Kim repeated the test-sentence.

’That is all right.  Then I will show you my turquoise if there is time, and then you know who I am, and then we exchange views and documents and those-all things.  And so it is with any other man of us.  We talk sometimes about turquoises and sometimes about tarkeean, but always with that little stop in the words.  It is verree easy.  First, “Son of the Charm”, if you are in a tight place.  Perhaps that may help you — perhaps not.  Then what I have told you about the tarkeean, if you want to transact offeecial business with a strange man.  Of course, at present, you have no offeecial business.  You are - ah ha! — supernumerary on probation.  Quite unique specimen.  If you were Asiatic of birth you might be employed right off; but this half-year of leave is to make you de~Englishized, you see?  The lama he expects you, because I have demi-offeecially informed him you have passed all your examinations, and will soon obtain Government appointment.  Oh ho!  You are on acting-allowance, you see:  so if you are called upon to help Sons of the Charm mind you jolly-well try.  Now I shall say good-bye, my dear fellow, and I hope you — ah — will come out top-side all raight.’

Hurree Babu stepped back a pace or two into the crowd at the entrance of Lucknow station and —­ was gone.  Kim drew a deep breath and hugged himself all over.  The nickel-plated revolver he could feel in the bosom of his sad-coloured robe, the amulet was on his neck; begging-gourd, rosary, and ghost-dagger (Mr Lurgan had forgotten nothing) were all to hand, with medicine, paint-box, and compass, and in a worn old purse-belt embroidered with porcupine-quill patterns lay a month’s pay.  Kings could be no richer.  He bought sweetmeats in a leaf-cup from a Hindu trader, and ate them with glad rapture till a policeman ordered him off the steps.

Chapter ll

Give the man who is not made
To his trade
Swords to fling and catch again,
Coins to ring and snatch again,
Men to harm and cure again,
Snakes to charm and lure again —
He’ll be hurt by his own blade,
By his serpents disobeyed,
By his clumsiness bewrayed,’
By the people mocked to scorn —
So ’tis not with juggler born! 
Pinch of dust or withered flower,
Chance-flung fruit or borrowed staff,
Serve his need and shore his power,
Bind the spell, or loose the laugh! 
But a man who, etc.

The Juggler’s Song, op. 15

Followed a sudden natural reaction.

‘Now am I alone — all alone,’ he thought.  ’In all India is no one so alone as I!  If I die today, who shall bring the news -and to whom?  If I live and God is good, there will be a price upon my head, for I am a Son of the Charm — I, Kim.’

A very few white people, but many Asiatics, can throw themselves into a mazement as it were by repeating their own names over and over again to themselves, letting the mind go free upon speculation as to what is called personal identity.  When one grows older, the power, usually, departs, but while it lasts it may descend upon a man at any moment.