He has friends . He goes where he chooses . He is a chabuk sawai -LSB- a sharp chap -RSB- . It needs only to change his clothing , and in a twinkling he would be a low-caste Hindu boy . ' ` The deuce he would ! ' The Englishman looked critically at the boy as Mahbub headed towards the barracks . Kim ground his teeth . Mahbub was mocking him , as faithless Afghans will ; for he went on : ` They will send him to a school and put heavy boots on his feet and swaddle him in these clothes . Then he will forget all he knows . Now , which of the barracks is thine ? ' Kim pointed -- he could not speak -- to Father Victor 's wing , all staring white near by . ` Perhaps he will make a good soldier , ' said Mahbub reflectively . ` He will make a good orderly at least . I sent him to deliver a message once from Lahore . A message concerning the pedigree of a white stallion . ' Here was deadly insult on deadlier injury -- and the Sahib to whom he had so craftily given that war-waking letter heard it all . Kim beheld Mahbub Ali frying in flame for his treachery , but for himself he saw one long grey vista of barracks , schools , and barracks again . He gazed imploringly at the clear-cut face in which there was no glimmer of recognition ; but even at this extremity it never occurred to him to throw himself on the white man 's mercy or to denounce the Afghan . And Mahbub stared deliberately at the Englishman , who stared as deliberately at Kim , quivering and tongue-tied . ` My horse is well trained , ' said the dealer .
` Others would have kicked , XXXXX . '
Afghan Afghans Ali Englishman Lahore Mahbub Sahib deuce sawai treachery