Well, honestly, the bird episode was rather funny, but I feel some sort of motherly duty to at least half-heartedly disapprove.

Thank you about Madeline. Given my speciality in 19th century British and American literature (Hawthorne is my favorite among the Americans), I took the Pearl comparison as the greatest compliment! Her name, though, is entirely Keatsian, Madeline from "The Eve of St. Agnes" and her middle name is Isabella from "The Pot of Basil." I am fairly certain, however, that our Madeline will be no hoodwinked maid!