But news travels fast in India , and too soon shuffled across the crop-land , bearing a basket of fruits with a box of Kabul grapes and gilt oranges , a white-whiskered servitor -- a lean , dry Oorya -- begging them to bring the honour of their presence to his mistress , distressed in her mind that the lama had neglected her so long . ` Now do I remember ' -- the lama spoke as though it were a wholly new proposition . ` She is virtuous , but an inordinate talker . ' Kim was sitting on the edge of a cow 's manger , telling stories to a village smith 's children . ` She will only ask for another son for her daughter . I have not forgotten her , ' he said . ` Let her acquire merit . Send word that we will come . ' They covered eleven miles through the fields in two days , and were overwhelmed with attentions at the end ; for the old lady held a fine tradition of hospitality , to which she forced her son-in-law , who was under the thumb of his women-folk and bought peace by borrowing of the money-lender . Age had not weakened her tongue or her memory , and from a discreetly barred upper window , in the hearing of not less than a dozen servants , she paid Kim compliments that would have flung European audiences into unclean dismay . ` But thou art still the shameless beggar-brat of the parao , ' she shrilled . ' I have not forgotten thee . Wash ye and eat . The father of my daughter 's son is gone away awhile . So we poor women are dumb and useless . ' For proof , she harangued the entire household unsparingly till food and drink were brought ; and in the evening -- the smoke-scented evening , copper-dun and turquoise across the fields -- it pleased her to order her palanquin to be set down in the untidy forecourt by smoky torchlight ; and there , behind not too closely drawn curtains , she gossiped . ` Had the Holy One come alone , I should have received him otherwise ; but with this rogue , who can be too careful ? ' ` Maharanee , ' said Kim , choosing as always the amplest title , ` is it my fault that none other than a Sahib -- a polis-Sahib -- called the Maharanee whose face he -- ' ` Chutt ! That was on the pilgrimage . When we travel -- thou knowest the proverb . '
` Called the XXXXX a Breaker of Hearts and a Dispenser of Delights ? '
Holy Kim Maharanee Sahib beggar-brat days lama manger parao servitor