Chapter Footnotes:
[1] Carnaval, Carnival. Name given to the three-day celebration preceding Ash Wednesday. During this time, numerous lively skirmishes took place in the streets between young men and women, in which they squirted water or perfume at each other. Besides the ordinary receptacles for holding liquids, a variety of syringes and rubber bulbs were manufactured for use during these contests. Particularly popular in former days was the pomo, a tube almost exactly like the tubes used to-day as containers for tooth-paste. The “eggs” mentioned by the author were of wax, and filled with water. Real eggs, however, were sometimes used. In the large cities, squirting water was forbidden about twenty years ago, but the custom still persists in the country districts.
[2] Al caer la tarde, At dusk; at nightfall.
[3] de alto tono, of the best families; high class.
[4] juventud dorada, gilded youth.
[5] por lo fino, in order to be in style; as the last touch of elegance.
[6] bota de ... granadera, patent leather boots, grenadier style.
[7] Allí era el ..., There was; there could be seen.
[8] con toda mesura, aimed with care.
[9] para no, so as not to; in order not to.