"Just say 'Valley where the long house is,'" said Edith.
"That doesn't sound nice, a bit! Everything else we have have such nice names," complained Ruth.
"But, why do you children want a name for the valley and one for the children's camps?" asked Aunt Selina.
"Doesn't everything in the world have a name?" asked Dot.
The others laughed, but Ruth added, "Dot's right; we have a name for our cherry-tree nest, and one for the new nest; and Mrs. Catlin is going to call her Blue Birds' nest 'Hill Top Nest'--'Blue Birds of Hill Top Nest.'"
"But this is different," argued Mrs. Talmage.
"No, it isn't, Mrs. Talmage," insisted Dot. "We call our house 'Oakwood' and you call this place 'Mossy Glen'--and our town we call Oakdale. Why, what for? Everyone knows where the Starrs live, and where the Talmages live, and we all know where the town lives, so what's the use of having names?"
"Dot, you hit the nail on the head every time," said Aunt Selina, as all of the others laughed at Dot's explanation.
"Yes, but that's why we want a name for our children's camp and the valley," said Ruth.
"Really, it doesn't matter to us how many names you choose to give it--just please yourselves about it," said Aunt Selina.
"All right, then, if you don't mind, we'll try to get a real lovely name for it," said Betty, smiling at Aunt Selina.
For quite a time, silence reigned, for the Blue Birds were trying to think of a pretty name for the farm.
"In 'Pilgrim's Progress' there is a 'Valley of Humility,'" suggested May.
"I'll run and get the Bible Concordance--that will have some valley names in it," said Ruth, running indoors to get the book.
"Now, listen while I read some for you," continued Ruth, bringing the book over to the wicker table.
"Here's one--'Inhabitants of the Valley'--turn that about and call it 'Valley of Inhabitants.'"
"No, that isn't nice!" objected several voices.
"Then comes a lot of hard-spelled names of valleys that won't do, either. Next comes: 'valley of passengers' and 'valley of vision.'"
"We don't want either one," grumbled Dot.
"Would you like the name 'Valley of Joy'?" asked Aunt Selina.
After a few moments' thought the children replied, "Better, but not right yet."
Aunt Selina smiled and thought how difficult to please were these Blue Birds; but Mrs. Talmage smiled, knowing that the children knew just what they wanted.