When they came to the crowded Lucknow station there was no sign of the lama . He swallowed his disappointment , while the Colonel bundled him into a ticca-gharri with his neat belongings and despatched him alone to St Xavier 's . ' I do not say farewell , because we shall meet again , ' he cried . ` Again , and many times , if thou art one of good spirit . But thou art not yet tried . ' ` Not when I brought thee ' -- Kim actually dared to use the turn of equals -- ' a white stallion 's pedigree that night ? ' ` Much is gained by forgetting , little brother , ' said the Colonel , with a look that pierced through Kim 's shoulder-blades as he scuttled into the carriage . It took him nearly five minutes to recover . Then he sniffed the new air appreciatively . ' A rich city , ' he said . ` Richer than Lahore . How good the bazars must be ! Coachman , drive me a little through the bazars here . ' ` My order is to take thee to the school . ' The driver used the ` thou ' , which is rudeness when applied to a white man . In the clearest and most fluent vernacular Kim pointed out his error , climbed on to the box-seat , and , perfect understanding established , drove for a couple of hours up and down , estimating , comparing , and enjoying . There is no city -- except Bombay , the queen of all -- more beautiful in her garish style than Lucknow , whether you see her from the bridge over the river , or from the top of the Imambara looking down on the gilt umbrellas of the Chutter Munzil , and the trees in which the town is bedded . Kings have adorned her with fantastic buildings , endowed her with charities , crammed her with pensioners , and drenched her with blood . She is the centre of all idleness , intrigue , and luxury , and shares with Delhi the claim to talk the only pure Urdu . ' A fair city -- a beautiful city . '
The driver , as a Lucknow man , was pleased with the compliment , and told XXXXX many astounding things where an English guide would have talked of the Mutiny .
Bombay Coachman Delhi Kim Lahore Xavier centre hours lama shoulder-blades