" mai-- ! " they said , as they were bumped upon the pavement . " mai-- ! " and they were very nearly pronouncing the whole word " maiden ; " but they broke off short , and swallowed the last syllable ; for after mature deliberation they considered it beneath their dignity to protest . but they always called each other " maiden , " and praised the good old days in which everything had been called by its right name , and those who were maidens were called maidens . and they remained as they were ; for the hammer really broke off his engagement with the younger one , for nothing would suit him but he must have a maiden for his bride .
the hammer broke off his engagement .
what happened when they decided to keep their names ?
what happened when they decided to keep their names ?