The Casino 



the dim smouldering embers of the brasero, while the 

 sefiora madre mends her stockings by the solitary lamp. 



I dine at home and go to the Casino for coffee. Here, 

 in a long narrow room, a group are standing in animated 

 conversation before the blazing wood-fire at the end ; and 

 all along the sofa-range on either side, are rows of gentle- 

 men with little tables standing before them, and cups of 

 very black coffee or very pale tea, according as the table's 

 occupant may emulate English or French manners. 



" Buenos tardes, Don Jorge ; Good evening, Don Jorge ; 



como va ? how goes it ? 



" Sin novedad ; y Vmd. Senor Without novelty ; and your 



Conde ? worship, Sir Count ? 



" Perfectamente. To perfection. 



" M'alegro. I rejoice. 



" Va Vmd. al teatro ? Do you go to the Opera ? 



" No tengo inconveniente. I don't mind. 



" Luego iremos juntos. Presently we will go together. 



" Hasta luego. Till then—" 



I sit down and cry "Juan ! " The waiter comes. 



" Me traiga Vmd. cafe. May your worship bring me 



coffee. 

 " Ya voy. Already I go." 



As he brings the coffee, Don Lorenzo, who is a captain 

 of artillery, comes and sits down by me. He is " muy 

 formal y politico" (very punctilious and polite), and justly 

 proud of his French. 



" Bon soir, mon ami." 



"Bon soir, M. le Capitaine. Qu'iere Vmd. cafeF" — (Do 

 you desire coffee .'') (If you are eating or drinking, and a 

 person comes and speaks to you, it is indispensable to offer 

 him some.) He says " Muchas gracias " (many thanks), 

 which means No. 



72 



