home if you like. Mr.
Rushton is unwell, and wishes to be quiet."

"Unwell?" said the boy, "you don't mean sick?"

"Not precisely, but indisposed."

"I will go and see him," said the boy, moving towards the door. Mr.
Roundjacket interposed with his ruler, managing that instrument pretty
much as a marshal does his baton.

"No," he said, "that is impossible, young man. But you need give
yourself no uneasiness--Mr. Rushton is only a little out of sorts. You
will find him quite well to-morrow. Return home now. There is your
rifle."

These words were uttered with so much decision, that Verty made no
further objection.

"Well," he said, with his thoughtful smile, "I'm very sorry Mr.
Rushton is sick, but I'm glad I can go and hunt some for _ma mere_.
Must I go now, sir?"

"Yes, and come early to-morrow, there's some work; and besides, your
measure for the clothes must be taken."

Verty nodded indifferently, and taking up his rifle, went out,
followed by Longears.

CHAPTER XV.

THE PEDLAR AND THE NECKLACE.

Verty mounted Cloud again, and set forward toward Apple Orchard. That
place very soon rose upon his sight, and riding up to the house Verty
encountered the good-humored Squire, who was just coming in from the
fields.

"Good morning, Squire," said the boy, smiling, "may I go and see
Redbud, if you please?"

The Squire laughed.

"Redbud? What, at school, yonder?"

"Yes, sir."

The good-natured old gentleman looked at the boy's frank face, and
admired its honest, ingenuous expression.

"I don't see why you should'nt, Verty," he replied, "if you don't go
too often, and keep my little 'Bud from her lessons."

"Oh! no, sir."

"Go, go by all means--it will be of service to her to see home faces,
and you are something like home to her. Short as the distance is, I
can't leave my farm, and we can't have 'Bud with us every week, as I
should wish."

"I've just come from there," said Verty, "and Redbud is very well, and
seems to like the place. There is a man who comes there to see Miss
Sallianna, and Redbud most dies laughing at him--I mean, I suppose she
does. His name is Mr. Jinks."

"What! the great Jinks? the soldier, the fop, the coxcomb and
swaggerer!" laughed the Squire.

Verty nodded.

"That's the very man, sir," he said, "and I saw him to-day. I came
back, and found Mr. Rushton wanted to be quiet, and Mr. Roundjacket
said I might go and hunt some for _ma mere_"

"Go, then, Verty; tha