She alone of them all knew that he was on the first leg of the terrible journey to the beach.

Somebody ought to talk to him, warn him.

He was all alone, like herself.
"What are those odd-looking things on the roofs ?" she asked of Ah Cum.
"Pigs and fish, to fend off the visitations of the devil." Ah Cum smiled.

"After all, I believe we Chinese have the right idea.

The devil is on top, not below.