w," Daddy Longlegs assured her. "He
tried not to injure me.... But I'll admit there's one thing that has
caused me a good deal of annoyance."

"What's that?" everyone asked.

"I had to get a new pair of seven-legged trousers," Daddy Longlegs
explained. "And if any of you has ever tried to find such a garment at
short notice he will understand that I've been in great trouble."

Then Daddy Longlegs wished his callers a pleasant afternoon and begged
to be excused, on account of important business.

And as they watched him walk briskly away his neighbors all agreed that
for a person who had just lost a leg he seemed wonderfully spry.

XXIII

A NEW NAME FOR DADDY

DADDY LONGLEGS' neighbor, little Mr. Chippy, had an idea. And since he
thought it a good one he at once arranged a meeting of a number of his
friends who lived near him.

Among those present were Buster Bumblebee, Betsy Butterfly, Rusty Wren,
and several others. They met in Farmer Green's apple orchard. And they
all arrived there early because everybody was eager to know what Mr.
Chippy had to say.

"My idea----" Mr. Chippy began----"my idea is this: since Daddy Longlegs
is so changed, after losing one of his legs, we really ought to call
him by a different name. Now that he has only seven legs--instead of
eight--it doesn't seem polite to say anything about _legs_ in his
hearing."

As Mr. Chippy paused and looked about him the whole company agreed that
his idea was an excellent one.

"But I don't know where we're going to find a new name for him," said
Buster Bumblebee, who never had many ideas of his own.

"That's easy!" Mr. Chippy told him. "I've thought of a splendid name.
And I'm perfectly willing to let you use it.... It's _Grandfather
Graybeard_!"

Most of the company clapped their hands when Mr. Chippy said that. But
Buster Bumblebee spoke up and said that he didn't think much of that
name, because Daddy Longlegs had no beard.

"Well, for all you know he may decide to wear one, any day," Mr. Chippy
replied.

And then all the company applauded again--except Buster Bumblebee.

"How do you know Daddy Longlegs is a grandfather?" he asked Mr. Chippy.

"How do you know he isn't?" Mr. Chippy asked _him_.

And then everybody but Buster cried out that "Grandfather Graybeard" was
a fine name for Daddy Longlegs. And many remarked that Daddy would be
greatly pleased when he heard the news.

"Thank you!" said Mr. Chippy, making a low bow