Each long , perfect day rose behind Kim for a barrier to cut him off from his race and his mother-tongue . He slipped back to thinking and dreaming in the vernacular , and mechanically followed the lama 's ceremonial observances at eating , drinking , and the like . The old man 's mind turned more and more to his monastery as his eyes turned to the steadfast snows . His River troubled him nothing . Now and again , indeed , he would gaze long and long at a tuft or a twig , expecting , he said , the earth to cleave and deliver its blessing ; but he was content to be with his disciple , at ease in the temperate wind that comes down from the Doon . This was not Ceylon , nor Buddh Gaya , nor Bombay , nor some grass-tangled ruins that he seemed to have stumbled upon two years ago . He spoke of those places as a scholar removed from vanity , as a Seeker walking in humility , as an old man , wise and temperate , illumining knowledge with brilliant insight . Bit by bit , disconnectedly , each tale called up by some wayside thing , he spoke of all his wanderings up and down Hind ; till Kim , who had loved him without reason , now loved him for fifty good reasons . So they enjoyed themselves in high felicity , abstaining , as the Rule demands , from evil words , covetous desires ; not over-eating , not lying on high beds , nor wearing rich clothes . Their stomachs told them the time , and the people brought them their food , as the saying is . They were lords of the villages of Aminabad , Sahaigunge , Akrola of the Ford , and little Phulesa , where Kim gave the soulless woman a blessing . But news travels fast in India , and too soon shuffled across the crop-land , bearing a basket of fruits with a box of Kabul grapes and gilt oranges , a white-whiskered servitor -- a lean , dry Oorya -- begging them to bring the honour of their presence to his mistress , distressed in her mind that the lama had neglected her so long . ` Now do I remember ' -- the lama spoke as though it were a wholly new proposition . ` She is virtuous , but an inordinate talker . ' Kim was sitting on the edge of a cow 's manger , telling stories to a village smith 's children . ` She will only ask for another son for her daughter . I have not forgotten her , ' he said . ` Let her acquire merit . Send word that we will come . ' They covered eleven miles through the fields in two days , and were overwhelmed with attentions at the end ; for the old lady held a fine tradition of hospitality , to which she forced her son-in-law , who was under the thumb of his women-folk and bought peace by borrowing of the money-lender .
Age had not weakened her tongue or her memory , and from a discreetly barred upper window , in the hearing of not less than a dozen servants , she paid XXXXX compliments that would have flung European audiences into unclean dismay .
Akrola Ceylon Ford Gaya Kabul Kim lama money-lender servitor twig