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.
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