Affonco Botelho
Not very many years ago the journey from Oporto to Regoa had to be made partly by stagecoach and partly by rail,as the country permitted.
The stagecoach,drawn by six powerful horses,stood at the point of departure from the offices of the Coaching Company in Oporto,awaiting the final arrivals.In the wild crowd around the coach,some passengers declared that they could not get the places they had booked and others could not find their luggage.The general disturbance was penetrated from time to time by the rough language of the porters.
A young man sat in one of the places near the door.He had taken his seat early,and his luggage was all in order.The other places were all filled with the exception of the one opposite him;and this one appeared to be reserved for some passenger who had not been able to arrive in time.The driver gathered up the reins,and the guard began to sound the signal for departure.
Suddenly a strange sight came round the comer-a fat man walking like a duck,breathing hard,and waving an enormous umbrella in the direction of the coach.After him came two porters with a load of luggage.
The guard used some strong language,the luggage was lifted up,and the fat passenger climbed into the empty place.With some difficulty he found room for his umbrella and a big raincloak.
The horses set off along the stony streets of Oporto in the direction of the road leading to the railway station of the Minho-Douro line.The fat passenger seemed annoyed about something,for he muttered impatientlyto himself,and could not sit still.At last he caught the eye of the young man opposite,Joao de Sousa.
"It is too bad,sir,"he exclaimed,"Just think:I could not get my cup of tea!"
Joao de Sousa did not answer,but looked questioningly at the fat man,who went on:
"You see,it has always been my custom to take a cup of tea after my lunch;just a cup of strong black tea.I was in such a hurry to catch the coach that I did not wait for tea just now.I cannot tell you how I miss it.You see,sir,when a man comes to my age,habits are everything,and it is really dreadful to have to break your habits.Now I know I shall be miserable throughout the journey because I could not have my cup of tea.You are young,sir,but take the advice of a man who is of regular habits.When you once form a steady habit,let nothing put you off it."