“Doesn’t everything in the world have a name?” asked Dot.
The others laughed, but Ruth added, “Dot’s right; we have a name for our cherry-tree nest, and one for the new nest; and Mrs. Catlin is going to call her Blue Birds’ nest ‘Hill Top Nest’—‘Blue Birds of Hill Top Nest.’”
“But this is different,” argued Mrs. Talmage.
“No, it isn’t, Mrs. Talmage,” insisted Dot. “We call our house ‘Oakwood’ and you call this place ‘Mossy Glen’—and our town we call Oakdale. Why, what for? Everyone knows where the Starrs live, and where the Talmages live, and we all know where the town lives, so what’s the use of having names?”
“Dot, you hit the nail on the head every time,” said Aunt Selina, as all of the others laughed at Dot’s explanation.
“Yes, but that’s why we want a name for our children’s camp and the valley,” said Ruth.
“Really, it doesn’t matter to us how many names you choose to give it—just please yourselves about it,” said Aunt Selina.
“All right, then, if you don’t mind, we’ll try to get a real lovely name for it,” said Betty, smiling at Aunt Selina.
For quite a time, silence reigned, for the Blue Birds were trying to think of a pretty name for the farm.
“In ‘Pilgrim’s Progress’ there is a ‘Valley of Humility,’” suggested May.