"I do," Verty replied, "and I like it better. But I'm very bad. I
don't think I'm so good when you are away, Redbud. I don't do what
you tell me. The fact is, I believe I'm a wild Indian; but I'll grow
better as I grow older."

"I know you will," said the kind eyes, plainly, and Verty smiled.

"I'm coming to see you very often here," he said, smiling, "and I'm
going to do my work down at the office--that old lady will let me come
to see you, I know."

Redbud looked dubious.

"I don't know whether cousin Lavinia would think it was right," she
said.

And her head drooped, the long dusky lashes covering her eyes and
reposing on her cheek. It was hard for Redbud thus to forbid her
boy-playmate, but she felt that she ought to do so.

"Think it right!" cried Verty, rising half up, and resting on his
hand, "why, what's the harm?"

"I don't know," Redbud said, blushing, "but I think you had better ask
cousin Lavinia."

Her head sank again.

Verty remained silent for some moments, then said: