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, dando muy poca importancia a su descubrimiento, se disponía a tirar por la ventana el grano, cuando Ciro Smith lo tomó, lo examinó y reconoció que se hallaba en buen estado y, mirando al marino, le preguntó tranquilamente: –Pencroff, ¿sabe usted cuántas espigas puede producir un grano de trigo?