'Assuredly of good blood. That these even sell the more comely of
their womenfolk for gain. Down south they sell them - to zemindars
and such - all of Oudh.'

If there be one thing in the world that the small Hill Rajahs deny
it is just this charge; but it happens to be one thing that the
bazars believe, when they discuss the mysterious slave-traffics of
India. The old lady explained to Kim, in a tense, indignant
whisper, precisely what manner and fashion of malignant liar he
was. Had Kim hinted this when she was a girl, he would have been
pommelled to death that same evening by an elephant. This was
perfectly true.

'Ahai! I am only a beggar's brat, as the Eye of Beauty has said,'
he wailed in extravagant terror.

'Eye of Beauty, forsooth! Who am I that thou shouldst fling
beggar-endearments at me?' And yet she laughed at the long-
forgotten word. 'Forty years ago that might have been said, and not
without truth. Ay. thirty years ago. But it is the fault of this
gadding up and down Hind that a king's widow must jostle all the
scum of the land, and be made a mock by beggars.'

'Great Queen,' said Kim promptly, for he heard her shaking with
indignation, 'I am even what the Great Queen says I am; but none
the less is my master holy. He has not yet heard the Great Queen's
order that -'

'Order? I order a Holy One - a Teacher of the Law - to come and