Kim eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 404 pages of information about Kim.

Kim eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 404 pages of information about Kim.

Kim nodded, with a bright eye.

’I spoke to the Bengali first — and to the people of a near-by village after.  The Sahibs will be given food as they need it — nor will the people ask money.  The plunder is already distributed.  The Babu makes lying speeches to the Sahibs.  Why does he not leave them?’

‘Out of the greatness of his heart.’

“Was never a Bengali yet had one bigger than a dried walnut.  But it is no matter ...  Now as to walnuts.  After service comes reward.  I have said the village is thine.’

‘It is my loss,’ Kim began.  ’Even now I had planned desirable things in my heart which’ — there is no need to go through the compliments proper to these occasions.  He sighed deeply ...  ’But my master, led by a vision -’

‘Huh!  What can old eyes see except a full begging-bowl?’

‘- turns from this village to the Plains again.’

‘Bid him stay.’

Kim shook his head.  ’I know my Holy One, and his rage if he be crossed,’ he replied impressively.  ‘His curses shake the Hills.’

’Pity they did not save him from a broken head!  I heard that thou wast the tiger-hearted one who smote the Sahib.  Let him dream a little longer.  Stay!’

‘Hillwoman,’ said Kim, with austerity that could not harden the outlines of his young oval face, ’these matters are too high for thee.’

’The Gods be good to us!  Since when have men and women been other than men and women?’

’A priest is a priest.  He says he will go upon this hour.  I am his chela, and I go with him.  We need food for the Road.  He is an honoured guest in all the villages, but’ — he broke into a pure boy’s grin — ‘the food here is good.  Give me some.’

‘What if I do not give it thee?  I am the woman of this village.’

’Then I curse thee — a little — not greatly, but enough to remember.’  He could not help smiling.

’Thou hast cursed me already by the down-dropped eyelash and the uplifted chin.  Curses?  What should I care for mere words?’ She clenched her hands upon her bosom ...  ’But I would not have thee to go in anger, thinking hardly of me — a gatherer of cow-dung and grass at Shamlegh, but still a woman of substance.’

‘I think nothing,’ said Kim, ’but that I am grieved to go, for I am very weary; and that we need food.  Here is the bag.’

The woman snatched it angrily.  ‘I was foolish,’ said she.  ’Who is thy woman in the Plains?  Fair or black?  I was fair once.  Laughest thou?  Once, long ago, if thou canst believe, a Sahib looked on me with favour.  Once, long ago, I wore European clothes at the Mission-house yonder.’  She pointed towards Kotgarh.  ’Once, long ago.  I was Ker-lis-ti-an and spoke English — as the Sahibs speak it.  Yes.  My Sahib said he would return and wed me — yes, wed me.  He went away — I had nursed him when he was sick — but he never returned.  Then I saw that the Gods of the Kerlistians

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Kim from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.