"Close, but not quite. Republic of Texas. Guessin' yer from France, if yer callin' me Mon-soor like that." He butchers the pronunciation, sorry, Javert. Hester settles back on her haunches on the sidewalk in front of them, as if keeping an eye on them both.

"'Pparently it ain't so exaggerated. Gonna be an adjustment all around, I guess, eh?" He pats Javert's shoulder in sympathy. "Better find some folks you don't mind gettin' some touch from, I guess."