It's the rest day. Belle has organised a picnic. The clowns have not been invited.
What's to eat? asks Sweezus.
Green lentils, mountain sausages, mushrooms, Velay cheese, says Belle.
Lentils! says Sweezus.
What's that fatty meat, there? asks Vello. Pot au feu?
A surprise, says Belle. Leave some room. You'll love it.
Why can't we have it now? asks David.
Arthur's not back yet, says Belle.
Arthur has taken Terence and Tiny to see the Virgin.
No one else would.
Especially Sweezus.
It had happened like this:
Please, PLEASE! said Terence.
No way! said Sweezus.
Why not? asked Terence.
I steer clear of Virgins, said Sweezus. You go.
But who'll TAKE me? asked Terence.
I will, said Arthur.
And that's why Arthur is mounting the stairs inside the Virgin with Terence and Tiny.
They come out at the top. near her crown of stars.
Okay, Terence, says Arthur. What do you want to ask her?
She isn't listening, says Terence.
Yes I am, says the Virgin. You're Terence, Maria's boy, from Barcelona. Say hello to your baby cousin.
Hello baldy, says Terence.
Holly-bolly, says Baldy.
Good try, sweetheart, says the Virgin.
Can you kill people? asks Terence.
I suppose so, says the Virgin. Is it this serpent? I step on them. Usually that's enough to kill them. Isn't that right, Baldy? That's what mummy does, doesn't she?
NO! says Terence. This is Tiny Sacrifice. He's my parrot!
Oh, sorry dear! says the Virgin. Who then? Surely not this handsome young man?
She means Arthur.
Arthur smiles disarmingly, to ensure his survival.
The CLOWNS! says Terence. Pickel-bum and Grim-bum!
Pickel-bum and Grim-bum! The Virgin covers Baldy's ears.
I'll see what I can do, says the Virgin. All I ask in return is that you take Baldy for an outing, and bring him back at dinner time, or even tomorrow.
OKAY! says Terence. Come on Baldy!
Bolly! says Baldy.
Arthur, Tiny, Terence and Baldy make their way down the steps inside the Virgin and head back to the picnic.
Ah there you are, says Belle. At last! Now we can all have some delicious fin gras du Mézenc. They feed the cows on hay and perfumed fennel, so the beef has a wonderful taste and aroma. Oh my! Who's this cute baby?
It's just Baldy, says Terence.
Baldy has grabbed himself a glass of Verveine du Velay, which Gaius had put down on the grass, and swallowed the entire contents.
Good grief! says Belle. He's a BABY! He should NOT have had that!
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