Even Lurgan's impassive face changed.

He considered the years to come when Kim would have been entered and made to the Great Game that never ceases day and night, throughout India.

He foresaw honour and credit in the mouths of a chosen few, coming to him from his pupil.
Lurgan Sahib had made E.23 what E.23 was, out of a bewildered, impertinent, lying, little North-West Province man.
But the joy of these masters was pale and smoky beside the joy of Kim when St Xavier's Head called him aside, with word that Colonel Creighton had sent for him.
'I understand, O'Hara, that he has found you a place as an assistant chain-man in the Canal Department: that comes of taking up mathematics.

It is great luck for you, for you are only sixteen; but of course you understand that you do not become pukka [permanent] till you have passed the autumn examination.

So you must not think you are going out into the world to enjoy yourself, or that your fortune is made.