Their pay was cut for ignorance . There is no sin so great as ignorance . Remember this . ' Several times in the course of the long twenty-four hours ' run south did the Colonel send for Kim , always developing this latter text . ` We be all on one lead-rope , then , ' said Kim at last , ` the Colonel , Mahbub Ali , and I -- when I become a chain-man . He will use me as Mahbub Ali employed me , I think . That is good , if it allows me to return to the Road again . This clothing grows no easier by wear . ' When they came to the crowded Lucknow station there was no sign of the lama . He swallowed his disappointment , while the Colonel bundled him into a ticca-gharri with his neat belongings and despatched him alone to St Xavier 's . ' I do not say farewell , because we shall meet again , ' he cried . ` Again , and many times , if thou art one of good spirit . But thou art not yet tried . ' ` Not when I brought thee ' -- Kim actually dared to use the turn of equals -- ' a white stallion 's pedigree that night ? ' ` Much is gained by forgetting , little brother , ' said the Colonel , with a look that pierced through Kim 's shoulder-blades as he scuttled into the carriage . It took him nearly five minutes to recover . Then he sniffed the new air appreciatively . ' A rich city , ' he said . ` Richer than Lahore . How good the bazars must be !
Coachman , drive me a little through the XXXXX here . '
Ali Kim Xavier bazars chain-man hours lead-rope night shoulder-blades ticca-gharri