Verty reflected.

"Are they better than the Bible?" he said, at length.

Redbud looked shocked, and replied to the young savage:

"Oh no, no!--I hardly think they are important at all; but I suppose
every young lady learns them. It is necessary," added the little
maiden, primly.

"Ah, indeed? well, I suppose it is," Verty replied, thoughtfully; "a
real lady could'nt get along without knowing the minuet, and all that.
But I'm mighty sorry you had to go. I've lost _my_ teacher by your
going."

Redbud returned his frank look, and said:

"I'm very sorry, Verty; but never mind--you read your Bible, don't
you?"

"Yes," Verty replied, "I promised you; and I read all about Joseph,
and Nimrod, who was a hunter, and other people."

"Don't you ever read in the New Testament?" Redbud said. "I wish you
would read in that, too, Verty."

And Redbud, with all the laughter gone away from her countenance,
regarded Verty with her tender, earnest eyes, full of kindness and
sincerity.