"Athalia. I am sure you heard your mother call me that."
"Yes, but I was going to call you by your sirname."
"Lovetree, sir. Athalia Lovetree."
"Oh, that is a very sweet, pretty name."
"Yes, sir, so much so that I think I shall always keep it."
"So all the young ladies say. But it hardly ever proves true with one who owns so pretty a name, and a face prettier still."
More flattery. She did not hear it. No. She felt it though.
"Well, I am very sure I never shall change my first name. I never shall be called by any other than Athalia."
She thought so then; I wonder if she ever thought of it in after years?
"But you have not told me what is in that pantry."