Besides, people won't say anything because they
won't know anything about it--if we stay away from that
sanitarium."
In the effort to put him at his ease, her own distress seemed to
vanish, and Kirk immediately felt more cheerful.
"It's getting along toward dinner-time," he said, "so let's see
what we can find in the way of food. You can be sheltered in one
of these houses, I suppose, though from the looks I'd almost
prefer the night air."
They stumbled out into the unlighted street and began their
search; but, seen close at hand, the cooking arrangements of
Taboga proved most unattractive. Outside the sanitarium, it
seemed, there was not a stove on the island. Charcoal braziers set
upon the floors or in the dirt yards served all culinary purposes,
and the process of preparing meals was conducted with an
indifference that promised no savory results. About the glowing
points of light wrinkled hags appeared irregularly, as if brewing
some witch's broth, but they could not understand the phenomenon
of Americans being hungry and signified no readiness to relieve
them. In several instances Kirk and Mrs. Cortlandt were treated
with open suspicion. But eventually they found a more pretentious-
looking place, where they were taken in, and, after an
interminable wait, food was set before them--chicken, boiled with
rice and cocoanut, black beans and cocoanut, fresh, warm milk, and
a wondrous assortment of hothouse fruits.
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