Page:Calcutta, Past and Present.djvu/183

 no other hand than his might touch. Very skilfully did the hookabardar prepare the rich, soft, brown mass of tobacco, in which were cunningly mingled fragrant spices, luscious treacle—rich, and pure from the cane presses,—and cool rose-water. When the master dined abroad, his hookabardar accompanied him with the precious hooka, the khansamah came to wait on him at table, and the bearer, carrying a cool, white jacket, to replace the regulation broadcloth in which the guest must present himself to his host. Dinner over, and the wine on the table, the hookabardars would file in, each to lay beside his master's chair a small square of carpet, on which the hookah stood in all its bravery of chased silver stand and cover, with graceful drooping silver chains, and long bright silken snake which carried forward to the smoker's hand the handsome silver mouth-piece delicately scented with rose-water. Then would rise the fragrant smoke from the glowing discs of prepared charcoal, the soft gurgling of the water filled the pauses in the conversation, and Nicotine in fairest form held soothing sway.