The lama , very straight and erect , the deep folds of his yellow clothing slashed with black in the light of the parao fires precisely as a knotted tree-trunk is slashed with the shadows of the low sun , addressed a tinsel and lacquered ruth which burned like a many-coloured jewel in the same uncertain light . The patterns on the gold-worked curtains ran up and down , melting and reforming as the folds shook and quivered to the night wind ; and when the talk grew more earnest the jewelled forefinger snapped out little sparks of light between the embroideries . Behind the cart was a wall of uncertain darkness speckled with little flames and alive with half-caught forms and faces and shadows . The voices of early evening had settled down to one soothing hum whose deepest note was the steady chumping of the bullocks above their chopped straw , and whose highest was the tinkle of a Bengali dancing-girl 's sitar . Most men had eaten and pulled deep at their gurgling , grunting hookahs , which in full blast sound like bull-frogs . At last the lama returned . A hillman walked behind him with a wadded cotton-quilt and spread it carefully by the fire . ` She deserves ten thousand grandchildren , ' thought Kim . ` None the less , but for me , those gifts would not have come . ' ' A virtuous woman -- and a wise one . ' The lama slackened off , joint by joint , like a slow camel . ` The world is full of charity to those who follow the Way . ' He flung a fair half of the quilt over Kim . ` And what said she ? ' Kim rolled up in his share of it . ` She asked me many questions and propounded many problems -- the most of which were idle tales which she had heard from devil-serving priests who pretend to follow the Way . Some I answered , and some I said were foolish . Many wear the Robe , but few keep the Way . ' ` True . That is true . '
XXXXX used the thoughtful , conciliatory tone of those who wish to draw confidences .
Kim bull-frogs bullocks chumping evening fire lama parao sitar tinkle