I do not want it . ' ` It 's the very best day 's work you ever did for yourself , young man , ' said Bennett . ` Good heavens , I do n't know how to console him , ' said Father Victor , watching the lama intently . ` He ca n't take the boy away with him , and yet he 's a good man -- I 'm sure he 's a good man . Bennett , if you give him that rupee he 'll curse you root and branch ! ' They listened to each other 's breathing -- three -- five full minutes . Then the lama raised his head , and looked forth across them into space and emptiness . ` And I am a Follower of the Way , ' he said bitterly . ` The sin is mine and the punishment is mine . I made believe to myself for now I see it was but make-belief -- that thou wast sent to me to aid in the Search . So my heart went out to thee for thy charity and thy courtesy and the wisdom of thy little years . But those who follow the Way must permit not the fire of any desire or attachment , for that is all Illusion . As says ... ' He quoted an old , old Chinese text , backed it with another , and reinforced these with a third . ' I stepped aside from the Way , my chela . It was no fault of thine . I delighted in the sight of life , the new people upon the roads , and in thy joy at seeing these things . I was pleased with thee who should have considered my Search and my Search alone . Now I am sorrowful because thou art taken away and my River is far from me . It is the Law which I have broken ! ' ` Powers of Darkness below ! '
said Father XXXXX , who , wise in the confessional , heard the pain in every sentence . '
Bennett Chinese Law Victor chela day make-belief minutes third years