"Oh, yes, of course Associate Master Höy has been in Switzerland" she said, as though to clinch the matter.
"In that case, the Associate Master and I have looked on the country with different eyes; that's all," said the lawyer, suddenly anxious to end the controversy.
"They haven't even folk tales there," said the Associate Master, who seemed unable to stop. "There they sit, generation after generation, filing watch springs and piloting Englishmen up their mountains. But it's a country without folk music or folk tales. I suppose you think we ought to work hard to resemble the Swiss in that, too?"
"What about William Tell?" asked Miss Johnsen.
Several of the ladies nodded, or at any rate Miss Palm did.
At this point Mrs. Molie turned her head and looked out of the window as she said:
"You really had a very different opinion about Switzerland before, Mr. Associate Master."
This was a hit below the belt. He wanted to reply, wanted to annihilate her, but he restrained himself and remained silent.
"Don't you remember?" she asked, goading him.
"No," he replied. "You mistook my meaning. Really, I can't understand it, I usually make myself quite clear; after all, I'm accustomed to explaining to children."