"Ask the conductor if important westerners can come aboard, and journey to Chengchow," requests Father Pierrepont of Mingzhu; she converses with the conductor.
Mingzhu turns round and says: "He demands payment--a bribe."
"But I've spent all of my pocket money," shrugs Posie sadly.
Santiago remembers the coins which Father Anselm gave to him; after Mingzhu haggles with the conductor Santiago pockets the remaining $10.
The guard ports their luggage into the freight wagon and everyone climbs into the first-class carriage. It is overheated inside which is a reminder that outside it is cool--the early morning frost still glistens. Father Pierrepont, stood beside the Mission's truck and shading his eyes from the low sun, waves enthusiastically as the locomotive puffs away.
The first-class carriage has two compartments: the first is packed with middle-aged men wearing old-fashioned suits, on the glass of the door is taped a poster "Swastika Society"--a kind of Buddhist Red Cross; the second is empty, apart from a young lady, who sits slumped on the velveteen upholstered bench, staring outside as the locomotive passes through a dirty, mean village.
