He was old, and his woollen gaberdine still reeked of the stinking artemisia of the mountain passes.
'O Children, what is that big house ?' he said in very fair Urdu.
'The Ajaib-Gher, the Wonder House!' Kim gave him no title--such as Lala or Mian.

He could not divine the man's creed.
'Ah! The Wonder House! Can any enter ?' 'It is written above the door--all can enter.' 'Without payment ?' 'I go in and out.

I am no banker,' laughed Kim.
'Alas! I am an old man.

I did not know.' Then, fingering his rosary, he half turned to the Museum.
'What is your caste?
Where is your house?
Have you come far ?' Kim asked.
'I came by Kulu--from beyond the Kailas--but what know you?
From the Hills where'-- he sighed--'the air and water are fresh and cool.' 'Aha! Khitai [a Chinaman],' said Abdullah proudly.

Fook Shing had once chased him out of his shop for spitting at the joss above the boots.
'Pahari [a hillman],' said little Chota Lal.
'Aye, child--a hillman from hills thou'lt never see.