Flossie put Sam
in the passage and drew-to the door.
"Have you seen her?" she asked. "How is she?"
"Oh, she's changed a good deal," answered Joan. "But I think she'll get
over it all right, if she's careful."
"I shall hope for the best," answered Flossie. "Poor old soul, she's had
a good time. Don't send me a present; and then I needn't send you
one--when your time comes. It's a silly custom. Besides, I've nowhere
to put it. Shall be in a ship for the next six months. Will let you
know when we're back."
She gave Joan a hug and a kiss, and was gone. Joan joined Madge in the
kitchen, where she was toasting buns.
"I suppose she's satisfied herself that he's brainy," she laughed.
"Oh, brains aren't everything," answered Madge. "Some of the worst
rotters the world has ever been cursed with have been brainy enough--men
and women. We make too much fuss about brains; just as once upon a time
we did about mere brute strength, thinking that was all that was needed
to make a man great. Brain is only muscle translated into civilization.
That's not going to save us.
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