Couldn't understand what an engineer would want with psychology or
ethics. Neither could I until I got to thinking last night when I
went to roost. Because a thing has never been done is no reason
why it never will be; is it, Harry?"

"Certainly not. I don't know just what you are driving at. Perhaps
you intend to take your notes over to the machine shop and hammer
out the Secret of the Absolute."

He grinned.

"Pretty wise head at that, Harry. What did you call it? The Secret
of the Absolute. Will remember that. I'm not much on phrases; but
I'm sure the strong boy with the hammer. You don't object to my
sitting here beside you; so that I, too, may drink in the little
drops of wisdom?"

It was in this way that Hobart entered into the study of
philosophy. When the class was over and we were going down the
steps he patted me on the shoulder.

"That's not so bad, Harry. Not so bad. The old doctor is there;
he's got them going. Likewise little Hobart has got a big idea."

Now it happened that this was just about six weeks before Dr.
Holcomb announced his great lecture on the Blind Spot. It was not
more than a week after registration. In the time ensuing Fenton
became just as great an enthusiast as myself. His idea, of course,
was chimerical and a blind; his main purpose was to get in with me
where he could argue me out of my folly.