She said in a distinct voice to Dr. Wand: “Tell him.”
The doctor said: “Your wife has asked me to think up some new and unusual name for the baby. I suggested ‘Eris,’” he added blandly. And, after a silence: “Your wife seems to like the name.”
Odell nodded: “Awright.”
His wife said to the doctor, in her painfully distinct voice: “I want she should have a name that no other baby’s got.... Because—that’s all I can give her.... Something no other baby’s got.... Write it, Doctor.”
Dr. Ward wrote “Eris” on the birth certificate. His expression became slightly ironical.
“Eris,” he repeated. “Do you both approve this name?”
Odell shrugged assent.
“Yes,” said the woman. “She’s mine. All I can give her is this name. I give it.”
“Eris was the name of a Greek goddess,” remarked the doctor. He did not explain that Eris was the goddess of Discord. “I’m very sure,” he added, “that no other baby is named Eris.... But plenty of ’em ought to be.... Was there anything you wanted to say to your wife, Elmer?”
“Hey?” demanded Odell, stupidly.