His head, supported by a long and flexible neck, issued from his large black robe, balancing itself with a motion very much like that of the tortoise thrusting his head out of his shell.
Sa tête, supportée par un cou long et mobile, sortait de sa large robe noire en se balançant avec un mouvement à peu près pareil à celui de la tortue tirant sa tête hors de sa carapace.