` Ah ! ' Kim 's voice was sweeter than ever , as he broke the dung-cake into fit pieces . ` In my country we call that the beginning of love-talk . ' A harsh , thin cackle behind the curtains put the hillman on his mettle for a second shot . ` Not so bad -- not so bad , ' said Kim with calm . ` But have a care , my brother , lest we -- we , I say -- be minded to give a curse or so in return . And our curses have the knack of biting home . ' The Ooryas laughed ; the hillman sprang forward threateningly . The lama suddenly raised his head , bringing his huge tam-o ' - shanter hat into the full light of Kim 's new-started fire . ` What is it ? ' said he . The man halted as though struck to stone . ` I -- I -- am saved from a great sin , ' he stammered . ` The foreigner has found him a priest at last , ' whispered one of the Ooryas . ` Hai ! Why is that beggar-brat not well beaten ? ' the old woman cried . The hillman drew back to the cart and whispered something to the curtain . There was dead silence , then a muttering . ` This goes well , ' thought Kim , pretending neither to see nor hear .
` When -- when -- he has eaten ' -- the hillman fawned on XXXXX -- ` it -- it is requested that the Holy One will do the honour to talk to one who would speak to him . '
Hai Kim Ooryas beggar-brat cackle fire lama love-talk second shanter