“Ah, Mrs Norris!” he replied in his quiet, yet curiously deep voice, like a violincello: “If pulque is the highest happiness!”
“Then we are fortunate, because a tostón will buy paradise,” she said.
“It is a bon mot, Señora mia,” said Don Ramón, laughing and drinking his tea.
“Now won’t you try these little native cakes with sesame seeds on them!” said Mrs Norris to the table at large. “My cook makes them, and her national feeling is flattered when anybody likes them. Mrs Leslie, do take one.”
“I will,” said Kate. “Does one say Open Sesame!”
“If one wishes,” said Mrs Norris.
“Won’t you have one?” said Kate, handing the plate to Judge Burlap.
“Don’t want any,” he snapped, turning his face away as if he had been offered a plate of Mexicans, and leaving Kate with the dish suspended.
Mrs Norris quickly but definitely took the plate, saying:
“Judge Burlap is afraid of Sesame Seed, he prefers the cave shut.” And she handed the dish quietly to Cipriano, who was watching the old man’s bad manners with black, snake-like eyes.