Basins, brooms, and sponges lay about, half-hidden by the seats.

Then, as the train only carried such luggage as the pilgrims could take with them, there were valises, deal boxes, bonnet boxes, and bags, a wretched pile of poor worn-out things mended with bits of string, heaped up a little bit everywhere; and overhead the litter began again, what with articles of clothing, parcels, and baskets hanging from brass pegs and swinging to and fro without a pause.
Amidst all this frippery the more afflicted patients, stretched on their narrow mattresses, which took up the room of several passengers, were shaken, carried along by the rumbling gyrations of the wheels; whilst those who were able to remain seated, leaned against the partitions, their faces pale, their heads resting upon pillows.

According to the regulations there should have been one lady-hospitaller to each compartment.

However, at the other end of the carriage there was but a second Sister of the Assumption, Sister Claire des Anges.

Some of the pilgrims who were in good health were already getting up, eating and drinking.