Kim

Kim by Rudyard Kipling

I am only three chapters into reading "Kim." The Great Game has yet to unfold, but I've already found a few gems.

As the Lama and Kim head for the Great Trunk Road on their journey to find the River, a local retired soldier points them the way. He comes prepared with his sword, just in case...

"The sword" he said, fumbling it. "Oh, that was a fancy of mine, an old man's fancy. Truly the police orders are that no man must bear weapons throughout Hind, but"--he cheered up and slapped the hilt--"all the constabeels hereabout know me."

"It is not a good fancy," said the lama. "What profit to kill men?"

"Very little--as I know; but if evil men were not now and then slain it would not be a good world for weaponless dreamers. ”

And a little later, they reach the road.

"See, Holy One--the Great Road which is the backbone of all Hind...A man goes in safety here for at every few koss is a police-station. The police are thieves and extortioners, but at least they do not suffer any rivals."

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