Page:Emeraldhoursinne00lowtiala.djvu/59

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ROTORUA
19

relations of the deceased are able to spend on food and drink for the feasting of the mourners.

They would jog along the road smoking and chatting very unconcernedly until they spied an acquaintance. Then the pipes would be waved in the air, and they would call out with a smile their word of greeting, “Tenakoa!”

I watched the desultory procession until midday, and then growing tired, thought that Mrs Greendays’s absence was an excellent occasion for me to try a mud bath, as she had decided not to have one. I wished to try all and sundry, though, just to see what they were like. So as I had the rest of the day to myself I went off to the Pavilion and had first a mud bath, followed by a Rachel, then went to the hotel for luncheon, wrote a few letters, returned to the Pavilion and had the “Aix Massage.” After that, when the ensuing siesta was over, I strolled leisurely back to the hotel and there awaited my friends, somewhat exhausted, but happy in the consciousness that several new experiences had been added to my store.

And to-morrow we say au revoir to Rotorua.