I think it was growing fear which made me defensive.
"That's good," I said emphatically. "That's very good. You can learn a lot from her then. It takes an awful lot of study to learn how to be stupid."
My own troublesome business life came to mind and I thought to myself, "I sometimes think I'll never learn it."
I swear I didn't say it aloud. But Star patted me consolingly and answered as though I'd spoken.
"That's because you're only fairly bright, Daddy. You're a Tween, and that's harder than being really bright."
"A Tween? What's a Tween?" I was bumbling to hide my confusion.
"That's what I mean, Daddy," she answered in exasperation. "You don't grasp quickly. An In Between, of course. The other people are Stupids, I'm a Bright, and you're a Tween. I made those names up when I was little."
Good God! Besides being unmeasurably bright, she's a telepath!
All right, Pete, there you are. On reasoning processes you might stand a chance—but not telepathy!
"Star," I said on impulse, "can you read people's minds?"