Has anyone here read Have Space Suit—Will Travel? This passage is really confusing me...

If you need a refresher:

- the professor is Peewee's father

- Kip is Peewee's friend

Kip is talking to the professor in this scene.

“But, Professor, Peewee is much smarter than I am. She runs me ragged.”

He glanced at me. “She’s run me ragged for years-and I’m not stupid. Don’t downgrade yourself, Kip.”

“It’s the truth.”

“So? The greatest mathematical psychologist of our time, a man who always wrote his own ticket even to retiring when it suited him-very difficult, when a man is in demand-this man married his star pupil. I doubt if their offspring is less bright than my own child.”

I had to untangle this to realize that he meant me. Then I didn’t know what to say. How many kids really know their parents? Apparently I didn’t.

I just don't get it. He thinks their kid is smarter than his? What does Kip mean by "he meant me?" What does he mean when he says he doesn't really know his parents? Thanks in advance. I haven't read in a while so no judgies