The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-11-17
SPANISH HOSPITALITY.
The Entertaining Keeps the Guests
Busy Til: late at Night.

| Ill TIC HOUSES VIC hlicW III allud
iusia the men obliterated them
selves all day, the ladies went te
mass in the morning and spent the
rest of the time sitting in flower
decked balconies, tanning softly
and talking to canaries and cocka.
toos.
After weeks of travel the pros
poet of rest in such an environment
was not unattractive, and / con-
tcmplated adapting myself to the
ways of the household and the bal
conv with much pleasure. With
some good novels bought in Mad
rid, fate could not harm me for a
few days at any rate. But while
dressing in my cushioned and scent
ed boudoir it was borne in upon mc
that the atmosphere OF this palaeio
was not so serenely dull as the
houses of Andalusia. The smart
freshness of the house was too OBJ
vious. and certainly the dona did
not look like a woman who found
canaries intellectually satisfying.
Waiting for us in the drawing room
with the don and dona was a young
man introduced simply as "Mari-
ano," the nephew of somebody. Nor
do know to this dav what was
Mariano's other name. That was a
trivial detail, but his ancestors
were very serious. He represented
one OF the old Moorish families who
for reasons of love or money had
remained in Spain after the fall OF
Granada, and his solemn eyes and
blue black hair and beard made
him rare example Of the persist
eAce of race type. Paquita. a pref
ty young girl, was a semidetached
member of the family, the dona's
goddaaghter, living on another
floor Of the palaeio, who had come
in "to see us eat breakfast"
On the don's arm ! went the
length Of the hoase TO the dining
room, who're the table vas prettily
laid With a few flowers, picturesque
wine bottles and primly arranged
fruit baskets. 1t was appalling to
find ourselves placed at the head
and foot of it, but they proved to
be literally seats Of honor. with no
duties attached. Everything was
served by two little maids as pretty
as their names. Serafna and Lijan-
dra, in peasant costume. and the
dona wore throughout the meal
look Of restful unconcern.
We were hardly seated before
visitors began to arrive. Each
shook hands with every one pres
ent, including a superannuated
housekeeper on a divan in a far
corner, then joined US at the table.
taking cigarettes and sherry. Moth
ing else was offered them, while W.
enjoysd course after course. At
first We rose when introduced, hut
they always protested vehemently.
and, seeing that the family remain
ed seated. We did likewise and found
it the only reasonable plan, as dur
ing the meal We had half a dozen
callers, and each one shook hands
all around twice. We were still at
the table when the tartana was an
nounced at / o'clock.
The fine arts exhibition was the
center Of social interest, and We
were plunged without warning into
the midst Of it, spending the after
noon in a chaos Of introductIons.
music, pictures and light refresh
ments.
Dinner at S, except for a few
more sweets and visitors, was like
the previous meal. At 10 We hur-
riod TO the theater, and / was limp
~ thankful 10 leave at midnight.
though the play was not over am
n gay party protested against our
going 50 early.
Arrived at the palacio. tho don
clappcd kl> little gloyr,l hand.. and
voice from the distant darknp-
called. "Eoy corricnl," "a rom,
running, though the .tops wor"
slow and shutting. H. ms impa
ticncc il seemed as If the don mi@ht
have carr:"d his own latchkcv untsI
III" vjglIante projucrd it from
bunch containing the kew. 81 all Ill.
house. in the block, each weighing
about half u pound.
H. ol~o provided a Io.r, wax In.
per 20 light II. up>tair.. and after
firmly refusing ANYTHING more TO
cat or drink We made our elaborate
g""d night speeches. shook hand.
with every one IN sight and retired.
The DAY seemed 10 le over. but
~" ha1 vet 10 reckon with tho sore.
no, falsely 80 called, who walked M
and down, tapping the street With
nIa gfaH etYuctniyuiytey ,In t,,t~ A..