But they were bent on understanding our kind of civilization, and their lines of interrogation would gradually surround us and drive us in till we found ourselves up against some admissions we did not want to make.
"Are all these breeds of dogs you have made useful ?" they asked.
"Oh--useful! Why, the hunting dogs and watchdogs and sheepdogs are useful--and sleddogs of course!--and ratters, I suppose, but we don't keep dogs for their USEFULNESS.

The dog is 'the friend of man,' we say--we love them." That they understood.

"We love our cats that way.

They surely are our friends, and helpers, too.

You can see how intelligent and affectionate they are." It was a fact.