Page:Kim - Rudyard Kipling (1912).djvu/109

Rh 'And what said she?' Kim rolled up in his share of it.

'She asked me many questions and propounded many problems—the most of which were idle tales which she had heard from devil-serving priests who pretend to follow the Way. Some I answered, and some I said were foolish. Many wear the robe, but few keep the Way.'

'True. That is true.' Kim used the thoughtful, conciliatory tone of those who wish to draw confidences.

'But by her lights she is most right-minded. She desires greatly that we should go with her to Buddh-Gaya; her road being ours, as I understand, for many days' journey to the southward.'

'And?'

'Patience a little. To this I said that my search came before all things. She had heard many foolish legends, but this great truth of my river she had never heard. Such are the priests of the lower hills! She did not know of my river—not even the tale of the Shooting of the Arrow.'

'And?'

'I spoke therefore of the Search, and of the Way, and of matters that were profitable, she desiring only that I should accompany her and make prayer for a second son.' 'Aha! "We women" do not think of anything save children,' said Kim sleepily.

'Now, seeing that our roads run together for a while, I do not see that we in any way depart from our search if so be we go with her—at least as far—as I have forgotten the name of the city.'

'Ohé!' said Kim, turning and speaking in a sharp whisper to one of the Ooryas a few yards away. 'Where is your master's house?'