Bennett fidgeted with impatience , and suggested calling a sentry to evict the fakir . ` Do they give or sell learning among the Sahibs ? Ask them , ' said the lama , and Kim interpreted . ` They say that money is paid to the teacher -- but that money the Regiment will give ... What need ? It is only for a night . ' ` And -- the more money is paid the better learning is given ? ' The lama disregarded Kim 's plans for an early flight . ` It is no wrong to pay for learning . To help the ignorant to wisdom is always a merit . ' The rosary clicked furiously as an abacus . Then he faced his oppressors . ` Ask them for how much money do they give a wise and suitable teaching ? And in what city is that teaching given ? ' ` Well , ' said Father Victor in English , when Kim had translated , ` that depends . The Regiment would pay for you all the time you are at the Military Orphanage ; or you might go on the Punjab Masonic Orphanage 's list -LRB- not that he or you ` ud understand what that means -RRB- ; but the best schooling a boy can get in India is , of course , at St Xavier 's in Partibus at Lucknow . ' This took some time to interpret , for Bennett wished to cut it short . ` He wants to know how much ? ' said Kim placidly . ` Two or three hundred rupees a year . ' Father Victor was long past any sense of amazement .
XXXXX , impatient , did not understand .
Bennett English India Kim Orphanage Sahibs Xavier abacus lama year