` Pity my stupidity . I thought it was given as an order -- ' ` It was not . It was a petition . Does this make all clear ? ' A silver coin clicked on the edge of the cart . Kim took it and salaamed profoundly . The old lady recognized that , as the eyes and the ears of the lama , he was to be propitiated . ' I am but the Holy One 's disciple . When he has eaten perhaps he will come . ' ` Oh , villain and shameless rogue ! ' The jewelled forefinger shook itself at him reprovingly ; but he could hear the old lady 's chuckle . ` Nay , what is it ? ' he said , dropping into his most caressing and confidential tone -- the one , he well knew , that few could resist . ` Is -- is there any need of a son in thy family ? Speak freely , for we priests -- ' That last was a direct plagiarism from a fakir by the Taksali Gate . ` We priests ! Thou art not yet old enough to -- ' She checked the joke with another laugh . ` Believe me , now and again , we women , O priest , think of other matters than sons . Moreover , my daughter has borne her man-child . ' ` Two arrows in the quiver are better than one ; and three are better still . '
XXXXX quoted the proverb with a meditative cough , looking discreetly earthward .
Kim Nay Taksali fakir family lama laugh man-child quiver villain