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 Kim many astounding things where an English guide would have talked of the Mutiny . ` Now we will go to the school , ' said Kim at last . The great old school of St Xavier 's in Partibus , block on block of low white buildings , stands in vast grounds over against the Gumti River , at some distance from the city . ` What like of folk are they within ? '
said XXXXX .
Bombay Imambara Kim Lahore Partibus Urdu box-seat centre hours pensioners