Oyster Funeral

Butterball is not allowed to come.

Not until he has given the Virgin a full account of the state of the cushions.

We can't wait, says Terence.

See if I care, says Butterball.

Méen has some tidying to do. The life buoy needs rehanging, for instance.

So the funeral entourage consists of Terence and Baldy, Saint Roley, Gaius and Maclou.

It will be sufficient.

They walk down the Rue de la Vallée Porcon, Saint Roley bearing oyster granny, on one of the cushions.

This is quite an occasion, observes Maclou. Saint Roley has written a poem.

Yes, says Gaius. It rhymes, which pleases Terence.

Not you? says Maclou.

Sweet eternal pause, says Gaius. It seems contradictory.

I was quite taken with it, says Maclou. A pause which lasts indefinitely.

Eternally says Gaius. Therefore, strictly speaking, it isn't a pause.

I'm sure it's neither here nor there to oyster granny, says Maclou.

True, says Gaius. As long as Saint Roley is happy.

You have great plans for Saint Roley? says Maclou.

Indeed, says Gaius. It is most advantageous that he has become articulate. He can spread the word amongst his fellow oystercatchers about the effects of rising sea levels.

Assuming they understand what he says, says Maclou. For they are not all so blessed.

But now they have reached the beach at Cancale. The beach is pebbly, with rocks at each end.

Terence and Baldy run onto the sand, to find a good spot to bury oyster granny.

Saint Roley stands still, with the cushion.

Oyster granny does nothing.

She has already begun her sweet eternal pause.

A hole is dug.

Any good? asks Terence.

Deeper, says Baldy. Someone might cut their foot.

It is true. Oyster granny is sharpish.

Saint Roley tiptoes forward, and places the cushion over the hole.

What's this? says Maclou. Are we also burying the cushion?

Yes, says Saint Roley. It won't be sweet otherwise.

Make the hole bigger, says Gaius. But hurry.

Terence and Baldy scrape out a great quantity of sand.

The cushion fits in now. Oyster granny lies in her last resting place, on a cushion.

O Oyster Granny..... begins Saint Roley.