"Do you miss us?"
"Oh yes, indeed!"
Miss Lavinia cleared her throat, and began to revolve her address to be delivered.
"You do not see us very often, Redbud," she said,—"I mean myself and your father—but from what I have heard this morning, that young man Verty still visits you."
Redbud colored, and did not reply.
Miss Lavinia's face assumed an expression of mingled severity and dignity, and she said to the girl:
"Redbud, I am sorry you do not observe the advice I gave you,—of course, I have no right to command you, and you are now growing old enough to act for yourself in these things. You are nearly seventeen, and are growing to be a woman. But I fear you are deficient in resolution, and still encourage the visits of this young man."
Poor Redbud was silent—she could not deny the accusation.
Miss Lavinia looked at her with grim affection, and said:
"I hope, Redbud, that, in future, you will be more careful. I am sorry to be compelled to say it—but Verty is not a proper person for you to remain upon such intimate and confidential terms with. He has good qualities, and is very sensible and kind-hearted; but he is a mere Indian, and cannot have anything in common with one so much his superior in station, as yourself."