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I am unable to understand the phrase "save with swords for tickets". What is the meaning of the sentence?

She will never attend Sunday-school or learn to vote save with swords for tickets.

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  • I can guess, but for a real answer you're going to have to add some more context, by quoting some more from wherever you got that sentence. – Spencer May 16 '17 at 20:38
  • All I get is she is uncivilized and will attack to go where she wishes. – Yosef Baskin May 16 '17 at 20:39
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... Asia is not going to be civilised after the methods of the West. There is too much Asia and she is too old. You cannot reform a lady of many lovers, and Asia has been insatiable in her flirtations aforetime. She will never attend Sunday-school or learn to vote save with swords for tickets.

from The Man Who Was by Rudyard Kipling

save with swords for tickets means: unless you replace voting tickets with swords.

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    I think "tickets" must be "ballots." // "Save" means "except." – aparente001 May 17 '17 at 4:46

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