Beta Book

"Well, Miss Summers!" she said, in a crooked and shrill voice,
"talking to gentlemen, I see! Mr. Jinks, against rules, sir--come,
Miss, you know my wishes on this subject."
As she spoke, her eyes fell upon the turkey hanging from Cloud's
saddle-bow.
"Young man," she said to Verty, "what's the price of that turkey?"
Verty was looking at Redbud, and only knew that the awful Mrs. Scowley
had addressed him, from Redbud's whispering to him.
"_Anan_?" he said.
"I say, what's the price of that turkey?" continued the old lady; "if
you are moderate, I'll buy it. Don't think, though, that I am going
to give you a high price. You mountain people," she added, looking at
Verty's wild costume, "can get along with very little money. Come, how
much?"
Verty on that occasion did the only artful thing which he ever
accomplished--but what will not a lover do?
He went to Cloud, took the fine gobbler from the saddle, and bringing
it to Mrs. Scowley, laid it at the feet of that awful matron with a
smile.


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