He went on : ' I am but a teacher of the alphabet . I have learned all the wisdom of the Sahibs . ' ` The Sahibs never grow old . They dance and they play like children when they are grandfathers . A strong-backed breed , ' piped the voice inside the palanquin . ' I have , too , our drugs which loosen humours of the head in hot and angry men . Sina well compounded when the moon stands in the proper House ; yellow earths I have -- arplan from China that makes a man renew his youth and astonish his household ; saffron from Kashmir , and the best salep of Kabul . Many people have died before -- ' ` That I surely believe , ' said Kim . ` They knew the value of my drugs . I do not give my sick the mere ink in which a charm is written , but hot and rending drugs which descend and wrestle with the evil . ' ` Very mightily they do so , ' sighed the old lady . The voice launched into an immense tale of misfortune and bankruptcy , studded with plentiful petitions to the Government . ` But for my fate , which overrules all , I had been now in Government employ . I bear a degree from the great school at Calcutta -- whither , maybe , the son of this House shall go . ' ` He shall indeed . If our neighbour 's brat can in a few years be made an F A ' -LRB- First Arts -- she used the English word , of which she had heard so often -RRB- , ` how much more shall children clever as some that I know bear away prizes at rich Calcutta . ' ` Never , ' said the voice , ` have I seen such a child ! Born in an auspicious hour , and -- but for that colic which , alas ! turning into black cholers , may carry him off like a pigeon -- destined to many years , he is enviable . ' ` Hai mai ! '
XXXXX the old lady .
am give launched learned makes said stands studded used written