Evening star., 1934-11-25
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FIESTA
Bv MADELINE KOHTER
By MADELINE KOHLER

4 /AY MARTIN sat at one Of the small
- tables under the awning of the Cafe
de La Cranja in Madrid She was
N smoking American cigaret and
heartily wishing herself back In Mar
blehead, Mass
Kay remembered and was sad because Thanks
giving was only a week off and she would have
to spend the noble feast day of her ancestors
IN q country where the is still hot in No
yember where the hardshipS of the early
American settlers as a topic Of conversation
produce acute boredom, and where nobody cares
hoot about turkey and cranberry sauce.
Rejecting upon these matters, Kays eyes
rested abstractedly upon the figure of young
man crossing the calle de Alcala. His clothing.
though patterned after Bond street. had the
elusive touch of the Spanish tailor; he wore
flowing tie and his soft black hat was worn
at q romantic Latin angle. Hooked over his
arm was walking stick with curious carved
animal head for a handle.
"Ah, these SPANISH" murmured Kay with
a rapturouS expression, ending suddenly In a
little grimace. She leaned forward as the young
man passed her table, and called out.
"Hola, Teodoro!"
The young man turned and flush over
spread his rockbound New England features.
Teddy to YOU" he advised her with grin,
and came in and sat down at the little table.
He threw his hat and stick on a nearby chair,
hooked his knees the edge of the table and
faced her, "Wel, queen!
KAY looked him up and down in diScon-
certing fashion she had, reached for the black
hat, examined it, and returned it to the chair
with an air of dstaste. rs it an act?" she
asked.
mo act" said Teddy mildly. Don't you like
the hat?"
LAY shrugged You're going Spanish on
~ us with vengeance. Another year and
raI cocI, and tink1i
nades under the ladies' windows"
yours shall be the first, senorita," with a
Latin bow.
"Oh, Teddy, you make me sick. Why don't
you 60 home? Eighteen solid months at the
Centro de Estudos Clasicos, studying the Ian
gauge! In heavens name, what for? Your
father wants you to sell washing machines in
the Middle West"
I'm getting so I can speak pretty we'll"
ct should think you could. I'm studying it
because have to make hving-I expect to
teach Spanish Most of the Americans at the
Centre teachers or young men who expect
to get jobs in South America. Where do you
come in?"
I'm here for the broadening influence" with
a twinkle. "You must have heard of the
broadening influence Of travel Queen"
you're dilettante and butterfly"
stormed Kay. II hate to see boy I've known
all my life turning into Spanish hidalgo right
DeIOre my eyes III tiat MaIia SeeeAa OeA-
gado!"
Ted stiffened. He arose and put on his abb
surd hat, hooked his cane over his arm.
Don't say. We will leave her name out Of
this" pleaded Kay. half laughing.
I'VE will certainly do so," said Ted darkly.
"Just because we were kids together doesn't
give you the right to pick on that lovely
Spanish girl. /"
Girl my eyebrow" jeered Kay, feeling that
she might as well be hanged for sheep. "She
was girl in 1870 maybe"
"Hasta la VISTA said Ted with dignity,
bowling from the waist.
wait" cried Kay Don't 60, Ted. had an
idea just as you came up. I'm homesick clear
down to my toes. What do you say we give
Thanksgiving dinner for the American students
at the Centro-a real old-fashioned Thanks
giving dinner? We can have it in a private
dining room of the Coronado, and If IL or more
go 1t will be only is pesetas apiece"
Count me out" replied Ted sulkily. "1 think
when you are in a country you ought to follow
its customs, and not insist at all costs upon
being an American wherever you go. That's
why foreigners laugh at Americans"
"Oh," said Kay coldly, you foreigners quit
laughing at American tourists She added
after moment. well, I'm going to do it
if I have to have Thanksgiving dinner all by
myself I want turkey with dressing, cram
berry sauce, cider and pumpkin pie and-yum-
all the trimmings
Every WELL Queen I'll leave you to gloat
over it."
II suppose you'll celebrate it by going to
bull hght."i
"Quite right Hasta Ia vista, Qu,en"
80 long keed!" perversely.