"You ought to be ashamed of yourself to speak so disrespectfully of such a divine creature—with so much maiden innocence and intrinsic simplicity," observed Miss Fanny, inclining her head upon one shoulder, and rolling her eyes toward the sky.
Ralph began to laugh.
"I would'nt say it if it was'nt true," Verty said; "but it is."
"What story did she tell you, sir?" Fanny went on.
"She said that Redbud was in love with him—Ralph Ashley."
And Verty smiled.
Fanny burst into a roar of laughter; Redbud blushed; Ralph looked with astonishment at the plain-spoken Verty.
"You know that was a story," said he, simply.
Everybody remained silent for a moment, and then the silence was broken by Ralph, who cried, laughing:
"I'll back you, friend Verty! every word of it!"