“You surely do not ask us to pay duty on personal baggage? Travelers arrive at Guayaquil every week with several trunks, and pay no duty.”
“Only that is baggage which the traveler personally brings in with him. The charges are $42.88—for each, señores, since the parcels are of the same weight.”
“But you can see for yourself that they are marked ‘Value $7.’”
“The law goes by weight only, señor.”
“Why the 100% addition?”
“The new law requires all duties to be levied twice.”
“And this third item?”
“For the up-keep of the national army and navy.”
“Well, what is this aforro?”
“That is the freight from Panamá.”