Crossed Trails in MexicoMexican Mystery Stories #3
remembering that Peggy's exaggerated acting might have been misunderstood by Miss Prudence, Florence hastily checked her mirth and remarked, "Peggy doesn't mean anything by her raving. She's perfectly harmless."

On nearing the outskirts of the city Miss Prudence suggested to Florence that, as she was familiar with the hotels, she choose the best one and drive directly to it. "When I say choose the best one, I mean the most modern one," she explained.

"There's a beautiful new one just built recently that I know you'll like," Florence replied, then added, "I'd better drive the rest of the way, as I'm familiar with the city and the narrow one-way streets."Jo Ann stopped the car saying, "I'm glad to turn the wheel over to you. I'd get all mixed up on the one-way streets and go in the wrong direction every time, since all the signs are in Spanish."

With eyes eager and shining, the four young people viewed the streets, the shops and houses, and the crowds in the downtown section. 

When Florence stopped the car in front of the city's most modern hotel, Miss Prudence went with Florence and Peggy to see about rooms while Jo Ann stayed in the car with Carlitos. 

A smiling little black-eyed Mexican newsboy ran up to the car to try to sell them a paper, and Carlitos promptly bought one; not that he wanted to read it, but because he wanted to talk to a real Mexican boy once more. He was still chatting with him in a lively flow of Spanish when Miss Prudence came back. At first she frowned in disapproval, then began to smile. "I might as well be resigned to having a little Mexican for a nephew," she remarked to Jo Ann. "Carlitos loves Mexican people and their language."

"I do, too," Jo Ann replied. "Spanish is such a beautiful language, and the people here--why, there aren't any friendlier, more smiling people anywhere in the world."

As soon as they had gone up to their cheerful, airy hotel rooms, bathed and dressed, it was time for supper. At Florence's suggestion they went to an old restaurant with a more distinctive Mexican atmosphere and cookery than the hotel had. The girls, as well as Carlitos, thoroughly enjoyed ordering from a menu card written in both Spanish and English. 

Miss Prudence smiled whimsically as she glanced at the card and remarked to Florence and Carlitos, "You two may order your food in Spanish, but not I." Her smile suddenly disappeared on noticing the high prices: 
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