Kim looked up , over-weary to smile , shaking his head in denial . ` Do not jest , ' said the lama . ` That time is done . We are here upon great matters . A sickness of soul took me in the Hills , and him a sickness of the body . Since then I have lived upon his strength -- eating him . ' ` Children together -- young and old , ' she sniffed , but forbore to make any new jokes . ` May this present hospitality restore ye ! Hold awhile and I will come to gossip of the high good Hills . ' At evening time -- her son-in-law was returned , so she did not need to go on inspection round the farm -- she won to the meat of the matter , explained low-voicedly by the lama . The two old heads nodded wisely together . Kim had reeled to a room with a cot in it , and was dozing soddenly . The lama had forbidden him to set blankets or get food . ' I know -- I know . Who but I ? ' she cackled . ` We who go down to the burning-ghats clutch at the hands of those coming up from the River of Life with full water-jars -- yes , brimming water-jars . I did the boy wrong . He lent thee his strength ? It is true that the old eat the young daily .
Stands now we must XXXXX him . '
Do cackled come eating go make restore shaking smile sniffed