"La!" said the fair one, inserting the points of her fingers into
Verty's palm, "and Mr. Jinks was talking of me? What did he say,
sir,--I suppose it was in town."

"No, ma'am," said Verty, "it was at the gate, when I came to see
Redbud--the pigeon showed me the way. He said you were something--but
I've forgot."

"The paragon of beauties and the pearl of loveliness," suggested Mr.
Jinks.

"I don't think it was that," Verty replied, "but it was something
pretty--prettier than what you said just now, when you were courting
Miss Sallianna, you know."

Mr. Jinks cleared his throat--Miss Sallianna blushed.

"Really--" said Mr. Jinks.

"What children!" said the lady, with a patronizing air; "Reddy, do you
know your lesson?"

By which question, Miss Sallianna evidently intended to reduce Miss
Redbud to her proper position of child.

"Yes, ma'am," said Redbud "and Mrs. Scowley said I might come in
here."

"With this--young man?"