"Will you follow my advice?"
"Yes, ma'am—of course. I mean if it's right. Excuse me, I did not mean—what was your advice, ma'am?" stammered Verty.
The lady smiled, and did not seem at all offended at Verty's qualification.
"It may appear singular to you at first," Miss Sallianna said; "but my advice is, that you appear to make love—to pay attentions to—somebody else for a short time."
"Attentions, ma'am?"
"Seem to like some other lady better than Redbud."
"Oh, but that would not be right."
"Why?"
"Because I don't."
Miss Sallianna smiled.