I have heard that talk since my Sixth Day , ' he replied , squatting by the light . ` Whither does it lead ? ' ` To protection . Tonight we change thy colour . This sleeping under roofs has blanched thee like an almond . But Huneefa has the secret of a colour that catches . No painting of a day or two . Also , we fortify thee against the chances of the Road . That is my gift to thee , my son . Take out all metals on thee and lay them here . Make ready , Huneefa . ' Kim dragged forth his compass , Survey paint-box , and the new-filled medicine-box . They had all accompanied his travels , and boylike he valued them immensely . The woman rose slowly and moved with her hands a little spread before her . Then Kim saw that she was blind . ` No , no , ' she muttered , ` the Pathan speaks truth -- my colour does not go in a week or a month , and those whom I protect are under strong guard . ' ` When one is far off and alone , it would not be well to grow blotched and leprous of a sudden , ' said Mahbub . ` When thou wast with me I could oversee the matter . Besides , a Pathan is a fair-skin . Strip to the waist now and look how thou art whitened . '
XXXXX felt her way back from an inner room .
Huneefa Kim Mahbub Pathan Whither colour fair-skin medicine-box paint-box week