Evening star., 1900-07-07

jug OF water. Inc SpndklOteS 90 not take
kindly to wine. But the feast was not yet
complete; a young man entered. bearing
large bowl of brown earthenware, filled
with something that emitted cloud OF
fragrant steam; and a plate containing
large chunk of white halva. These he de-
posted upon the tablecloth and Panayota.
with graceful wave Of the hand and a
Dazzling smile that flashed from her white
teeth and beamed in her great brown eyes,
cried "Oreeste." The demarch sat. down
upon the floor, crossing his legs under him.
The priest laid his hand upon Lindbohms
shoulder. and pointed to the spread. The
Swede sat down awkwardly and as many
jointedly as q camel. The floor seemed far
away to him. and when he had finally
reached II, do what he could with his legs,
his knees persisted in rising on a level with
his ears. Curtis slid his lame foot along
until me was sitting on the floor with his
back against the sofa. The Cretans made
the sign Of the cross, which corresponds
with our blessings. and Panayota. who was
standing meekly by serving maid, dis
tributel four forks among the five diners.
There not being enough to go around. the
demarch unsheathed long knife whose
silver-mounted handle ended broadly with
two farlng ears, not unlike the butt OF an
Arabs gun. Cutting the bread with this,
he impaied bountecus portion and offered
IT to Curtis. who took it from the point:
saying ''Eucharisto. polu, Kurie Demarchs''
(many thanks. Mr.. Mayor.
Bravo, bravo cried Michan, you're
getting on. At this rate you will speak
Greek by tomorrow better tnan L 90.
This is truly wonderful" observed tho
priest and asked Curtis. slowly and dis
tinctly. How many years have you been
in Greece?"
He says began Michali.
Hold on, old man, / understand him"
interrupted Curtis. and he replied. slowly
but correctly IN Greek:
Il have been here only two weeks
This is a miracle roared the demarch.
I'VE shall make Cretan of you; but let US
begin eating" and spearing piece of bread
| with his knife. he dipped 1t into the soup.
| ping his own chunk and eating 1t from his
! fork. This is lenten soup-black-eyed
beans cooked with oil. Over this was the
| contest between church and state. The
| mayors cook makes famous lenten soup
| and Kur' Nikolaki wished to send for
some. but Papas- -Malecko desired the dinner
| himself to furnish
"Kalo (good)?" asked the mayor. holding
huge chunk Of dripping bread suspended
u,idair over the bowl
He asks you is It goodr' explained
Michal to Lindbohm-
| "Kalo? kalo2' repeated Kur Nikolaki.
"Kalo," replied Lindbohm.
| medium Of general communication was
| now established. Fapas-Malecko and Kur'
| Nikolaki with nearly every bite smiled upon
| Curtis and Lindbohm and asked ''Kalo?
| and they both replied, "Kalo, kalo."
| After dinner the demarch departed, taxi
| ing Michah with him. and Panayota made
up the bed on the floor for Curtis and Lind
| bohm- She brought in a mattress from out
I doors. which somewhat mystifed Curtis
| until he remembered that the stone stair
| way to the upper regions was built on the
| outside of the house. She laid a sheet on
| the mattress and a quilt with a sheet sewed
| to 1t in such manner that the end was
] doubled over and bore the letters. beauu-
| fully embroidered. for Panayota Nicolaides.