As Perry’s desire for friendship increases he appears more pathetic, causing even more to have sympathy for lost man. Perry, after being captured and taken back to Kansas for a trail, was separated from the one person he truly believed was his friend, Dick. As the separation between the two became continuous, Perry missed Dick and felt as though he had no companion. He yearned for a friend as he sat alone in the women’s cell. He did whatever he could to pass the time, but seemed not to be able to. While writing in his daily journal one day he caught the sight of a squirrel and from then on that squirrel became his only friend. Mrs. Meier, the undersheriff’s wife, described Perry’s interaction with the squirrel, saying, “Perry taught him several trick: to play with a paper ball, to beg, to perch on Perry’s shoulder” (254). This interaction between the squirrel and Perry showed a longing for friendship. It became even clearer that Perry was friendless when he finally realized his fate. As he wrote about his fate he stated, “The rich never hang. Only the poor and friendless” (257). Perry has now realized that he is friendless and will be for the remainder of his life. Mrs. Meier becomes sympathetic towards Perry as she recognizes his depression and lonely demeanor. She continuously showed him sympathy, one her many ways being making him Spanish rice, Perry’s favorite dish. At one of the trails the one person that was least expected to have sympathy for Perry did, Mrs. Hickock. After hearing multiple things that had gone on throughout Perry’s life and about his attempt of changing his statement for her family’s well being, she became sadden for the man. She stated, “And this boy Perry. It was wrong of me to hate him; I’ve got nothing but pity for him now” (288). In the end Perry’s friendless and terrible fate caused more to have deep sympathy for him.