said Petersen Sahib , smiling underneath his mustache , `` and why didst thou teach thy elephant that trick ? Was it to help thee steal green corn from the roofs of the houses when the ears are put out to dry ? '' `` Not green corn , Protector of the Poor , -- melons , '' said Little Toomai , and all the men sitting about broke into a roar of laughter . Most of them had taught their elephants that trick when they were boys . Little Toomai was hanging eight feet up in the air , and he wished very much that he were eight feet underground . `` He is Toomai , my son , Sahib , '' said Big Toomai , scowling . `` He is a very bad boy , and he will end in a jail , Sahib . '' `` Of that I have my doubts , '' said Petersen Sahib . `` A boy who can face a full Keddah at his age does not end in jails . See , little one , here are four annas to spend in sweetmeats because thou hast a little head under that great thatch of hair . In time thou mayest become a hunter too . '' Big Toomai scowled more than ever . `` Remember , though , that Keddahs are not good for children to play in , '' Petersen Sahib went on . `` Must I never go there , Sahib ? '' asked Little Toomai with a big gasp . `` Yes . '' Petersen Sahib smiled again . `` When thou hast seen the elephants dance . That is the proper time . Come to me when thou hast seen the elephants dance , and then I will let thee go into all the Keddahs . ''
There was another roar XXXXX laughter , for that is an old joke among elephant-catchers , and it means just never .
In at from into of than that to underneath with