It meant that the "lecture" of this great female philosopher had produced its effect,--that Miss Redbud had waked to a consciousness of the fact, that she was a "young lady," and that her demeanor toward Verty was improper.
Before, she had thought that there was no great impropriety in running to meet the forest boy, with whom she had played for years, and whom she knew so very well.

Now this was changed.

Cousin Lavinia saw a decided impropriety in her meeting Verty with a bright smile, and giving him her hand, and saying, in her frank, affectionate voice: "Oh! I'm so glad to see you!" Of course, cousin Lavinia knew all about it; and it was very dreadful in her to have been treating Verty with so little ceremony--very, very dreadful.

Was she not growing up, and even did she not wear long dresses?
Was such conduct in a lady of sixteen proper?
So, innocence listened to worldly wisdom, and pride overturned simplicity; and, in consequence, our friend Verty found himself opposite a young lady who blushed, and exhibited a most unaccountable constraint, and only gave him the tips of her fingers, when he was ready for, and expected, the most enthusiastic greeting.
We must, however, speak of another influence which made Redbud so cool;--and this will, very probably, have occurred to our lady readers, if we have any, as the better explanation.

Separation! Yes, the separation which stimulates affection, and bathes the eyes in the languid dews of memory.