La bodega

HURRIEDLY, as when he used to be late to school, Fermin Montenegro entered the office of the house of Dupont, the leading wine-dealers of Jerez, known throughout Spain; "Duport Brothers," manufacturers of the renowned wine of Marchamalo and makers of the cognac whose merits were emblazoned upon the fourth page of the newspapers, on the multi-colored posters at the railroad stations, on the walls of old houses that had been invaded by advertisements and even upon the bottom of decanters in the cafes...