There was a piece of paper, and on it--but here's the paper." And Verty took from his bosom the yellow scroll, and placed it in Redbud's hand.
She took it, smiling, and read the words--"I am Miss Redbud's pigeon, and Fanny gave me to her." "Oh, yes," she said, "and I am glad he's come back; poor fellow, I hav'nt seen him for days!" "I had him," said Verty.
"At home ?" "Yes." "Curing him ?" Verty nodded.
"You know that was what I wanted.

I cured him, and then let him go, and followed him, and found you." Verty, in an absent way, took Miss Redbud's hand, and was guilty of the bad taste of squeezing it.
The reply and the action seemed to recall Redbud to herself; and she suddenly drew back with a blush.
Verty looked astounded.

In the midst of his confusion a martial "hem!" was heard, and Mr.Jinks, who had been carefully adjusting his toilette, drew near the lovers.
"Hem!" said Mr.Jinks, "a very fine day, Miss Redbud.

Loveliest of your sex and delight of the world, have I the pleasure of seeing you in that high state of happiness and health which of right should belong to you ?" With this Mr.Jinks bowed and gesticulated, and spread out his arms like a graceful giraffe, and dispensed on every side the most engaging grimaces.
Redbud bowed, with an amused look in her little blushing face; and just as she had got through with this ceremony, another personage was added to the company.
This was an elderly lady of severe aspect, who, clad in black, and with an awfully high cap, which cast a shadow as it came, appeared at the door of the house, and descended like a hawk upon the group.
"Well, Miss Summers!" she said, in a crooked and shrill voice, "talking to gentlemen, I see! Mr.Jinks, against rules, sir--come, Miss, you know my wishes on this subject." As she spoke, her eyes fell upon the turkey hanging from Cloud's saddle-bow.
"Young man," she said to Verty, "what's the price of that turkey ?" Verty was looking at Redbud, and only knew that the awful Mrs.Scowley had addressed him, from Redbud's whispering to him.
"_Anan_ ?" he said.
"I say, what's the price of that turkey ?" continued the old lady; "if you are moderate, I'll buy it.

Don't think, though, that I am going to give you a high price.