Королі та капуста

           Thegentlebuccaneerhadobservedtherainoffavorsthatfelluponthosewhoministeredtothepresident’svanities,andhedidnotdeemithisdutytohoisthisumbrellaagainstthescatteringdropsofliquidfortune.

           Inafewweeksthenewconsularrived,releasingKeoghfromhistemporaryduties.Hewasayoungmanfreshfromcollege,wholivedforbotanyalone.TheconsulateatCoraliogavehimtheopportunitytostudytropicalflora.Heworesmokedglasses,andcarriedagreenumbrella.Hefilledthecool,backporchoftheconsulatewithplantsandspecimenssothatspaceforabottleandchairwasnottobefound.Keoghgazedonhimsadly,butwithoutrancour,andbegantopackhisgripsack.ForhisnewplotagainststagnationalongtheSpanishMainrequiredofhimavoyageoverseas.

           SooncametheKarlsefinagain—sheofthetrampishhabits—gleaningacargoofcocoanutsforaspeculativedescentupontheNewYorkmarket.Keoghwasbookedforapassageonthereturntrip.

           "Yes,I’mgoingtoNewYork,"heexplainedtothegroupofhiscountrymenthathadgatheredonthebeachtoseehimoff."ButI’llbebackbeforeyoumissme.I’veundertakenthearteducationofthispiebaldcountry,andI’mnotthemantodesertitwhileit’sintheearlythroesoftintypes."

           WiththismysteriousdeclarationofhisintentionsKeoghboardedtheKarlsefin.

           Tendayslater,shivering,withthecollarofhisthincoatturnedhigh,heburstintothestudioofCarolusWhiteatthetopofatallbuildinginTenthStreet,NewYorkCity.