The Spanish Squadron monopolized one corner of the mess hall where it habitually talked Spanish with much gesticulation. It had recently been ordered to stand by to undertake a special and particularly difficult task; it thought it quite proper to be given the most difficult and dangerous work, but this opinion did not hinder its members from grumbling and complaining about the matter.
They were so much occupied with this job of grumbling that they scarcely noticed a newcomer who came into the mess. He asked a question of someone near the door, then drifted over in their direction. Captain Alvarez gave him a cold and haughty look, and went on talking. The newcomer went to sit down in the empty chair. Alvarez put out a large hand to restrain him.
“Your pardon, hijo,” he said, “here we are all Spaniards together; this corner is exclusive to us. And in addition, that seat is reserved for one whom we expect here presently.”
The newcomer did not make any objection to being called sonny. He said in an extremely casual sort of way: “Sorry, pal, I hadn’t the slightest intention of intruding. What’s the name of the man you’re keeping the chair for?”
Alvaez paused dramatically, gesticulating hand still in midair. He gave an imitation of a man interrupted in some serious business by an ill-mannered child. He looked the questioner up and down.
“Boy,” he said, “you are new here so I excuse you. When you have been with this group for some time, and if we think well of you, we may then invite you among us, but for the present you do not interest us.”
“This’ll surprise you,” the other told him calmly. “I’m the fellow you’re expecting. My name’s Jason—I’ve just got here. We’re to carry out an operation together.” He twitched the chair round and sat down on it, smiling round the group.
Alvarez recovered himself swiftly. “But, señor,” he exclaimed, “A thousand apologies. For this project we expected a seasoned fighter, some grandfather of forty with a hundred kills to his credit. I do you no insult when I say you are almost a child.”