roared the child . ` What is it to fear ? Two old men and a boy ? How wilt thou ever make a soldier , Princeling ? ' The lama had waked too , but , taking no direct notice of the child , clicked his rosary . ` What is that ? ' said the child , stopping a yell midway . ' I have never seen such things . Give them me . ' ` Aha . ' said the lama , smiling , and trailing a loop of it on the grass : This is a handful of cardamoms , This is a lump of ghi : This is millet and chillies and rice , A supper for thee and me ! The child shrieked with joy , and snatched at the dark , glancing beads . ` Oho ! ' said the old soldier . ` Whence hadst thou that song , despiser of this world ? ' ' I learned it in Pathankot -- sitting on a doorstep , ' said the lama shyly . ` It is good to be kind to babes . ' ` As I remember , before the sleep came on us , thou hadst told me that marriage and bearing were darkeners of the true light , stumbling-blocks upon the Way . Do children drop from Heaven in thy country ? Is it the Way to sing them songs ? '
` No man is all perfect , ' said the XXXXX gravely , recoiling the rosary .
Aha Pathankot Princeling cardamoms chillies darkeners despiser lama rosary stumbling-blocks