When they drew near to the presence-chamber, Cacambo asked one of the officers in what manner they were to pay their obeisance to His Majesty; whether it was the custom to fall upon their knees, or to prostrate themselves upon the ground; whether they were to put their hands upon their heads, or behind their backs; whether they were to lick the dust off the floor; in short, what was the ceremony usual on such occasions.
Mikor a trónterem felé közeledtek, Cacambo megkérdezte egy magasrangu udvarnoktól, hogy térdre kell-e borulni vagy hasra kell-e esni ő felsége előtt; kezöket a fejökre vagy az ülepükre kell-e tenni? fel kell-e nyalni a szoba porát, szóval: milyen a szokásos szertartás?