"You didn't ask me, that's why," says she.
"Why—why, so I didn't," says I. "And say, Vee, I don't know who's got a better right. As for my part of the name, I've used it so little it's almost as good as new. Richard Hemmingway Ballard it shall be."
"Oh, I'm so glad," says she. "Of course, I did want you to be the one to pick it out; but if you're satisfied with——"
"Satisfied!" says I. "Why, I'm tickled to pieces. And here you had that up your sleeve all the while!"
Vee smiles and nods.
"We must have the christening very soon," says she, "so everyone will know."
"You bet!" says I. "And I've a good notion to put it on the train bulletin down at the station, too. First off, though, we'd better tell young Richard himself and see how he likes it. I expect, though, unless his next crop of hair comes out a different tint from this one, that he'll have to answer to 'Young Torchy' for a good many years."
"Oh, yes," says Vee; "but I'm sure he won't mind that in the least."
"Good girl!" says I, movin' round where I can express my feelin's better.
"Don't!" says Vee. "You'll spill the coffee."