“You have! Then you know all about it. And how are you liking Mexico, Mrs Leslie?”
“Not much,” said Kate. “It strikes me as evil.”
“It does! It does!” said Mrs Norris. “Ah, if you had known it before! Mexico before the revolution! It was different then. What is the latest news, Major?”
“About the same,” said the Major. “There is a rumour that the new President will be turned down by the army, a few days before he comes into office. But you never know.”
“I think it would be a great shame not to let him have a try,” put in Owen hotly. “He seems a sincere man, and just because he is honestly a Labour man, they want to shut him out.”
“Ah, my dear Mr Rhys, they all talk so nobly beforehand. If only their deeds followed their words, Mexico would be heaven on earth.”
“Instead of hell on earth,” snapped the Judge.
A young man and his wife, also Americans, were introduced as Mr and Mrs Henry. The young man was fresh and lively.
“We were talking about the new President,” said Mrs Norris.
“Well, why not!” said Mr Henry breezily. “I’m just back from Orizaba. And do you know what they’ve got pasted up on the walls?—Hosanna! Hosanna! Hosanna! Viva el Jesús Cristo de Mexico, Socrates Tomas Montes!”