Kim affected blank ignorance . ` Dost thou not know the meaning of the walnut -- priest ? ' she said coyly , and handed him the half-shells . ` Well thought of . ' He slipped the piece of paper between them quickly . ` Hast thou a little wax to close them on this letter ? ' The woman sighed aloud , and Kim relented . ` There is no payment till service has been rendered . Carry this to the Babu , and say it was sent by the Son of the Charm . ' ` Ai ! Truly ! Truly ! By a magician -- who is like a Sahib . ' ` Nay , a Son of the Charm : and ask if there be any answer . ' ` But if he offer a rudeness ? I -- I am afraid . ' Kim laughed . ` He is , I have no doubt , very tired and very hungry . The Hills make cold bedfellows . Hai , my ' -- it was on the tip of his tongue to say Mother , but he turned it to Sister -- ` thou art a wise and witty woman .
By this time all the villages XXXXX what has befallen the Sahibs -- eh ? '
am art close know offer rendered said say sighed turned