"'You think,' I asked, 'that no Cuban would dare to venture upon a pleasantry with Jean Antoine Stromboli Kosnapulski?'
"'I am quite sure,' he answered, 'that no Cuban would spend the cost of this cablegram in doing so.'
"'Ah!'
"'Besides, you must remember that in Central American armies there is no lower commissioned rank than that of general. You are invited to begin, like other people, at the bottom of the ladder.'
"'In that case, my friend, it is not a pleasantry, but an affront. Or is it that they are afraid of exciting the jealousy of the other generals, I wonder? I must reflect.'
"I reflected in silence for at least two minutes. Then, having made up my mind, I asked my friend—
"'Do you happen to know what uniform is required by a general in the Cuban service?'
"'In the Central American armies,' my friend answered, 'every general wears the uniform that suits him best.'
"'And do you know when the next boat starts for New York?'
"'In exactly forty-eight hours from now.'