"And yours, and yours, and yours, and yours, and yours, and yours?" he asked, receiving in turn the names of Sally, Freda, Maude, Cora, Dora, and Ida.
"I shall divide you into two groups of four each," he said, after hearing the names. "One will be the Etta-May-Sally-Freda group, and the other will be the Maude-Cora-Dora-Ida group. That will simplify matters for me, and I can talk to four at one time. Ettamaysallyfreda," he called.
"Yes, father," answered all four at once.
"If I ever hear you giggle again as you did when I appeared I shall punish you severely."
"Yes, sir," answered the trembling dolls.
"Maudecoradoraida," said Theodore, in a stern voice.
"Yes, father," answered the second group.
"If you behave again in the manner you did when I first came to this house you will be punished in a way you will remember."
"Yes, sir," answered the four dolls.
Theodore turned away and with all the dignity he could muster walked toward his wife.