They're so devilish clever.' I did not know then, nor do I know to-day, that I had ever been defrauded seriously, or deceived, by any native of the country, but the legend ran, and doubtless runs, to that effect.
Then I was called into the Consul's presence and strongly blamed by him for running off just at the moment when my presence was most needed.

I had written joyously to tell him of my purchase.

I now heard that I should have waited for his reply before concluding it.

A man does not buy tracts of land like that, I was severely told.

And as I was so very young and (he implied it) idiotic, he had intervened to stop the sale, pending inquiries and the discharge of certain formalities which were legally required.