The Dutch boy and the policeman are, naturally, friendly in their relations.

I came to America to be told that a policeman is a boy's natural enemy; that he is eager to arrest him if he can find the slightest reason for doing so.

A policeman, I was informed, was a being to hold in fear, not in respect.

He was to be avoided, not to be made friends with.

The result was that, as did all boys, I came to regard the policeman on our beat as a distinct enemy.