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.