A Pencil Like A Blessing

There is blood on the foot of the Virgin.

Gaius enters the chapel.

What's going on?

Mea culpa, says the Virgin. I panicked and stepped on the children's new beetle. 

Then she smacked us, snivels Terence.

And how is the beetle? asks Gaius. Who let it out of the jar?

Me, says Terence. I was showing it to Butterball.

Butterball squats, to have a good look at the beetle.

It's okay, says Butterball, but it's legs are broken.

Let's see, says Baldy, also squatting. Terence squats too.

The beetle stares balefully at the three infants, and spits in three different directions.

Now there's blood on their fat little knees. Serves them right.

Interesting, says Gaius. I must make a note that Timarcha tenebricosa DOES sometimes bleed from the knees. I don't suppose you have a pencil?

The Virgin is insulted. To be asked for a pencil!

Gaius can tell. He wishes he hadn't asked for a pencil. It will make it more awkward to ask for a passport.

He tries diplomacy.

Is your son interested in science?

Of course he is, says the Virgin. He is top of his class. Why only last year he went on a class trip to the Arctic Circle.

Really. And how did he get there? asks Gaius

The usual way, says the Virgin. It's shrinking, you know.

Yes, the ice is. The circle itself is drifting northwards, due to the earth's tilt, says Gaius. I read that somewhere.

Don't tell Butterball, says the Virgin. He'll want a new globe to stand on.

I imagine he knows, says Gaius. Being so clever.

Indeed, says the Virgin.

She softens. Actually, I do have a pencil.

Wonderful. May I borrow it for a moment? asks Gaius.

What kind of pencil will she have? No doubt a sharp one.

Here it is now. She holds up the pencil, like a blessing.

It's a blue one, topped by a light bulb.

Is that light bulb part of the pencil? asks Gaius.

No, it's a sharpener, says the Virgin. Nifty, isn't it. They come from China.

Very nifty, says Gaius.

This is going well now. He decides not to risk going backwards by asking for paper.