Alberto Pani gave a luncheon for me, which proved unexpectedly
pleasant. We were three women and seven men, among whom was José
Vasconselos, the Rector of the University, a very brilliant man for
whom the Government has created a portfolio; Enciso, the Guardian of
Ancient Buildings; Martinez, the head of the Academia of Belles Artes,
Mantenegro, a painter of great distinction. I sat between my host, whom
I find understanding and easy to talk to and on my other side a man
called Dr. Atl. His name isn’t really Atl at all, but as he is called
that and was introduced to me under that name he may as well remain
Atl. He is the man who was especially asked to meet me, to tell me
about Popocatapetl. He has been up to the crater a great many times.
In fact the love and the obsession of his life is said to be the great
White Mountain! He was explained to me as being a painter, a poet, a
Bolshevik, a Bohemian.... He certainly has individuality, and was not a
bit surprised when I told him he was a Russian type, and that in fact
he talks French as the Russians I have known talked it. He knew it, but
denied any Russian blood.... Anyway to my great delight, he says it is
perfectly possible to do the ascent at this, the rainy season. So many
people have been telling me that it was an impossibility! He promises
to take me next week.[9] With my host I had an interesting talk, about
things here, as well as in Russia. He asked me what my impression was
of Lenin, and I told him.... We discussed opinions very openly, and at
the end of it I asked him, laughingly: “Am I a Bolshevik ...?” and he
said “No,--you are _une femme intelligente_, with good judgment!” Above
all we talked about Mexico and I think he was pleased by my enthusiasm
and my interest. I amused them all, by telling them (to illustrate the
prevailing ignorance of Mexico) that my “in-laws” had had a conference
on the matter of my having dared to risk Dick’s life by bringing him
to Mexico, as a result of which they had decided that on my return to
England, Dick should be removed from my custody. An excellent reason,
as they pointed out, for not returning to England, but remaining in
Mexico! “All the same,” Pani admitted, “we have had terrible times
here, when really one only went out at the risk of one’s life, and the
outside world hears only of our upheavals.” He said laughingly that
Popocatapetl was very emblematical of Mexico.... “We are a volcanic
country, ready at any moment to erupt.” I like their sense of humor
about themselves. When I said I wanted to meet General Villa, they all
laughed, and said “Well, if you want to meet Mexican Generals, your
time will be well taken up, there are about six thousand of them!”