Kim: Chapters 4–6

At least pay the boy, then: I have no pice with me, and he brought auspicious news.

These people kept their own side of the road, moving at a quick, furtive jog-trot, and all other castes gave them ample room; for the Sansi is deep pollution.

These people kept their own side of the road, moving at a quick, furtive jog-trot, and all other castes gave them ample room; for the Sansi is deep pollution.

It was beautiful to behold the many-yoked grain and cotton wagons crawling over the country roads: one could hear their axles, complaining a mile away, coming nearer, till with shouts and yells and bad words they climbed up the steep incline and plunged on to the hard main road, carter reviling carter.

Then the night fell, changing the touch of the air, drawing a low, even haze, like a gossamer veil of blue, across the face of the country, and bringing out, keen and distinct, the smell of wood-smoke and cattle and the good scent of wheaten cakes cooked on ashes.

Very often it suits a long-suffering family that a strong-tongued, iron-willed old lady should disport herself about India in this fashion; for certainly pilgrimage is grateful to the Gods.

Such men are staid and discreet, and when a European or a high-caste native is near will net their charge with most elaborate precautions; but in the ordinary haphazard chances of pilgrimage the precautions are not taken.

Eight men made its retinue, and two of the eight were armed with rusty sabres—sure signs that they followed a person of distinction, for the common folk do not bear arms.

A harsh, thin cackle behind the curtains put the hillman on his mettle for a second shot.

That these even sell the more comely of their womenfolk for gain.

A silver coin clicked on the edge of the cart. Kim took it and salaamed profoundly. The old lady recognized that, as the eyes and the ears of the lama, he was to be propitiated.

'Oh, villain and shameless rogue!' The jewelled forefinger shook itself at him reprovingly; but he could hear the old lady's chuckle.

Now and again he heard the singsong cadence of a Chinese quotation.

She asked me many questions and propounded many problems—the most of which were idle tales which she had heard from devil-serving priests who pretend to follow the Way.

'True. That is true.' Kim used the thoughtful, conciliatory tone of those who wish to draw confidences.

'Flies go to carrion,' said the Oorya, in an abstracted voice.

When once that imperious old lady had recovered from her natural awe of a lama he thought it probable that she would be worth listening to.

She was already ordering, haranguing, rebuking, and, it must be said, cursing her servants for delays.

From behind the shaking curtains came one volley of invective. It did not last long, but in kind and quality, in blistering, biting appropriateness, it was beyond anything that even Kim had heard.

Her men did not eye her directly when she addressed them, and thus the proprieties were more or less observed.

It was by no means lovely, but as the man gathered up his reins he called it a Moon of Paradise, a Disturber of Integrity, and a few other fantastic epithets which doubled her up with mirth.

She is beyond question a wise and a discerning woman.

A boy who can dodge over the roofs of Lahore city on a moonlight night, using every little patch and corner of darkness to discomfit his pursuer, is not likely to be checked by a line of well-trained soldiers.

Lastly—and firstly as the undercurrent of all his quick thoughts—this adventure, though he did not know the English word, was a stupendous lark—a delightful continuation of his old flights across the housetops, as well as the fulfilment of sublime prophecy.

Between himself and the Roman Catholic Chaplain of the Irish contingent lay, as Bennett believed, an unbridgeable gulf, but it was noticeable that whenever the Church of England dealt with a human problem she was very likely to call in the Church of Rome.

I knew it since my birth, but he could only find it out by rending the amulet from my neck and reading all the papers.

This last was a reminiscence of some talk with a Eurasian clerk in the Canal Department, but it only drew a smile, which nettled him.

'There is no need to play on his credulity,' Bennett interrupted.

'So then it is not seemly that he should do other than as the Sahibs do. He must go back to his own people.'

'No, ye don't!' Father Victor saw Kim edging towards the door, and interposed a strong leg.

The Chaplain moved on through the dust, and privates, sergeants, and subalterns called one another's attention to the boy.

This did not impress Kim as much as the knowledge that his raiment would tire him out if he tried to run.

Kim put his fettered soul into it, thankful for the late chance to abuse somebody in the tongue he knew best.

As soon as his voice could carry he cursed him volubly.

I've an amazin' epistle from your friend.

..."then Almighty God blessing your Honour's succeedings to third an' fourth generation and"—now listen!—"confide in your Honour's humble servant for adequate remuneration per hoondi per annum three hundred rupees a year to one expensive education St Xavier, Lucknow, and allow small time to forward same per hoondi sent to any part of India as your Honour shall address yourself..."

Like most people, I'm going to temporize.

'Well, till I get further news'—Father Victor's voice interrupted the reverie.

When he wished to sleep he was instructed how to fold up his clothes and set out his boots; the other boys deriding.

You'll be the one man that could help me in my quandaries.