The passengers of Iona are described in graphic detail as they represent people from various walks of life.

A policeman is an impatient man who is uninterested in listening to his story because he is in a hurry and the only conversation he has is criticising Iona for driving rashly and asking him to go faster. The three drunkards also offer no sympathy in Iona's sorrow because they hurl insults and swear at him and react indifferently when he mention's his son's death.

These details show how unconcerned and indifferent they are to Iona's grief, caring only about their own affairs.