If you had said some less common name, I might have believed you.

But your inventiveness doesn't go far enough.

When people want to deceive, it's necessary to frame their falsehoods convincingly.
If you had said Mersereau or Herncastle,--I might have swallowed it." Azalea stared at him.
"Why would you have thought those names were right ?" she asked.
"Because I should have felt sure you didn't invent them.

But when you want to conceal a name, and you say Smith or Brown, it doesn't go! Also, you _look_ as if you were fibbing.

Why do you do it, Azalea?
_Why_ ?" "Oh, Cousin William," the girl looked genuinely distressed, "I wish I could tell you all,--I believe I will,--but--no,--I can't--" Then she shrugged her shoulders, and tossed her head, and her defiant manner returned.
Farnsworth gave up in despair.