"Switzerland," said Mrs. Brede in her gentle fashion, and then she reddened and laughed a little. "I don't know anything about Switzerland; but once I bought some dress material that was Swiss, and I've never in my life been so cheated."
The lawyer only smiled at this.
Schoolmistress Johnsen talked about what she had learned, watchmakers and the Alps and Calvin--
"Yes, those are the only three things in a thousand years," said the Associate Master, his face quite altered and pale with suppressed rage.
"Really, really, Associate Höy!" exclaimed Schoolmistress Palm with a smile.
But the lawyer focused everyone's admiration on himself by telling them all about Switzerland, that wonderful country, that model for all small countries of the world. What social conditions, what a referendum, what planning in the exploitation of the country's natural wonders! There they had sanatoriums; there they knew how to deal with tourists! Tremendous!
"Yes, and what Swiss cheese," said the Associate Master. "It smells like tourists' feet."
Dead silence. So Associate Master Höy was prepared to go to such lengths!
"Well, what about Norwegian old-milk cheese?" said a Danish voice mildly.
"Yes, that's filthy stuff, too," Mr. Höy replied. "Just the thing for Schoolmaster Staur pontificating in his armchair."