At that moment they were awake and engaged in their favorite pastime of teasing Jacob Kalb.
Jacob had an intense desire to be considered English, and in an unfortunate moment had translated his name, not realizing how much worse its English equivalent, "Calf," would sound to English ears than the uncomprehended German "Kalb." It was the twins' older brother, William, who had now been away from home so long that they had almost forgotten him, who had heard Jacob telling his new name to some strangers.
"Ach, no, I cannot speak German very good. I am not German. My name is Jacob Calf."
He saw in their faces that he had made a mistake, but it was too late to retract. Besides, William Wenner, whom he hated, and who had been to the Normal School, had heard, and as long as Jacob lived the name would cling to him. Ellen Louisa and Louisa Ellen, accustomed to shout it at him from a safe vantage-ground on their own side of the fence, called it softly now when the older people were talking, "Jacob Calf! Jacob Calf!"
Then, suddenly, each twin found her arm clutched as though in a vise.
"Ellen Louisa and Louisa Ellen, be still. Not a word! Not a word!"
"But—" began the twins together. Sarah had always aided and abetted them. It was Sarah who had invented such brilliant rhymes as,
"Jacob Calf,
You make me laugh."