That is, if you have talent, you can do what you like.

Build railroads, for example, and then succeed on a farm." Festing laughed good-humoredly.

"It's a pretty big thing to claim, but that man was near the mark; they live up to his theories on the plains, where shams don't count and efficiency's the test.

I don't mean that the boys have genius, but gift and perseverance seem to be worth as much.
Anyhow, one can generally trust them to make good when they undertake a job they don't know much about." Helen mused.

Charnock, who knew something about farming, had tried it and failed, but she thought Festing would succeed.