The old woman's head drooped.

"My son does not speak with a straight tongue," she said; "his words
are crooked."

"_Non non_" said Verty, smiling; "but I am a little unwell, _ma mere_.
All the way coming along, I felt my breast weighed down--my heart was
oppressed. Look! even Longears knows I'm not the Verty of the old
time."

Longears, who was standing at the door in a contemplative attitude,
fancied that his master called him, and, coming up, licked Verty's
hand affectionately.

"Good Longears!" said. Verty, caressing him, "lie down at my feet."

Longears obeyed with much dignity, and was soon basking in the
sunlight before the door.

"Now, _ma mere_" Verty said, with his habitual smile, "we have been
calling for the clouds to come up, and shut out the sun; let us call
for the sunlight next. You know I am your Verty, and every day as I
grow, I get able to do more for you. I shall, some day, make a number
of pistoles--who knows?--and then think how much I could buy for you.
Good mother!--happy Verty!"

And taking the old woman's hand, Verty kissed it.

Then, leaning back, he reached through the window, and took down a