48 Extracting Alkali (1/2)
After return from Mr. Taylor house, I'm continuing my plan to make soap. For making the soap it's simply composing amino acids from fats with some alkali that can be extracted from ashes. So, I make a preparation to extract alkali from ashes first because I already have the fats from Mr. Matius and Marius.
From an empty barrel, I make a hole in the bottom of the barrel, then fill gravel to cover that hole for about quarter of the barrel, and put some straws to cover that gravels until reach half of the barrel. So half of the barrel now consists of gravel and straw. After that, I put the ashes over the straw layer and pour some water over the ashes. The alkali extraction will be dripped from the hole in the bottom of the barrel, so I put an earthenware jar under the barrel to contain the extracted alkali later.
This preparation for the alkali extraction process takes my time until dusk and I do not realize that I haven't take bath at all. Geez, I'm forgetting to have a bath with Silvie. But she's here with me helping me making this extraction barrel without complaining at all. So, I say to her with apologetic looks
”Silvie, sorry I forget our appointment to go to ponds this afternoon”
”Um, it's okay. I like to see Ikki making something like this. We still can go there tomorrow after all. Besides, I'm curious with what Ikki made, what is this?”
”I make something to get ingredient to make soap”
”Soap? What is that?”
”Soap is something to clean up our body and clothes. With this soap, washing will be easier and faster and not too tiring”
”Really? Ikki, that's great and very helpful. I can't wait until Ikki make that soap”
”Haha, not that fast, maybe I will start to make soap tomorrow and the soap need some time before it can be used later”
”Um, Ikki always make something interesting and delicious food too”
”I just see you washing clothes this morning and find it's a tiring work, so I try to make it easier for you Silvie”
”You make that for me, Ikki? Aww thank you, Ikki is so sweet”