'Hooley,' sir. It's Bride—like Aunt Hannah's; and my other name's 'Mary.'"
"The deuce it is!" said the Honorable John Ruffin in no little surprise. "I'd made up my mind that it was Hooley—pronounced '’Ooley' in the metropolitan fashion."
"No, sir. They always called me Pollyooly instead of plain Polly," said Pollyooly in a somewhat apologetic tone.
"Ah, I see: the 'ooly' is a diminutive affix expressive of affection," said the Honorable John Ruffin with an air of enlightenment.
"Yes, sir," said Pollyooly politely, though she knew neither what a diminutive nor an affix was.
"Mary Bride—Mary Bride," said the Honorable John Ruffin in a tone of thoughtful approval. "It's an incredibly appropriate name for an angel child. Well, I shall call you 'Mrs. Bride.'"
"Aren't I rather young to be called 'Mrs.,' sir?" said Pollyooly in a doubtful tone.
"Undoubtedly. But housekeepers are always 'Mrs.' in the best families. We must follow the custom and ignore your youth," said the Honorable John Ruffin firmly.
