Summary

In Chapter 5, Cora wakes up to find she has fallen asleep in her seat, and Louise is no longer in the seat across from her. Cora tries to retrieve her book, which has fallen on the floor, but her corset prevents her from doing so. She picks up Louise’s Schopenhauer book and reads several underlined passages, which are dark and complicated.

Cora heads to the dining car. Though several passengers are in the diner, she quickly spots Louise sitting across from two older men. Louise invites Cora over to sit with them and have some lunch. Cora accepts Louise’s leftover chicken, thinking it will allow them to finish more quickly and leave the company of the men. The men introduce themselves as local Wichita fire fighters who are heading to Chicago for training. They turn out to be from Cora’s...