“So I think now, and moreover, it did me no sort of good. But that was very long ago,” he made as to brush it all away with a thin brown hand—“and since then, and especially in the nights under the punkah at the _madrissah_, I have thought very greatly.” “Is it permitted to ask whither the Heaven-born’s thought might have led?” said Mahbub, with an elaborate sarcasm, smoothing his scarlet beard. “It is permitted,” said Kim, and threw back the very tone. “They say at Nucklao that no Sahib must tell a black man that he has made a fault.” Mahbub’s hand shot into his bosom, for to call a Pathan a “black man” (_kala admi_) is a blood-insult. Then he remembered and laughed. “Speak, Sahib. Thy black man hears.” “But,” said Kim, “I am _not_ a Sahib, and I say I made a fault to curse thee, Mahbub Ali, on that day at Umballa when I thought I was betrayed by a Pathan. I was senseless; for I was but newly caught, and I wished to kill that low-caste drummer-boy. I say now, Hajji, that it was well done; and I see my road all clear before me to a good service. I will stay in the _madrissah_ till I am ripe.” “Well said. Especially are distances and numbers and the manner of using compasses to be learned in that game. One waits in the Hills above to show thee.” “I will learn their teaching upon a condition—that my time is given to me without question when the _madrissah_ is shut. Ask that for me of the Colonel.” “But why not ask the Colonel in the Sahibs’ tongue?” “The Colonel is the servant of the Government. He is sent hither and yon at a word, and must consider his own advancement. (See how much I have already learned at Nucklao!) Moreover, the Colonel I know since three months only. I have known one Mahbub Ali for six years. So! To the _madrissah_ I will go. At the _madrissah_ I will learn. In the _madrissah_ I will be a Sahib. But when the _madrissah_ is shut, then must I be free and go among my people. Otherwise I die!” “And who are thy people, Friend of all the World?” “This great and beautiful land,” said Kim, waving his paw round the little clay-walled room where the oil-lamp in its niche burned heavily through the tobacco-smoke. “And, further, I would see my lama again. And, further, I need money.” “That is the need of everyone,” said Mahbub ruefully. “I will give thee eight annas, for much money is not picked out of horses’ hooves, and it must suffice for many days. As to all the rest, I am well pleased, and no further talk is needed. Make haste to learn, and in three years, or it may be less, thou wilt be an aid—even to me.” “Have I been such a hindrance till now?” said Kim, with a boy’s giggle. “Do not give answers,” Mahbub grunted. “Thou art my new horse-boy. Go and bed among my men. They are near the north end of the station, with the horses.” “They will beat me to the south end of the station if I come without authority.”