Page:Memory; how to develop, train, and use it - Atkinson - 1919.djvu/100

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Memory

Rudyard Kipling in his great book, “Kim,” gives an instance of this game, played by “Kim” and a trained native youth. Lurgan Sahib exposes to the sight of the two boys a tray filled with jewels and gems, allowing them to gaze upon it a few moments before it is withdrawn from sight. Then the competition begins, as follows: “‘There are under that paper five blue stones, one big, one smaller, and three small,’ said Kim in all haste. There are four green stones, and one with a hole in it; there is one yellow stone that I can see through, and one like a pipe stem. There are two red stones, and—and—give me time.’” But Kim had reached the limit of his powers. Then came the turn of the native boy. “‘Hear my count,’ cried the native child. ‘First are two flawed sapphires, one of two ruttes and one of four, as I should judge. The four rutte sapphire is chipped at the edge. There is one Turkestan turquoise, plain with green veins, and there are two inscribed—one with the name of God in gilt, and the other being cracked across, for it came out of an old ring, I cannot read. We have now the five blue stones; four flamed