ed the house, and they saw Miss Lavinia
sitting at the window. Verty took off his white fur hat, and made the
lady a low bow, and said--

"How do you do, Miss Lavinia?"

"Thank you, Verty," said that lady, solemnly, "very well. What have
you there?"

"Some deer horns, ma'am."

"What for?"

"Oh, the Squire said he wanted them," Verty replied.

"Hum," said Miss Lavinia, going on with her occupation of sewing.

Verty made no reply to this latter observation, but busied himself
fixing up the antlers in the passage. Having arranged them to his
satisfaction, he stated to Redbud that he thought the Squire would
like them; and then preferred a request that she would get her Bible,
and read some to him. To this, Redbud, with a pleasant look in her
kind eyes, gave a delighted assent, and, running up stairs, soon
returned, and both having seated themselves, began reading aloud to
the boy.

Miss Lavinia watched this proceeding with an elderly smile; but
Verty's presence in some way did not seem agreeable to her,

Redbud closed the book, and said:--

"That is beautiful, isn't it, Verty?"

"Yes," replied the boy, "and I would rather hear it than any other
book. I'm coming down every day to make you read for me."

"Why, you can read,"

"So I can, but I like to _hear_ it," said Verty; "so I am coming."

Redbud shook her head with a sorrowful expression.

"I don't think I can," she said. "I'm so sorry!"

"Don't think you can!"

"No."

"Not read the Bible to me?" Verty said, smiling.

"I'm going away."

Verty started.

"Going away!--you going away? Oh no! Redbud, you mus'nt; for you know
I can't possibly get along without you, because I like you so much."

"Hum!" said Miss Lavinia, who seemed to be growing more and more
dissatisfied with the interview.

"I must go, though," Redbud said, sorrowfully, "I can't stay."

"Go where?" asked the boy. "I'll follow you. Where are you going?"

"Stop, Verty!" here interposed Miss Lavinia, with dignity. "It is not
a matter of importance where Redbud is going--and you must not follow
her, as you promise. You must not ask her where she is going."

Verty gazed at Miss Lavinia with profound astonishment, and was about
to reply, when a voice was heard at the door, and all turned round.

CHAPTER III.

INTRODUCES A LEGAL PORCUPINE.

This was the voice of the Squire. It came just in time to create a
diversion.

"Why, there are my antlers!" cried the good-humor