No Good Deed 53

We did not speak, but reached silent understanding that we would await the emergence of the pair from the little copse. I presumed Clemens' interest lay in the Governor. Mine most assuredly did not. Never one for a companionable silence, the garrulous Missourian began to relate what he knew of the Governor of Louisiana. Amongst other things, during a tiresome monologue that appeared much longer than the quarter hour of its duration, Clemens' claimed that it was no surprise that Moore had approved the Ordinance of Secession earlier in the year, since he was a rabid proponent of slave-holders' rights. My companion felt moved to expectorate in a most spectacular fashion, after uttering this last.

In due course, the Governor, a little flushed about the jowls, made his way back toward the Capitol building. In passing he managed a curt, 'Good day, Sirs.' Clemens stuttered a reply. Truly it appeared as if all critical faculties deserted him in the presence of only a modicum of fame. One might have thought that the interval between the Governor's departure and the putative Miss Shepherd's appearance would have afforded her sufficient time to ensure that her bonnet was quite straight. Nonetheless I felt the jaunty angle an improvement. The young woman's cheeks bore no trace of flushes, but perhaps the whiteness of the powder kept this colour at bay also.

She bid Clemens a good day and addressed me as 'Mr Northrup.' Her intimation that she felt hungry took no-one by surprise in it's boldness. Clemens was for once circumspect, contenting himself with a greeting in return – but he stood for a while rubbing his chin and staring at Miss Shepherd.

'Well, as you see Clemens,' I said, 'Miss Shepherd and I are of old acquaintance, so you'll forgive us...'

He did not let me finish, however, 'Yes, of course, Mr M.. Northrup. Have a safe trip.'

'Are you leaving the boat?' He had taken me quite by surprise.

'Reckon Orion will have calmed down b'now. I'll catch him afore he reaches Nevada, for sure.'

Despite myself, I enquired, 'Calmed down?'

Clemens looked down at the ground, 'Shot his hat off just outside St Louis, when I was showing a Miss Eugenia Calabash, of Tunica, Mississippi, my Smith & Wesson.'

'How unfortunate!' I said.

'Aw, it's nuthin'. Orion gets his temperament harnessed pretty soon after the bandages come off, in general.'

Clemens waved us out of sight, with his hand clutching his notebook, pencil clamped once more between his teeth.