I went to see Pani in his office at what they call “Relationes.” I
wanted to say good-bye to him and ask his help in getting over the
frontier. His office building inside looked like a converted Palace.
I had to go through a large gilt room that contained beautiful tables
with a life sized bust on each, presumably of former Presidents (so
they do have their busts done sometimes!)
I asked him if the place were a Palace, and he said that it was not,
but merely his office. I suppose the busts, the gilt and the good
furniture, etc., are the proofs of Pani’s culture. I like Pani, he is
not interesting, but is shrewd, and kind, and has a sense of humor.
He smiles always, even on official occasions. Other Ministers smile
when his name is mentioned. This because he likes old Masters, and
Bourgeoisie, and is not a general, and is an opportunist; at least he
might be considered so because he was in the Carranza Ministry, and
has now attached himself to the Obregon, which is a rare occurrence
in this country. Howbeit, Pani fits his post very well, he is a suave
diplomat, and can talk a few languages. I confided to him that I am not
going off to Los Angeles on Monday, having just been offered a trip to
the Tampico oil fields. He agreed it was well worth doing. De la Huerta
offered to facilitate my visit to Villa, but I have not time to do both
so I have chosen oil.
Pani was charming to me, said that whatever I wanted of Mexico he would
have done for me, and he hoped to see me in New York when “things are
settled.”
When I got back to the Hotel, a man walked into the patio, with a bunch
of flowers. It was a bunch that could hardly get in at the door, and
the flowers were of every color and variety. There were exclamations
of admiration from the people sitting around, as from me also, and
then I was told it was for me, the sender was Don Adolfo de la Huerta.
It was so big and so beautiful, I laid it on a table in the middle of
my sitting room, and felt that I was at my own funeral, but at least
enjoying it. A Mexican bunch is a wonderful thing, a great work of art.
The flowers are wired and tied. Some on long sticks according to the
design--It produces a wonderful effect, but they cannot be kept alive
unless the whole construction is picked to pieces, and then oftentimes
it is discovered the stems are too short to put in water. My flowers
were roses, dahlias, choisias, magnolia, tuberose and violets, the two
latter rescued and put in water. Then I sat down and wrote to de la
Huerta, and told him exactly what I thought of him, straight from my
heart.