you like, you
can accompany me and see what you think. It is to this estancia that I plan to
retire eventually, if the government can see its way clear to relieve me of all the
responsibilities it keeps piling on my shoulders. What do you say? Is it worth a
trip to the Pampas to see if that is where your future lies?”
“I would be honored to do anything in the General’s service! If that is
where you can use me, that is where I will serve.”
The smile on the boy’s face was the first one the general had observed
since that tragic Sunday.
“Good. And don’t worry, Maria and the others visit for the entire summer
season, so you won’t have to be lovesick for too long.”
Lonfranco could feel his face redden at the general’s last remark, but he
kept silent for fear of putting his foot in his mouth.
The general was an astute and observant man, and he obviously knew that
his daughter had stolen this young man’s heart. At least the infatuation that
Lonfranco felt was much easier to bear than the anxiety that filled that same
heart whenever he thought about his dearly departed family. He was ready for
this new adventure. Whatever the future had in store for him, he knew that
there was great opportunity to be had in the shadow of a man like General
Figueroa San Marco.
50
RENALDO
Four days later, the two men stood on the platform of Recoleta station, the
general in a dapper civilian outfit, with Lonfranco in a new blue blazer, cotton
trousers, crisp white shirt, and cravat.
General San Marco was fastidious about his appearance in public and
relished the occasions when protocol did not require him to be in uniform.
Lonfranco thought of him as a truly elegant and dashing man.
They would ride in the general’s private command coach, which had been
customized to his specifications. This innovative idea allowed the military to
use the general’s expertise in any theater of operations to which Argentina’s
rapidly growing rail network extended. The coach was equipped with the latest
in telegraphic and electronic devises, maps and cartographic tools, working
desks for aides, and a private office and bed chamber for the general.
It could only have been by coincidence that this day happened to be the
boy’s sixteenth birthday. He had told no one, for he did not feel it his place to
create a fuss over himself. The San Marco sisters were already calling him their
brother and were constantly gawking at his every move and mannerism. Señora
San Marco said that it was because they had never had a brother, and no other
male except their father had ever lived under the same roof.
Lonfranco was very fond of the sisters in return and would talk and
play with them at every opportunity. Despite this mutual fondness, he never
overstepped the boundaries of propriety, and made sure that he was discreetly
absent if private family matters became a topic of discussion.
So there would be no birthday party, but the young immigrant did not
care. It was the adventure that lay ahead of him that captivated his whole
being. That and the memory of sweet Maria’s good-bye kiss.
The travelers sat in San Marco’s office initially, aids serving beverages and
light snacks before a full luncheon was offered. The general, sitting behind
his desk in an overstuffed swivel chair, undid his tie and waistband. Then he
placed his spat-covered, black leather shoes upon the desk.
He began to describe the estancia in great detail, first the history of all the
buildings, and then the working mechanics of operating one hundred square
miles of land as a profitable business. Cattle, sheep, and crops were the staples
of economic stability, and he detailed each segment extensively. But it was the
thoroughbred horses that made his eyes light up when he talked. They were
obviously his pride and joy.
He spoke of the gauchos at great length, their robust spirit and free, open
lifestyle. It was not the same now as it
can accompany me and see what you think. It is to this estancia that I plan to
retire eventually, if the government can see its way clear to relieve me of all the
responsibilities it keeps piling on my shoulders. What do you say? Is it worth a
trip to the Pampas to see if that is where your future lies?”
“I would be honored to do anything in the General’s service! If that is
where you can use me, that is where I will serve.”
The smile on the boy’s face was the first one the general had observed
since that tragic Sunday.
“Good. And don’t worry, Maria and the others visit for the entire summer
season, so you won’t have to be lovesick for too long.”
Lonfranco could feel his face redden at the general’s last remark, but he
kept silent for fear of putting his foot in his mouth.
The general was an astute and observant man, and he obviously knew that
his daughter had stolen this young man’s heart. At least the infatuation that
Lonfranco felt was much easier to bear than the anxiety that filled that same
heart whenever he thought about his dearly departed family. He was ready for
this new adventure. Whatever the future had in store for him, he knew that
there was great opportunity to be had in the shadow of a man like General
Figueroa San Marco.
50
RENALDO
Four days later, the two men stood on the platform of Recoleta station, the
general in a dapper civilian outfit, with Lonfranco in a new blue blazer, cotton
trousers, crisp white shirt, and cravat.
General San Marco was fastidious about his appearance in public and
relished the occasions when protocol did not require him to be in uniform.
Lonfranco thought of him as a truly elegant and dashing man.
They would ride in the general’s private command coach, which had been
customized to his specifications. This innovative idea allowed the military to
use the general’s expertise in any theater of operations to which Argentina’s
rapidly growing rail network extended. The coach was equipped with the latest
in telegraphic and electronic devises, maps and cartographic tools, working
desks for aides, and a private office and bed chamber for the general.
It could only have been by coincidence that this day happened to be the
boy’s sixteenth birthday. He had told no one, for he did not feel it his place to
create a fuss over himself. The San Marco sisters were already calling him their
brother and were constantly gawking at his every move and mannerism. Señora
San Marco said that it was because they had never had a brother, and no other
male except their father had ever lived under the same roof.
Lonfranco was very fond of the sisters in return and would talk and
play with them at every opportunity. Despite this mutual fondness, he never
overstepped the boundaries of propriety, and made sure that he was discreetly
absent if private family matters became a topic of discussion.
So there would be no birthday party, but the young immigrant did not
care. It was the adventure that lay ahead of him that captivated his whole
being. That and the memory of sweet Maria’s good-bye kiss.
The travelers sat in San Marco’s office initially, aids serving beverages and
light snacks before a full luncheon was offered. The general, sitting behind
his desk in an overstuffed swivel chair, undid his tie and waistband. Then he
placed his spat-covered, black leather shoes upon the desk.
He began to describe the estancia in great detail, first the history of all the
buildings, and then the working mechanics of operating one hundred square
miles of land as a profitable business. Cattle, sheep, and crops were the staples
of economic stability, and he detailed each segment extensively. But it was the
thoroughbred horses that made his eyes light up when he talked. They were
obviously his pride and joy.
He spoke of the gauchos at great length, their robust spirit and free, open
lifestyle. It was not the same now as it
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