In ragged half-torn shorts, the boy looked hardly eight. He must have been quite fair but layers of dirt and grime had turned his skin almost dark brown. --- How many square meals a day? None. A slice of bread bought with begged money, some leftover rice from hospital attendants was all that he lived on. The well of human kindness in Zayed swelled up. What a pity! A little boy unloved, underfed, left on the streets to fend for himself. 'Layers of dirt and grime' means.