A VISIT TO GRANDMAMMA'S
THE Fazenda of the Senhor Dias stood upon a hill overlooking the
Amazon. About it were trees and gardens, and a small stream flowed
through the grounds toward the great river. A pleasant little
summer-house was set under a giant palm tree and about the whole place
was an air of ease and comfort. Upon the broad, pillared veranda and
between the shady trees hammocks were slung for the midday siesta, and
the life of the villa was cheerful and pleasant.
[Illustration: "THE FAZENDA OF THE SENHOR DIAS STOOD UPON A HILL
OVERLOOKING THE AMAZON."]
Affonzo was very tired the day after his jaunt through the forest, and
toward evening he lazily lay in a cool hammock swinging back and forth.
His sister sat on a cushion at his feet listening in delight to the
story of his adventures.
Lola was only eight years old and she thought her big brother of eleven
quite the most wonderful boy in the world.
"How I wish you could have been with me, Lola," said Affonzo. "Of
course you could not, for girls can not go to the places that boys can.
But it was most exciting! What you would like would be to hear Vicente.
He told me a wonderful story."
"Do tell it to me," said Lola, and Affonzo retold the story of the
Gilded Man, to her great delight.
"Oh! what a nice story," cried Lola as he finished. "What was the
Indian's house like?"
"It wasn't a real house, you know," said Affonzo. "It was a little
round hut all thatched with straw, and he had bows and arrows and all
kinds of things." Affonzo was rather vague in his description. "The
trees around were the finest I ever saw. Oh! I am sure there is no
country in the world like ours!"
Lola smiled, and, touching the strings of her guitar, sang softly:
"Minha terra tene palmerias
Onde canta a Sabia
As aves que acqui gorgeiao
Nao gorgeiao como la.
"Nosso ceo teni mais estrellas
Nossos varzenes tem mais flores
Nossos bosques tem mais vida,
Nossos vida mais amores."[6]
"Brava, little one," cried Uncle Prudente who had come out from his
siesta refreshed and cool. "That was very prettily sung, little
patriot. Have you children heard the news?"
"What news, my uncle?" asked Affonzo.
"That you are to go home with me to-morrow to see your grandmother."
"How glad I am!" cried Affonzo, and Lola danced up and down in delight,
saying,
"It is long since we have been in Para, and the ride on the river will
be so pleasant."
The next day was bright and fair and their sail down the great river
as pleasant as they had anticipated. The air was cool and the sun
partially under a cloud, so that the heat was not too great and the
banks of the stream, with their trees and flowers, presented views as
vivid and changing as a kaleidoscope.
The city of Para is one of the most important places in Brazil. From it
are sent out into the world all the produce of the wonderful valley of
the Amazon,--woods, rubber and fruits. Its markets are busy spots of
industry, and its harbour teems with shipping.
The mother of the Senhor Dias lived in a handsome house on the edge of
the town. Since the death of her husband she had lived with her only
unmarried son, the Uncle Prudente of whom the children were so fond.
She received the travellers warmly. Her son Martim's wife was very
dear to her, his children her idols, especially Affonzo. He was his
grandfather's image; with his flashing black eyes, his proud mouth, his
quick, impetuous manner, he was so like the noble old man she had so
loved, that he seemed to embody the youth of her beloved dead.
"You must remain for a long visit with me," she said to the children.
"I have asked the children of friends to come and play with you in the
garden this afternoon. Some of your school-mates will be here, Affonzo,
and some little folk for Lola. I hope you will have a pleasant time."
"You are most kind, grandmamma," cried both children, and when their
friends came, they all repaired to the shady garden behind the house.
There were about a dozen boys and girls all chattering at once, but in
a moment's quiet Lola said,
"Let us play 'Dona Sancha.' I should like it so much and we have
thirteen, just the right number."
"Yes," said a little girl named Catharina.
"There are seven girls and six boys. One of us must be it."
"Who shall be it?" they all cried merrily, and one of the larger girls
stood them in a row and repeated,
"I am a little widow
From the seacoast there;
I wish to find a husband
But I can't tell where.
Shall I marry this one? Yes.
Shall I marry that one? No.
Shall I marry this one? Yes,
For I love him so."
The lot fell to a little black-eyed girl called Constancia, who was
then blindfolded and around whom the others formed a circle by joining
hands. Then all danced around Constancia singing,
"Madame Dona Sancha
Covered with silver and gold,
Take away your veil then,
Your eyes we would behold."
At this Constancia uncovered her face, and sang,
"I am the daughter of a count,
The grandchild of a king,
Behind a stone they made me hide,
A most peculiar thing."
Then the others sang,
"Valentin-tin-tin--
Who is married,
Who is married,
She who is not must remain alone."
At the last words the boys and girls let go of each other's hands
and each one, including Constancia, made a rush for a partner. Lola
was the one to be left out and she had to be blindfolded, and take
Constancia's place in the centre of the ring. So the game went on, each
girl taking her turn in the centre as often as she failed to catch a
partner in the scramble.
When the children were tired of play, their grandmother sent out
Christovao, an old white-haired negro who had once been a slave, and he
showed them many wonderful tricks of juggling. He made flowers to bloom
in their hats, money to grow on trees, and many other queer things to
happen, and his pet monkey kept them laughing with his queer antics.
Then they all sat down around the stone fountain and had a delicious
luncheon of _doces_,[7] _cocada_,[8] and sweet cakes, and Affonzo and
Lola went to bed that night quite delighted with their first day in
Para.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 6:
My country has shades
Where the Sabia sings
The birds of your glades
No like melody brings
Our Heaven has more stars
Our fields have more flowers
Our woods have more life
Our life has more love.]
[Footnote 7: Preserves.]
[Footnote 8: Cocoa jelly.]