“Incompetency,” answered Jennie. “I found that his pupils were really doing very well in the regular course of study—which he seems to be neglecting.”
“I’m glad you supported him,” said the professor. “I’m glad to find you helping him.” “Really,” protested Jennie, “I don’t think myself—”
“What do you think of his notions?” asked the colonel.
“Very advanced,” replied Professor Withers. “Where did he imbibe them all?”
“He’s a Brown Mouse,” said the colonel.
“I beg your pardon,” said the puzzled professor. “I didn’t quite understand. A—a—what?”
“One of papa’s breeding jokes,” said Jennie. “He means a phenomenon in heredity—perhaps a genius, you know.”
“Ah, I see,” replied the professor, “a Mendelian segregation, you mean?”
“Certainly,” said the colonel. “The sort of mind that imbibes things from itself.”
“Well, he’s rather wonderful,” declared the professor. “I had him to lunch to-day. He surprised me. I have invited him to make an address at Ames next winter during farmers’ week.”