"Me
make him three o'clock longa night-time."
It looked remarkably still and tranquil, but we hoped for the best, and
half an hour later were back at the waterbags, called thither to decide
whether certain little globules were sediment or air-bubbles. Being
sanguine, we decided in favour of bubbles, and in another half-hour were
called back again to the bags to see that the bubbles were bubbles
indeed, having dropped in at the kitchens on our way to give an opinion
on veal stuffing and bread sauce; and within another half-hour were
peering into the oven to inspect further triumphs of cooking.
Altogether the morning passed quickly and merrily, any time Cheon left us
being spent in making our personal appearance worthy of the feast.
Scissors and hand-glasses were borrowed, and hair cut, and chins shaved,
until we feared our Christmas guests would look like convicts. Then the
Dandy producing blacking brushes, boots that had never seen blacking
before, shone like ebony. After that a mighty washing of hands took
place, to remove the blacking stain; and then the Quarters settled down
to a general "titivation," Tam "cleaning his nails for Christmas," amid
great applause.
By eleven o'clock the Dandy was immaculate, the guests satisfied that
they "weren't too dusty," while the Maluka, in spotless white relieved
with a silk cummerbund and tie, bid fair to outdo the Dandy.
