His long nose--this Teuton is as short-sighted as a mole--rubs the lines of the book he reads.

The book is the time-table.

The impatient traveler is ascertaining if the train passes the stations at the stated time.
Whenever it is behind there are new recriminations and menaces against the Grand Transasiatic Company.
In this car there are also the Caternas, who have made themselves quite comfortable.

In his cheery way, the husband is talking with a good deal of gesticulation, sometimes touching his wife's hands, sometimes putting his arms round her waist; and then he turns his head toward the platform and says something aside.

Madame Caterna leans toward him, makes little confused grimaces, and then leans back into the corner and seems to reply to her husband, who in turn replies to her.