The Last of the Foresters Part 44

"This plight?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Not proper?"

"No, sir!"

"Why not?"

"Because, sir, when a gentleman comes to pay his respects to a lady, it is necessary that he should be clad in a manner, consistent with the errand upon which he comes."

"_Anan_, ma'am'?"

"Goodness gracious!" cried Miss Sallianna, forgetting her att.i.tudes, and vigorously rubbing her nose; "did any body ever?"

"Ever what, ma'am?"

"Ever see a person so hard to understand as you are, sir."

"I don't understand long words," said Verty; "and you know I am an Indian."

"I knew you _were_, sir."

Verty shook his head, and smiling dreamily:

"I always will be that," he said.

"Then, sir, we cannot be friends--"

"Why, ma'am--I mean, Miss?"

"Because, sir, the properties of civilization require a mutual criterion of excellence--hem!"

"Oh yes," said Verty, very doubtfully, and checking by an effort his eternal exclamation of ignorance; "but I thought you liked me."

"I do, sir," said Miss Sallianna, with more mildness--"I thought we should be friends."

Verty smiled.

"What a funny letter you wrote to me," he said.

"Funny, sir?" said Miss Sallianna, blus.h.i.+ng.

"Very pretty, too."

"Oh, sir!"

"But I did'nt understand more than half of it," said Verty with his old dreamy smile.

"Pray why, sir?"

"The words were so long."

Miss Sallianna looked gratified.

"They were expressive, sir, of the reciprocal sensation which beats in my heart."

"Yes, ma'am," said Verty.

"But recollect, sir, that this sentiment is dependent upon exterior circ.u.mstances. I positively cannot receive you in that savage dress."

"Not receive me?"

"No, sir."

"What's the matter with my poor dress?"

"It's abominable, sir--oderous; and then your hair--"

"My hair?" said Verty, pulling at a curl.

"Yes, sir--it is preposterous, sir. Did any body ever!"

And Miss Sallianna carried her eyes to heaven.

"I don't know," Verty said; "but it feels better."

"It may, sir; but you must cut it off if you come again."

Verty hesitated.

"I thought--" he began.

"Well, sir?"

"I was thinking," said the young man, feeling a vague idea that he was going wrong--"I thought that you were not so very particular, as you are only a school-mistress, and not one of those fine ladies I have seen riding by in their carriages. They might think some ceremony needed--"

"Not a--very well, sir--a schoolmistress--only--indeed!" said Miss Sallianna, with dignity.

Verty was too little acquainted with the expression of concentrated feeling to understand these words, and smiling,

"Then," he said, "there was another reason--"

"For what, sir?" said Miss Sallianna, with great dignity.

"For my not being very particular."

"Please state it, sir."