But Verty was intently watching Longears, who was trying to insert his nose between two bars of the garden gate.
"Anan?" he said.
"La, what does he mean?" said the lady; "see! he's looking at something."
Verty was only making friendly signs to Longears to enter the garden. Longears no sooner understood that he was called, than he cleared the fence at one bound, and came up to his master.
Mr. Jinks had not heard his own voice for at least half a minute; so he observed, loftily:
"A handsome dog! a very handsome dog, sir! What did you say his name was? Longears? Yes? Here, Longears!"
And he made friendly signs of invitation to the hound. Longears availed himself of these indications of friendship by rearing up on Mr. Jinks, and leaving a dust-impression of his two paws upon that gentleman's ruffled shirt-bosom.
Verty laughed, and dragged him away.
"Longears," he said, "I'm surprised at you—and here, too, where you should conduct yourself better than usual!"
Miss Sallianna was about to say something, when a bell was heard to ring.