"
"Mustn't, Major, mustn't. Priests tell me that. If those girls see you
without mask, perhaps they kill them. Wait till they gone after supper,
then take it off. No one allowed see you without mask except Asika
herself."
Alan stepped to one of the wooden bowls full of water which stood under
a lamp, and gazed at his own reflection. The mask was gilded; the sham
lips were painted red and round the eye-holes were black lines.
"Why, it is horrible," he exclaimed, starting back. "I look like a devil
crossed with Guy Fawkes. Do you mean to tell me that I have got to live
in this thing?"
"Afraid so, Major, upon all public occasion. At least they say that. You
holy, not lawful see your sacred face."
"Who do the Asiki think I am, then, Jeekie?"
"They think you your reverend uncle come back after many, many year.
You see, Major, they not believe uncle run away with Little Bonsa; they
believe Little Bonsa run away with uncle just for change of air and so
on, and that now, when she tired of strange land, she bring him back
again. That why you so holy, favourite of Little Bonsa who live with you
all this time and keep you just same age, bloom of youth.
Pages:
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218