“I told you why. The sun doesn’t bother us.”
“Then why have the sahibs bought sweets and chappaties in the bazaars?”
“Because we were hungry.”
“Sahibs are not eating native food; they must have European food. Why have you bought these?”
“For Lord’s sake, hit that nigger on the head with something!” burst out Marten. “I want to sleep.”
The sergeant retreated several paces and continued his examination.
“And why have the sahibs gone to the tem—?”
The shriek of an incoming train drowned the rest, and we hastened towards the European compartment.
“You must not go in the train!” screamed the sergeant, while the squad danced excitedly around us. “Stop! You must answer—”
We stepped inside and slammed the door.