Rectus was better on things he'd heard reasoned out.

He seemed to know a good thing when it came before him, and he remembered it, and often brought it in very well.

But he hadn't had much experience in reasoning on his own account, although he was getting more in practice every day.
Corny was just as much in earnest as she was the first day we saw her, but she seemed to have grown more thoughtful.

Perhaps this was on account of her having important business on hand.

Her thoughtfulness, however, did not prevent her from saying some very funny things.