The boy resented his silence and lack of interest by beating him, as was only natural.

He did not care for any of the bazars which were in bounds.
He styled all natives 'niggers'; yet servants and sweepers called him abominable names to his face, and, misled by their deferential attitude, he never understood.

This somewhat consoled Kim for the beatings.
On the morning of the fourth day a judgement overtook that drummer.
They had gone out together towards Umballa racecourse.

He returned alone, weeping, with news that young O'Hara, to whom he had been doing nothing in particular, had hailed a scarlet-bearded nigger on horseback; that the nigger had then and there laid into him with a peculiarly adhesive quirt, picked up young O'Hara, and borne him off at full gallop.

These tidings came to Father Victor, and he drew down his long upper lip.