The drummer's stock query, "What line are you in?" is natural enough, but it gets to be a bore after a time. Job Withers tells a story that illustrates how it may annoy some people. It also illustrates how smart Job Withers is, which Job's stories usually do. One day, in the train, he says, he sat beside a rather striking-looking man who, he afterward learned, is a professor in Chicago University. Job tried to start up conversation, but with little encouragement.
"Fine day," he ventured.
"Well, yes," said the stranger.
"Pretty good crops."
"Fair."
"Think we'll have a shower?"
"Don't know."
Job didn't give up, but all his questions begot monosyllables. Somewhat nettled, he said at last, "What line are you in?"
"Brains," said the professor, laconically.