He was once more interrupted; some laughed, but the greater number were offended.  By this time Viggo Hansen had warmed to his subject; his little, sharp voice pierced through the chorus of objections, and he proceeded as follows: 

’And, while we are speaking of the dog, may I be allowed to present an extraordinarily profound hypothesis of my own?  Is there not something highly characteristic of our national character in the fact that it is we who have produced this noble breed of dogs—­the celebrated, pure Danish hounds?  This strong, broad-chested animal with the heavy paws, the black throat, and the frightful teeth, but so good-natured, harmless, and amiable withal—­does he not remind you of the renowned, indestructible Danish loyalty, which has never met injustice or ill-treatment with anything but perpetually wagging tail, stomach upon earth, and licking tongue?  And when we admire this animal, formed in our own image, is it not with a kind of melancholy self-praise that we pat him upon the head, and say:  “You are indeed a great, good, faithful creature!"’

’Do you hear, Dr. Hansen?  I must point out to you that in my house there are certain matters which—­’

The host was angry, but a good-natured relation of the family hastened to interrupt him, saying:  ’I am a countryman, and you will surely admit, Dr. Hansen, that a good farm watch-dog is an absolute necessity for us.  Eh?’

‘Oh yes, a little cur that can yelp, so as to awake the master.’

’No, thank you.  We must have a decent dog, that can lay the rascals by the heels.  I have now a magnificent bloodhound.’

’And if an honest fellow comes running up to tell you that your outbuildings are burning, and your magnificent bloodhound flies at his throat—­what then?’

‘Why, that would be awkward,’ laughed the countryman.  And the others laughed too.

Dr. Hansen was now so busily engaged in replying to all sides, employing the most extravagant paradoxes, that the young folks in particular were extremely amused, without specially noting the increasing bitterness of his tone.

’But our watch-dogs, our watch-dogs!  You will surely let us keep them, doctor?’ exclaimed a coal-merchant laughingly.

’Not at all.  Nothing is more unreasonable than that a poor man, who comes to fill his bag from a coal mountain, should be torn to pieces by wild beasts.  There is absolutely no reasonable relation between such a trifling misdemeanour and so dreadful a punishment.’

‘May we ask how you would protect your coal mountain, if you had one?’

’I should erect a substantial fence of boards, and if I were very anxious, I should keep a watchman, who would say politely, but firmly, to those who came with bags:  “Excuse me, but my master is very particular about that.  You must not fill your bag; you must take yourself off at once."’

Through the general laughter which followed this last paradox, a clerical gentleman spoke from the ladies’ end of the table: