"When Kitty and I," said Miss Patty, "have any secrets we come here and tell them to each other while we sit at our work. No one can hear what we say; and we are quite snug all to ourselves." Very odd, thought Verdant, that they should fix on this particular spot for confidential communications, and take the trouble to come here to make them, when they could do so in their own rooms at the house. And yet it isn't such a bad spot either. "Try how comfortable a seat it is!" said Miss Patty. Mr. Verdant Green began to feel hot. He sat down, however, and tested the comforts of the seat, much in the same way as he would try the spring of a lounging chair, and apparently with a like result, for he said, "Yes it ~is~ very comfortable - very comfortable indeed." "I thought you'd like it," said Miss Patty; "and you see how nicely the branches droop all round: they make it quite an arbour. If Kitty had been here with me I think you would have had some trouble to have found us." "I think I should; it is quite a place to hide in," said Verdant. But the young lady and gentleman must have been speaking with the spirit of ostriches, and have imagined that, when they had hidden their heads, they had altogether concealed themselves from observation; for the branches of the apple-tree only drooped low enough to conceal the upper part of their figures, and left the rest exposed to view. "Won't you sit down, also?" asked Verdant, with a gasp and a sensation in his head as though he had been drinking champagne too freely. "I'm afraid there's scarcely room for me," pleaded Miss Patty. "Oh yes, there is, indeed! pray sit down." So she sat down on the lower part of the trunk. Mr. Verdant Green glanced rapidly round and perceived that they were quite alone, and partly shrouded from view. The following highly interesting conversation then took place. ~He.~ "Won't you change places with me? you'll slip off." ~She.~ "No - I think I can manage." ~He.~ "But you can come closer." ~She.~ "Thanks." (~She comes closer.~) [AN OXFORD FRESHMAN 245] ~He.~ "Isn't that more comfortable?" ~She.~ "Yes - very much." ~He.~ (~Very hot, and not knowing what to say~) - "I - I think you'll slip!" ~She.~ "Oh no! it's very comfortable indeed." (That is to say - thinks Mr. Verdant Green-that sitting BY ME is very comfortable. Hurrah!) ~She.~ "It's very hot, don't you think?" ~He.~ "How very odd! I was just thinking the same." ~She.~ "I think I shall take my hat off - it is so warm. Dear me! how stupid! - the strings are in a knot." ~He.~ "Let me see if I can untie them for you." ~She.~ "Thanks! no! I can manage." (~But she cannot.~) ~He.~ "You'd better let me try! now do!" ~She.~ "Oh, thanks! but I'm sorry you should have the trouble." ~He.~ "No trouble at all. Quite a pleasure."