“I never saw a beggar less anxious to stay with his company, then. There’s the makings of a gay mystery here. Ye believe in Providence, Bennett?”
“I hope so.”
“Well, I believe in miracles, so it comes to the same thing. Powers of Darkness! Kimball O’Hara! And his son! But then he’s a native, and I saw Kimball married myself to Annie Shott. How long have you had these things, boy?”
“Ever since I was a little baby.”
Father Victor stepped forward quickly and opened the front of Kim’s upper garment. “You see, Bennett, he’s not very black. What’s your name?”
“Kim.”
“Or Kimball?”
“Perhaps. Will you let me go away?”
“What else?”
“They call me Kim Rishti ke. That is Kim of the Rishti.”