` We go from these unblessed fields . ' ` Ah , ' said Kim , sucking in his breath . ` If the next crops fail , thou canst only blame thine own tongue . ' The man shuffled uneasily in his slippers . ` The land is full of beggars , ' he began , half apologetically . ` And by what sign didst thou know that we would beg from thee , O Mali ? ' said Kim tartly , using the name that a market-gardener least likes . ` All we sought was to look at that river beyond the field there . ' ` River , forsooth ! ' the man snorted . ` What city do ye hail from not to know a canal-cut ? It runs as straight as an arrow , and I pay for the water as though it were molten silver . There is a branch of a river beyond . But if ye need water I can give that -- and milk . ' ` Nay , we will go to the river , ' said the lama , striding out . ` Milk and a meal . ' the man stammered , as he looked at the strange tall figure . ` I -- I would not draw evil upon myself -- or my crops . But beggars are so many in these hard days . ' ` Take notice . '
The lama turned to XXXXX .
Kim Mali branch breath canal-cut days didst forsooth lama market-gardener