“Fine things to grow beans on, Professor,” declared Dave, coming up with a brimming bucket of water from the spring.
“Not the right kind of poles, my boy–not the right kind of poles,” said the professor, smiling gently, and offering Mrs. Havel a cocoanut-cup of the sparkling water. “You see what a misunderstanding of terms will do,” the professor added, in his argumentative way. “A little knowledge–especially a little scientific knowledge–is a dangerous thing.”
“You are right, Professor,” cried Tubby, who was within hearing distance. “Did you hear about what Dr. Mackenzie’s servant girl did?”
“Dr. Mackenzie is very erudite,” commented the professor, dreamily.
“That’s right. Anyhow, the girl heard a lot of talk about bugs, and grubs, and germs, and the like–and it proves just what Professor Skillings says about the danger of knowing a little science.”
“How’s that, Tubby?” queried one of the interested young folk.
“Why, one day the doctor’s wife asked this servant for a glass of water, and the girl brought it.
“‘It has a very peculiar taste, Mary,’ said Mrs. Mackenzie.
“‘Sure, ma’am, it’s all right, ma’am. There ain’t a germ in it, for I ran it through the colander before I brought it to you, ma’am!’ says Mary. Oh, Mary had picked up some scientific notions, all right, all right!”
“I believe there would be more breeze up on Windmill Farm,” observed Wynifred Mallory.