"
"Oh, that is your reading of her, is it?"
The rest of the walk passed almost in silence.
"Uncle, I am not sleepy to-night."
"Who is? that young rascal has set me on fire with his yarns. Who
would have thought that awkward cub had so much in him?"
"Awkward, but not a cub; say rather a black swan; and you know, uncle,
a swan is an awkward thing on land, but when it takes the water it is
glorious, and that man was glorious; but--Da--vid Do--dd."
"I don't know whether he was glorious, but I know he amused me, and
I'll have him to tea three times a week while he lasts."
"Uncle, do you believe such an unfortunate combination of sounds is
his real name?" asked Lucy, gravely.
"Why, who would be mad enough to feign such a name?"
"That is true; but now tell me--if he should ever, think of marrying
with such a name?"
"Then there will be two David Dodd's in the world, Mr. and Mrs."
"I don't think so; he will be merciful, and take her name instead of
she his; he is so good-natured."
"Ordinary sponsors would have been content with Samuel or Nathan; but
no, this one's must, call in 'apt alliteration's artful aid,' and have
the two 'd's.'"
Lucy assented with a smile, and so, being no longer under the spell of
the enthusiast and the male, the genealogist and the fine lady took
the rise out of what Miss Fountain was pleased to call his impossible
title,
Da--vid Dodd.
CHAPTER III.
LUCY was not called on to write any more formal invitations to Mr.
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