`` 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 of laughter , for that is an old joke among elephant-catchers , and it means just never . There are great cleared flat places hidden away in the forests that are called elephants ' ball-rooms , but even these are only found by accident , and no man has ever seen the elephants dance . When a driver boasts of his skill and bravery the other drivers say , `` And when didst thou see the elephants dance ? '' Kala Nag put Little Toomai down , and he bowed to the earth again and went away with his father , and gave the silver four-anna piece to his mother , who was nursing his baby brother , and they all were put up on Kala Nag 's back , and the line of grunting , squealing elephants rolled down the hill path to the plains . It was a very lively march on account of the new elephants , who gave trouble at every ford , and needed coaxing or beating every other minute . Big Toomai prodded Kala Nag spitefully , for he was very angry , but Little Toomai was too happy to speak . Petersen Sahib had noticed him , and given him money , so he felt as a private soldier would feel if he had been called out of the ranks and praised by his commander-in-chief . `` What did Petersen Sahib mean by the elephant dance ? ''
he said , XXXXX last , softly to his mother .
among as at by if in into than that with