African
The conductor picked his way down the aisle, collecting fares, making change and giving tickets.
"All the way to Machakos?" he asked Kioko's grandfather.
"Yes, to the end."
"Eighteen shillings for two."
"Eighteen?" his grandfather asked. "He is so small, you should only charge half the fare for him."
"He is small. If you want a cheaper fare, we can tie his feet together like the chickens and put him on the roof."
For a moment, Kioko thought they were serious, but then the men laughed.
The conductor picked his way down the aisle, collecting fares, making change and giving tickets.
"All the way to Machakos?" he asked Kioko's grandfather.
"Yes, to the end."
"Eighteen shillings for two."
"Eighteen?" his grandfather asked. "He is so small, you should only charge half the fare for him."
"He is small. If you want a cheaper fare, we can tie his feet together like the chickens and put him on the roof."
For a moment, Kioko thought they were serious, but then the men laughed.
