Part 14 (2/2)

”Many thanks,” translated the Spanish girl.

”I must practice that!” spoke Jack. ”What else do you say in this country, Inez?”

”Oh, many zings, Senor,” and she blushed prettily. ”It all depends on what you want. But many here speak ze English as you do. Zere is little trouble.”

”What would I do if I wanted a gla.s.s of ice cream soda water?” asked Walter. ”And I feel like one now.”

”Zere is not so much of your ice-cream soda here,” went on Inez, ”but ozer drinks are of a goodness. Cocoanut milk is much nice. If in a store you go, say 'Quiero' (ke-a-ro), which means 'I want.' And zen name zat which you desire. You will of a soon learn ze Spanish for many zings.”

”And how shall we know what to pay?” asked Bess.

”Say 'Cuanto?'” directed Inez. ”Cuanto (koo-ahn-to) means 'how much,'

and the man will soon tell you--if, indeed, he does not tell you too much. But you will soon learn.”

”I have a better way than all this cuanto and piero business,” spoke Walter.

”How?” asked Jack. ”Show me.”

”Go in the place, make a noise like the article you want, or, better still, go pick it out from the shelves, hold out a handful of money, and let the fellow help himself,” was Walter's way out of the difficulty. ”He'll probably leave you enough for carfare.”

”Well, that is a good way, too,” agreed Jack.

”We'll try both.”

The travelers were distributed in two carriages, their heavy luggage being put in a wagon to follow them to the hotel. On the way to their stopping place, Cora and her chums were much interested in the various sights. They had come to a typical tropical Spanish city, though it was under the dominion of the United States.

No one seemed in a hurry, and, though there were many whites, including Spaniards, to be seen, the majority of the inhabitants were of negro blood, the gradations being from very black to a mulatto, with a curious reddish tinge, in hair and skin, showing Spanish blood.

It was quite a different hotel from the one they had stopped at in New York, there being none of that smartness of service one looks for in the metropolis.

But the rooms were comfortable, and the travelers were a.s.sured of good cooking, Inez said. However, there was a penetrating odor of onion and garlic from the direction of the kitchen, that made Jack say to his mother, apprehensively:

”I say, Mater, you know I can't go onions, especially since I am down on my feed. What'll I do? I can stand their red pepper, but onions never!”

”You shall but ask zat none be put in your food, and none will,” said Inez. ”Many travelers do so. I, myself, do not like onions any more.”

”I'm glad of it!” said Jack. ”You can sit next to me at table, Inez,” whereat she blushed under her olive hue.

Mr. Robinson, seeing that the ladies, girls and youths were comfortably settled in their new quarters, went off to see some business a.s.sociates, promising to come back in time for an afternoon drive, following the siesta.

”For everyone takes a siesta,” explained Inez, speaking of the ”afternoon nap.”

The drive about the city, and out a distance into the country, was enjoyed by all. Jack seemed to be improving hourly, and his mother and sister a.s.sured each other that no mistake had been made in bringing him to Porto Rico.

”And, now that we have him in a fair way to getting better, we must see what we can do to help Inez,” said Cora. ”I am sure she will never be happy until she is on her way to Sea Horse Island, and is able to start measures for freeing her father.”

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