"I feel that I never want to go into an art gallery again. No wonder the women of California are original."
"Benicia," said Russell, "I have tried in vain to learn a Spanish song. But teach me a Spanish phrase of endearment. All our 'darlings' and 'dearests' are too flat for California."
"Bueno; I teach you. Say after me: Mi muy querida prima. That is very sweet. Say."
"Mi muy—"
"Querida prima."
"Que—What is it in English?"
"My—very—darling—first. It no sound so pretty in English."
"It does very well. My—very—darling—first—if all these people were not about us, I should kiss you. You look exactly like a flower."
"Si you did, Señor Impertinencio, you get that for thanks."
Russell jumped to his feet with a shout, and shook from his neck a little crab with a back like green velvet and legs like carven garnet.