Make haste to learn, and in three years, or it may be less, thou wilt be an aid--even to me.' 'Have I been such a hindrance till now ?' said Kim, with a boy's giggle.
'Do not give answers,' Mahbub grunted.

'Thou art my new horse-boy.

Go and bed among my men.

They are near the north end of the station, with the horses.' 'They will beat me to the south end of the station if I come without authority.' Mahbub felt in his belt, wetted his thumb on a cake of Chinese ink, and dabbed the impression on a piece of soft native paper.

From Balkh to Bombay men know that rough-ridged print with the old scar running diagonally across it.
'That is enough to show my headman.