It was noon when the caravan reached the tower of the water-clock. Here they would be having lunch. Ah Cum said that it was customary to give the chair boys small money for rice. The four tourists contributed varied sums: the spinsters ten cents each, the girl a shilling, the young man a Mexican dollar. The lunches were individual affairs: sandwiches, bottled olives and jam commandeered from the Victoria.
"You are alone?" said one of the spinsters—Prudence Jedson.
"Yes," answered the girl.
"Aren't you afraid?"
"Of what?"—serenely.
"The men."
"They know."
"They know what?"
"When and when not to speak. You have only to look resolute and proceed upon your way."
Ah Cum lent an ear covertly.