The Bath
p. 61 · Read in the full issue
By “South Seas”
THE white folk were building a won fLerf^,, new sanatorium high up on the hill. It had all the most modern conveniences, such as the old hospital trulv h6 J? e ?i£ n ad ? 6V vf r known - Tt must South seas flneSt hoSpltal in all the this magnificent place was almost be( ? me tbe fashion for picnic parties of natives from the villages to hiu 6 fnr ° rry • on S^ nda ys and go up the hill for an inspection.
The walls of this new place were of green, shiny and delightful to warm wpr! th? n i ds; bllt t t e chief attractions were the gleaming white baths. i nd . e ed- were wonders of com and delight—especially after the old f md > which consisted merely of a raised tap behmd a shoulder-high barricade of piaited coconut-leaves. Then, when you bathed, it was almost a public perform ance. Passers-by in cars gazed at vou in open interest, and, if the bather was tall enough, he gazed back, or waved gaily if he recognised a friend.
A slim young thing, with a laughing copper-coloured face, suggested, giggling, that ? ne of them should try the bath and she pushed forward a stout matron’ teetering uneasily on high-heeled shoes.
Mama looked at the white bath, and her unhappy feet seemed to burn and pinch even more than before; perhaps the cool of the enamel might sooth them.
IT was a tight fit. The sides were cer tainly cold and smooth; but where would the water fit in It would be im possible to move sufficiently to wash “It is not much good!” said Mama. “Our old taps were better. You can see for yourselves there is no room to spare'”
Her friends pressed forward anxiously to test the truth of Mama’s word, and to admire her courage. Those in front were almost forced in on top of her by the pressure from behind, and the heat in the little room became unbearable.
Mama struggled to get up, but on that gleaming white surface her high-heeled shoes slithered and scraped and each slip sent needles of fire through her cramped toes.
“Aie-Aie!” screamed Mama wildly, “get me out of this!”
Willing hands came quickly to her aid; but there were too many helpers. Some pushed, some pulled, others tugged in still another direction. Each time that Mama got almost to her feet, the un nerved helpers let her go, while they clung to one another in helpless laughter.
At last even this fun began to pall.
“Take off her shoes!” called the slim ‘girl. Wonderful idea! Why hadn’t someone thought of it before? Now she could use her feet.
Well, she had given them some merri ment, fat, old Mama, and they helped her kindly out to the doorstep and fanned her with a palm leaf, while she drank the milk from a young nut in great de licious gulps.