Kim looked his astonishment ; but from the edge of the sheep-pasture floated a shrill , kite-like trill . A child tending cattle had picked it up from a brother or sister on the far side of the slope that commanded Chini valley . ` My husbands are also out there gathering wood . ' She drew a handful of walnuts from her bosom , split one neatly , and began to eat . Kim affected blank ignorance . ` Dost thou not know the meaning of the walnut -- priest ? ' she said coyly , and handed him the half-shells . ` Well thought of . ' He slipped the piece of paper between them quickly . ` Hast thou a little wax to close them on this letter ? ' The woman sighed aloud , and Kim relented . ` There is no payment till service has been rendered . Carry this to the Babu , and say it was sent by the Son of the Charm . ' ` Ai ! Truly ! Truly ! By a magician -- who is like a Sahib . ' ` Nay , a Son of the Charm : and ask if there be any answer . ' ` But if he offer a rudeness ? I -- I am afraid . '
XXXXX laughed .
Babu Charm Chini Kim Sahib answer half-shells husbands sheep-pasture woman