he simple Verty laughed, as he thought of the glee of the little
ark-children--"if there were any."

"There are no olives here," he said, when they had gone a little
further; "but just look at that hickory! It's growing as yellow as a
buttercup."

"Yes, and see the maples!"

"Poor fellows!" said Verty.

"Why pity them?

"I always did; see how they are burning away. And the chestnuts--oh!
I think we will get some chestnuts: here is a tree--and we are at the
top of the hill."

Verty thereupon let go Redbud's arm, and busied himself in gathering a
pile of the chestnuts which had fallen. This ceremony was attentively
watched by Longears, who, lying with his front paws stretched out
straight, his head bent knowingly on one side, and an expression of
thoughtful dignity upon his countenance, seemed to be revelling in the
calm delights of a good conscience and a mild digestion.

Fanny and her cavalier came up just as Verty had collected a pile of
the chestnuts, and prepared some stones for the purpose of mashing
them out.

The party thereupon, with much laughter, betook themselves to the
task, talking gaily, and admiring the landscape as they munched--for
even young ladies munch--the chestnuts.

One accident only happened, and that was not of an important nature.
Longears, full of curiosity, like most intellectual characters, had
approached very near Verty as he was mashing the chestnuts upon
the stone selected for the purpose, and even in the excess of his
interest, had protruded his nose in the vicinity of the young man's
left hand, which held the nuts, while he prepared to strike it with
the mass of limestone which he held in his right.

It chanced that Verty was talking to Fanny when Longears made this
demonstration of curiosity, and did not observe him.

Longears sniffed.

Verty raised his stone.

Longears smelt at the chestnut in his master's grasp, his cold muzzle
nearly touching it.

The stone crashed down.

Longears made a terrific spring backwards, and retiring to some
distance rubbed his nose vigorously with his paws, looking all the
while with dignified reproach at his master.

The nose had not suffered, however, and Longears was soon appeased
and in a good humor again. The incident caused a great accession of
laughter, and after this the chestnuts having been eaten, the party
rose to walk on.

CHAPTER XL.

UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE.

"How, sir."

"Well, madam."

"Keep your pro