not stay with the Kulu woman, O Holy One? In what
way didst thou get to Benares? My heart has been heavy since we
parted.'

'The woman wearied me by constant flux of talk and requiring charms for
children. I separated myself from that company, permitting her to
acquire merit by gifts. She is at least a woman of open hands, and I
made a promise to return to her house if need arose. Then, perceiving
myself alone in this great and terrible world, I bethought me of the
te-rain to Benares, where I knew one abode in the Tirthankars' Temple
who was a Seeker, even as I.'

'Ah! Thy River,' said Kim. 'I had forgotten the River.'

'So soon, my chela? I have never forgotten it. But when I had left
thee it seemed better that I should go to the Temple and take counsel,
for, look you, India is very large, and it may be that wise men before
us, some two or three, have left a record of the place of our River.
There is debate in the Temple of the Tirthankars on this matter; some
saying one thing, and some another. They are courteous folk.'

'So be it; but what dost thou do now?'

'I acquire merit in that I help thee, my chela, to wisdom. The priest
of that body of men who serve the Red Bull wrote me that all should be
as I desired for thee. I sent the money to suffice for one year, and
then I came, as thou seest me, to watch for thee going up into the
Gates of Learning. A day and a half have I waited, not because I was
led by any affection towards thee--that is no part of the Way--but, as
they said at the Tirthankars' Temple, because, money having been paid
for learning, it was right that I should oversee the end of the matter.
They resolved my doubts most clearly. I had a fear that, perhaps, I
came because I wished to see thee--misguided by the Red Mist of
affection. It is not so ... Moreover, I am troubled by a dream.'

'But surely, Holy One, thou hast not forgotten the Road and all that
befell on it. Surely it was a little to see me that thou didst come?'

'The horses are cold, and it is past their feeding-time,' whined the
driver.

'Go to Jehannum and abide there with thy reputationless aunt!' Kim
snarled over his shoulder. 'I am all alone in this land; I know not
where I go nor what shall befall me. My heart was in that letter I
sent thee. Except for Mahbub Ali, and he is a Pathan, I have no friend
save thee, Holy One. Do not altogether go away.'

'I have considered that also,' the lama replied, in a s