[i]The train gets up to speed and leaves Sweetwater behind.  It travels about 30 mph on the straight stretches of track and drops down to about 20 mph on curves and turns. The trip to Odessa is expected to take about 9 hours with no stopovers.  One guard is stationed inside the passenger car at the front... which is the side toward the express car.[/i] 


[hr]


Petunia Krump’s mouth tightened, offended by Mistihkoman’s, in her opinion, uncalled for name calling.   

“I’ll have you know, [i]sir[/i],” she started, emphasizing the word ‘sir’ as if to remind him of polite society, but she was obviously getting worked up.  “…that I am a [i]schoolteacher[/i].  Children with no discipline and no respect for adults do poorly in their studies.” 

Meanwhile, the kid responds to the barrage of questions about his lack of guardian by crossing his arms over his chest and giving an exaggerated shrug.  "Gotta go live with my Aunt Millie..." he mumbles, then kicks the leg of the wooden seat.  

"Is you all a posse?" he asks, obviously thinking about Mistihkoman's explanation.

"It's 'Are you', child..." Petunia just can't help herself from chiming in to correct him.