within ear-shot went to work. India was awake, and Kim was in the
middle of it, more awake and more excited than anyone, chewing on a
twig that he would presently use as a toothbrush; for he borrowed
right- and left-handedly from all the customs of the country he
knew and loved. There was no need to worry about food - no need to
spend a cowrie at the crowded stalls. He was the disciple of a holy
man annexed by a strong-willed old lady. All things would be
prepared for them, and when they were respectfully invited so to do
they would sit and eat. For the rest - Kim giggled here as he
cleaned his teeth - his hostess would rather heighten the enjoyment
of the road. He inspected her bullocks critically, as they came up
grunting and blowing under the yokes. If they went too fast -it was
not likely - there would be a pleasant seat for himself along the
pole; the lama would sit beside the driver. The escort, of course,
would walk. The old lady, equally of course, would talk a great
deal, and by what he had heard that conversation would not lack
salt. She was already ordering, haranguing, rebuking, and, it must
be said, cursing her servants for delays.

'Get her her pipe. In the name of the Gods, get her her pipe and
stop her ill-omened mouth,' cried an Oorya, tying up his shapeless
bundles of bedding. 'She and the parrots are alike. They screech in
the dawn.'

'The lead-bullocks! Hai! Look to the lead-bullocks!' They were
backing and wheeling as a grain-cart's axle caught them by the
horns. "Son of an owl, where dost thou go?' This to the grinning
carter.

'Ai! Yai! Yai! That within there is the Queen of Delhi going to