Redbud blushed, and continued to caress Longears, who submitted to
this ceremony with great equanimity.

"Come!" said Miss Sallianna, "let us return, Miss Summers."

"Yes, ma'am," said Redbud; "good-bye, Verty," she added, looking at
the boy with her kind, smiling eyes, and lowering her voice, "remember
what you promised me--to read your Bible."

And smiling again, Redbud gave him her hand, and then followed Miss
Sallianna, who sailed on before--her head resting languidly on one
shoulder--her fan arranged primly upon her maiden chin--her eyes
raised in contemplation to the sky.

Poor Verty smiled and sighed, and followed Redbud with his eyes, and
saw her disappear--the kind, tender eyes fixed on him to the last. He
sighed again, as she passed from his sight; and so left the garden.
Mr. Jinks was swaggering amiably toward town--Cloud was standing, like
a statue, where his master had left him. Verty, leaning one arm on the
saddle, murmured:

"Really, Redbud is getting prettier than ever, and I wonder if I am
what Mr. Roundjacket calls 'in love' with her?"

Finding himself unable to answer this question, Verty shook his head
wisely, got into the saddle, and set forward toward the town, Longears
following duly in his wake.