` She has never forgotten a friend : she has never forgotten an enemy in all her years . And her cookery -- wah ! ' He rubbed his slim stomach . There were cakes , there were sweetmeats , there was cold fowl stewed to rags with rice and prunes -- enough to burden Kim like a mule . ' I am old and useless , ' she said . ` None now love me -- and none respect -- but there are few to compare with me when I call on the Gods and squat to my cooking-pots . Come again , O people of good will . Holy One and disciple , come again . The room is always prepared ; the welcome is always ready ... See the women do not follow thy chela too openly . I know the women of Kulu . Take heed , chela , lest he run away when he smells his Hills again ... Hai ! Do not tilt the rice-bag upside down ... Bless the household , Holy One , and forgive thy servant her stupidities . ' She wiped her red old eyes on a corner of her veil , and clucked throatily . ` Women talk , ' said the lama at last , ` but that is a woman 's infirmity . I gave her a charm . She is upon the Wheel and wholly given over to the shows of this life , but none the less , chela , she is virtuous , kindly , hospitable -- of a whole and zealous heart . Who shall say she does not acquire merit ? ' ` Not I , Holy One , ' said Kim , reslinging the bountiful provision on his shoulders . ` In my mind -- behind my eyes -- I have tried to picture such an one altogether freed from the Wheel -- desiring nothing , causing nothing -- a nun , as it were . ' ` And , O imp ? '
The XXXXX almost laughed aloud . '
Hills Kim Kulu chela cookery cooking-pots imp lama rice-bag years