After leaving the shooting range, Davey continued showing Arthur around the apartment cabins he had built.
Davey told Arthur that as long as someone worked hard for him and accumulated enough merit, they could receive a house for free.
This completely overturned Arthur's worldview.
"Davey, I really… admire you."
"If it were me, I'd probably work myself to the bone for it. Just by working hard, you can get a house this nice—it's almost… unbelievable. And yet you've actually made it real."
Arthur had been drifting with Dutch since he was young. At one point or another, he had dreamed of owning a home of his own.
Maybe it was when Eliza gave birth to Isaac.
Even now, a trace of hope still lingered in his heart. If he didn't have to follow the gang around robbing people, if he had his own house and a steady job, then maybe Mary would choose to stay with him and live a happy life.
Probably, Arthur thought.
After touring the farm, they headed into Valentine.
On the side of town closer to Valentine stood the Land Elementary School, currently under construction. The land had originally belonged to the town, but all the residents had agreed to let Davey use it free of charge.
It was expected to be completed in about two months. After Christmas, Davey planned to hire teachers from Saint Denis, or even from the East. Then the children of Valentine would finally have a place to study.
"Being able to attend school and receive an education… they're truly fortunate children," Arthur said with a sigh.
Davey joked, "I just happen to be short an art teacher. If you're willing, Arthur, I'd be very happy to have you teach art at my school. I think that would be a pretty interesting thing."
Davey had mentioned the idea of Arthur becoming an art teacher before. Now, in the blink of an eye, it almost seemed possible—if Arthur truly wanted it.
"Oh, Davey, you want me teaching those kids? Aren't you afraid they'll all grow up to be cowboys?"
"Cowboys who can paint—that actually sounds like a great idea."
As Arthur said this, something stirred faintly in his heart. He did long for a life like that—if only he weren't a wanted man.
"That day will come, Arthur."
Davey smiled and said no more.
At the center of Valentine stood Land's Café, which Abigail helped manage.
Of course, business there was actually quite slow. You rarely saw any customers.
In these hard economic times, people wished they could split a single cent in half to spend it. How could they afford a place this upscale?
In reality, most of the coffee and pastries were consumed internally by Davey's people.
From time to time, some were sent to the Valentine police station under the pretense of "sampling," as a small benefit for the officers.
They could also take them home for their wives and children.
Anyone who worked for Davey—no matter what job they did, even temporary workers—received a free cake on their birthday.
That included the police station, as well as the veterans at the Veterans' Club.
It was a simple gesture, trivial to Davey, yet deeply warming to those who received it.
What Davey didn't know was that just a few days earlier, a veteran had celebrated his birthday.
A cake that looked quite high-end, complete with candles.
It brought nearly all of those veterans—often called "vagrants in uniform"—to tears. They had never been valued like that before.
At Land's Café, Arthur and Davey enjoyed an afternoon tea.
The relaxed, comfortable life made Arthur feel reluctant to leave.
Just as Abigail had said while taking care of Arthur, she felt that every day now was like living in a dream.
Arthur felt the same.
At the Veterans' Club, dozens of veterans laughed and chatted together. They no longer had to beg humbly for food. They had free meals and a place to sleep, sheltered from wind and rain.
The Veterans' Club also had many rules—no fighting, no loud behavior, and mandatory bathing at least once every seven days.
These veterans—missing limbs, missing eyes, bodies broken, and despised by society—truly felt dignity here.
Having endured suffering, they understood the value of this place all the more.
If anyone tried to harm Davey or destroy this peace, they would likely risk their lives to protect it.
Here, Arthur met Mickey—the veteran who didn't want money, only a hug.
Seeing Arthur again, Mickey was clearly delighted and gave him another embrace.
Mickey was living happily here now. He was no longer alone and had many friends.
By the end of the day, Arthur had gained an entirely new understanding of Davey. What he had seen and heard today was enough to completely overturn his worldview.
"You're a good man, Davey,"
Arthur said sincerely on the way back to the farm.
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / GhostParser