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OB STEVENS walked part way home from school with me the next afternoon. "What are you taking algebra for?" he asked, snapping his thumb and finger against my book.

"Why, because I like it;—and then it's necessary for geometry, and that sort of thing. You know I'm going to be a civil engineer."

"Algebra hasn't any sense to it," said Bob.

"Well, indeed it has," I said. "If you just use your thinking apparatus along with it, it's just as plain and reasonable as can be."

Bob sniffed. "You think it sounds big to say you're taking algebra; and of course you have to say you understand it. I don't believe that any one understands it;—it's just a jumble of letters and figures that haven't a speck of meaning to them;—and it says one thing on one page, and then turns around and says something exactly opposite on the next one. I know, because I've read it; and it's what some of the other boys say, too."