"It seems a good ways from home," said the boy. "But uncle," he added, as they passed a crowd of queer looking people in the station, "what a lot of foreigners there are here!"
"Yes, more than in any other Brazilian city. A number of Italians work in the mills and on the farms, and the Germans are on the coffee plantations.
"To-night we will rest, and to-morrow morning we will see Sao Paulo, and in the afternoon go to the fazenda," said the Senhor, as they reached the hotel.
The next day they had a pleasant drive through the city and saw many interesting things.
"Mackenzie College is one of the best seats of learning in Brazil," said the uncle. "It is on the plan of the North American colleges, with kindergarten, primary grades and grammar school. There is also a normal school and a manual training shop."
"You see, you have to copy us," said Maria with a laugh. "All the schools in the States are good. You ought to live there."
Martim made a wry face.
"Maybe they are," he said, "but I don't believe I'd care to live in the States just on account of the schools when I can live here, and have a school just as good."
"Children!" said Martim's mother, but his father hastily interposed,