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a new tine could be put in for $10.00. Yet I did not close the deal. We took her card & our notes and were escorted to the gift shop on the floor below. Full of unconscionable junk of every variety. On the stairway back to the street floor I asked Tom: "Would you like to know why I didn't buy that today? It didn't reach up from the table and grab me. I don't see any sense in buying any gem that is O.K., more-or-less, at any price that doesn't give me a genuine thrill." He agreed, and we took the ride back to the Copa Palace hoping to get to Amsterdam's while Dona Simone was still in the shop (Monday morning). H. Stern had shown me that cats' eyes of quality are not easy to come by. I want mine to be set while I'm still in Rio, and I don't want to explore through many more shops -- any more, to be exact.

Dona Simone was there (morning extends to 4 P.M.). She had a hard time finding our two gem papers on reserve, but they were there. I love the big green cat's eye. In diffuse light it looks simply like silky tourmaline of no distinction but in a beam of light it gives a beautiful eye line, and in 3 beams it gives 3 lines. Its green instead of blue, but thats it -- I took it & then chose a mounting. We had extreme confusion about how to pay. Amex, check, or whatever, and Tom had to go the the private toilet to get a deposit out of his money belt. But we
 
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proceeded, and then I bought the matched pair of cat's eye rubellites to be mounted in gold studs. All to be collected at 2:30 Thursday.

We walked out feeling great and proceeded to the bar at the Ouro Verde for sandwiches and orange juice. An hour later it was time to visit Dan and America again. Today we wore our Pantanal T-shirts (green) for Dan. Had nearly 2 hours recalling all the people in Angola and other adventures. America is in a total frazzle, taking care of Dan and her mother. We left in time for Tom's 6:00 o'clock appointment with Margaret of Walfax agency to settle our accounts. The appointments & reservations not kept and those still owed to us. Tom came back from that with half a million cruzeiros in his pocket. 

Then we showered and dressed up (my turquoise and chartreuse Marimekko) & had a splendid dinner downstairs. Carpinhas, lobster Bahiana for me, broiled namorado for Tom, cakes, cafe - wine. This is a truly lovely hotel with a great reputation. [[underlined]] Every [[/underlined]] clerk who hears "Ouro Verde" reacts with great respect. Julia Lee said they are famous for service and when we come back they will know what wine we want. Simone said they have a woman who manages the housekeeping with the highest standards. A fine, happy day. Tom kept expressing delight all through dinner.