“I say, I think you might be reasonable—you’re always standing in my way.”
“I have no wish to do that. If you think my name will add to your importance, use it by all means.... You may call yourself Tompkins for all I care.”
“What about you?”
“Oh I—I shall continue to call myself Craddock.”
“I do think it’s rough. You never do anything to help me.”
“I am sorry you’re dissatisfied. But you forget that you have impressed one ideal on me for years: you have always given me to understand that your pattern female animal was the common or domestic cow.”
Edward did not understand what Bertha meant, and it occurred to him dimly that it was perhaps not altogether proper.
“You know, Edward, I always regret that you didn’t marry Fanny Glover. You would have suited one another admirably. And I think she would have worshipped you as you desire to be worshipped. I’m sure she would not have objected to your calling yourself Glover.”
“I shouldn’t have wanted to take her name. That’s no better than Craddock. The only thing in Ley is that it’s an old county name, and has belonged to your people.”