“There is no reason why he should. It is a pleasure to meet you, Señor Gallindo,” he went on in Spanish. “I very much enjoyed the dancing of you and your wife.”
José laughed rudely. “It is nothing. The place was impossible.”
“José was angry all the time because Coco-the negress with the snake, you remember? — had more money from Serge than we did, although we were the principal attraction.”
José said something unprintable, in Spanish.
“She was,” said Josette, “Serge’s lover. You smile, but it is true. Is it not true, José?”
José made a loud noise with his lips.
“José is very vulgar,” commented Josette. “But it is true about Serge and Coco. It is a very drôle story. There was a great joke about Fifi, the snake. Coco was very fond of Fifi, and always used to take it to bed with her. But Serge did not know that until he became her lover. Coco says that when he found Fifi in the bed, he fainted. She made him increase her wages to double before she would consent to Fifi’s sleeping alone in its basket. Serge is no fool: even José says that Serge is no fool; but Coco treats him like dirt. It is because she has a very great temper that she is able to do it.”
“He needs to hit her with his fist,” said José.
“Ah! Salop!” She turned to Graham. “And you! Do you agree with José?”
“I have no experience of snake dancers.”