Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 20, 2025
The noise of the carriage-wheels died in the distance. Verty remained for some moments gazing after it; then he rose, and shaking hands with the pitying Fanny, who had lost all her merriment, got slowly into the saddle and returned. He had expected a day of happiness and laughter with Redbud, basking in the fond light of her eyes, and rambling by her side for happy hours.
"But you know a few days is a very long time, when you want to see anybody very much." Redbud returned his frank smile, and said, with a delicious little prim expression: "Did you want to see me very much, Verty?" "Yes, indeed; I didn't know how much I liked you," said the boy, with his ingenuous laugh; "the woods didn't look right, and I was always thinking about you."
Roundjacket and himself were discussing the propriety of his marrying Redbud? He is no longer the open, frank, and fearless Verty of old days he has become a dissembler, for he is in love. "I don't know oh, sir I could'nt Mr. Roundjacket " The Squire laughs. "There's some secret here," he says; "out with it, Verty, or it will choke you. Come, Rushton, you are an adept cross-examine the witness."
"Now, that's all affectation," said Ralph; "you young ladies " "You're a barbarian, sir!" replied Fanny, with great candor. "I know I am." "I'm glad you do." "But," continued Ralph, "tell me now, really, do you young girls admire babies?" "Certainly I do " "And I," said Redbud. "They're the sweetest, dearest things in all the world," continued Fanny, "and the man who don't like babies "
Verty told Redbud of the singular circumstance of the morning, and demanded an explanation. Her wonder was as great as his own, however; and she remained silently gazing at the sunset, and pondering. A shake of the head betrayed her want of success in this attempt to unravel the mystery, especially the lawyer's indignation at the words written by Verty.
"Who's he?" asked Mr. Roundjacket, staring. "What!" cried Verty, "don't you know old Scowley?" "No." "She's Redbud's school-master I mean school-mistress, of course; and Mr. Jinks goes to see Miss Sallianna." Roundjacket muttered: "Really, a very extraordinary young man." Then he added, aloud "Why do you think you are in love with Redbud?"
The old volume such as we find to-day in ancient country-houses was opened, and Redbud commenced singing. The girl sang the sweet ditty with much expression; and her kind, touching voice filled the old homestead with a tender melody, such as the autumn time would utter, could its spirit become vocal.
"I'm sorry, sir," he said, smiling; "but I don't understand. I never read the newspapers. Nothing but the Bible because Redbud wants me to: I hope to like it after awhile though."
I'm very unhappy!" said poor Redbud, bursting into tears; her self-control had given away at last. "Don't mind me, Fanny, but I can't help it please don't talk any more about Verty, or walking out, or anything." Fanny looked at her friend for a moment, and the deep sadness on Redbud's face banished all her laughter. "Why not talk about him?" she said, sitting down by Redbud.
Redbud, with her mild, tender eyes, and gentle smile and sylvan costume, was the representative of the fine shepherdesses of former time, and wanted but a crook to worthily fill Marlow's ideal; for she had not quite "A belt of straw and ivy buds, With coral clasps and amber studs, "
Word Of The Day
Others Looking