"You remember that the King of Spain—or was it Cambodia—puzzled his wise men for a year as to why a fish, when dropped into a full pail of water, didn't make it overflow."
"What's that got to do with it?"
"Because I must answer as the king did: It's not so—the pail does overflow. They hadn't thought to try it."
"You mean that I am wrong."
"Yes. Are you sure your gossips were 'college men'?"
"Ah!" Houghton made a gesture to his partner, who was about to speak. "Then let us commence at the root of the matter. Mr. Kaufmann and I have often discussed the subject. In this case you are the one who has 'tried it.' Suppose you explain our mistake."
"I'd be glad to do that," said Brainard, "because I've heard a lot of that talk."
"Well?"
"Well—of course when I say 'college man' I mean college graduate."
"Why?"