judge. "I object. The dignity of this court is in peril. I
protest."

"I am the one to take care of the dignity of this court," said
the judge.

Then Mr. Jenkyns got up again. (If it hadn't been such a serious
matter, it was almost like a Punch-and-Judy show: somebody was
always popping down and somebody else popping up).

"If there is any doubt on the score of our being able to do as we
say, Your Honor will have no objection, I trust, to the Doctor's
giving the Court a demonstration of his powers--of showing that
he actually can understand the speech of animals?" I thought I
saw a twinkle of amusement come into the old judge's eyes as he
sat considering a moment before he answered.

"No," he said at last, "I don't think so." Then he turned to the
Doctor.

"Are you quite sure you can do this?" he asked.

"Quite, Your Honor," said the Doctor--"quite sure."

"Very well then," said the judge. "If you can satisfy us that
you really are able to understand canine testimony, the dog shall
be admitted as a witness. I do not see, in that case, how I could
object to his being heard. But I warn you that if you are trying
to make a laughing-stock of this Court it will go hard with you."