Many times when I returned from my Search to this Temple, which has always been a nest to me, there came one seeking Enlightenment--a man from Leh--that had been, he said, a Hindu, but wearied of all those Gods.' The lama pointed to the Arhats.
'A fat man ?' said Kim, a twinkle in his eye.
'Very fat; but I perceived in a little his mind was wholly given up to useless things--such as devils and charms and the form and fashion of our tea-drinkings in the monasteries, and by what road we initiated the novices.

A man abounding in questions; but he was a friend of thine, chela.

He told me that thou wast on the road to much honour as a scribe.

And I see thou art a physician.' 'Yes, that am I--a scribe, when I am a Sahib, but it is set aside when I come as thy disciple.

I have accomplished the years appointed for a Sahib.' 'As it were a novice ?' said the lama, nodding his head.