CHAPTER III.
ITS HIGH CIVILIZATION AND PEOPLE.
On the advice of Folbrizzio and others I began to study the language, and went out but little. I had many tutors, and made what I considered to be satisfactory progress. The “Llilimalia” as the house was called, was slightly after the pattern of one of our first-class hotels. From the first I was impressed with the orderly and cultivated manners of the visitors, who were constantly coming and going, so that I was always well off for company.
On one occasion a more than ordinarily interesting man, named Banyaba, called at the “Llilimalia.” There was something impressive in his manner, and I had a long conversation with him. On learning my history, he suggested that we should go for a walk together to some picturesque places outside the city. I accompanied him, and on the way he offered to give me any information I desired about their people and institutions. This
25
