At the end of my stay I was asked to take part in a charitable performance. The house was packed, despite the high price of the seats. After the performance a great banquet was given, under the auspices of the festival committee.
At the table I was received with an enthusiasm which was quite Mexican, and that means with an enthusiasm that could be hardly surpassed in any country of the world. Throughout the repast I kept receiving presents. Some of the women took off their bracelets, others their rings, others their brooches, and, in spite of my protestations, insisted on giving them to me.
“Absolutely at your service!”
They obliged me to take them all.
I was inexpressibly embarrassed by my booty. When I returned to the hotel I asked the clerk to put all these jewels in a safe place.
He looked at the jewels and said:
“But you will have to send them back, madam.”
“Send them back? Why, they were given me.”
“It is the custom here, madam. Presents are always returned.”
“What am I going to do? I am leaving to-morrow morning at six o’clock, and I don’t know the names of the people who have entrusted their jewels to me.”