Here the old soldier bobbled up and asked if Kim would accept his hospitality for the night . The priest recommended him to do so , but insisted that the honour of entertaining the lama belonged to the temple -- at which the lama smiled guilelessly . Kim glanced from one face to the other , and drew his own conclusions . ` Where is the money ? ' he whispered , beckoning the old man off into the darkness . ` In my bosom . Where else ? ' ` Give it me . Quietly and swiftly give it me . ' ` But why ? Here is no ticket to buy . ' ` Am I thy chela , or am I not ? Do I not safeguard thy old feet about the ways ? Give me the money and at dawn I will return it . ' He slipped his hand above the lama 's girdle and brought away the purse . ` Be it so -- be it so . ' The old man nodded his head . ` This is a great and terrible world . I never knew there were so many men alive in it . ' Next morning the priest was in a very bad temper , but the lama was quite happy ; and Kim had enjoyed a most interesting evening with the old man , who brought out his cavalry sabre and , balancing it on his dry knees , told tales of the Mutiny and young captains thirty years in their graves , till Kim dropped off to sleep .
` Certainly the air of this country is good , ' said the XXXXX . '
Kim chela dawn evening feet lama morning night sabre years