'Forty years ago that might have been said, and not without truth.

Ay.

thirty years ago.

But it is the fault of this gadding up and down Hind that a king's widow must jostle all the scum of the land, and be made a mock by beggars.' 'Great Queen,' said Kim promptly, for he heard her shaking with indignation, 'I am even what the Great Queen says I am; but none the less is my master holy.

He has not yet heard the Great Queen's order that--' 'Order?
I order a Holy One--a Teacher of the Law--to come and speak to a woman?
Never!' 'Pity my stupidity.