"Oh!" he cried, "how glad I am to see you! What in the world made you
come here, Redbud, and stay away from me so long!"

Redbud blushed, and murmured something.

"Never mind," said Verty; "I'm so glad to see you, that I won't
quarrel."

And he pressed the little hand which he held with such ardor, that
Redbud blushed more than ever.

But she had scarcely uttered a word--scarcely smiled on him. What did
it mean? Poor Verty's face began to be overclouded.

What did it mean. That is not a very difficult question to us, however
much it might have puzzled Verty. It meant that Miss Lavinia had
suggested to Redbud the impropriety of remaining on terms of
cordiality and friendship with a young gentleman, who, after the
fashion of all youths, in all ages of the world, was desperately
anxious to become some young lady's husband. It meant that the
"lecture" of this great female philosopher had produced its
effect,--that Miss Redbud had waked to a consciousness of the fact,
that she was a "young lady," and that her demeanor toward Verty was
improper.

Before, she had thought that there was no great impropriety in running
to meet the forest boy, with whom she had played for years, and whom
she knew so very well. Now this was changed. Cousin Lavinia saw a
decided impropriety in her meeting Verty with a bright smile, and