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The lama was his trove, and he purposed to take possession. Kim's mother had been Irish, too. The old man halted by Zam-Zammah and looked round till his eye fell on Kim. The inspiration of his pilgrimage had left him for awhile, and he felt old, forlorn, and very empty. 'Do not sit under that gun, said the policeman loftily. 'Huh! Owl! was Kim's retort on the lama's behalf.
'We will begin tomorrow, and a blessing on thee for showing old feet such a near road. A deep, sing-song Chinese half-chant closed the sentence. Even the priest was impressed, and the headman feared an evil spell: but none could look at the lama's simple, eager face and doubt him long. 'Seest thou my chela? he said, diving into his snuff-gourd with an important sniff.
He spoke even of Lhassa and of the Dalai Lama, whom he had seen and adored. Each long, perfect day rose behind Kim for a barrier to cut him off from his race and his mother-tongue. He slipped back to thinking and dreaming in the vernacular, and mechanically followed the lama's ceremonial observances at eating, drinking, and the like.
'I have walked thee too far: I have not picked good food always for thee; I have not considered the heat; I have talked to people on the road and left thee alone ... I have I have ... Hai mai! But I love thee ... and it is all too late ... I was a child ... Oh, why was I not a man? ... Overborne by strain, fatigue, and the weight beyond his years, Kim broke down and sobbed at the lama's feet.
On our way from the temple of Bhood, which, by the by, had just been furbished up and whitewashed by a great man from H'Lassa, an emissary of the Grand Lama's, we passed through the town of Katmandu, which was entered by a massive gateway, the city being surrounded by a wall.
'And if you did know what his business was you would not be in such a beastly hurry to interfere. 'What is it then? said Father Victor, not without feeling, as he watched the lama's face. 'There is a River in this country which he wishes to find so verree much.
The lama covered his face afresh, and nervously rattled the rosary. Kim squatted beside him and laid hold upon a fold of his clothing. 'Now it is understood that the boy is a Sahib? he went on in a muffled tone. 'Such a Sahib as was he who kept the images in the Wonder House. The lama's experience of white men was limited. He seemed to be repeating a lesson.
This is the Wheel of Life, said the lama, 'the same I showed thee in the hut at Ziglaur when the rain fell. 'And to hear thee expound it. The lama's eyes lighted at the prospect of new listeners. 'To expound the Most Excellent Way is good. Have they any knowledge of Hindi, such as had the Keeper of Images? 'A little, maybe.
We were in a spacious court-yard, three sides of which had two tiers of galleries supported by columns. This was the Lhaprang, or Lama's house. Directly in front of me was the Lha Kang, or temple, the floor of which was raised some five feet above the level of the ground. A large door led into it.
He fumbled in his waist-belt and drew out a small silver coin. 'What is now? The lama's eyes turned to Kim. It was noticeable he spoke far clearer Urdu than long ago, under ZamZammah; but father would allow no private talk. 'It is no more than a fever, said Kim. 'The child is not well fed. 'He sickens at everything, and his mother is not here. 'If it be permitted, I may cure, Holy One.
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