They had at least one topic on which they could converse intelligently with any grown-up person, and in which they were really superior to most.

They soon found this out.

I have often been astonished in listening to their conversation among themselves to hear how well they discussed art.

They all well knew at least one thing, which is far from being known among aesthetes in London, which is that in Decorative Art, however you may end in all kinds of mixtures of styles, you must at least begin with organic development, and not put roots or flowers at _both_ ends of a branch or vine.
The secret of it all is that those who from an early age develop the constructive faculty (especially if this be done in a pleasing, easy manner, with agreeable work) also develop with it the Intellect, and that very rapidly to a very remarkable degree.

There are reasons for this.