Of course, my dear, the reason I preferred a boy was because, well"-- the Dean floundered,--"because scientists hold a consensus of opinion that through--hem--through centuries of cultivation, I may say, collegiate development,--the male brain offers a better soil, as it were, for the--er--er----" "The flower of genius ?" suggested Kit, happily.

"I don't think that's so at all, Uncle Cassius, and I'll tell you why.

You take it on the farm down home.

Dad says that our land in Gilead is no good because it's been worked over and over, and it's all worn out, but if you plow deep and strike a brand new subsoil you get wonderful crops.

Just think what a lovely time you'll have planting crops in my unplowed brain cells." The first laugh she had ever heard came from the Dean's lips, although it was more of a chuckle.