He had not intended to say so much on this part of the subject, and he resumed the general topic. Ladies should be treated with the utmost respect, whether attractive or not, and even if they did not conduct themselves like ladies. He did not prohibit the students from associating with the young ladies of Genverres and the neighboring towns, under proper circumstances, and thought female society was beneficial to them. But profound respect must be the basis of such relations. There should be nothing like undue familiarity with them, and a young lady, even if not more than fifteen, should not be addressed by her Christian name except by her relatives. It must always be "Miss Bristol," and not "Lily," or even "Miss Lily."
"Not Miss Lily?" said a puzzled student.
"That is a grade of familiarity between the surname and the given name, proper enough for persons who are intimate enough to use it, but not applicable in the present instance. Now, to return to the name of the schooner, from which the papers withdrew my attention. I am entirely willing that you should give her a name."
After what the principal had said about pretty girls, most of the students concluded that any attempt to give the name of one of that sisterhood to the craft would be vetoed. They were not quite satisfied to have their wishes disregarded. His last words, however, gave them a little encouragement. The principal picked up the slips of paper and counted them, or a portion of them.
"Twenty-three have given in the name of 'Lily,'" said he, taking up those which indicated some other name. "'Champlain,' 'Lake Bird,' 'Lake Gem,' 'Saranac,' and the names of most of the lakes and rivers in Vermont. Among them are 'Addison' (our county), 'Genverres,' either of which would be a very good, and a very appropriate name. I don't like the fancy names, such as 'Gem of the Lake,' as well as the more substantial ones. Now you may vote on the question, and the name among those I have read which has a majority shall be the one selected."
This announcement brought out some applause. Then the captain said it would be in order for any student who wished to recommend any particular name, to say what he pleased on the subject. This permission brought Luke Bennington to his feet.
"I don't believe there is a craft on the lake now called the 'Champlain.' There has been a large steamer, but she is no longer in existence," said the speaker, with considerable earnestness. "In my opinion—and I have seen the lakes of Scotland and Switzerland—Lake Champlain is the finest lake in the world."
"Oh! Oh! Oh!" murmured several listeners.
"Of course the size of the lake comes into the comparison, or Lake George might be nothing by the side of a little pond between a couple of hills. We have the Adirondacks on one side, and the Green Mountains on the other; and, taking everything into consideration, I vote for Lake Champlain as the finest. For this reason, and because it is the element on which the schooner is to figure, I hope its name will be given to her."
Another student spoke in favor of "Battenkill," but he proved to be the only one who had ever heard the name. He explained that it was a river which had its source in Vermont, though it soon wandered into New York. A third student spoke for "Addison," and a fourth for "Genverres." The advocates of "Lily" seemed to be conscious of their strength, and all of them were too bashful to make a speech in its favor.