"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, blushing. "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 circumstances. 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." "Yes, ma'am." The lady sniffed with indignation. "I meant," said Verty, "that as you had very few beaux here--I believe you call 'em beaux--I could come so. I know that Mr. Jinks comes, but he is too fierce to be agreeable, and is not very nice, I should think." Miss Sallianna darted a glance of scorn at the unlucky Verty, which would have transfixed that gentleman; but unfortunately he did not see it. "Yes," he went on, "there is a great deal of difference, Miss Sallianna, between coming to see you, who are only a schoolmistress, and hav'nt much fine company, and the rich ladies;--then you know I thought that the difference between our ages--you being so much older than I. am, about thirty or thirty-five, I suppose--" The cup was full.