“Thirty-two yards of Turkey-red,” was Sally’s customary demure answer, and the visitor, if a woman, was sure to respond, “Oh, yes, of course.  Such a lovely idea for winter.”  If a man, he was more apt merely to stare at Sally, with real respect for the feminine comprehension of the influence of a hue upon a general effect, not understanding the matter himself, but dimly comprehending that the result had been accomplished and the room made to look like a refuge from the bitterest storms which might sweep outside.

“Well, primed to the muzzle?” was Max’s greeting.  He had not taken the trouble to go to the hall to welcome the guest, but had thrown himself among the red pillows, facing the fire.  The wide couch stood always in comfortable proximity to the hearth, and was a favourite resort for the entire household.  Not unadvisedly had Sally covered the eight pillows with the strong red fabric.  It could withstand the wear and tear of pillow fights and of use as seats upon the floor before the fire better than almost any material that could be found at the price.

“Look at the titles of these, and see if I haven’t a right to be primed.  Mother and Jo have taken turns reading to me for a week—­they too are possessed of an extraordinary amount of miscellaneous information.”

“Miscellaneous—­that’s undoubtedly the word.  It will be a long day before any of us have any classified and usable knowledge to work with.”

With a critical eye Max scanned the titles of the books as Jarvis set them forth in an impressive row upon the old mahogany table where the reading lamp stood, surrounded by books, magazines, and papers, in generous quantity.

“Strawberries—­Market Gardening—­Analyses of the Soil—­Bacteria—­Nitrogen—­Drainage—­Agricultural Implements—­Increasing the Fertility of the Land—­and so forth—­and so forth,” Max murmured, as his eye ran hurriedly along the subjects represented.  “Well, you’ve certainly gone in deep.”

“Nearly submerged, at times.  But I think I’ve got my head out of water now, and have evolved a scheme that will do to begin on—­with your approval.  I wish you’d go at the reading of these—­some of them, anyhow.  I’ve marked what seemed to be the most important.  You can do it while I’m away.  I’m planning to take a trip around to the best farms I can hear of, and have a series of talks with the owners.  I shall end up with a scientific experiment station, for by that time I ought to have some working knowledge to build on, and can understand what I’m trying to get at.”

From among his pillows Max gazed at his friend.  Saturday afternoon was always a time of relaxation for the bank clerk, when he could get through with his work and hurry home.  He did not as yet feel a particle of enthusiasm over the farming plans, and it was difficult for him to comprehend Jarvis’s interest.  But he had ceased to oppose the project, except by comments skeptical to a degree.  Jarvis was to assume the risk of all expensive experiments during the first two seasons, and Max was not to leave the bank, so there was everything to be gained and nothing to be lost by giving the experimenter a free hand.