"Hum!"
And this little exclamation indicated the light in which Fanny regarded the excuse.
Verty continued to gaze toward Redbud, who was gathering flowers.
"How kind and good she is!" he murmured.
And these words were accompanied by a smile of so much tender sincerity, that Fanny relented.
"Yes, she is!" said that young lady; "I'm glad to see that some of your sex, sir, have a little taste. It is not their failing."
"Anan!" said Verty, smiling.
Fanny laughed; and her good humor began to return completely.
"I know some who are utterly deficient," she said.
"In what?"