170 ALBACORA 



up to the breakfast table. Then the door bell rang 

 again. 



"Eggs," I said. "I want to eat my eggs." 



"That's the Consul General of Peru," Lou said to me 

 above the telephone. "I asked him up to discuss the 

 trip." 



"I'll go to the door," Manning offered. 



"Thanks, John," I said. Then, remembering my rude- 

 ness to the photographer, I added, "Be diplomatic 

 now." 



John nodded. He is a handsome man, charming and 

 poised enough to meet any situation. I think he should 

 have been a diplomat. After one forkful of eggs, I 

 leaned toward the balcony rail so I could see what was 

 happening at the front door. A tall thin man with a long 

 narrow face had entered. He clutched a portfolio, and I 

 could see John Manning was giving him portfolio 

 treatment. 



"How do you do, sir," John began. "So kind of you 

 to come and so good to see you on this beautiful morn- 

 ing. Let me take your hat and coat." 



There is no such thing as being overly diplomatic 

 with a diplomat and John was pouring it on yards 

 thick. 



"Won't you join us for a bit of breakfast?" he re- 

 sumed, after he had hung the visitor's hat and coat. 



"Thank you, no," the man said. "I have a heavy 

 schedule today and I want to get to work." 



