midday
`` Your customs are different to ours , '' she told him . `` An American woman is not permitted to accept valuable presents , and this would cause disagreeable comment . '' At such a thought the general 's finest sensibilities were wounded , but nothing , it seemed , could permanently dampen his ardor , and he soon proceeded to press his attentions with even more vehemence than before . He had brought Alaire candies of American manufacture , Mexican sweetmeats of the finest variety , a beautiful silken shawl , and at midday the grizzled teniente came with a basket of lunch containing dainties and fruits and vacuum bottles with hot and cold drinks . When invited to share the contents , the general was plainly overjoyed , but he was so enthralled by his companion 's beauty that he could eat but little . It was a most embarrassing situation . Longorio kept Alaire for ever upon the defensive , and it sorely taxed her ingenuity to hold the conversation in safe channels .