“They’re rare. The second in England just attained her status in 1913. And both that I know of are professors of English literature. I am well aware that I will face maddening prejudice if I dare to enter the sciences or mathematics. But I’ll do it anyway.”

“And woe to whoever stands in your way?” He smiled so that she knew he meant it to be encouraging. Mostly. He wasn’t sure why some people always had to be rocking whatever boat they were on, but if it was for a real purpose and not just because they liked the rocking, it was different. And this young lady didn’t seem to subscribe to movement for its own sake, that was for sure. “So university, a doctorate perhaps, and then a professorship. Marriage only when you’ve achieved all that?”

“If then. With marriage comes children—they are one of the purposes of the institution after all—and while I’m a proponent of them in general, I have no interest in procuring my own specifically.” She changed the angle of her head, as if she were listening to something, and then flinched. “My mother hated it when I spoke this way. Once her own children were grown, grandchildren became her raison d’être.”

A woman who had no interest in either marriage or children. He would be intrigued by such, wouldn’t he? Because the chances of winning her heart were all but nonexistent and promised a headache even if he succeeded. He liked a challenge, but this would cross over to the absurd.

She blinked at him again. “You failed to answer my question, Drake, about the purpose of your flirting.”

“So I did.” And he heard the neighbor’s door close, indicating Dot would return in another moment with the potatoes that wouldn’t fit in their own crowded oven, which would effectively end the odd conversation anyway. “You can be sure it’s not with the goal of a dalliance—I’m not the type either. But whether it’s to no purpose or the ultimate purpose . . . I suppose I was testing the waters.”

Brows lifted, she stood. “Are they shark-infested enough to convince you of the futility?”

“I haven’t decided. When I do, I’ll let you know.” His mother would have given him a tongue lashing for even considering courting such a girl. One who was unsure about marriage and wanted no children? Who intended to work outside the home rather than in it, even when war or finances didn’t demand it? Oh yes, she’d have had a strong opinion on that.