When he had assured her that he had fully recovered, she asked him how long he had been in Mexico, how long he meant to stay, whom he knew in the city and what he had so far seen in it.
He told her that he had come without introductions, meant to remain in the country, for several weeks anyhow, then enthused about he Christmas decorations and the new Museum of Anthropology.
She said that, as he had no friends in Mexico, they must look after him. Then, seeing that his glass was empty, she took it her, self to the drinks table, brought it back refilled and said with a smile, `You must excuse me now. I have to look after our other guests; but we will talk together again later.'
As she moved away, a short, tubby, bald man came up to Adam and asked what he thought of Mexico City. Again Adam enthused about the fine streets and buildings and the wonderful illuminations.
His companion made a wry grimace. `Those lights cost us taxpayers a pretty penny; electricity is terribly expensive here.'
Adam raised his eyebrows. 'You surprise me. From such vast quantities of it being used, I thought it must be quite cheap. Why does your government go in for such extravagance?'
`To please the masses. It is their policy to keep the people happy with bread and games.'
`Is there no control over that sort of thing then??
'None. Here we live under a dictatorship. Since 1920 we have had a one party government. It is now called the P.R.I. Partido Reaolucionario Institucional. They decree everything and, short of another revolution, we'll never get them out.'
`The last revolution was a Communist one, wasn't it?' Adam asked. Then, gesturing round the big room, he added with a smile, `Although from this, one would never think it.'
With a shrug the bald man replied, `It was thought in Europe to be Communist because Alvaro Obregbn, who led it, made use of the grievances of the masses. Mexico has never been truly communist; only, if you like, very much to the Left. For example, our government was intensely anti Franco during the Spanish civil War. But we benefited from that. When Franco won, his opponents of all kinds were encouraged to emigrate and settle here. That brought us many thousands of valuable citizens of the type we badly needed as a nation whose general standard of education was very low doctors, lawyers, scientists, writers, publishers, artists, mechanics and technicians of all kinds. It is largely owing to them that Mexico has made such astonishing progress in the past twenty five years.'
`Then, judging by results, it doesn't seem that you have much to complain of about your government.'
`On the face of it, no. They are shrewd enough to let us capitalists alone, because we are the geese that lay the golden eggs, and security of capital encourages foreign investment, which we badly need. But living under a totalitarian government has its drawbacks. Anyone can be arrested here and held incommunicado for seventy two hours. And, of course, there is no security of tenure of property. If it is decided to make a new road which cuts off half your garden, workmen arrive and get on with the job overnight.'
`In that way things aren't much better in England now; although the owner is notified first and can appeal, and is paid compensation.'
The fat man laughed. `Oh, he is paid compensation here, then charged three times as much for the benefit he is supposed to derive from the new road. Talking of roads, recently Mexico started to manufacture cars. They are by no means bad but very far from being either the best or the most economical to run; yet a law has been passed prohibiting the import of all foreign cars, and we are having to give up our Rolls and Mercedes. That is part of the price we have to pay for the security we enjoy under our present government.'
It was half past ten before a move was made. Then the whole party descended in the lifts and piled into a fleet of cars, which carried them along to the centre of the Park, where they alighted at a new restaurant called El Lago.
The place was another revelation to Adam of the wealth and luxury of Mexico City. It resembled a theatre and along its wide curve there was tier upon tier of balconies upon which the tables were set. All of them looked out upon a lake from which rose a wondrous fountain, at times jetting its water a hundred feet in the air, at others spreading it out like a huge fan. Coloured lights played on the water, turning it to rainbow hues, and its movements were timed to coincide with the tempo of the band.
They sat down sixteen to dinner and, to Adam's delight, he found himself placed next to Chela. During the meal she asked him innumerable questions about himself that were probing and intelligent, listening to his replies with absorbed interest.
When they reached the dessert, a fantastic creation of ice cream, candied fruits and meringue decorated with orchids, she said
`As you have no friends here, my father wishes me to be your guide and take you to all the interesting places in the city that a professional guide might not show you.'
`I can think of nothing more delightful,' he smiled, `but isn't that a bit hard on you? I mean, you must have dozens of friends and be booked up with any number of engagements. I wouldn't like to be a nuisance and interfere with your usual activities.' She shrugged and returned his smile. `I can see my friends at any time. And Jeremy Hunterscombe tells me that you are a famous author. I love books, and must read all yours. We shall find lots to talk about and I shall look upon showing you the city as an honour.'
When coffee was served she lit a small cigar then, after she had smoked for a while, smiled at him and said, `Aren't you going to ask me to dance?'
`I should love to,' he gave her an uneasy glance, `but I'm afraid I’m not a very good dancer.'
`I wonder. Have you ever danced with a girl as tall as I am?'
`No, I don't think I have; not that I can remember.'
`Then that may be the answer. Come on; let's try.'
Chela proved right. Adam was so tall that almost invariably when he was talking to his dancing partners he had to stoop awkwardly over them, which made it difficult for him to steer. but he could hold Chela firmly while still remaining upright and, is they went smoothly round without bumping into people, he
really enjoyed a dance for the first time in his life.
Afterwards, out of politeness, he danced with several of the other women in the party; but with them, as usual, his height proved a handicap and both he and his partners were relieved when he could take them back to the table.
Later, he danced with Chela again and when the band stopped she said, `It's a lovely night. Let's go out for a stroll in the park and look at the stars.'
With a happy laugh he agreed then, after a moment, said a trifle hesitantly, `But would it be safe? I mean, in London I wouldn't take a girl for a walk in Hyde Park after dark. Too many hoodlums about who might cause trouble.'
She smiled at him. `With anyone else I would think twice about it. But gangsters keep to their own quarters of the city. At worst, we might come upon some poor wretch made desperate by hunger, and he would not dare attack a big man like you. Wait for me at the entrance while I go to the cloakroom and fetch something to put round my shoulders.'
When she rejoined him he had expected that she would be wearing the beautiful chinchilla coat in which she had arrived at the restaurant. Instead, she had draped round her a voluminous wrap of fine muslin spangled with gold signs of the Zodiac.
`What a lovely thing,' he remarked.
`Yes, isn't it?' she laughed. `It's not mine, though. It belongs to one of my friends. I borrowed it because I thought my coat would be too heavy.'