full name is Jan Bartholomeus Van Vlotens Couwenhorn Van der
Helst Poffenburgh."

"Then he is Dutch."

"Yes. He was the property of four officers, and each owner bestowed a
portion of his name."

"What do you call him for short?"

"Solomon."

"Solomon!"

"At first we called him Jan, but the other three sponsors objected. They
said it was favoritism. So we all agreed on Solomon for every day use."

"And he never resented it?"

"No. He understood it as a tribute to his extraordinary wisdom."

She seemed amused. "Is he so very remarkable?"

"Well," said Pats, laying down his knife and fork, and giving his whole
attention to the subject, "as to general intelligence, foresight, logic,
and a knowledge of human nature, he is a wonder, even for a dog. And
when it comes to dignity and tact, ease of manner and freedom from
personal vanity, why--the other Solomon was a beginner."

She nodded and smiled approval. "I know something of dogs and men, and I
can easily believe it. Certain men exist, however, who are mentally
superior to dogs. But it's the moral gulf between the two species that
is so disheartening."

"All owing to the fatal power of speech."

"Possibly."

"I am sure of it. If dogs could talk, they would abuse the power, as
humans do, and soon descend to the human level. They would lose the
dignity that silence alone bestows, and become bores--like the rest of
us." With a deferential movement of his head toward the priest, he
added, "Except as they apply to myself, these remarks are in no way
personal."

As Father Burke, with a perfunctory smile, bowed acknowledgment, the
girl at his side inquired, with a serious face, "Well, what can be
done?"

Pats, with equal seriousness, replied, "How would it do to establish an
institute for the propagation of silence?"

"The millennium would be in sight!" she exclaimed.

"And instead of rhetoric and declamation teach economy in words; show
the pupils by illustration and example how much better they look when
their mouths are not open."

"A very sensible idea! And award medals to those who attain the highest
flights of silence."

"The very thought is restful," said Pats. "And would you mind if I
offered Solomon a professorship?"

"Not at all! It would look rather well in the catalogue, 'Solomon Boyd,
Instructor in Moral Philosophy and Deportment.'"

With a glance at the mirthless face of the reverend gentleman beside
her, she added, "And on the dome of