TOOTH-BRUSHING PERFORMANCE 299 



old position, so as not to be in anyone's way, and watch 

 Lindstrom. He's the man he produces hot cakes with 

 astonishing dexterity; it almost reminds one of a juggler 

 throwing up balls, so rapid and regular is the process. 

 The way he manipulates the cake-slice shows a fabulous 

 proficiency. With the skimmer in one hand he dumps 

 fresh dough into the pan, and with the cake-slice in the 

 other he removes those that are done, all at the same 

 time ; it seems almost more than human ! 



There comes Wisting, salutes, and holds out a little 

 tin mug. Flattered by the honour, the cook fills his 

 mug with boiling water, and he disappears into the 

 pent-house. But this interruption puts Lindstrom off 

 his jugglery with the hot cakes one of them rolls down 

 on to the floor. This fellow is extraordinarily phlegmatic; 

 I can't make out whether he missed that cake or not. 

 I believe the sigh that escaped him at the same instant 

 meant something like: " Well, we must leave some for 

 the dogs." 



And now they all come in single file with their little 

 mugs, and get each a drop of boiling water. I get up, 

 interested in this proceeding, and slip out with one of 

 them into the pent-house and so on to the Barrier. 

 You will hardly believe me, when I tell you what I 

 saw all the Polar explorers standing in a row, brushing 

 their teeth! What do you say to that? So they are 

 not such absolute pigs, after all. There was a scent of 

 Stomatol everywhere. 



