Gaius returns with his shopping.
What did you buy? asks Belle.
Eels, says Gaius, and a Petit Gris Melon.
Really? says Belle.
Yes, really, says Gaius. Now, is everyone ready?
Pretty much, says Belle. Terence and Baldy will need a box for Saint Malo and Saint Roley.
A box, says Gaius, looking around the apartment.
No box is apparent.
WHAT did you call them? asks Gaius.
Saint Malo and Saint Roley, isn't that cute? says Belle.
Let us hope they live up to their names, says Gaius, opening a cupboard.
Several old shoes fall out.
How about this? asks Gaius, picking up one of them.
Terence and Baldy, come here!
We'll need a knife, says Belle. For the melon.
And the eels, says Gaius.
Are they still in one piece? asks Belle.
They are still living, says Gaius.
Belle grits her teeth.
She knew she should have done the shopping.
Terence picks up little Saint Roley, too roughly.
Saint Roley glares back at Terence.
He wants to ride in the shoe, says Terence.
Saint Roley knows that he doesn't.
Terence plonks him in it.
It's an old sneaker. It smells of toe fungus.
Baldy! says Belle, see if Saint Malo will fit in it the shoe with Saint Roley.
Baldy is a much better mother.
He helps Saint Malo gently onto his feet.
Now walk to the shoe, says Baldy. Careful! Go on!
Saint Malo takes wobbling steps forward in the shoe's direction.
His fluffy grey chick feathers tremble.
He stumbles. Baldy helps him up.
Saint Malo is encouraged. He tries again to walk to the shoe where his brother sits glaring and sniffing the nasty scent of human toe fungus.
He makes it. Baldy lifts him in.
Well done, Saint Malo, says Gaius. You deserve your fine carriage.
It's an old shoe, says Belle. As soon as we find a proper box I'll be ditching it. And what about a knife?
Arthur will bring one, says Gaius.
Oh yes, says Belle, and where is he?
He said he'd catch up, says Gaius. Shall we get going? The afternoon wears on.
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