I come , Holy One ! ' He dashed to the fire , where he found the lama already surrounded by dishes of food , the hillmen visibly adoring him and the Southerners looking sourly . ` Go back ! Withdraw ! ' Kim cried . ` Do we eat publicly like dogs ? ' They finished the meal in silence , each turned a little from the other , and Kim topped it with a native-made cigarette . ` Have I not said an hundred times that the South is a good land ? Here is a virtuous and high-born widow of a Hill Rajah on pilgrimage , she says , to Buddha Gay . She it is sends us those dishes ; and when thou art well rested she would speak to thee . ' ` Is this also thy work ? ' The lama dipped deep into his snuff-gourd . ` Who else watched over thee since our wonderful journey began ? ' Kim 's eyes danced in his head as he blew the rank smoke through his nostrils and stretched him on the dusty ground . ` Have I failed to oversee thy comforts , Holy One ? ' ' A blessing on thee . ' The lama inclined his solemn head . ' I have known many men in my so long life , and disciples not a few . But to none among men , if so be thou art woman-born , has my heart gone out as it has to thee -- thoughtful , wise , and courteous ; but something of a small imp . ' ` And I have never seen such a priest as thou . '
XXXXX considered the benevolent yellow face wrinkle by wrinkle .
Gay Kim Rajah Southerners fire hillmen imp lama snuff-gourd woman-born