CHAPTER XLVII.
DAYS THAT ARE NO MORE.
"Oh!" cried Fanny, as they were again walking upon the smooth meadow, in the afternoon, "I think we ought to go and get some apples!" "And so do I," said Ralph.
"Of course, I expected you to agree with me, sir." "Naturally; I always do." This observation was remotely satirical, and Miss Fanny resented it.
"You are the most contentious person I ever knew," she said.
"Am I ?" asked Ralph.
"Yes, sir." "That is fortunate." "Why ?" "Because, difference of opinion is the soul of conversation, and as you never disagree with anybody, we could not converse.

Observe how the syllogism comes out ?" "Fine logician!" "Lovely damsel!" "Mr.College-Graduate!" "Miss School-Girl!" "School-girl!" "College-graduate!" And after this exchange of compliments, the parties walked on, mutually pleased with each other.
Redbud and Verty followed them, and they soon arrived at the old orchard.
Behind the party followed Longears, whose presence, throughout the day, we have very improperly neglected to mention; but as that inquisitive animal was, during the whole morning, roaming, at his own wild will, the neighboring fields--prying into the holes of various wild animals, and exchanging silent commentaries with the Apple Orchard dogs--this omission will not appear very heinous.
Longears had now regaled himself with a comfortable dinner, the last bone of which he had licked--and having thus, like a regular and respectable citizen, taken care of the material, was busily engaged again in the intellectual pursuit of his enemies, the squirrels, butterflies and bees, at which he barked and dashed at times with great vigor and enthusiasm.
"Look at him," said Redbud; "why does he dislike the butterflies ?" "Only fun," said Verty; "he often does that.

Here, Longears!" Longears approached, and Verty pointed to the ground.

Longears laid down.
"Stay there!" said Verty.
And smiling, he walked on.
Redbud laughed, and turning round made signs to the dog to follow them.

Longears, however, only moved his head uneasily, and wagged his tail with eloquent remonstrance.
"Let him come, Verty," said the girl.
Verty smiled, and made a movement of the hand, which, from the distance of a hundred yards, raised Longears three feet into the air.
Returning from this elevation to the earth again, he darted off over the fields after the bees and swallows.
The young men and their companions smiled, and strolled on.