"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.