Kim was busy watching a grey squirrel . When the little scolding bunch of fur , close pressed to the branch , disappeared , preacher and audience were fast asleep , the old officer 's strong-cut head pillowed on his arm , the lama 's thrown back against the tree-bole , where it showed like yellow ivory . A naked child toddled up , stared , and , moved by some quick impulse of reverence , made a solemn little obeisance before the lama -- only the child was so short and fat that it toppled over sideways , and Kim laughed at the sprawling , chubby legs . The child , scared and indignant , yelled aloud . ` Hai ! Hai ! ' said the soldier , leaping to his feet . ` What is it ? What orders ? ... It is ... a child ! I dreamed it was an alarm . Little one -- little one -- do not cry . Have I slept ? That was discourteous indeed ! ' ' I fear ! I am afraid ! ' roared the child . ` What is it to fear ? Two old men and a boy ? How wilt thou ever make a soldier , Princeling ? '
The XXXXX had waked too , but , taking no direct notice of the child , clicked his rosary .
Hai Kim Princeling alarm boy lama men obeisance soldier tree-bole