Jack laughed and followed ’Lish to the little stable where the horses were kept and where they housed the fawn till another place could be provided for him. This was done in course of time, and, as ’Lish predicted, the little creature soon became accustomed to human beings and learned to know his friends, would eat from their hands, and would watch for them to come with some special tidbit.
The question of a name aroused great discussion. It was first deferred to Jack as having the right by reason of first discovery. “I think we might call him Dearie,” she said after a little thought, “because, you see, he is dear both ways.”
“Why not Fawny, then?” asked Jo. “He’s so fonny, you know.”
“Oh, that’s far-fetched and silly,” announced Mary Lee disgustedly. “Why not call him Caro? That’s the Spanish for dear.”
“Oh, you always want Spanish things,” averred Jack. “If we are to give him any foreign name I should say a German one, for we had venison all the time we were in Munich.”
“What a painful suggestion,” laughed Nan. “Das Rötwild is the German for deer.”
“I don’t care for that.” Jack shook her head decidedly. “What do you think would be a nice name, mother?” She appealed to Mrs. Corner.
“How would Lightfoot do?”
“Oh, but you see one of his feet isn’t light He can’t use it at all yet.”
This brought another laugh. Jack’s reasoning was always rather unexpected.