"But yer such a good friend ta Miss Frances!" she declared passionately.  "She's surely lucky ta have such a friend!"

"I try, Miss Nevada, I try" Arabella replied in saintly tones, not realising that there might be a certain amount of sarcasm in the comment. 

And at that, Tully stepped forward and pulled Arabella into the biggest, tightest, muddiest bear-hug she could manage.

Arabella couldn't believe it! Yes! Her charity and kindness had melted Tully's heart. As they separated she didn't even notice the mud all over the front of her black dress. There was a sentimental tear in her eye.

"Well, I better get to work, Mister Jolly'll wonder where I am." she said and turned to go, but then suddenly turned back again and faced Tully on the muddy street.  "We... we were late last night. Frances usually gets in from the saloon about eleven. Front door'll be unlocked. We always have more cocoa than we can drink."

She left it at that. Not an invitation Tully would have to either refuse or accept, but an invitation all the same. 

When she got to the funeral parlour, Raymond Matthews pointed out the mud on her dress, but luckily, Mr Jolly in his profession had become expert at removing all sorts of dirt, blood stains and other stains as well, from clothing. He bade Miss Mudd to slip out of her dress and 'bide a wee' in her underthings while he carefully and, it had to be said, suspiciously slowly, removed the detritus from her outer garment.

Bongo

OOC: I think that might be a wrap until Part II (??)