"Finding it was going to be dark all day," I continued, "I determined
to go a little distance away, not out of London, you will understand,
but about three leagues from my hotel to a great hill, where I thought
the fog would not be so dark, and where there is a palace of glass."
"A palace of glass!" repeated Lechuza, with his immense round eyes
fixed sternly on me.
"Yes, a palace of glass--is there anything so wonderful in that?"
"Have you any tobacco in your pouch, Mariano?" said Blas.
"Pardon, Captain, for speaking, but the things you are telling require
a cigarette, and my pouch is empty."
"Very well, sirs, perhaps you will now allow me to proceed," I said,
beginning to feel rather vexed at these constant interruptions. "A
palace of glass large enough to hold all the people in this country."
"The Saints assist us! Your tobacco is dry as ashes, Mariano," exclaimed
Blas.
"That is not strange," said the other, "for I have had it three days
in my pocket. Proceed, Captain. A palace of glass large enough to hold
all the people in the world. And then?"
"No, I shall not proceed," I returned, losing my temper. "It is plain
to see that you do not wish to hear my story. Still, sirs, from motives
of courtesy you might have disguised your want of interest in what I
was about to relate; for I have heard it said that the Orientals are
a polite people.
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