“Since Mr. Plaisted is so inquisitive, it would be wise to gratify his curiosity at once, and have done with it,” and Dexie turned sharply around and faced the rest.  “He had better learn the whole of our names, and the history of them as well, and then, perhaps, he will be kind enough to drop the subject forever.  Here is the story:  At the time father was married he was doing business in Augusta, Maine; but it happened, unfortunately, that mother was born and brought up in Dexter.  For some reason, that I have never been able to fathom, when we twins appeared we were honored by being called after those respective places!  Gussie was the smartest and best-looking baby, I suppose, so she was selected to bear the name of the capital city, while I had to bear the burden of Dexter!  It is a wonder how I managed to survive the christening, for the very name was enough to finish one!  Oh!  I have wished a thousand times that the town of Dexter had been visited by a conflagration, and wiped out of existence, before mother’s people ever went there!  But there!  I daresay they would have gone to Skowhegan!  Norrigewock!  Mattawamkeg! or some other place with an outlandish name, and, of course, I should have been named after it, just the same!  Dexie is bad enough, but Skowie, think of it!”

A peal of laughter interrupted Dexter’s hot-spoken words; but the mention of her name always touched a tender spot, and she added, in an injured tone, that made her father smile in spite of himself: 

“And there is Louie.  Everybody thinks her name is Louisa, so she escapes the questions of the curious; but her name is Louisiana, after the State where grandma’s old home is.  We were there for a long visit when she was a baby, and she is not likely to forget that fact all her life.  Then papa has a sister in Georgia; so of course we went to see her, too; but her plantation was so lovely we were all delighted when papa consented to stay there a year or two and help Uncle Edward set out some new groves, and get everything in good running order.  We were there when Georgie was born, so he got off comparatively easy; but then! boys always do!”

Plaisted’s shouts of laughter forbade further expressions of displeasure, and Dexie turned her back again and looked out the window, while she regained her composure.  Nothing so aroused her indignation as the mention of her name consequently few knew what it really was.  Louie liked her name, for by bearing it she became her grandmother’s favorite, and Gussie could look on the matter with indifference.

“I quite sympathize with Dexie,” said Mrs. Sherwood, “but her father has a New Englander’s love for novel names, and gives no thought to the unnecessary burden that it puts upon the children, one which they have to bear all their lives.”

“Oh! well, Gussie can’t complain, I’m sure,” said Mr. Sherwood.  “No one will become inquisitive over her name,” he laughingly added.