Now in Kulu men are elephants . But I would ask thy Holy One -- stand aside , rogue -- a charm against most lamentable windy colics that in mango-time overtake my daughter 's eldest . Two years back he gave me a powerful spell . ' ` Oh , Holy One ! ' said Kim , bubbling with mirth at the lama 's rueful face . ` It is true . I gave her one against wind . ' ` Teeth -- teeth -- teeth , ' snapped the old woman . '' ` Cure them if they are sick , '' ' Kim quoted relishingly , '' ` but by no means work charms . Remember what befell the Mahratta . '' ' ` That was two Rains ago ; she wearied me with her continual importunity . ' The lama groaned as the Unjust Judge had groaned before him . ` Thus it comes -- take note , my chela -- that even those who would follow the Way are thrust aside by idle women . Three days through , when the child was sick , she talked to me . ' ` Arre ! and to whom else should I talk ? The boy 's mother knew nothing , and the father -- in the nights of the cold weather it was -- `` Pray to the Gods , '' said he , forsooth , and turning over , snored ! ' ' I gave her the charm . What is an old man to do ? ' '' ` To abstain from action is well -- except to acquire merit . '' '
` Ah XXXXX , if thou desertest me , I am all alone . '
Kim Kulu Mahratta chela colics days forsooth mango-time nights years