Mr. Eyre having done so, she said, "I choose Zelica, papa. For though I could say Nourmahal, I don't think Lina would, and I don't see how it could be shortened. Zelica! it is really a lovely name—you are sure it is Persian, papa?"
"Quite sure, my dear. I found them for you in 'Lalla Rookh.' A Persian story, you know."
"Come here, Kit. Your name, my own dear pet, is Zelica. Don't tell me she can't hear me—see how she listens with her pretty blue eyes! Zelica, my dear! Lina, can you say it? It is an easy word."
So the vexed question was happily settled, and Zelica had a bit of blue ribbon tied round her neck, to mark the day. This gave Hetty plenty to do, for Zelica evidently thought that the right thing was to get the blue ribbon off as soon as possible, and to run away as fast as she could with Hetty at her heels, and her little mistress's delighted laugh sounding sweet and clear from the sofa. Then Flo tied the ribbon on again, and the whole performance was repeated, until Mrs. Eyre could not but admire Hetty's endless patience. But I suspect that Hetty enjoyed the fun quite as much as Flo did, and as to the waste of time that would have distressed busy Mrs. Eyre, Hetty cared nothing for that. Indeed, I think myself that she was very well employed.
One evening Mr. Eyre came home rather early, saying that he had a headache, and felt very tired.
"Mr. Cartwright asked me to post this letter, Celia, but I felt so done up that I took the tram the whole way. Could Hetty run to the post office in Little Hayes for me?"
"Certainly she can."
"Here then, Hetty. It is of consequence, and you have only just time to get it posted; so make no delay anywhere."
"But you may pay your mother a visit on your way back," added Mrs. Eyre; "for you pass the door, you know."