Miggi swung his satchel to the ground, where it landed with a thud. Bending, he flipped the flap and pulled out a small book. The cover had the reddish cast that finicky people call oxblood. The page edges were gilt. A title was stamped on its front in big, golden letters. <br /> <br />'Una Guida De Las Mariposas De Cuba' <br /> <br />'What's that'? , asked Langley. <br /> <br />'Just an old book I found', replied Miggi, mysteriously. 'Worth nothing.' <br /> <br />He held up the book so its title was visible. <br /> <br />'Since when did you become interested in bugs', asked Langley, drolly, eyelids lowered. <br /> <br />The question resonated in Spanish, because he used the derogatory term 'bichos' instead of 'bugs'. <br /> <br />'Recently', replied Miggi, staring. 'So it's better to study with a venerable guide'. <br /> <br />He made the point. Langley tried to keep his face blank, but couldn't. A bolt of laughter escaped him and his body shook with amusement. He suddenly felt the kind of affection for Miggi that the good-natured feel when people they favor tease them agreeably, to get their goat. But he soon sobered. <br /> <br />''Makes sense', he chirped. 'Let's have a look'. <br /> <br />Miggi obliged and handed over the book. <br /> <br />He opened the book and studied the front-piece. It had its first printing in Madrid, in 1909. No later printings were listed. Langley whistled: <br /> <br />'A first edition'! , he exclaimed, pushing back his hat. <br /> <br />'A what'? replied Miggi. <br /> <br />'A first edition', repeated Langley, more softly, realizing the term meant diddly to Miggi. <br /> <br />'What's that'? replied Miggi, feeling shame dawn for his oversight. <br /> <br />'It means it's valuable. Valioso'.<br /><br />Morgan Michaels<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/from-the-double/
