He is right -- a great and a wonderful world -- and I am Kim -- Kim -- Kim -- alone -- one person -- in the middle of it all . But I will see these strangers with their levels and chains ... ' ` What was the upshot of last night 's babble ? ' said the lama , after his orisons . ` There came a strolling seller of drugs -- a hanger-on of the Sahiba 's . Him I abolished by arguments and prayers , proving that our charms are worthier than his coloured waters . ' ` Alas , my charms ! Is the virtuous woman still bent upon a new one ? ' ` Very strictly . ' ` Then it must be written , or she will deafen me with her clamour . ' He fumbled at his pencase . ` In the Plains , ' said Kim , ` are always too many people . In the Hills , as I understand , there are fewer . ' ` Oh ! the Hills , and the snows upon the Hills . ' The lami tore off a tiny square of paper fit to go in an amulet . ` But what dost thou know of the Hills ? ' ` They are very close . ' Kim thrust open the door and looked at the long , peaceful line of the Himalayas flushed in morning-gold . ` Except in the dress of a Sahib , I have never set foot among them . ' The lama snuffed the wind wistfully .
` If we go North , ' -- XXXXX put the question to the waking sunrise -- ` would not much mid-day heat be avoided by walking among the lower hills at least ?
Hills Kim Sahib clamour drugs hanger-on lama morning-gold night orisons