` But in a little while we go away . ' ` True , ' said the lama to all the Jains . ` We go now together upon the Search whereof I have often spoken . I waited till my chela was ripe . Behold him ! We go North . Never again shall I look upon this place of my rest , O people of good will . ' ` But I am not a beggar . ' The cultivator rose to his feet , clutching the child . ` Be still . Do not trouble the Holy One , ' a priest cried . ` Go , ' Kim whispered . ` Meet us again under the big railway bridge , and for the sake of all the Gods of our Punjab , bring food -- curry , pulse , cakes fried in fat , and sweetmeats . Specially sweetmeats . Be swift ! ' The pallor of hunger suited Kim very well as he stood , tall and slim , in his sand-coloured , sweeping robes , one hand on his rosary and the other in the attitude of benediction , faithfully copied from the lama . An English observer might have said that he looked rather like the young saint of a stained-glass window , whereas he was but a growing lad faint with emptiness . Long and formal were the farewells , thrice ended and thrice renewed . The Seeker -- he who had invited the lama to that haven from far-away Tibet , a silver-faced , hairless ascetic -- took no part in it , but meditated , as always , alone among the images . The others were very human ; pressing small comforts upon the old man -- a betel-box , a fine new iron pencase , a food-bag , and such-like -- warning him against the dangers of the world without , and prophesying a happy end to the Search .
Meantime XXXXX , lonelier than ever , squatted on the steps , and swore to himself in the language of St Xavier 's .
Jains Kim Punjab betel-box chela cultivator lama pencase rosary sweetmeats