Blessed Event

He was the millionth quadrillionth baby to be born on Earth. Naturally the event had to be celebrated. And it was—in a devastating manner!
Ginny stood anxiously in the kitchen doorway, wiping her hands on the hem of her apron.
You shouldn't upset the boy by yelling at him, Lester, she said. I know you're worried, but....
He upsets me, doesn't he? Lester said defensively. He sat in the lounge chair by the window, and the light from the reading lamp, slanting across his face, sketched in the lines of consternation with dark shadows. Just look at that class paper! he exploded. 'Excellent,' it says. That's four 'excellents' already this month!
I know, Ginny said quietly. I saw it when he brought it home this afternoon. Her blue eyes misted. He was awfully proud.
The worst comment he's ever had was a 'very good,' Lester said heedlessly. If only he'd get a 'poor' once in a while—or even a 'rotten.' But that's too much to hope for.
Maybe it's not really as bad as it seems, Ginny said hopefully. He said himself that he's weak in spelling.
Not weak enough for comfort, Lester said. That little head of his is just crammed with brains. Sometimes I look at it and all I can think of is a stuffed bell pepper! Suddenly his grey eyes came alight with inspiration. Maybe if we cut down on his food—They say in those ads that if a child is properly undernourished he begins to get sluggish and....
Lester! Ginny said, thoroughly shocked. Of all things!
For a moment they were silent, not quite looking at each other.
Where did he go? Ginny asked finally.
Into his room, Lester sighed. To study, no doubt.