“The law mentions clothing, without qualifications,” replied the official, with that patient courtesy that is the chief virtue of his race.
“The bundles do not weigh that, anyway,” I persisted. “Most of it is in the wrappings.”
“The law specifies bulk, not net weight.”
“Keep them, with our compliments,” growled Hays, turning away.
“I’ll tell you what you can do, señores,” suggested the official; “Go buy a stamped sheet of government paper at thirty cents and write the Director of Posts—”
“Why can’t we write him on ordinary paper?”
“It would not be legal. Go buy a thirty-cent stamped paper and put a ten-cent stamp on it—”
“What’s that for?”
“For the up-keep of the national army. Write the Director of Posts reclaiming the duty you have paid—”
“After we have paid it?” cried Hays. “Hardly! I have had too much experience with Latin-American governments.”