We know His generosity , but these down-country Gods are strangers . ' The child turned on the cushion of the huge corded arms and looked at Kim through heavy eyelids . ` And was it all worthless ? ' Kim asked , with easy interest . ` All worthless -- all worthless , ' said the child , lips cracking with fever . ` The Gods have given him a good mind , at least ' said the father proudly . ` To think he should have listened so cleverly . Yonder is thy Temple . Now I am a poor man -- many priests have dealt with me -- but my son is my son , and if a gift to thy master can cure him -- I am at my very wits ' end . ' Kim considered for a while , tingling with pride . Three years ago he would have made prompt profit on the situation and gone his way without a thought ; but now , the very respect the Jat paid him proved that he was a man . Moreover , he had tasted fever once or twice already , and knew enough to recognize starvation when he saw it . ` Call him forth and I will give him a bond on my best yoke , so that the child is cured . ' Kim halted at the carved outer door of the temple . A white-clad Oswal banker from Ajmir , his sins of usury new wiped out , asked him what he did . ' I am chela to Teshoo Lama , an Holy One from Bhotiyal -- within there . He bade me come . I wait . Tell him . ' ` Do not forget the child , ' cried the importunate Jat over his shoulder , and then bellowed in Punjabi ; ' O Holy One -- O disciple of the Holy One -- O Gods above all the Worlds -- behold affliction sitting at the gate ! '
That cry is so common in Benares that the passers never XXXXX their heads .
Call carved come considered cured forget paid proved saw turned