I recognized that I was defeated.

If I answered no, he would cut the matter short and wave me to the door without the grace of a word--I saw it in his uncompromising eye; if I said I was a lecturer, he would despise me, and dismiss me with opprobrious words; if I said I was a dramatist, he would throw me out of the window.

I saw that my case was hopeless, so I chose the course which seemed least humiliating: I would pocket my shame and glide out without answering.
The silence was growing lengthy.
"I'll ask ye again.

Are ye in the show business yerself ?" "Yes!" I said it with splendid confidence; for in that moment the very twin of that grand New Haven dog loafed into the room, and I saw that Irishman's eye light eloquently with pride and affection.
"Ye are?
And what is it ?" "I've got a bench-show in New Haven." The weather did change then.
"You don't say, sir! And that's your show, sir! Oh, it's a grand show, it's a wonderful show, sir, and a proud man I am to see your honor this day.

And ye'll be an expert, sir, and ye'll know all about dogs--more than ever they know theirselves, I'll take me oath to ut." I said, with modesty: "I believe I have some reputation that way.