All these strange sights seemed to divert Lee's thoughts from the heavy basket which they were carrying, and he was still staring about when Diego stopped before a large, low, two-storied building, with a great arched entrance into a court-yard, around the four sides of which the building extended. Above the arch hung a sign, with "Hotel de los Estados Unidos," painted upon it.
"Well, I know what that sign means," said Lee; "and it's the first one I've seen which I did understand."
"Yes, here we are at last," replied Diego.
And they turned in and came out in the large court-yard, which presented quite an animated appearance.
A fountain was playing in the middle, surrounded by orange trees, bananas and flowering plants, in great green tubs. All around, the doors of sleeping rooms opened upon the court, while above, another set of doors opened upon a balcony, which was reached by steps below.
On the pavement of stone were many little tables, at which gentlemen and ladies were taking breakfast, and waiters in white jackets were bustling about and supplying their wants.
On the left, as the boys entered, was an office, with a half door and a shelf upon it, from which a clerk hailed them:
"Hi, muchachos, qui quiere?" (What do you want, you boys?)
"The clothes, senor,"[**standard] answered Diego, in reply, pointing to the basket, which they had deposited on the flagstones.
"Ah, that's all right! Are they from Dolores? There's a gentleman here who has inquired half a dozen times already about his clean things. He wants to leave to-day."