"My idea——" Mr. Chippy began——"my idea is this: since Daddy Longlegs is[p. 112] so changed, after losing one of his legs, we really ought to call him by a different name. Now that he has only seven legs—instead of eight—it doesn't seem polite to say anything about legs in his hearing."
As Mr. Chippy paused and looked about him the whole company agreed that his idea was an excellent one.
"But I don't know where we're going to find a new name for him," said Buster Bumblebee, who never had many ideas of his own.
"That's easy!" Mr. Chippy told him. "I've thought of a splendid name. And I'm perfectly willing to let you use it.... It's Grandfather Graybeard!"
Most of the company clapped their hands when Mr. Chippy said that. But Buster Bumblebee spoke up and said that he didn't think much of that name, be[p. 113]cause Daddy Longlegs had no beard.
"Well, for all you know he may decide to wear one, any day," Mr. Chippy replied.
And then all the company applauded again—except Buster Bumblebee.
"How do you know Daddy Longlegs is a grandfather?" he asked Mr. Chippy.
"How do you know he isn't?" Mr. Chippy asked him.
And then everybody but Buster cried out that "Grandfather Graybeard" was a fine name for Daddy Longlegs. And many remarked that Daddy would be greatly pleased when he heard the news.