B977 <=> B979 (BTG XLII Beelzebub in America, p. 978)

“The second custom I mentioned, namely, abdest, which by the way is called differently by the beings of different groups on the continent Asia, is nothing else than the obligatory ablution of the sex organs after every visit to what is called the ‘toilet.’

“Thanks chiefly to this second custom, most of your favorites breeding on the continent of Asia are safeguarded against many venereal diseases and other sexual abnormalities there.”

Having said this, Beelzebub became thoughtful, and after a long pause said:

“The present theme of our conversation has reminded me of a certain very interesting conversation, which I had there during my sojourn in France, with a young sympathetic three-brained being. I think that perhaps it would now be best for your understanding of all that has just been said, if I repeat to you that conversation in full, all the more so as, besides explaining the meaning of the custom abdest or ablution, this conversation will enlighten you on many further questions concerning the peculiar psyche of these favorites of yours.

“This same being, my conversation with whom I recall and now intend to repeat to you, was just that young Persian who, you remember, as I have already told you, was at the request of our mutual acquaintances my ‘guide’ in the city of Paris, where I happened to be, as I have already told you, just before my departure to this same continent America.

“One day I was waiting for this young Persian in a cafe in the city of Paris – as always the same Grand Cafe.

“When he arrived I noticed by his eyes that this time he was, as they say there, more ‘drunk’ than usual.