Judge Thorn smiled and assured her that she was correct in her idea of muscular development.
"Are boys as good as girls, father?"
"Boys as good as girls? Why, certainly."
"Well, you said once that girls were as good as boys, and if boys are as good as girls they're as good as each other, aren't they?"
Judge Thorn could not keep back the laugh this time.
"I believe that is the logical conclusion," he said.
"Then tell me truly, father, if I'm going to be your boy, are you going to be as glad as you were that morning you bothered me when I was digging my well?"
Judge Thorn hesitated a moment, but the clear gray eyes were upon him, and he felt the justice of their plea.
"Yes, dear, I think so."
"And may I do just as you do when I get big—read books and make speeches?"