He watched her. It was a dry hot day there at the ranch. She folded clothes, and he watched her. Neither of them spoke.

Finally he got up and said, I'm going into town.

God damn you! she said, throwing a bundle of clothing at him. You're just going into town for another fuck!

He punched her in the jaw, hard. Shut up, you stupid bitch! he said. You get enough from Jeb down the road, so stop complaining!

She was crying. She yelled, It wouldn't be so bad if you weren't a fucking FAGGOT!

He hit her again, then threw her across the room. Don't you EVER say that again! he shouted. Hoss Cartwright and I are JUST FRIENDS, you got that? You say ANYTHING ELSE to ANYONE, and I'm gonna come back here and shoot you so full of lead you won't be able to see straight!

She was on the ground now, not looking at him, not trying to get up. He turned around, washed his hands, put on his hat. Then he walked out the door.

As he mounted his horse Silver, she came out and said, Wait, Duke!

What, he said.

Just answer me one question, she whispered.

What, he said.

How come our dialogue isn't in quotation marks?

He put his feet in Silver's stirrups, looked down at her, and said, Because we're trendy.