"Now, sir," he said, "let us hear this problem."
The old man was not proof against the invitation.
"You shall, Richard," he exclaimed. "You are the very man to hear it. Your aunt, Richard, is of too practical a mind for such speculations. It's a most curious problem. Hubbard quite failed to throw any light upon it. I myself am, I confess, bewildered. And I wonder if a fresh young mind can help us to a solution." He patted his son on the shoulder and then took him by the arm.
"The fresh young mind will have a go, father," said Dick. "Fire away."
"I was walking in the fields, my boy."
"Yes, sir, among the cows."
"Exactly, you put your finger on the very point. How is it, I asked myself—"
"That's quite your old style, father."
"Now isn't it, Richard, isn't it?" Mr. Hazlewood dropped Dick's arm. He warmed to his theme. He caught fire. He assumed the attitude of the orator. "How is it that with the advancement of science and the progress of civilization a cow gives no more milk to-day than she did at the beginning of the Christian era?"
With outspread arms he asked for an answer and the answer came.