The maid was filthy all over, her messy hair disheveled. She had no looks to speak of, and one might even suspect she was a Mouse Speaker. Only the poet paused as he entered and looked the maid over. "What's your name?"
When he received no response, Freddy took it upon himself to name her. "How about I call you Little Coal Ball?"
The only bright feature on the maid was her eyes. She glanced at her master in name only, and Kraup said impatiently, "The gentleman has bestowed a name upon you. Hurry up and thank him!"
"Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!"
"I'm not 'sir.' I have a name. It's 'Freddy.'"
"Little Coal Ball" saw a wide, toothy grin for the first time. In the world of monkeys, baring one's teeth is a threat. Not understanding the concept of a "smile," the maid "Little Coal Ball" trembled in fear, completely bewildered.
