For three hours faces had peered out into the night. Many in the snowbound train had enjoyed the experience at first, enjoyed the thrill of unexpected adventure . . . and this, for a brief spell, had been adventure de luxe.

There had been warmth and light, men's laughter, women's voices, and children's play. But the loudest jester among the men was now silent, huddled deep in his great coat; and the young woman who had clapped her hands in silly ecstasy when it was announced that the train was snowbound was weeping and shivering by turns . . .