In some
absurd fashion this meal reminded him of that which a traveller makes
out of a luncheon basket upon a railway line in Europe or America.
Only there the cups are not of gold and among the Asiki were no paper
napkins, no salt and mustard, and no three and sixpence or dollar to
pay. Further, until he got used to it, luncheon in a linen mask with
a moveable mouth was not easy. This difficulty he overcame at last by
propping the imitation lips apart with a piece of bone, after which
things were easier.
When he had finished he threw the platter and the remains out of the
litter, retaining the cup for further examination, and recommenced his
intoned and poetical converse with Jeekie.
To set it out at length would be wearisome, but in the course of an hour
or so he collected a good deal of information. Thus he learned that they
were due to arrive at the Asiki city, which was called Bonsa Town, by
nightfall, or a little after. Also he was informed that the mask he wore
was, as he had guessed, a kind of undress uniform without which he must
never appear, since for anyone except the Asika herself to look upon the
naked countenance of an individual so mysteriously mixed up with Little
Bonsa, was sacrilege of the worst sort.
Pages:
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210