Herbert, not attaching much importance to his discovery, was going to throw away the grain in question; but Harding took it, examined it, found that it was in good condition, and looking the sailor full in the face--"Pencroft," he asked quietly, "do you know how many ears one grain of corn can produce?"
Harbert, n'attachant que peu d'importance à sa découverte, se disposait à jeter le grain en question, mais Cyrus Smith le prit, l'examina, reconnut qu'il était en bon état, et, regardant le marin bien en face: «Pencroff, lui demanda-t-il tranquillement, savez-vous combien un grain de blé peut produire d'épis?