On arriving at his lodging he found a crowd of admirers in the lobby waiting to embrace him. His exploits, to judge from their hyperbolic language, had become quite different, so much did their conversation exaggerate and distort them, even during the short drive from the Plaza to the hotel.
Upstairs he found his room full of friends. Gentlemen who called him "tu" and who imitated the rustic speech of the peasantry, shepherds, herdsmen, and such like, slapping him on the back and saying, "You were splendid ... absolutely first class."
Gallardo freed himself from this warm reception, and went out into the passage with Garabato.
"Go and send off the telegram home. You know--'nothing new.'"
Garabato excused himself, he wished to help his master to undress. The hotel people would undertake to send off the wire.
"No: I want you to do it. I will wait.... There's another telegram too that you must send. You know for whom it is--for that lady, for Doña Sol.... Also 'nothing new.'"
[5] Two Matadors. "Little Lizard" and "Flask."
[6] Frascuelo dressed in black in the bull-ring on account of his political opinions.
[8] A café specially frequented by toreros.
[12] The knot of hair, dressed with ribbons, worn at the back of the head by toreros, principally to lessen the shock of a fall. The Mona was only "lowered" when a torero retired finally from the ring, either on account of age or inefficiency.
[17] A kind of Anisette made at Cazalla, in the Sierra Morena.
[19] Muira, a famous breeder whose bulls have a reputation for ferocity.
[20] About £40. A peseta is worth about 9½d.
[21] A contraction of "Vuestra Merced"--Your Worship. The usual Spanish address to an equal or superior.
[22] Mozo d'estoque--sword or rapier, about a yard long, sharpened on both sides. The hilt is very small, in the shape of a cross, and is bound round with red stuff to give a better hold. At the top of the hilt is a knob which fits into the palm of the hand and strengthens the thrust.
[24] A small portmanteau. Term applied to a torero's valet, but an insult if applied to a torero.
[25] Maestro--one high up in the profession.
[26] Before the fight the bulls are divided and those chosen for the day's work are put into separate boxes or stalls.