I’ve just been reading De Vries’ eulogy of Luther Burbank’s work, and it seems to me that Dick is to the domestic animal world what Burbank is to the domestic vegetable world. You are life- makers here — thumbing the stuff into new forms of utility and beauty.”

Paula, by this time herself again, laughed and accepted the compliment.

“I fear me,” Graham continued with easy seriousness, “as I watch your achievements, that I can only look back on a misspent life. Why didn’t I get in and make things? I’m horribly envious of both of you.”

“We are responsible for a dreadful lot of creatures being born,” she said. “It makes one breathless to think of the responsibility.”