him of his life and his horse and two California gold pieces that he carried in his trouser band. Chaney was a hired man and Papa had taken him up to Fort Smith to help lead back a string of Mustang ponies he'd bought. In town, Chaney had fallen to drink and cards and lost all his money. He got it into his head he was being cheated and went back to the boarding house for his Henry rifle. When Papa tried to intervene, Chaney shot him. Chaney fled. He could have walked his horse, for not a soul in that city could be bothered to give chase. No doubt Chaney fancied himself scot-free. But he was wrong. You must pay for everything in this world, one way and another. There is nothing free, except the grace of God.

and go off in the winter time to avenge her father's blood. But it did happen. I was just fourteen years of age when a coward by the name of Tom Chaney shot my father down. And robbed him of his life, and his horse. And two California gold pieces that he carried in his trouser band. Chaney was a hired man. And Papa had taken him up to Fort Smith to help lead back a string of mustang ponies he'd bought. In town, Chaney had fallen to drink, and cards, and lost all his money. He got it into his head he'd been cheated, and went back to the boarding house for his Henry rifle. When Papa tried to intervene, Chaney shot him. Chaney fled. He could have walked his horse, for not a soul in that city could be bothered to give chase. No doubt Chaney fancied himself scott free. But he was wrong. You must pay for everything in this world, one way or another. There is nothing free except the grace of God. Is that the man? That is my father. If you would like to kiss him, it would be all right. He has gone home. Praise the Lord. Why is it so much? The quality of the casket and of the embalming. The lifelike appearance requires time and art. And the chemicals come dear. The particulars are in your bill. If you'd like to kiss him, it would be all right. Thank you, the spirit has flown. Your wire said fifty dollars. You did not specify that he was to be shipped. Well sixty dollars is every cent we have. That leaves nothing for our board. Yarnell, you can see to the body's transport to the train station and accompany it home. I will have to sleep here tonight. I still have to collect father's things and see to some other business. Your mama didn't say nothing about you settling no business here. It's business Mama didn't know about. It's all right, Yarnell, I dismiss you. I am not sure. Tell Mama not to sign anything until I return home and see that Papa is buried in his Mason's apron. Your terms are agreeable, if I may pass the night here. Here, among these people? - These people? - I'm expecting three more souls. Sullivan, Smith, and His-Tongue-in-the-Rain.