e mean?" said the lady; "see! he's looking at
something."

Verty was only making friendly signs to Longears to enter the garden.
Longears no sooner understood that he was called, than he cleared the
fence at one bound, and came up to his master.

Mr. Jinks had not heard his own voice for at least half a minute; so
he observed, loftily:

"A handsome dog! a very handsome dog, sir! What did you say his name
was? Longears? Yes? Here, Longears!"

And he made friendly signs of invitation to the hound. Longears
availed himself of these indications of friendship by rearing up on
Mr. Jinks, and leaving a dust-impression of his two paws upon that
gentleman's ruffled shirt-bosom.

Verty laughed, and dragged him away.

"Longears," he said, "I'm surprised at you--and here, too, where you
should conduct yourself better than usual!"

Miss Sallianna was about to say something, when a bell was heard to
ring.

"Oh!" said Redbud, "there's school. Playtime's over."

"Over?" said Verty, with an exhibition of decided ill-humor.

"Yes, sir," said Miss Sallianna, "and my young pupil must now return
to her studies. Mr. Jinks--"

And the lady threw a languishing glance on her cavalier.

"You will come soon again, and continue our discussion--of--of--the
beauties of nature? We are very lonely here."

"Will I come?" cried the enthusiastic Jinks; and having thus
displayed, by the tone in which his words were uttered, the depth of
his devotion, the grasshopper gentleman gallantly pressed the hand
held out to him, and, with a lofty look, made his exit out of the
garden.

Verty followed. But first he said to Redbud, smiling:

"I'm going to see Miss Lavinia this very day, to ask her to let me
come to see you. You know I must come to see you, Redbud. I don't know
why, but I must."

Redbud blushed, and continued to caress Longears, who submitted to
this ceremony with great equanimity.

"Come!" said Miss Sallianna, "let us return, Miss Summers."

"Yes, ma'am," said Redbud; "good-bye, Verty," she added, looking at
the boy with her kind, smiling eyes, and lowering her voice, "remember
what you promised me--to read your Bible."

And smiling again, Redbud gave him her hand, and then followed Miss
Sallianna, who sailed on before--her head resting languidly on one
shoulder--her fan arranged primly upon her maiden chin--her eyes
raised in contemplation to the sky.

Poor Verty smiled and sighed, and followed Redbud with his eyes, and
s