The Ffolliots of Redmarley

E-text prepared by Al Haines
For that dread move you saw me through, For all the things you found to do. For china washed and pictures hung— And oh, those books, the hours among! For merry heart that goes all day, For jest that turns work into play, For all the dust and dusters shared, For that dear self you never spared: And most of all, that all of it Was light with laughter, spiced with wit— Take, dear, my love, and with it take The little book you helped to make.
First Edition . . . . . . . July, 1913 Cheaper Edition . . . . . . September, 1919 Reprinted . . . . . . . . . January, 1925
Father, what d'you think we'd better call him? Mrs Gallup asked, when the baby was a week old; have you thought of a name?
I've fixed on a name, her husband replied, triumphantly. The child shall be called Eloquent.
Eloquent, Mrs Gallup repeated, dubiously. That's a queer name, isn't it? 'Tisn't a name at all, not really.
It's going to be my son's name, anyhow, Mr Gallup retorted, positively. I've thought the matter out, most careful I've considered it, and that's the name my son's got to be called . . . Eloquent Gallup he'll be, and a very good name too.
But why Eloquent? Mrs Gallup persisted. How d'you know as he'll be eloquent? an' if he isn't, that name'll make him a laughing-stock. Suppose he was to grow up one of them say-nothing-to-nobody sort of chaps, always looking down his nose, and afraid to say 'Bo' to a goose: what's he to do with such a name?
There's no fear my son will grow up a-say-nothing-to-nobody sort of chap, said Mr Gallup, boastfully. I'll take care of that. Now you listen to me, mother. You know the proverb 'Give a dog a bad name'——
I never said it was a bad name, Mrs Gallup pleaded.
I should think you didn't—but look here, if it's true of a bad name, mustn't it be equally true of a good one? Why, it's argument, it's logic, that is. Call a boy Eloquent and ten to one he'll be eloquent, don't you see?
But what d'you want him to be eloquent for? Mrs Gallup enquired almost tearfully. What good will it do him—precious lamb?