The name of the maid was Eweretta Dobson, at which there was a
general exclamation.

'I wonder what is the history of the name,' said Albinia; 'it sounds
like nothing but the diminutive of ewer. I hope she will not be the
little pitcher with long ears.'

Mr. Kendal looked as much amused as he ever did, but no one else gave
the least token of so much as knowing what she meant, and she felt as
if she had been making a foolish attempt at wit.

'You need not call her so,' was all that Mrs. Meadows said.

'I do not like calling servants by anything but their true names,'
answered Albinia; 'it does not seem to me treating them with proper
respect to change their names, as if we thought them too good for
them. It is using them like slaves.

Lucy exclaimed, 'Why! grandmamma's Betty is really named
Philadelphia.'

Albinia laughed, but was disconcerted by finding that she had really
given annoyance. 'I beg your pardon,' she said. 'It is only a fancy
of my own. I am afraid that I have many fancies for my friends to
bear with. You see I have so fine a name of my own, that I have a
fellow-feeling for those under the same affliction; and I believe
some servants like an alias rather than be teased for their finery,
so I shall give Miss Eweretta her choice between that and her
surname.