This impressive statement failed to enlighten my uncle.
“Jiminez who?” he inquired.
For an instant the man seemed offended. Then he smiled condescendingly.
“To be sure!” he replied. “You are of United State and have no interest in South American affairs. It is natural you have ignorance regarding our politics. In Bogota the name of De Jiminez stands for reform; and reform stands for—” He hesitated.
“What?” asked my uncle.
“Revolution!”
“That’s only nat’ral,” observed Mr. Perkins complacently. “I hear revolutions are your reg’lar diet down in South America. If there didn’t happen to be a revolution on tap your people wouldn’t know what to do with themselves.”
Señor de Jiminez frowned at this.
“We will not politic discuss, if you please,” he rejoined stiffly. “We will discuss ship.”
“We don’t want to sell,” said my uncle positively.