Then, fresh water having been poured
into the basin, a dark purple liquid was added, and Soames' head dipped
therein by the operating Eastern. This time no rubbing followed, but
after some minutes of vigorous fanning, he was thrust back into
the chair, and a dry towel tucked firmly into his collar-band. He
anticipated that he was about to be shaved, and in this was not
disappointed.
Said, filling a shaving-mug from the hot-water tap, lathered Soames'
chin and the abbreviated whiskers upon which he had prided himself. Then
the razor was skilfully handled, and Soames' face shaved until his chin
was as smooth as satin.
Next, a dark brown solution was rubbed over the skin, and even upon
his forehead and right into the roots of the hair; upon his throat, his
ears, and the back of his neck. He was now past the putting of questions
or the raising of protest; he was as clay in the hands of the silent
Oriental. Having fanned his wet face again for some time, Said, breaking
the long silence, muttered:
"Ikfil'iyyun!"
Soames stared. Said indicated, by pantomime, that he desired him to
close his eyes, and Soames obeyed mechanically. Thereupon the Oriental
busied himself with the ex-butler's not very abundant lashes for five
minutes or more.
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