@@@@ileges of this great nation. So it is best I have a British
@@@@name. I am taking steps to have my new name
@@@@painted up outside the Stores, and I am informing by
@@@@circular all those whom it may concern. Your interest
@@@@in me, Reverend Sir, has made me venture to tell
@@@@you, before any one else, of the proposed alteration.
@@@@I therefore sign myself, most Reverend Sir,
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@"Yours very faithfully,
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@"Alfred Head."

"I think Head is a horrid name!" said his wife
imprudently. "I don't think 'Polly Head' is half as
nice as 'Polly Hegner.' Why, mother used to know
a horrid old man called Head. He was a scavenger,
and he only cleaned himself once a year -- on Christmas
Day!"

Then, as she saw the thunderclouds gathering, she
exclaimed in a rather frightened tone, "But don't mind
what _I_ say, Manfred. You know best. I daresay I'll
get used to it soon!"

As they went downstairs Polly had been thinking.

"I fancy you've had this in your mind for some
time."

"What makes you fancy that?" he asked.

"Because we've so near got to the end of our stock
of cards and bill-heads," she said, "and you wouldn't
let me order any more last week."

"You're a sharp girl" -- he laughed. "Well, yes! I
have been thinking of it some time. And what's happened
now has just tipped the bucket -- see?"

"Yes, I see that."

"I've already written out the order for new bill-heads
and new cards! and I've sent round the order

[[138]]

p137 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p138w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p139

v?