“But the postage was prepaid from Jirardot to Quito—one dollar. Doesn’t Ecuador belong to the Postal Union?”
“Naturally, señor, but by a special treaty with the United States parcel-post packages pay freight across the Isthmus, and from Panamá to here.”
“And this muellaje—?”
“The landing charges in the port of Guayaquil. Bodega is for warehouse storage charges—”
“But the bundles came through in a mail-bag, without so much as entering a warehouse.”
“Those are fixed charges, irrespective of special conditions. The brokerage covers my fee here in the office, and the stamp is that which you see on the document here. The total charges are $42.88.”
“Keep ’em,” growled Hays, turning away. “Make a present of them to your president, or dress up one of your statues of Liberty.” Naturally, he spoke in English, for we still planned to live some time in Quito.
As we reached the door, a word from the official caused us to turn back. He was up to his ears in another set of figures.
“We can call it cotton instead of clothing,” he said, presenting a new list; “then the charges will be only $12.25.”
“Make it old clothing,” suggested Hays.