"As you says; but nice people would not pronounce it except with a bug,"
continued the good woman, looking discomfitted. "You have given so much
time to progress and reforming the world, that you don't understand
these matters as well as I do. I am sure there would be blushes and
smiles enough over such a name. Think of our daughter being Mrs.
Toodlebug, (I pronounce it with a b-u-g, you see,) and inviting nice
people to her reception. There would be people enough at that reception
to make light of the name. Yes, Mr. Chapman, you might as well have her
married to a Mr. Straddlebug. It's so very vulgar, my dear."

"As to that," replied Chapman, "the world is a great vulgarity, and only
puts on politeness for appearance sake. The young man might have his
name changed, or he might add something to it to soften it. How would
you like Von Toodleburg, my dear?"

"Never can be softened; never! The Von would do something to lift a
family up into respectability. And then, socially speaking, there was
such a wide difference between them distinguished Dutch families and
them common Dutch families."

"What would you have me do about it, darling?" enquired Chapman,
submissively.

"Oppose it, my dear!" replied Mrs. Chapman, bowing, and becoming
earnest. "Oppose it. You know how to oppose everything, and surely you
can oppose this."

This reply troubled Chapman considerably. He had for once found
something he would rather encourage than oppose. But he had a motive for