"You have quite a bevy of little folk with you to-day," he said pleasantly.
"This is my nephew, Affonzo Diaz, Doctor Barbosa," said the Senhor. "And these girls are my nieces, Charlotta and Maria. Of course you know Martim."
"I am very glad to see you all," said the doctor with a smile.
"This is the first visit of Affonzo and his sister to our city," said Senhor Lopez.
"Indeed," replied the doctor. "I really think then that you should let me help show them around the gardens. I have a few moments of leisure just now, that I will be glad to devote to you."
"That will be delightful," said the Senhor. "You know so much about this place and I so little that I am sure the children will much prefer you as a guide." Bowing in appreciation of the compliment, the doctor led the party down the avenue.
"These gardens," he said, pointing down across the avenue, "as you see, are on the border of a large sheet of water. That is called the Lagoa de Rodrigo Freitas, and is separated from the sea only by a narrow strip of sand."
"What are those crooked, twisted trees," asked Lola, as they passed into another long avenue.
"They are mangoes. They are not very handsome to look at, but you know what delicious fruit they bear."