Roland gave the dwarf a piece of money, for which he was very abjectly
grateful, and only wished that he might be thrown down in that way
three times every day by the dog. Eric looked on meditatively. How was
this rich youth to be made to learn to love, labor for, and influence
the world which so laid itself at his feet?

When the two left the cottage, the trainer escorted them a part of the
way, followed by a whole pack of dogs. They led their horses by the
bridle, and the trainer, keeping exclusively by the side of Eric, made
an ostentatious display of his whole stock of wisdom concerning the
training of dogs. The huntsman considered himself infinitely clever,
and all learned men stupid.

He seemed also to wish, in a sly way, to instruct Eric, when he said to
him that as soon as a dog can stand without stumbling over his own
legs, a beginning could be made. And it was an all-important thing not
to say much to a dog, but to use short, simple words, such as "go!"
"come!" "here!" but never any long speeches; and one must not make much
of him, but leave him to himself for whole days; and if he wished to
make friends, not to mind it, for if one gives too much attention to a
dog he becomes troublesome; and any one whom a dog is to respect must
not be found wanting at the hunt, especially when the dog is taken out
for the first time; if one has shot any game that the dog can fetch, he
will be faithful and true, but if one misses, he acquires no respect,
and never gains over the dog.

"Do you know Herr Knopf?" the screamer asked abruptly. Eric answered in
the negative.

"Yes; Herr Knopf," said the screamer, "has told me a hundred times,
that all the school-masters ought to be under my tuition. Dogs and
human beings are just alike. But the dogs are the more faithful beasts,
and let themselves be broken in, and bite only when the master orders
them to."

Eric looked at the man in astonishment; there was in him an
inexplicable bitterness, and this man was the boy's friend. He returned
to their former topic, and the screamer chuckled when he said that
beasts acquire something of the understanding of the men they are with.

The huntsman was very merry, and when they were about to separate, on
reaching the level ground, he took Roland aside, and said to him:--

"Thou blustering fellow! all thy ramrod priests and school-masters have
been of no account. That would be the man! Thy father ought to buy such
a man as that, and th