"O no, Mr Easy, such a common name."

"A proof of its popularity, my dear. It is scriptural--we have the
Apostle and the Baptist--we have a dozen Popes who were all Johns. It
is royal--we have plenty of kings who were Johns--and moreover, it is
short, and sounds honest and manly."

"Yes, very true, my dear; but they will call him Jack." "Well, we have
had several celebrated characters who were Jacks. There was--let me
see--Jack the Giant Killer, and Jack of the Bean Stock--and Jack--
Jack--"

"Jack Spratt," replied Mrs Easy. "And Jack Cade, Mrs Easy, the great
rebel--and Three-fingered Jack, Mrs Easy, the celebrated negro--and,
above all, Jack Falstaff, ma'am, Jack Falstaff--honest Jack Falstaff--
witty Jack Falstaff--"

"I thought, Mr Easy, that I was to be permitted to choose the name."

"Well, so you shall, my dear; I give it up to you. Do just as you
please; but depend upon it that John is the right name. Is it not
now, my dear?"

"It's the way you always treat me, Mr Easy; you say that you give it
up, and that I shall have my own way, but I never do have it. I am
sure that the child will be christened John."

"Nay, my dear, it shall be just what you please. Now I recollect it,
there were several Greek emperors who were Johns; but decide for
yourself, my dear."