"No, not this time." I replied. "Papa says that since I've been in the winter, I haven't been able to see 'the big fish-big tackle business,' which is very exciting, especially when a big fish comes. But he finds it more fun to be on the bridge, 'flying bridge,' from where you can see the whole ocean and you can maneuver the boat and fish with light lines. Last November he caught a fart, which is a fish with stripes and a funny pointed head, weighing 82 lbs. A normal fart weighs in at about 32 lbs. One very big, 50. One huge, 65-70. One of 80 is unbelievable. That's what Papa said. I don't understand."
"Has he finished the new book?" Bemelmans asked Luigino.
"Not yet, but it is close." I replied. "He's been averaging a thousand words a day lately. 'A thousand miles,' he said. You know, Papa always jokes."
"Tell me, Adriana." Luigino smiled at me. "Who has just been to Havana: you or me?"
"You. I wish it had been me. I miss Cuba a lot. Remind me to show you one of the books that Bemelmans gave me, The best of times. And a book about his travels, illustrated by himself in a very funny way. He's really a good painter, Bemelmans. I saw his paintings in Paris. I liked them very much."
"Thank you." Bemelmans said. "And how's your art going?"
"Not bad. At Ecole Deco, they put me, charcoal in hand, in front of a naked woman. And to my surprise I drew it all right."
"And the covers?"
"They conduct themselves with honor. Arfelli's, The Unwanted, was featured in the "New York Herald Tribune Book Review;" one of the half dozen I did for Rowholt got a special mention and the one for Across the River was super. enlarged to be displayed in New York bookstores. Papa sent me a photograph of a shop window and is very happy with how the cover stands out.
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