` Nay . But for one little moment -- thou canst overtake the dooli in ten strides -- if thou wast a Sahib , shall I show thee what thou wouldst do ? ' ` How if I guess , though ? ' said Kim , and putting his arm round her waist , he kissed her on the cheek , adding in English : ` Thank you verree much , my dear . ' Kissing is practically unknown among Asiatics , which may have been the reason that she leaned back with wide-open eyes and a face of panic . ` Next time , ' Kim went on , ` you must not be so sure of your heatthen priests . Now I say good-bye . ' He held out his hand English-fashion . She took it mechanically . ` Good-bye , my dear . ' ` Good-bye , and -- and ' -- she was remembering her English words one by one -- ` you will come back again ? Good-bye , and -- thee God bless you . ' Half an hour later , as the creaking litter jolted up the hill path that leads south-easterly from Shamlegh , Kim saw a tiny figure at the hut door waving a white rag . ` She has acquired merit beyond all others , ' said the lama . ` For to set a man upon the way to Freedom is half as great as though she had herself found it . ' ` Umm , ' said Kim thoughtfully , considering the past . ` It may be that I have acquired merit also ... At least she did not treat me like a child . ' He hitched the front of his robe , where lay the slab of documents and maps , re-stowed the precious food-bag at the lama 's feet , laid his hand on the litter 's edge , and buckled down to the slow pace of the grunting husbands . ` These also acquire merit , ' said the lama after three miles . ` More than that , they shall be paid in silver , ' quoth Kim .
The Woman of XXXXX had given it to him ; and it was only fair , he argued , that her men should earn it back again .
Asiatics English English-fashion Kim Sahib Shamlegh dooli food-bag heatthen lama