Why did he want to poison you ?' 'Because he is so fond of me.

Suppose you were fond of someone, and you saw someone come, and the man you were fond of was more pleased with him than he was with you, what would you do ?' Kim thought.

Lurgan repeated the sentence slowly in the vernacular.

'I should not poison that man,' said Kim reflectively, 'but I should beat that boy--if that boy was fond of my man.

But first, I would ask that boy if it were true.' 'Ah! He thinks everyone must be fond of me.' 'Then I think he is a fool.' 'Hearest thou ?' said Lurgan Sahib to the shaking shoulders.